Frederick Hewett is a freelance writer based in Cambridge and a frequent contributor to Cognoscenti. He writes mostly about climate and energy. His organizational affiliations and volunteer interests include ThirdAct.org, Charles River Watershed Association, Community Rowing, 350 Massachusetts, Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement, Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, Charles River Conservancy and School of HONK.
Recently published
There is no ‘national energy emergency.' Trump just wants you to think there is
Trump arrived back in office primed to deliver on his mutually beneficial relationship with the fossil fuel industry, writes Frederick Hewett. After contriving a national energy crisis, he is using...
As Greenland’s ice melts, its geopolitical importance grows
Greenland's ice is melting, opening new sea routes and yielding easier access to prized natural resources, writes Fred Hewett. The island has become a bellwether of global disruption driven by...
The 'endangerment finding' is essential to fighting climate change. Trump's EPA wants to rescind it
The endangerment finding is a long-standing precedent backed by a monumental accumulation of rigorous scientific evidence from around the globe, writes Frederick Hewett. The case that Trump’s EPA can marshal...
Public trust in science is ebbing — and will have real-world consequences
Anti-science attitudes have historically encumbered societal progress in the U.S., often with serious ramifications, writes Frederick Hewett. The scientific community is now bracing for upheaval as the Trump administration prepares...
Jimmy Carter won my vote with his inspired idealism — he’d win it again
At times throughout his presidency, political and economic circumstances forced President Carter to subordinate his impulse to protect the living world. But his accomplishments outweigh his failures, writes Frederick Hewett,...
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Fossil fuels are as American as apple pie
American voters have always lived in a society where fossil fuels rule, writes Frederick Hewett. To realize the transition to a decarbonized future, we must first untangle the cognitive knots...
Trump says crypto will save the fossil fuel industry. Spoiler alert: It's magical thinking
Donald Trump once declared he was "not a fan" of cryptocurrency, but now says he loves bitcoin. His flip-flop reveals a willingness to pander to special interests at the expense...
We asked, you answered: The first presidential debate of 2024
Cog asked our writers and readers to tell us what they’ll be looking for and hoping to hear from President Biden and former President Donald Trump during tonight's debate. Here’s...
Gov. Healey, Pope Francis and the doctrine of 'integral ecology'
The Vatican prioritized Gov. Healey’s conspicuous role at this week's climate summit, writes Frederick Hewett. Her vision for sustainable and just economic development reflects the pope's call for economic systems...
Project 2025 tells us what a second Trump term could mean for climate policy. It isn’t pretty
Much of the voting public is disturbingly unaware of President Biden’s climate record and the assault that the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 would marshal against it, writes Frederick Hewett. But...