I'm Brian Lerer. This is my daily politics podcast from WNYC Studios. It's Wednesday, March 16th.

Now our climate story of the week. We're featuring at least one climate-related conversation on the show every week,

at least through August, because like the frog in the pot of water, we don't necessarily

feel like we're slowly boiling to death unless we pay attention early enough. Today's climate

question of the week, can the embargo against oil, gas, and coal from Russia become an opportunity for a

faster permanent transition away from fossil fuels? There's a lot of energy to make up.

Russia is the main exporter of oil and natural gas to the European Union. The Russian finance

minister said last year that the country's daily revenues from fossil fuels added up to about $500 million per day, that according to Reuters.

So what will replace all that energy?

Well, Republicans and fossil fuel trade groups here in the United States say that the solution is more domestic drilling and beefed up gas exports to Europe.

And with the spike in gasoline prices being exacerbated by the embargo,

even Democratic politicians are now trying to make it easier to get gasoline.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont just announced what he calls a gasoline tax

holiday in the nutmeg state. New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer spoke out yesterday for

increased domestic fossil fuel production and more investment in renewables, but only for the long

term. Just two examples from the last day. But we always seem to talk

about transitions to renewables as something down the road. So we're asking, can the embargo spur a

faster transition that's good for justice for Ukraine now and also good for all humanity

trying to stave off climate catastrophe down the road.

With us now, one of the most recognizable voices who says we can use the embargo as a climate opportunity.

It's Bill McKibben, environmentalist and co-founder of the climate activism group 350.org,

an author of several books, including his most recent from

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