As the top climate adviser to President Joe Biden, Ali Zaidi has been at the forefront of turning climate ideas into action, helping shape some of the most ambitious climate policies in U.S. history. What started as ideas on his laptop are now part of a sweeping movement that is reducing carbon pollution and creating clean energy jobs across America.
Zaidi played a key role in making sure that President Biden’s climate vision focused not just on environmental protection but also on the economic opportunities tied to clean energy. His work broke through the old narrative that the environment and jobs couldn’t coexist, showing how they could thrive together. In a conversation during his last week in office, Zaidi shared his thoughts on what the future holds for clean energy and whether climate action can become more of a bipartisan effort.
The Climate Shift is Here
Zaidi is confident that the shift to clean energy is unstoppable. With renewable sources like solar, wind, and batteries becoming cheaper and more reliable, the U.S. is moving toward a greener grid. “It’s no longer just a hope—it’s happening,” Zaidi says. The focus now is on who will lead this clean energy revolution, both in manufacturing and on the world stage.
The Fragile Future of Clean Energy
While Zaidi is optimistic about the future of clean energy, he knows that some industries, like steel, cement, and aluminum, are still struggling to make the transition. These sectors are huge contributors to global emissions, and while Europe has been leading the way, the U.S. has made significant investments to catch up. Zaidi stresses that the progress made in recent years is fragile—like a rocket launch that’s still in its early stages. If the U.S. doesn’t keep pushing forward, it risks being left behind.
Will Clean Energy Survive a New Administration?
With President-elect Donald Trump aiming to undo many of Biden’s climate actions, Zaidi acknowledges the uncertainty ahead. But he’s hopeful that the demand for clean energy will continue to drive progress. As the country faces an increasing need for electricity, sources like solar, wind, and nuclear are the safest, cleanest bets for meeting that demand.
Zaidi is particularly focused on making sure that people across the country, in both red and blue states, feel the benefits of climate action. The recent push to implement climate policies at the local level has already started to show results, with new clean energy projects sprouting up in places that traditionally relied on fossil fuels.
The Bipartisan Path Forward
Zaidi is optimistic about the future of bipartisan cooperation on clean energy. While the Inflation Reduction Act was passed along party lines, its implementation is seeing support from both sides of the aisle. Zaidi has worked alongside Republican governors to celebrate clean energy projects, highlighting how this issue is slowly becoming less polarized. Every new project, every new job created, brings the country closer to consensus on the need for sustainable growth.
Zaidi believes that clean energy isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s an economic opportunity that can create jobs, spark innovation, and improve the lives of everyday Americans. He’s confident that, as more people see the benefits of this transition, the political landscape will shift toward broader support.
A Vision for the Future
Zaidi’s work has paved the way for a future where clean energy is not just a dream but a reality that reaches every corner of the U.S. He believes that while Washington may have been slow to catch on, Main Street is already leading the way. As clean energy projects continue to roll out, Zaidi is hopeful that America will continue to step up to the challenge and seize the opportunity to lead the world in building a sustainable, clean-energy future.
