Labor groups and environmentalists have a complicated relationship.

Efforts to mitigate climate change stand to create new employment opportunities in a thriving low-carbon economy. But they also stand to eliminate many unionized jobs, particularly in the fossil fuel industry.

So how can organized labor and the environmental movement work together to promote a just and sustainable society? We discuss in the fourth episode of Political Climate’s monthly “Path to Zero” series with Lee Anderson, director of government affairs at the Utility Workers Union of America, and Anna Fendley, director of regulatory and state policy at the United Steelworkers.

We also explore how policymakers can support blue-collar workers and expand job prospects while dramatically cutting down carbon emissions. Does the prospect of another economic stimulus bill in response to COVID-19 present an opportunity to accelerate America's blue-green economy?

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Political Climate is produced in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute. “Path to Zero” is created in partnership with the public policy think tank Third Way. Episodes air monthly on the Political Climate podcast feed. Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play or wherever you get podcasts.