In this week’s episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Julia Haggerty, an associate professor at Montana State University and university fellow at Resources for the Future, about engaging the public in the US energy transition. Haggerty discusses public engagement in the context of US efforts to decarbonize, the opportunity presented by a transition to clean energy in terms of reducing inequities in the United States, the importance of public trust in government action, and ongoing efforts to ensure that communities take action toward decarbonization.

References and recommendations:

“Accelerating Decarbonization in the United States: Technology, Policy, and Societal Dimensions” by Stephen W. Pacala, Danielle Deane-Ryan, Alexandra Fazeli, Julia H. Haggerty, Chris T. Hendrickson, Roxanne Johnson, Timothy C. Lieuwen, Vivian E. Loftness, Carlos E. Martín, Michael A. Méndez, Clark A. Miller, Jonathan A. Patz, Keith Paustian, William Pizer, Ed Rightor, Patricia Romero-Lankao, Devashree Saha, Kelly Sims Gallagher, Susan F. Tierney, and William Walker; https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/25931/interactive/

“City Hall” film by Frederick Wiseman; https://www.pbs.org/show/city-hall/

Community Engagement for an Equitable Energy Transition, with Julia Haggerty

Leaders need a safe place to discuss pressing climate issues without risking their personal or professional reputation. Welcome to the Scorpion's Tail Club by Climobilize.

Siloed climate conversations are dangerous to planetary solvency.

The TAKE IT DOWN LAW: A Mother-Daughter Journey from Trauma to the White House | Ep 255

MERCHANDISE SHOP: voices-for-voices.org/3QnokLU
SUPPORT VOICES FOR VOICES®:
https://www.voicesforvoices.org/shop/p/supporter

From trauma to triumph, the journey of Elliston Berry and her mother Anna stands as a powerful testament to what determined voices can accomplish. When an AI-generated deepfake turned Elliston's innocent Instagram photo into a nude image circulated throughout her high school in October 2023, they discovered a terrifying gap in our legal system. Despite the clear harm caused, no laws existed to address AI harassment, leaving the perpetrator—a minor—facing zero consequences.

Refusing to accept this injustice, Anna Berry embarked on a relentless campaign for change. After exhausting local channels, she began reaching out to legislators in December 2023. Senator Cruz, himself a father to daughters near Elliston's age, recognized the urgency of the issue and championed their cause. What followed was a remarkably swift bipartisan effort resulting in the Take It Down Act—groundbreaking legislation signed into law by President Trump on May 19, 2025, in the White House Rose Garden.

The legislation establishes critical protections by explicitly classifying AI deepfakes as pornography and requiring platforms to remove harmful content within 48 hours. The journey to this historic moment included Elliston being recognized at the State of the Union address and participating in a roundtable with First Lady Melania Trump as part of her "Be Best" initiative. In a rare show of unified support, both the President and First Lady signed the bill.

Yet their work continues beyond legislation. Currently, they're developing educational curriculum to help schools understand, prevent, and respond to AI-related harassment while supporting the creation of technology that can identify unauthorized images across the internet. As Elliston poignantly expressed, "I can now look at this situation that happened to me, instead of being fearful and ashamed, and be proud of myself." Follow their continuing journey on Instagram @ellistonberry and watch for their upcoming book that will share their full story and provide guidance for others facing similar situations.

#takeitdownact #takeitdownlaw #presidenttrump #ellistonberry #annaberry #motherdaughterjourney #traumarecovery #whitehouse #whitehouseadvocacy #potus #flotus #firstladymelaniatrump #melaniatrump #legislationprocess #youthactivism #familyresilience #storytelling #personalgrowth #politicalactivism #teenactivism #mentalhealthawareness #policychange #narrativestorytelling #empowerment #governmentlegislation #VoicesforVoices #VoicesforVoicesPodcast #JustinAlanHayes #JustinHayes #help3billion

The TAKE IT DOWN LAW: A Mother-Daughter Journey from Trauma to the White House | Ep 255

💜We advocate for recovery.
501c3; EIN: 87-0932840💜

Resources Radio is a weekly podcast by Resources for the Future. Each week we talk to leading experts about climate change, electricity, ecosystems, and more, making the latest research accessible to everyone.

Brad is the Co-Founder of Climobilize - a climate think tank created to prevent economic and planetary insolvency.

New tracks tagged #policy change