Leah Stokes, University of California, Santa Barbara, discussed why the organized combat between advocate and opponent interest groups is central to explaining why states are not on track to address the climate crisis. She also touched on the political history of our energy institutions and explain how fossil fuel companies and electric utilities have promoted climate denial and delay. Stokes talked about the need to make structural changes to address both climate change and institutional racism as pollution continues to hit communities who are the least responsible the hardest. The lecture was presented on June 16, 2020, as part of Metcalf Institute's 23rd Annual Public Lecture Series. Learn more at metcalfinstitute.org/2020lectures.