Jonathan Vigliotti | Stories from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America

From massive forest fires in California to hurricanes in Louisiana, receding coastlines in Massachusetts and devastated fisheries in Alaska, the climate catastrophe is already here.
Discussion of the climate crisis has always suffered from a problem of abstraction. Data points and warnings of an overheated future struggle to break through the noise of everyday life. Deniers often portray climate solutions as inconvenient, expensive and unnecessary. Many politicians, focused always on their next election, do not yet see climate as a winning issue in the short run, so they don’t take any action at all. But climate change, and its devastating consequences, has kept apace whether we want to pay attention or not.
CBS News national correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti has seen that crisis unfold for himself, spending nearly two decades reporting across the United States (and the world) documenting the people, communities, landmarks, and traditions we’ve already surrendered. Vigliotti shares with urgency and personal touch the story of an America on the brink.
In his new book, Before It’s Gone, Vigliotti traces his travels across the country, taking him to the frontlines of climate disaster and revealing the genuine impacts of climate change that countless Americans have already been forced to confront. This is the story of America, and Americans, on the edge, and a powerful argument that radical action on climate change with a respect for its people and traditions is not only possible, but also the only way to preserve what we love.
April 4, 2024
Speakers
Jonathan Vigliotti
National Correspondent, CBS News; Author, Before It’s Gone: Stores from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America; X @JonVigliotti
In Conversation with Quentin Hardy
Independent Technology Writer
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Electric trains replaced diesel on the Long Island Railroad. Yes, electric cars, trucks, planes need more research and development. But solutions must be found. Solar power, wind, water, look at Iceland's use of natural hot water. And nuclear fusion...Got to do it!! And one good thing, it provides new jobs!

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"Politicians do not yet see climate as a winning issue in the short run". We have a critical choice to make in November 2024. How can we make people see that climate IS an issue? For the candidate that takes on this most crucial issue best, if we care about this world at all, it should be THE winning issue.

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When we choose our candidates in November, we should consider their position on climate change. I believe that "drill, baby, drill" is not a good position to take.