ClimateVoice Webinar · July 16, 2026
On July 16th, ClimateVoice, alongside the American Sustainable Business Network and Business Response to Authoritarian Threats hosted an important discussion on how democratic backsliding and the ascendancy of political authoritarianism in the U.S are threatening the health of our economy, society and environment.
Disregard of democratic norms, the rule of law, and science are undermining progress on building a just and resilient world. Such practices are reversing America’s status as a leading proponent of clean energy and climate policy, while reducing our global competitive advantage. Executive overreach from the white house, attacks on independent agencies, a disregard for science and efforts to sow doubt on the integrity of the election system are contributing to business uncertainty by increasing polarization and creating huge challenges to companies committed to ESG principles.
Participants heard perspectives from leaders in the field on the causes of democratic backsliding and the evolving systemic risks to our environment and our economic stability. The discussion included the critical role businesses and trade/professional associations can play at this historic moment in America. Additionally, potential solutions including the importance of upholding election integrity, continued clean energy and climate policy advocacy, opportunities for CEO advocacy and the importance of overcoming silence by collectively taking action were discused.
Speakers:
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Andrew Winston, Sustainability Strategist, Best-selling author of Green to Gold and Net Positive
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Andy Behar, CEO, As You Sow
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Anne Kelly, Vice President, Government Relations, Ceres
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Camilla Taylor, Executive Director, American Sustainable Business Network
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Deborah McNamara, Executive Director of ClimateVoice
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Hardy Merriman, Former President and CEO of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict
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Moderated by Richard Eidlin, Founder of Business Response to Authoritarian Threats