David Spence
@davidspence.bsky.social
Professor, Energy Law & Policy, University of Texas. Author, Climate of Contempt: Rescuing the US Energy Transition from Voter Partisanship (Columbia Univ. Press 2024). I now only post on my blog or LinkedIn.
https://www.ClimateOfContempt.com
https://www.ClimateOfContempt.com
For students and others who may be interested, I have assembled links to academic researchers and other resources that address the forces that are distorting energy and climate policymaking in the U.S., via this blog post. Please share.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/media-b...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/media-b...
How to get a deeper understanding of our political dysfunction - Climate of Contempt
climateofcontempt.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:59 AM
For students and others who may be interested, I have assembled links to academic researchers and other resources that address the forces that are distorting energy and climate policymaking in the U.S., via this blog post. Please share.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/media-b...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/media-b...
At this point, is there any reason NOT to label today’s GOP "fascist"? - Climate of Contempt
climateofcontempt.com
September 4, 2025 at 11:28 AM
I am shifting all my posting in energy politics and law to my blog and LinkedIn.
Fear of retribution at the ballot box from bitterly partisan and ideologically extreme voters of their own party is THE most important driver of House and Senate votes, by a long shot. 1/2
Fear of retribution at the ballot box from bitterly partisan and ideologically extreme voters of their own party is THE most important driver of House and Senate votes, by a long shot. 1/2
May 22, 2025 at 6:54 AM
I am shifting all my posting in energy politics and law to my blog and LinkedIn.
Fear of retribution at the ballot box from bitterly partisan and ideologically extreme voters of their own party is THE most important driver of House and Senate votes, by a long shot. 1/2
Fear of retribution at the ballot box from bitterly partisan and ideologically extreme voters of their own party is THE most important driver of House and Senate votes, by a long shot. 1/2
1/3 I will exit this & other space-constrained platforms (X, threads) on June 1, and confine my online presence to LinkedIn, Substack, and my blog (links below).
My particular understanding of energy policy and (particularly politics) doesn’t really resonate here: …
My particular understanding of energy policy and (particularly politics) doesn’t really resonate here: …
May 13, 2025 at 6:42 PM
1/3 I will exit this & other space-constrained platforms (X, threads) on June 1, and confine my online presence to LinkedIn, Substack, and my blog (links below).
My particular understanding of energy policy and (particularly politics) doesn’t really resonate here: …
My particular understanding of energy policy and (particularly politics) doesn’t really resonate here: …
Re: IRA repeal, congressional GOP fear MAGA voters more than other voters. The most vulnerable GOP House members are those in less safe seats who are getting IRA jobs & $. Click on the chart in this blog post to see who they are: climateofcontempt.com/blog/reading...
#energysky #energyandclimate
#energysky #energyandclimate
May 13, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Re: IRA repeal, congressional GOP fear MAGA voters more than other voters. The most vulnerable GOP House members are those in less safe seats who are getting IRA jobs & $. Click on the chart in this blog post to see who they are: climateofcontempt.com/blog/reading...
#energysky #energyandclimate
#energysky #energyandclimate
Some quick & dirty numbers on the congressional politics of repealing (all or part of) the Inflation Reduction Act. TLDR: We can understand what's happening better if we focus on electoral risk, and how that risk differs for different members of Congress.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
Strongly worded letters and the Inflation Reduction Act - Climate of Contempt
climateofcontempt.com
May 9, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Some quick & dirty numbers on the congressional politics of repealing (all or part of) the Inflation Reduction Act. TLDR: We can understand what's happening better if we focus on electoral risk, and how that risk differs for different members of Congress.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
I was motivated to write my book in part by the way so many online experts disregard what political science has to say about climate/energy politics. To update those thoughts, here are reviews of 5 recent books that illuminate climate politics:
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
How Does It End? Five Politics Book Reviews - Part 1, Introduction - Climate of Contempt
climateofcontempt.com
May 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I was motivated to write my book in part by the way so many online experts disregard what political science has to say about climate/energy politics. To update those thoughts, here are reviews of 5 recent books that illuminate climate politics:
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/polariz...
The legal side of the current assault on the rule of law and other institutions is complex and mentally exhausting. Understanding the political side is simpler, but emotionally exhausting:
davidspence533965.substack.com/p/governance...
#climate #climatepolitics #energytransition #authoritarianism
davidspence533965.substack.com/p/governance...
#climate #climatepolitics #energytransition #authoritarianism
Governance by Grievance
“All culture is Internet culture.” – Taylor Lorenz (technology and media writer)
davidspence533965.substack.com
March 30, 2025 at 2:59 PM
The legal side of the current assault on the rule of law and other institutions is complex and mentally exhausting. Understanding the political side is simpler, but emotionally exhausting:
davidspence533965.substack.com/p/governance...
#climate #climatepolitics #energytransition #authoritarianism
davidspence533965.substack.com/p/governance...
#climate #climatepolitics #energytransition #authoritarianism
Some thoughts on climate policy communication at the link below. Plus a sample:
climateofcontempt.com/blog/facts-m...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/facts-m...
March 13, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Some thoughts on climate policy communication at the link below. Plus a sample:
climateofcontempt.com/blog/facts-m...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/facts-m...
I enjoyed talking with Jason at Energy Central about my book on climate politics last month. That podcast is now available here - energycentral.com/o/energy-cen...
March 11, 2025 at 12:02 PM
I enjoyed talking with Jason at Energy Central about my book on climate politics last month. That podcast is now available here - energycentral.com/o/energy-cen...
Reposted by David Spence
We're excited to host @davidspence.bsky.social for a book talk on 'Climate of Contempt' with our Ann Carlson and William Boyd. We'll cover the effects of polarization & propaganda on energy policy as well as the path forward.
If you're in LA 3/18, come through!
law.ucla.edu/events/clima...
If you're in LA 3/18, come through!
law.ucla.edu/events/clima...
March 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
We're excited to host @davidspence.bsky.social for a book talk on 'Climate of Contempt' with our Ann Carlson and William Boyd. We'll cover the effects of polarization & propaganda on energy policy as well as the path forward.
If you're in LA 3/18, come through!
law.ucla.edu/events/clima...
If you're in LA 3/18, come through!
law.ucla.edu/events/clima...
Reposted by David Spence
Yesterday, Democracy Docket published its new tracker of the 42 most important Trump accountability lawsuits related to democracy. Sign-up now to stay informed. www.democracydocket.com/me-subscribe...
February 15, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Yesterday, Democracy Docket published its new tracker of the 42 most important Trump accountability lawsuits related to democracy. Sign-up now to stay informed. www.democracydocket.com/me-subscribe...
My take on the Administration’s unilateral attempts to remake the law and the executive branch. #energysky #energyandclimate
climateofcontempt.com/blog/hiding-...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/hiding-...
February 15, 2025 at 2:39 PM
My take on the Administration’s unilateral attempts to remake the law and the executive branch. #energysky #energyandclimate
climateofcontempt.com/blog/hiding-...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/hiding-...
If you can’t see any logic behind some of the things this administration does, consider that it might be about nothing more than demonstrating contempt for you & what you care about. And if you want to understand the logic behind that, watch right wing media for a few weeks. It will make sense.
February 7, 2025 at 8:08 PM
If you can’t see any logic behind some of the things this administration does, consider that it might be about nothing more than demonstrating contempt for you & what you care about. And if you want to understand the logic behind that, watch right wing media for a few weeks. It will make sense.
Some thoughts on how marginal cost dispatch doesn’t necessarily minimize total costs, and how that might disadvantage clean firm resources like geothermal power.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/is-it-t...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/is-it-t...
Might Market Pricing Make Clean Power More Expensive (or, "Can Geothermal Power Get Its Due?")? - Climate of Contempt
climateofcontempt.com
February 5, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Some thoughts on how marginal cost dispatch doesn’t necessarily minimize total costs, and how that might disadvantage clean firm resources like geothermal power.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/is-it-t...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/is-it-t...
Some thoughts about our political dysfunction, wildfires and risk.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/pooling...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/pooling...
Pooling Risk in the Age of Bitter Partisanship - Climate of Contempt
climateofcontempt.com
January 30, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Some thoughts about our political dysfunction, wildfires and risk.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/pooling...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/pooling...
Energy trivia - Who said it?
January 21, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Energy trivia - Who said it?
Some thoughts on the temptations of motivated reasoning in energy policy debates.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/speakin...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/speakin...
Speaking for Others in Energy Transition Debates - Climate of Contempt
Climate of Contempt argues that in order to develop a full understanding of the energy transition and its politics, one has to engage people who hold a diversity of views on the subject. Engage people directly, not just read about their views.
climateofcontempt.com
January 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Some thoughts on the temptations of motivated reasoning in energy policy debates.
climateofcontempt.com/blog/speakin...
climateofcontempt.com/blog/speakin...
Reposted by David Spence
In recent decades, wildland fires have been enabled by many factors, including the legacy of fire suppression, human settlement and distribution patterns, other management actions, and even natural climate variability. 1/
January 10, 2025 at 7:19 PM
In recent decades, wildland fires have been enabled by many factors, including the legacy of fire suppression, human settlement and distribution patterns, other management actions, and even natural climate variability. 1/
For those who whose climate news feeds censor out the encouraging stories …
www.positive.news/society/what...
www.positive.news/society/what...
What went right in 2024: the top 25 good news stories of the year
There were ‘mind-blowing’ medical advances, species bounced back, renewables surged, cities became more liveable, plus more good news
www.positive.news
January 11, 2025 at 4:46 PM
For those who whose climate news feeds censor out the encouraging stories …
www.positive.news/society/what...
www.positive.news/society/what...
Reposted by David Spence
The dynamics between journalism, social media content creation, and the media industry are not as simple as people make them out to be (journalists can influence, influencers can do journalism), but one thing for certain is that traditional media orgs cannot be saved by becoming influencers
January 7, 2025 at 10:30 PM
The dynamics between journalism, social media content creation, and the media industry are not as simple as people make them out to be (journalists can influence, influencers can do journalism), but one thing for certain is that traditional media orgs cannot be saved by becoming influencers
A short thread about how popular diagnoses of US politics disregard what we know (from academic research) about voting behavior.
Several post election surveys (e.g. More in Common, Third Way) show that 2024 voters perceived Democrats to be much more liberal than they are.
1/5
Several post election surveys (e.g. More in Common, Third Way) show that 2024 voters perceived Democrats to be much more liberal than they are.
1/5
January 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
A short thread about how popular diagnoses of US politics disregard what we know (from academic research) about voting behavior.
Several post election surveys (e.g. More in Common, Third Way) show that 2024 voters perceived Democrats to be much more liberal than they are.
1/5
Several post election surveys (e.g. More in Common, Third Way) show that 2024 voters perceived Democrats to be much more liberal than they are.
1/5