The Sweaty Penguin
By Ethan Brown
The Sweaty PenguinJun 05, 2023
120. Environmental Art
In 2022, climate activists around the world engaged in a string of protests throwing food at famous artworks such as Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers,” Monet’s “Grainstacks,” and da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.” The protests received their fair share of criticism for failing to engage new people in the climate movement, but what may have been overshadowed was the actual environmental messages hidden in these pieces of artwork. In fact, from today’s prolific environmental artists to famous Renaissance figures to Mayas who didn’t even use the word “artist” to cry magnons 20,000 years ago etching animal reproductive cycles onto caves, so many pieces of art tell an environmental story and teach us something about the survival and resilience of humanity. Today, we explore what it might mean to be “environmental art,” some of the environmental impacts of art, and how we can appreciate a connection between environment and art that goes beyond throwing mashed potatoes on famous paintings. With special guest Geraldina Wise: Artist in Residence at the University of Houston Cullen School of Engineering.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
This episode is the fourth in our four-part series collaborating with the Gulf Climate Listening Project covering environmental issues on the Gulf Coast. If you are interested in learning about stopping LNG exports and creating a better future on the Gulf Coast, visit GulfCoastMurals.com.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Emma Jones
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Owen Reith
Ad Voiceover: Madeleine Salman
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E50: Sued if you do, sued if you don’t
On April 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced vehicle emissions standards that would require auto companies to lower the average carbon dioxide emissions from their tailpipes to 82 grams per mile by 2032. Then, on May 11, the EPA announced emissions standards for coal and natural gas power plants, requiring that natural gas plants capture 90 percent of their emissions by 2035 and coal plants capture 90 percent by 2030 unless they plan to retire the plant. Both of these emissions standards came with major announcements from the EPA, followed by news stories stressing their historic significance. But while these new rules are important, the EPA was less so trailblazing and more so just doing their job. And since they did their job and nothing more or less, it feels unlikely that any court challenge against these standards would find success. Ethan explores what the EPA’s legal obligations are with regard to carbon emissions, the pros and cons of these new regulations, and why it would be strange for them to be struck down in court in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Velina Georgi, Mo Polyak, Madeleine Salman
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
119. The Eagle Ford Shale
A few months ago, The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that would, over the course of their life, emit over one billion tons of carbon. They found that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world, and if they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed upon climate targets. For our tenth deep dive on carbon bombs, we take a look at the Eagle Ford Shale: an oil and gas formation near the Gulf Coast of Texas. The U.S. portion contains 6.5 billion barrels of oil, 5.7 billion barrels of natural gas liquids, and 1.3 trillion cubic meters of natural gas, which together would have the potential to emit 5.9 billion tons of carbon dioxide. Beyond the global climate impact, Eagle Ford has run into several local issues, from water shortages to highly polluting flaring systems to economic inefficiencies that have driven several companies that explored Eagle Ford into bankruptcy. Today, we’ll explore what problems the Eagle Ford Shale presents, how climate change impacts the Gulf Coast of Texas, and how the region can move forward in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. With special guest Dr. Rabi Mohtar: Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Texas A&M University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
This episode is the third in our four-part series collaborating with the Gulf Climate Listening Project covering environmental issues on the Gulf Coast. If you are interested in learning about stopping LNG exports and creating a better future on the Gulf Coast, visit GulfCoastMurals.com.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Hallie Cordingley, Mo Polyak, Ethan Brown, Velina Georgi, Madeleine Salman
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E49: Permitting reform sparks common ground in Congress
It may not be the flashiest environmental issue, but it appears that permitting reform could be the hot topic of the summer, with both Republican and Democratic legislators putting forth proposals. The concern is clear: while it’s important to determine whether or not new energy projects will harm the environment, it’s also detrimental to climate progress if clean energy projects are held up for several years by a slow, tedious permitting process. Politicians on both sides appear interested in finding a plan that dramatically speeds up permitting without sacrificing environmental protection or public input. If successful, permitting reform has the opportunity to supercharge climate action in the United States. In this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg,” Ethan explores what permitting regulations are currently in place, what the pros and cons have been, and why despite lots of partisan bickering today, permitting reform offers a golden opportunity for the two parties to find common ground. The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise. Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown, Velina Georgi, Mo Polyak, Madeleine Salman
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Mo Polyak
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
118. Stilt Houses
As climate change has driven increasing sea level rise, hurricanes, and floods, coastal communities have had to come up with new, innovative ways to adapt to their changing environments. One such idea has been around for millennia: stilt houses, or houses build on elevated platformed raised by pillared scaffolding. Stilt houses can reduce flood risk, and even offer better ventilation, local tourism revenue, and in the Arctic, less risk to the permafrost beneath them. But stilt houses have challenges to overcome, from vulnerability to wind, earthquakes, and permafrost thaw to inaccessibility to social stigmas. Today, we explore what opportunities stilt houses present, what issues they face, and what needs to happen for this climate solution to live up to its full potential. With special guest Dr. Thang Dao: Associate Professor of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alabama.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
This episode is the first in our four-part series collaborating with the Gulf Climate Listening Project covering environmental issues on the Gulf Coast. If you are interested in learning about stopping LNG exports and creating a better future on the Gulf Coast, visit GulfCoastMurals.com.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Olivia Amitay, Madeleine Salman, Mo Polyak, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Ethan Brown
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Mo Polyak
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E48: Be kind
On April 4th, Global Witness published the results of a survey of 468 climate scientists, and found 183 (39%) said they have experienced online harassment or abuse. For scientists who have published over ten academic papers, that number goes up to 49%. And out of the harassed scientists, 51% reported feeling anxiety, 48% reported a loss in productivity, and 21% reported experiencing depression. Jobs in academia are already thankless, so this additional barrier for climate scientists to do their work is extremely concerning. Ethan shares the findings of this survey, why it would be in the best interest of climate-skeptical cyberbullies to engage more respectfully, and some reflections on his experience interviewing and getting to know over 100 climate professors through The Sweaty Penguin in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Velina Georgi, Mo Polyak, Madeleine Salman
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
117. Chloroprene
On March 20, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a motion for a preliminary injunction under the Clean Air Act requesting that Denka Performance Elastomer LLC — the only chloroprene plant in the United States — impose significantly greater pollution controls. Chloroprene is a chemical used in the production of neoprene, which is used to create wetsuits, beer cozies, laptop sleeves, orthopedic braces, and automotive belts and hoses. It is also a known carcinogen. The Denka plant is located in the majority Black community of LaPlace, Louisiana, which is part of Cancer Alley — a stretch of land where low income and minority communities have been exposed to disproportionate cancer risk due to petrochemical and fossil fuel infrastructure. Today, we’ll examine this one sliver of the story of Cancer Alley, exploring what chloroprene is, how the Denka plant has impacted the surrounding community, and how LaPlace can create a healthier future. With special guest Dr. Kimberly Terrell: Research Scientist and Director of Community Engagement at Tulane University’s Environmental Law Clinic.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
This episode is the first in our four-part series collaborating with the Gulf Climate Listening Project covering environmental issues on the Gulf Coast. If you are interested in learning about stopping LNG exports and creating a better future on the Gulf Coast, visit GulfCoastMurals.com.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Owen Reith, Velina Georgi, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Ethan Brown
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E47: Arizona v. Navajo Nation
On March 20, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for Arizona v. Navajo Nation, wherein the Navajo Nation argued that the United States government breached its legal responsibility to ensure access to water on the Navajo reservation. The American Southwest is currently experiencing its worst drought in 1,200 hitting the Navajo Nation harder than anyone. Navajos use 8-10 gallons of water per day — about a tenth of the average American — and 30% of Navajos have no running water. The oral argument was interesting for a few reasons. There is unlikely to be an even split between the conservative and liberal justices, and it is very unclear which way the justices will rule. If the Navajo Nation win, it will only be the beginning of their battle. And if the United States win, they may have inadvertently set themselves up for future liability based on their long history of interfering with the Navajo Nation’s water. Ethan breaks down what Arizona v. Navajo Nation is about, how the justices might rule, and the strange concession that the U.S. attorney made repeatedly throughout the hearing in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Velina Georgi, Mo Polyak, Madeleine Salman
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
116. The Leviathan Gas Field
In February, Ethan had the opportunity to travel to Israel and participate in the Jerusalem Press Club’s Climate Innovation Press Tour, meet several clean tech CEOs, and learn about Israel’s cutting edge climate solutions. But despite all these clean energy ideas, shockingly few have actually been implemented in Israel. Instead, Israel’s big energy project has been the Leviathan Gas Field: an offshore natural gas formation about 81 miles west of Haifa in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. With the potential to emit 1.06 billion tons of carbon dioxide, the Leviathan Gas Field is one of the 195 “carbon bombs” identified in last year’s investigative report by The Guardian. Though it has only been in production for three-and-a-half years, the Leviathan Gas Field has already misled on its environmental damage, heightened international tensions in the region, and struggled to live up to its economic promise. Today, we explore what issues have arisen at the Leviathan Gas Field, what solutions Israel has in-house to tackle energy and climate, and what needs to happen to make those innovations a reality. With special guest Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed: Executive Director of the Arava Institute of Environmental Studies.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E46: The clickbait headline who cried wolf
The release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Synthesis Report summary last week prompted a barrage of doom-and-gloom headlines invoking phrases like “final warning,” “survival guide for humanity,” and “act now or it’s too late.” But the summary said none of this. Of its 33 pages, 12 covered issues, 4 covered past progress, and 17 covered solutions we can implement and the many benefits they have for not just the environment but also our economic and social goals. In fact, the IPCC’s literal press release headline was “Urgent climate action can secure a livable future for all.” Ethan explores what the IPCC report actually emphasized, where news headlines missed the mark, and why there’s a ton of reason to be hopeful in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Velina Georgi, Mo Polyak, Madeleine Salman
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Velina Georgi
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
115. Red Spruce
What do flying squirrels, acid rain, and violins have in common? They are all connected to the Red Spruce — a coniferous tree found in northeastern North America that provides a habitat for many animals, stores carbon very effectively, and is used for a variety of important products, most notably to create the soundboards of string instruments. But between droughts, cold waves, pests, and the lingering impacts of acid rain, Red Spruces are under threat. Today, we explore why Red Spruces matter, what new challenges have arisen for them, and what comes next for this important tree. With special guest Dr. Alexandra Kosiba: Extension Assistant Professor of Forestry at the University of Vermont.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Owen Reith, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E45: The major climate win accompanying Willow's approval
This week, the United States blocked all future oil and gas exploration in our Arctic Ocean, and blocked leases on more than half of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, a massive step in reducing potential future carbon emissions from the world’s second-highest emitting country. But unfortunately, that huge news has been all but ignored, as it was accompanied by a scaled-down approval of Willow: a drilling project in Alaska’s North Slope by ConocoPhillips. Though Willow was unanimously supported by Alaskan government officials in both parties and supported by a majority of neighboring Indigenous communities, activists and TikTokers in the Lower 48 fiercely opposed the development, amassing over 3.7 million signatures on a Change.org petition urging the government to block the project. Ethan discusses the problems with Willow, the reasons locals support the project, the importance of listening to local communities, and the massively underreported climate wins that accompanied Willow in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Velina Georgi, Mo Polyak, Madeleine Salman
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Velina Georgi
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
114. Green Crabs
The European green crab is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the world’s 100 worst invaders. Between their ability to eat 40 juvenile soft-shell clams per day, their practice of ripping up seagrass when burrowing, and their potential to produce 160,000 eggs at a time, green crab populations are exploding and decimating salt marshes, seagrass meadows, and other rocky intertidal ecosystems that support multimillion dollar shellfish industries. And climate change may make green crab invasions even worse. Today, we explore what problems green crabs create, why the issue is escalating, and a variety of solutions (including green crab whiskey!) that could help get populations under control. With special guest Dr. Alyssa Novak: Research Assistant Professor of Earth & Environment at Boston University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Hallie Cordingley, Madeleine Salman, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Olivia Amitay
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Velina Georgi
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E44: The East Palestine train derailment
On February 3, a Norfolk Southern freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Over 100,000 gallons of hazardous chemicals were dumped in the community, contaminating water, soil, and storm drains and potentially killing more than 43,000 fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and other marine animals. In the aftermath of the incident, many used it as an opportunity to assign blame without any evidence or critical thinking. As a result, the train derailment has become extremely divisive, even though everyone seems to share the same goal of wanting to understand what happened and how to prevent it in the future. Ethan discusses why blame and accountability are two very different things and how shifting to accountability can allow us to find common ground and find a constructive path forward after this train derailment in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown, Velina Georgi, Mo Polyak, Madeleine Salman, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Olivia Amitay
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
113. The Marcellus Shale
A few months ago, The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that would, over the course of their life, emit over one billion tons of carbon. They found that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world, and if they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed upon climate targets. For our eighth deep dive on carbon bombs, we take a look at the Marcellus Shale: a 90,000 square mile natural gas formation spanning Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Ohio, and Maryland and home to the second highest emitting oil and gas project in the world, with the potential to emit 26.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide. The project has also led to air pollution, water pollution, and several social injustices. Today, we explore what challenges have been presented by fracking in the Marcellus Shale, why the project has had shockingly little benefit to the Pennsylvania economy, and where the region could go from here. With special guest Dr. Dave Yoxtheimer: Assistant Research Professor of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Pennsylvania State University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Olivia Amitay, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E43: Climate lessons from Turkey/Syria’s earthquake
In the early morning of February 6th, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit just east of Nurdagi, Turkey, followed by over 125 aftershocks including ones clocking in at 6.5 and 7.5 on the Richter scale. The earthquake led to over 5,700 building collapses in Turkey, more than 75,000 injuries, and more than 20,000 deaths. Earthquakes are not caused by climate change or particularly worsened by them, but in reflecting on how Turkey could, perhaps, have been better prepared for this catastrophe, one trend became clear: many earthquake solutions also happen to be climate solutions. Ethan explores how sturdier buildings can be more energy efficient, cleaner energy sources can better withstand natural disasters, and more just societies can experience smoother disaster recoveries in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Madeleine Salman, Maddy Schmidt
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Madeleine Salman
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Bonus: John Oliver Is Gaslighting Us
For the first time, Ethan welcomes to the show our Associate Producer Owen Reith, Journalist Melina Nguyen, and Sound Editor Megan Antone. They’ll share what they do behind the scenes, some takeaways from their first 6-8 months on the team, and then face off in a Sweaty Penguin Kahoot recapping season 5. See how much you remember from the program and find out who will be the next Sweaty Penguin Kahoot champion.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
112. Salt Marshes
Yesterday was World Wetlands Day, and salt marshes are some of the most important wetlands in the world. Found along the entire U.S. coastline (and every continent except Antarctica), salt marshes absorb carbon, protect coastlines from erosion, filter pollutants, provide many economic benefits, and provide habitats for many important fish and shellfish species we eat. They also act as natural buffers when floods and hurricanes hit, making them a really important climate solution. But they're under threat due to historic human ditching, invasive green crabs, and worsening sea level rise. Today, we explore why salt marshes are important, what challenges they face, and how we can help them moving forward. With special guest Dr. Sergio Fagherazzi: Professor of Earth & Environment at Boston University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ysabel Wulfing, Madeleine Salman, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E42: Nuclear fusion is not the "holy grail of clean energy"
In December, the National Ignition Facility announced a breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology: for the first time, a nuclear fusion reaction created a net gain of energy, and since that reaction doesn’t emit carbon or other pollutants, a lot of people have proclaimed that we are one step closer to achieving “the holy grail of clean energy.” But as exciting as this breakthrough is from a scientific perspective, “holy grail of clean energy” is a bit of a stretch. Ethan breaks down why today’s clean energy sources are way further developed than nuclear fusion and why nuclear fusion isn’t necessarily required for a clean energy transition in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown, Madeleine Salman, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Olivia Amitay, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
111. Drought
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Megan Crimmins, Madeleine Salman, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Ysabel Wulfing
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E41: Cold waves, bomb cyclones, and the Pineapple Express
The United States saw a slew of extreme weather in the last few weeks, including a winter storm around Christmas time and extreme rains and flooding in California in early January. Why did these storms happen? How did climate change play in? Ethan breaks down what we know and what we still need to learn in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Madeleine Salman
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
110. The Montney Formation
A few months ago, The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that would, over the course of their life, emit over one billion tons of carbon. They found that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world, and if they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed upon climate targets. For our seventh deep dive on carbon bombs, we take a look at the Montney Formation: a 130,000 square kilometer natural gas play stretching across the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta that is home to the sixth highest emitting oil and gas project on the planet. Beyond climate impacts, fracking in the Montney Formation has led to air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, seismic activity, and land disputes, seeing as much of the region is on Treaty 8 land where First Nation communities have a legal right to their traditional livelihoods. Today, we explore what issues have arisen due to fracking in the Montney Formation, how those issues impact the health and livelihoods of locals, and what comes next for this region of Canada. With special guest Dr. Elyse Caron-Beaudoin: Assistant Pprofessor of Environmental Health at the University of Toronto, Scarborough.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Owen Reith, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Megan Crimmins
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Madeleine Salman
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Bonus: Holiday Mailbag
Surprise! We're back! To finish off the year, Ethan responds to a selection of some more skeptical questions and comments from our listeners, breaking down how we know humans cause climate change, how today’s climate change differs from recent Ice Ages, and where we can be excited versus cynical with regard to climate solutions such as solar energy and carbon capture. Send in your questions anytime via social media to be featured on the show!
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
HOLIDAY SPECIAL! 109. Menstrual Products
In recent years, millennials and Gen-Zers have increasingly raised concerns over the environmental impact of disposable tampons and pads, and brands have stepped up with a variety of reusable alternatives. But running parallel to this issue is a very concerning combination of period poverty, stigma around menstruation, and health and human rights issues, and different communities see these problems play out in different ways. And surprisingly, climate change threatens to exacerbate all of that. In the spirit of Christmas, Ethan is gifting hosting duties to Sweaty Penguin Producers Maddy Schmidt and Shannon Damiano for this episode. They’ll explore a bit about menstrual product sustainability, break down how economics, social stigma, and climate change affect menstrual hygiene, and consider where we go from here. With special guest Raffaella Villa: Professor of Environmental Bioengineering at De Montfort University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Maddy Schmidt, Shannon Damiano, Megan Crimmins, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Ethan Brown
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Madeleine Salman
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E40: The notable absence at the UN Biodiversity Conference
World leaders are currently gathered in Montreal for the fifteenth UN Biodiversity Conference, or COP15, working toward a global treaty to help stave off mass extinctions, mitigate climate change, and conserve economically important natural resources for decades to come. But there’s one notable absence from this effort: the United States. Though not invisible at COP15, the U.S. is the only country in the world that has not yet ratified the 1992 treaty that established the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity. Ethan breaks down why the convention is in line with the United States’ existing conservation priorities, what misconceptions have stalled our involvement, and how joining the convention would benefit us and the rest of the world in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Madeleine Salman
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
108. Muskoxen
Though not endangered, many of the world’s muskoxen populations are facing threats, ranging from hunting to disease to climate change to animals literally head butting each other and causing brain trauma. And with muskoxen being an extremely valuable source of food and wool, humans have a strong vested interest in protecting them. Today, we explore why muskoxen matter, what issues they face, and how we can conserve them moving forward. With special guest Dr. Astrid Andersen: Associate Professor of Culture and Learning at Aalborg University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Sarika Sawant, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Ethan Brown
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E39: The new loss and damage fund is a win for the United States too
And now for the good news from the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP27: the creation of a loss and damage fund to support developing countries recover from the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Many proponents of the fund have treated it as a purely moral issue, but there’s actually a lot more to it. Ethan breaks down why, purely from an American perspective, the loss and damage fund is beneficial and exciting in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Bobbie Armstrong, Madeleine Salman, Maddy Schmidt
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E38: No, the 1.5°C climate target is not dead
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP27, wrapped up in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt on Sunday, and the outcome contained good news and bad news. To start, we look at the bad news: India’s proposal to include a phase down of fossil fuels in the final agreement, which was backed by much of the world including the EU, UK, and US, ultimately failed to make the final agreement. This result was disappointing for many reasons, but also led to some over the top takes that global climate targets were officially doomed to fail. Ethan explains why even in spite of this bad news, there is room for optimism and hope around our climate goals and energy transition in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Megan Crimmins
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
107. The Bakken Formation
A few months ago, The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that would, over the course of their life, emit over one billion tons of carbon. They found that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world, and if they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed upon climate targets. For our sixth deep dive on carbon bombs, we take a look at the Bakken Formation: a 200,000 square mile region spanning northwestern North Dakota, northeastern Montana, and southern Saskatchewan that is home to the sixth highest emitting oil and gas project in the United States. The oil industry in the Bakken began recently and grew fast, creating environmental and health issues in the region and turning once peaceful rural communities into crime-ridden messes. Today, we explore why the Bakken Formation became so popular, what challenges the region faces, and how the region can achieve a more environmentally and economically prosperous future. With special guest Dr. Wesley Blundell: Assistant Professor of Economic Sciences at Washington State University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Megan Crimmins, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Sarika Sawant
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
Tip of the Iceberg E37: COP27 begins
The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP27, kicked off on Sunday in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, bringing 198 countries together to negotiate the next batch of global climate agreements. And in setting the stage for the conference, one word has stood out among the rest: implementation. Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Convention Simon Stiell opened the conference saying, “Today a new era begins — and we begin to do things differently. Paris gave us the agreement. Katowice and Glasgow gave us the plan. Sharm el-Sheik shifts us to implementation.” After years of pledges looking decades into the future, an implementation-focused conference may sound exciting, but there’s still a few things to clear up. Ethan discusses where current plans fall short, which issues don’t have plans at all yet, and more optimistically, why it would be wrong to say this is the “first” talk of implementation in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Ysabel Wulfing
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
106. Grocery Bags
Plastic bags have been a surprisingly hot topic in the environmental world, with eight states having gone so far as to enact single-use plastic bag bans. Plastic bags do present issues across their supply chain from climate, health, and justice concerns in the manufacturing process to pollution and biodiversity concerns after their disposal. But are bans or paper bags or tote bags actually viable solutions? Today, we explore what issues plastic bags create, why many proposed solutions have major shortcomings, and some lesser known possibilities for how our grocery bag use could become more sustainable. With special guest Dr. Rebecca Taylor: Senior Lecturer of Economics at the University of Sydney.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Sarika Sawant, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone, Trevor Snow
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Megan Antone
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E36: It’s a tough time to be a painting
There have been a string of stunts recently with climate activists targeting artwork, from Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” painting to Monet’s “Grainstacks” painting to Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” painting last week. These protests have reinvigorated conversations about the “3.5% rule,” which suggests a movement needs only 3.5% of the population involved to be successful. Or, at least that’s what some climate activists have claimed. Ethan argues why the 3.5% rule might not be applicable to climate advocacy and why leading with the goal of inspiring as many people as possible could produce more success in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown, Madeleine Salman, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Ysabel Wulfing
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Sabrina Rollings
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
105. Soy
Soy is in most of the processed foods we eat, fed to the animals we eat, and has become a staple in vegan diets. But unfortunately, intensive agricultural practices such as monocropping, monoculture, pesticide use, and deforestation have created a number of environmental issues around the crop. As the world’s leading soy producer, Brazil in particular has been the topic of global dialogue around agriculture-driven deforestation in the Cerrado and the Amazon, especially with an important runoff election coming up in two days. Today, we explore what issues soy presents, how climate change intersects with these issues, and what we can do from here to make soy more sustainable. With special guest Dr. Raoni Rajão: Professor in Social Studies of Science at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Hallie Cordingley, Bobbie Armstrong, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Sarika Sawant
Editor: Megan Antone, Trevor Snow
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Sabrina Rollings
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E35: The big banks got subpoenaed… for going too green
Last Wednesday, nineteen states announced that they had subpoenaed JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs, asking for documents relating to the companies’ involvement with the UN Net-Zero Banking Alliance. These states felt it was against their best interests for these banks to blackball the fossil fuel industry, going so far as to call the banks “corporate activists.” But after doing some digging, it appears these companies are far from “corporate activists,” ranking number 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, and 14 in the world in fossil fuel financing. Ethan argues why the banks’ decision to join the NZBA was more a financial decision than a political one, and how this subpoena has already caused damage to the global banking community’s climate ambitions in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Megan Crimmins
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
104. The Orinoco Belt
A few months ago, The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that would, over the course of their life, emit over one billion tons of carbon. They found that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world, and if they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed upon climate targets. For our fifth deep dive on carbon bombs, we take a look at the Orinoco Belt: a 21,357 square mile territory in Venezuela’s Orinoco River Basin home to the highest emitting carbon bomb in South America. In addition to being the source of Venezuela’s oil economy, the Orinoco Belt faces a number of environmental and human rights challenges, many of which are tied back into this fossil fuel industry. Today, we explore the impacts of oil drilling in the Orinoco Belt, what other challenges surround it or arise from it, and how this region could move forward. With special guest Dr. Luisa Palacios: Senior Research Scholar at the Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
Writers: Dain Kim, Isabel Plower, Maxwell Pociask, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Sarika Sawant
Editor: Trevor Snow
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Sabrina Rollings
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E34: How bad can it get?
The latest natural disasters in an unrelenting few months of climate catastrophes include Hurricane Julia in Central and South America and deadly floods in Nigeria and Australia. After all this damage, it’s challenging to envision how climate change gets any worse from here. But scientists have started imagining worst case scenarios, and in September, published a study on climate “tipping points” that brought both good news and bad news. Ethan breaks down what climate trajectory we’re on and where we’ve seen significant progress in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Madeleine Salman, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Megan Crimmins
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Sabrina Rollings
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
103. Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton are microscopic plants floating around in marine and aquatic ecosystems that produce 50-80% of the world’s oxygen, provide food for countless other organisms, and are so effective at absorbing carbon dioxide that some have suggested growing phytoplankton as a solution to climate change. But sometimes, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Agricultural runoff containing fertilizer and animal waste can create massive blooms of phytoplankton, which can have devastating effects on ecosystems, harm human health, and put a strain on the economy. Today, we explore the good and bad of phytoplankton, how climate change plays into this conversation, and where we go from here. With special guest Dr. Ajit Subramaniam: Lamont Research Professor of Biology and Paleo Environment at Columbia University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ysabel Wulfing, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Trevor Snow
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Sabrina Rollings
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E33: Sackett v. EPA
Next Tuesday, October 18th marks the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. What’s its anniversary present? A 15 year long legal battle that is now being decided in the Supreme Court. The case in question is called Sackett v. EPA, and it concerns whether or not Chantell and Michael Sackett were allowed to build a home on a wetland in Idaho, or if they first needed a permit under the Clean Water Act. Many observers predicted the Supreme Court would definitively rule against the EPA in this case, but after oral arguments on October 3, the outcome may turn out to be more nuanced. Ethan breaks down the history of Sackett v. EPA and the key takeaways from oral arguments in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Megan Crimmins
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Sabrina Rollings
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
102. Eastern Hemlocks
The state tree of Pennsylvania, the Eastern Hemlock is a majestic, ancient tree species found across the Eastern United States and Canada that offers shelter, food, and protection for over 120 vertebrates. It also has special characteristics that make it much more effective at storing carbon than most other tree species. But unfortunately, an invasive insect called the hemlock woolly adelgid has been wreaking havoc on the Eastern Hemlock, and as climate change worsens, these pests have been able to invade further and further north. Today, we explore why Eastern Hemlocks are declining, why it matters, and how we can protect them moving forward. With special guest Dr. Danielle Ignace: Assistant Professor of Indigenous Natural Sciences at the University of British Columbia.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Owen Reith, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Ysabel Wulfing
Editor: Trevor Snow
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Sabrina Rollings
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E32: Climate change did affect Hurricane Ian
Hurricane Ian proved to be a catastrophe, causing several dozen casualties, millions of power outages, and billions of dollars in damage. Based on wind speed, it was one of the five most powerful hurricanes in recorded history to hit the United States. And though there seemed to be some confusion on this point stemming from a viral CNN clip from September 27th, climate change did play a role. Ethan breaks down the story of Hurricane Ian, the ensuing media chaos, and some key takeaways in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Will Andronico
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
101. The Permian Basin
A few months ago, The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that would, over the course of their life, emit over one billion tons of carbon. They found that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world, and if they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed upon climate targets. For our fourth deep dive on carbon bombs, we take a look at the Permian Basin: a large region of Western Texas and Southeastern New Mexico home to the highest emitting carbon bomb in the world. The Permian plays a major role in driving global climate change, but is also home to local issues from air and water pollution to land disputes to a struggle since the pandemic to find enough workers to keep the oil and gas industry moving. Today, we explore the issues posed by the oil and gas industry in the Permian Basin, how the region is responding to related climate and economic impacts, and how this region can move forward in a way that maintains the economic successes, but without the environmental costs. With special guest Dr. Joonghyeok Heo: Assistant Professor of Geosciences at the University of Texas Permian Basin.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Hallie Cordingley, Naomi Rubin, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Ysabel Wulfing
Editor: Trevor Snow
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E31: Why weren’t we prepared?
September has seen a long list of historic extreme weather events, from a record-breaking heat wave in the American west to a storm surge in coastal Alaska to Hurricane Fiona in the Caribbean. While each of these events was a different weather phenomenon affecting different regions, they did share some things in common, chiefly a strain on power grids and an overall lack of preparedness. Ethan breaks down how each of these historic weather events happened, what role climate change likely played in each of them, and what lessons we could take away from this intense month of extreme weather in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Hallie Cordingley
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
EPISODE SWAP! “Hazard NJ” Episode 2: America’s Biggest Crime Scene
“Hazard NJ” is another environmental podcast from The WNET Group covering Superfund sites in New Jersey. They will be releasing four new episodes this fall to take fresh looks at the relationship between these Superfund sites and climate change, starting on September 28th. We hope you enjoy this episode, and encourage you to subscribe to “Hazard NJ” wherever you get your podcasts.
Our regularly scheduled “Tip of the Iceberg” and “Deep Dive” episodes will resume next week.
About the episode:
The chemical company Diamond Alkali, one of the nations main producers of Agent Orange, spent years dumping chemical waste into the Passaic River and polluting Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood. In the early 80’s, state and federal authorities pledged to clean the mess up but today, nearly 40 years later, toxic mud still lies beneath the water. Now the cleanup is facing a $1.8 billion price tag, an uncertain timeline, and the growing threat that intense storms fueled by climate change could stir the pollution up.
About the show:
New Jersey is home to the largest number of Superfund sites in the country — and while federal cleanup is underway — the bigger threat to them now is climate change. Flooding, fires, and rising sea levels could make life even harder for those who live nearby. Hazard NJ digs through the muck of each contaminated site to give a clearer picture of what the threat is and what it will take to clean it up before it’s too late. Hosted by journalist Jordan Gass-Poore’, produced by NJ Spotlight News.
Bonus: This Is Worse Than the Bear Carcass
LIVE from Third Wheel Hollywood, Ethan reflects on the first 100 episodes of the podcast. He discusses some of the biggest takeaways, what struck him so deeply about the recent carbon bomb story, and why he remains so motivated and optimistic about the future given today’s climate crisis.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
LIVE FROM HOLLYWOOD! 100. Penguins
We at The Sweaty Penguin may be biased, but penguins are a really cool animal. They play important roles in their ecosystems, they drive tourism revenue for many communities, and they themselves are fascinating for a number of their special traits and rituals. But unfortunately, 11 out of 18 penguin species are globally threatened, with climate change, pollution, and commercial fishing all playing major roles in penguins’ decline. Coming to you from Third Wheel Hollywood, in our first in-person episode with an audience, we explore why penguins are important, why their populations are changing, and where we go from here. With special guest Dr. Heather Lynch: Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences Endowed Chair for Ecology & Evolution at Stony Brook University.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ethan Brown, Maxwell Pociask, Naomi Rubin, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Will Andronico
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E30: A third of Pakistan is underwater
On August 25, Pakistan declared a state of emergency after a summer that has brought the worst flooding in the country’s history. The floods have affected 33 million people, killed over 1,300 people including 416 children, created an economic loss of 10 billion dollars, and as of August 29, around one third of the country was underwater. Ethan breaks down how climate change made these floods more severe and what lessons we can learn from these floods about extreme weather in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Ysabel Wulfing
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Will Andronico
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
99. Avocados
Avocados are rising in popularity fast. Over the past two decades, consumption of avocados in the United States tripled to more than eight pounds per person per year. Unfortunately, the avocado industry is up against several challenges, from high water demand to deforestation to extortion and violence at the hands of Mexican drug cartels. Today, we explore what issues avocados face, how climate change may exacerbate some of them, and how to improve the production of this beloved, valuable fruit. With special guest Dr. Roman Grüter: Research Associate at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences’ Geography of Food Research Group.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Ysabel Wulfing, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Sarika Sawant
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Naomi Rubin
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E29: The common industrial solvent poised to tackle the PFAS crisis
Nicknamed “forever chemicals,” PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have spread all throughout our environment, and have been linked to a long list of health problems including cancer. But according to a new paper in Science, an industrial solvent called dimethyl sulfoxide can actually break down a subset of PFAS chemicals. Ethan breaks down how this solvent works, how much this solution could help combat the PFAS crisis, and what science enthusiasts can take away from this discovery in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Maxwell Pociask, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Ysabel Wulfing
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Naomi Rubin
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
98. The Rovuma Basin
A few months ago, The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that would, over the course of their life, emit over one billion tons of carbon. They found that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world, and if they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed upon climate targets. For our third deep dive on carbon bombs, we take a look at the Rovuma Basin: a 64,000 square kilometer region primarily off the coast of northern Mozambique. The Rovuma Basin is home to a 30 billion dollar offshore liquefied natural gas project set to emit about a billion tons of carbon dioxide over the next three decades. In addition to the global climate impact, this project has damaged crucial surrounding ecosystems, displaced hundreds of families, and potentially worsened an armed insurgency that has been playing out in the region for years. And unfortunately, while local Mozambicans have had to endure these consequences, they have seen none of the jobs, money, or electricity resulting from this project. Today, we explore what is happening at the Rovuma Basin, how it has impacted the local community, and what a path forward might look like. With special guest Dr. Ruy Blanes: Associate Professor of Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Owen Reith, Isabel Plower, Maxwell Pociask, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Sarika Sawant
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Naomi Rubin
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E28: The 2022 Atlantic hurricane season is historically quiet... so far
The 49-day period between July 3 and August 21 (when this episode was recorded) marks the third longest gap between named Atlantic tropical storms since 1995. Does this uncharacteristically slow start to hurricane season disprove climate change? Not at all. Ethan breaks down why 2022 has been a lucky year up to this point and how climate advocates could bring more nuance and sensitivity to the hurricane conversation in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Naomi Rubin
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
97. Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency has been quite the trend in recent years. There are over 19,000 cryptocurrencies circulating around the world right now, and in 2021, the global market value of cryptocurrency doubled. But some coins have turned out to be major energy sucks, impacting the global climate and many local communities. Bitcoin alone uses 150 terra-watt hours of electricity per year, which is more than the entire country of Argentina. Today, we explore what cryptocurrency is, why some coins are using so much energy, and how they can reduce their climate impact moving forward. With special guest Dr. Benjamin Jones: Associate Professor of Economics at the University of New Mexico.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Hallie Cordingley, Naomi Rubin, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Sarika Sawant
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Will Andronico
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E27: The spotted lanternfly invasion
The spotted lanternfly — an insect native to Asia — has invaded fourteen states mostly in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The pest is not toxic to humans, but threatens many important plants and crops, including apple trees, cherry trees, peach trees, and grapevines. Ethan breaks down the latest on this invasive species and contemplates if the issue is being communicated properly to people in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown, Maxwell Pociask, Naomi Rubin, Maddy Schmidt
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Naomi Rubin
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
96. Monarch Butterflies
Monarch butterflies are a scientifically unique, economically valuable, and culturally significant species. But due to climate change, habitat loss, pesticides, and more, Monarchs are under threat. In fact, just a couple weeks ago, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature officially declared the Monarch butterfly an endangered species. Today, we explore why Monarch butterflies are important, how they’ve reached endangered status, and what we can do to save them. With special guest Dr. Karen Oberhauser: Director of the University of Madison-Wisconsin Arboretum.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Maddy Schmidt, Ysabel Wulfing, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Owen Reith
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Will Andronico
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
Tip of the Iceberg E26: The Inflation Reduction Act
Last weekend, the Inflation Reduction Act passed the Senate in a 51 to 50 vote. The bill would invest an estimated 369 billion dollars into climate change and energy security over the next ten years. Ethan breaks down what the bill aims to do and what climate change and inflation (in theory) have to do with each other in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writer: Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Isabel Plower
Editor: Will Andronico
Producers: Ethan Brown, Shannon Damiano
Ad Voiceover: Shannon Damiano
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.
95. The Haynesville Shale
A few months ago, The Guardian did a five-month investigation into “carbon bombs,” or fossil fuel projects that would, over the course of their life, emit over one billion tons of carbon. They found that there are 195 planned oil and gas carbon bombs around the world, and if they proceed as planned, these projects alone would blow past internationally agreed upon climate targets. One project site is the Haynesville Shale: a sedimentary gas play that lies more than 10,000 feet underground in parts of northwestern Louisiana, southwestern Arkansas, and eastern Texas. Given how far underground it is, the Haynesville Shale never became popular until the fracking boom in 2008. Now, it accounts for almost 13% of natural gas production in the United States. But for all the prosperity Haynesville brought to the region, it also has brought a number of climate, water, health, and justice challenges. Today, we explore why the Haynesville Shale is so special, what issues it has exacerbated, and what a fair and sensible path forward might look like for this significant fossil fuel site. With special guest Keith Hall: Nesser Family Chair in Energy Law at Louisian