The New York Times’s annual Climate Forward conference is underway, featuring crucial discussions with global leaders, policymakers, business executives, and activists. A central theme this year is the profound impact of the Trump administration’s approach to climate policy. The United States, which once aimed to be a climate leader, has since withdrawn from these efforts, downplaying climate threats and actively promoting fossil fuels.
The stakes are incredibly high. With another year of record global temperatures and climate-fueled disasters, world leaders face both a rapidly changing planet and a dramatically altered political landscape. This situation is further complicated by increasing energy demand, driven partly by artificial intelligence, and China’s dominance in developing clean energy technologies like batteries and solar power.
The event includes conversations with figures such as U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and California Governor Gavin Newsom, among others. Attendees can find the full speaker lineup, schedule, and panel details within the conference materials.
Additional highlights include:
- Six points of view: Interviews with world leaders on navigating climate action after the United States pulled out of global climate action.
- Climate Forward is also a podcast: The first episode features a conversation with former Vice President Al Gore, exploring the climate movement’s journey since “An Inconvenient Truth.”
- Your questions: Insights from audience-submitted climate questions posed to speakers.
- The Climate Forward newsletter: Information on how to sign up for ongoing updates.
Few figures are as instrumental in bringing climate change into public discourse as former Vice President Al Gore, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate renowned for his environmental advocacy. His Oscar-winning 2006 documentary, “An Inconvenient Truth,” galvanized global action on climate change. However, the Trump administration has significantly reversed U.S. engagement in the global climate fight. In an interview with David Gelles, Mr. Gore discussed the future of the movement to protect our warming planet.
The discussion, led by David Gelles, delved into the persistent challenges of climate action. Gore attributed much of the inaction to a decades-long campaign of denial and obstruction from the fossil fuel industry, alongside general societal inertia. He recalled his earlier work, acknowledging the problem’s immense difficulty even when his documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” premiered in 2006. Referencing “Dornbusch’s Law,” Gore expressed a belief in an impending “inflection point” where change would accelerate rapidly, despite the current slow pace.
Gore highlighted a crucial financial disparity: the estimated $4.4 trillion in annual fossil fuel subsidies nearly matches the $4.5 trillion needed to finance a global energy transition. He argued that simply reallocating these subsidies could unlock significant progress. When questioned about the motivations of figures like Secretary Wright who deny climate threats, Gore cited Upton Sinclair’s observation about the difficulty of understanding something when one’s income depends on not understanding it.
The conversation also touched on the escalating frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, which Gore vividly described as a “nature hike through the Book of Revelation.” He noted the public’s heightened awareness and concern compared to two decades prior. While acknowledging potential “tipping points” like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as deeply worrying, Gore expressed strong optimism in the burgeoning global grassroots climate movement. He emphasized that active engagement, rather than despair, is the true antidote to the crisis, pointing to the economic benefits and job creation potential of the sustainability transition. Gore believes sustained political activism can sway undecided officials and drive the necessary rapid changes.
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The 2025 Climate Forward conference is taking place today, with a livestream available. Here’s an overview of the day’s panels and speakers:
The high stakes of COP30: André Corrêa do Lago, president of COP30, addresses “economic denial” as a critical challenge. With the U.S. retreating from climate action, global policy is at a precarious point as governments prepare to meet in the Amazon.
The future of climate activism in the Trump era: As President Trump rolls back environmental regulations, groups are adapting their strategies. This panel features Abigail Dillen (Earthjustice), Manish Bapna (Natural Resources Defense Council), and activist Bill McKibben.
How to bring power to the world: Jacqueline Novogratz (Acumen) and Damilola Ogunbiyi (Sustainable Energy for All) explore solutions for delivering reliable, affordable energy to millions globally.
Will the A.I. revolution put climate goals at risk? Google’s Kate Brandt and Microsoft’s Melanie Nakagawa discuss AI’s impact on industries and sustainability, addressing rising tech emissions and climate goals.
When climate change is a national security threat: Jake Sullivan, former national security adviser, examines how the U.S. and allies are preparing for climate-induced threats and the rivalry with China in clean energy development.
Has the world turned against climate politics? David Wallace-Wells presents remarks on global shifts in climate politics, questioning what will replace the unity of the Paris Accord and who will lead the next era of climate action.
The billionaire betting on a fossil-free future: Andrew Forrest, executive chairman of Fortescue, shares his ambitious vision to transition his mining company to net-zero emissions by 2030.
The nation that is sinking into the sea: President Hilda Heine of the Marshall Islands details her nation’s urgent fight for survival against rising sea levels, the limits of adaptation, and the responsibilities of wealthier nations.
Actor Rainn Wilson on climate change and spirituality: Rainn Wilson shares his spiritually informed perspective on the climate crisis, inspired by a fire ceremony with Indigenous elders and King Charles III.
The big power shift: Scott Strazik (CEO of GE Vernova) discusses his company’s unique position amid Mr. Trump’s energy agenda, which targets offshore wind while promoting oil and gas.
Gavin Newsom on Mr. Trump, California and climate: Governor Gavin Newsom discusses California’s role in setting climate policy standards and pushing back against federal environmental policies, and the challenges of state-led climate action without federal funding.
Secretary Chris Wright on energy politics under Mr. Trump: Energy Secretary Chris Wright outlines the Trumpian agenda of deregulation and fossil fuel expansion, and his department’s approach to energy policy and climate change challenges.
Are we on the brink of a fusion breakthrough? Bob Mumgaard (Commonwealth Fusion Systems) discusses the proximity of commercial fusion power, a clean and limitless energy solution, to grid integration.
Climate change and Congress: Senator Brian Schatz discusses the complexities of translating climate ambition into lasting policy and building political will in a divided Congress.
Australia on the forefront of climate change: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese details Australia’s efforts to reduce emissions, its reliance on fossil fuels, and his call for the country to lead in embracing renewables.