Climate change may not always appear at the top of an election ad, but what about utility bills, data centers, energy prices and the future voters are leaving behind? Are we in need of a rebrand?

On this episode of Four Generations Talk Climate, host Dan Delurey (Boomer) is joined by a familiar cast of characters including Heather White (Gen X), Anna Broughel (Millennial), and Hannah Testa (Gen Z).

The group starts with elections, voter turnout and climate hushing, but quickly comes to the conclusion that climate is already embedded in many of the issues voters are discussing every day. From utility bills and data centers to diesel prices, AI, generational leadership and political messaging, the conversation asks whether climate advocates need a different way of telling the story.

Then the generations turn the spotlight on Boomers: if older generations hold significant wealth, influence and institutional power, what would it look like to put more of those resources toward the future now? Maybe we’ll find out this November.

Timestamps

00:00 Meet this episode’s four generations

04:10 Why climate voters need to show up

07:05 Is climate hushing hurting the message?

09:35 Utility bills, data centers and the climate connection

14:45 Are data centers the biggest issue this election?

17:05 Why voters think short term about a long-term problem

22:15 Is it time for a generational change in leadership?

27:10 How older generations can open doors for younger ones

31:00 What would actually motivate Boomers to act?

34:15 Why climate philanthropy matters right now

Quotes

“We can’t just talk about this election in the context of solving climate change, but about these short-term issues that impact people.” – Hannah Testa

“There’s this idea that the American voter can’t hold multiple truths at once. And we can.” – Heather White

“What people want to make sure is that data centers are paying their fair share.” – Anna Broughel

“What is the message that causes Boomers to wake up to the fact that what they do or don’t do now is important to future generations?” – Dan Delurey

“I always ask people, Gen X and Boomers, to ask the young people in your life how they feel about the future we’re leaving them, and then pause. Pause and listen.” – Heather White

“If there’s a time for philanthropists to step up, it is now, because so many of these climate nonprofits and groups are struggling to help continue their operations.” – Hannah Testa

“I want the political narrative to be more of some good stuff… I want a positive message.” – Anna Broughel

“I don't think you're putting any pressure on my generation to do anything right now in terms of putting their money to work now as opposed to later. I don't think there's any messaging out there.” – Dan Delurey

Links

• Check out more from Four Generations Talk Climate

• Follow host and Boomer, Dan Delurey on LinkedIn

• Don’t forget the Gen Xer, Heather White

• Millennial Anna Broughel needs her participation trophy

• Is Gen Z even on LinkedIn? Hannah Testa is!