- Social:
Columbia Law School
Professor at Columbia Law School, Director of its Center for Climate Change Law and Chair of the faculty of Columbia University's Earth Institute
PROFILE
Michael Gerrard
Guest
FROM Michael Gerrard
To the Point
Reality check: Climate change The promises of candidates during political campaigns are often made to be broken, but they do provide clues for voters who want to know what government might look like once the election is over. Hillary Clinton describes global warming as an "urgent threat." Donald Trump once called it "a hoax created by the Chinese." He's tried to back off a bit, but their differences are still profound, with dramatic consequences for energy policy and the environment. Clinton says she'll increase reductions in fossil fuel and build on the Obama legacy — which Trump promises to obliterate while he restores the coal industry. We hear the implications for the Paris climate accords — just approved by the European Union — and for national security.
To the Point
A Lack of Global Consensus in the Fight against Global Warming In a 5-to-4 ruling this week, the US Supreme Court ruled against the EPA's regulation of toxic emissions from coal and oil-fired power plants. For the majority, Justice Antonin Scalia said the monetary cost to power-plant operators was not worth "a few dollars in health or environmental benefits." That could mean trouble for President Obama's clean air agenda . Meantime, a Dutch court says its government must increase cuts in emissions -- regardless of cost -- in the interest of health and safety. Conflicting court rulings dramatize conflicting approaches to the environment and global warming.
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To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?