World Is Burning

As Rosalynn Carter said, there are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers; those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers. In this episode, Olivia dives into the pivotal ways that disability justice ties into climate, the Capitol Crawl, and the well-known bus company that tried to block the ADA. Then Elise, our resident Connecticut expert, explores how America's obsession with suburbs created the perfect environment for the spread of Lyme Disease and how human-caused climate change will change how the disease pops up in the future.

The strength of the labor movement has become undeniable in the last few years, with everyone from Starbucks employees to UPS drivers to Hollywood writers and actors making headlines with their demands. But what does this have to do with climate change? Turns out, a lot.

In this pre-Labor Day episode, Olivia brings us through a brief history of general strikes in the US and how they have changed the game for current workers. Then Elise guides us through foundational macroeconomist John Maynard Keynes’ prophetic 1930 essay, where he describes his vision for his grandchildren and the people alive in 2030. (Spoiler: He wants us to chill out.) Other topics include blending fantasy and reality, the karma of success, and what we’d do with all our free time.

It’s Pride month and nature is gaaaaay! In this episode, Olivia dives into the wonderful world of queer mycology (the study of fungi), how we’re taught to fear what we don’t know, and how mushrooms have fascinated and confounded scientists for thousands of years. Then Elise spotlights the story of queer conservationist Kelly Fuller, who has led powerful actions, challenged establishment norms, and gained wisdom through working with diverse communities all over the United States. Other topics include humongous fungus, what we’re reading, and our favorite examples of queerness in nature.

This week we’re diving into some interesting (and relevant) ideas: the Overton window of political possibility and the use of artificial intelligence in the fight against climate change. We explore how an idea from a libertarian think tank caught the imagination of both conservative and progressive political leaders, how scientists are using artificial intelligence to map El Yunque national forest, and why we should joke more about the things we wish would come true.

As we approach the 13th anniversary of the BP oil spill, Olivia tells the story of the Deepwater Horizon disaster and the 87 days that helped it earn its title as the largest marine oil spill in human history. Then Elise tells the amazing origin story of Alice Berkner, the veterinarian founder of International Bird Rescue, and what she did when she found herself in a room with thousands of oil-slicked birds. Plus, Dawn dish soap’s dirty little secret. Other topics include mixed feelings on Mark Wahlberg, a fake documentary about jury duty, and a literal shitshow.

We’re diving in deep! In this episode Elise traces the unconventional path taken by Jacques Cousteau to become the beloved adventurer, inventor, and prolific documentarian we all know. Then Olivia shares the story of the trailblazing oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, who has navigated the deep sea and male-dominated spaces with vigor and curiosity for decades. Other topics include hope spots, exploitation of the ocean, and a musical about corn.

This week we’re back with a minisode all about the sharing economy, or as they used to call it: sharing! Elise explains how community building can escalate quickly (in the best way) –– one day you’re bringing your wheelbarrow to the communal mulch pile, and next thing you know you’re on a free transatlantic trip with your neighbor.

Today we’re dedicating an episode to Octavia E. Butler, the visionary writer and mother of Afrofuturism who transformed the way we think about climate stories. Olivia tells us about Octavia’s childhood, her days as a young daydreaming outsider, her early ambition to write, and the struggles of coming into her own as the first Black female science fiction writer. Then, Elise takes us through her favorite Butler stories (with minimal but very enthusiastic spoilers) and how they’ve changed how she thinks about social issues in the real world. A worthwhile episode for lovers of Octavia’s work and newbies alike!

We’re bringing the punk spirit to our climate activism in 2023! Elise brings us through the rebellious history of fashion icon Vivienne Westwood and the politics of punk. Then Olivia covers David Byrne’s journey from new wave icon to bike enthusiast to climate optimist. Other topics include psychogeography, the seduction of pessimism, and (not) being the only person with a plan.

It’s the end of the year and we’re in a reflective mood! In this episode we take a look back at the climate wins of the year, updates on stories we’ve covered, and share what we’re looking forward to in 2023.

This week we’re taking a closer look at the idea that “capitalism breeds innovation.” Does it? Elise digs into our troubling corporate track record of stifling competition and creating mega-monopolies, including the co-opting of a beloved board game. She tells us how the Sherman Antitrust Act came to be and why it’s more necessary than ever today. Other topics include retro-futurism, ghost comedies, and closing the wealth gap.

In this spooooky Halloween episode, we’re talking aliens and Sasquatch. Olivia takes us through a study of the rise and fall of faraway alien civilizations, and what they can teach us about our understanding of climate scenarios here on Earth. Then, Elise explores the story of Bigfoot and other favorite cryptids around the world. Will certain parts of the world start to have more Bigfoot sightings as the climate continues to change? Other topics include breaking your cape in a haunted house, Mario-inspired costume ideas, and seeking a friend for the end of the world.

This week we’re talking stars and movie stars. Elise gives a TLDR of major planetary events and past asteroid collisions; do we need to worry about a Don’t Look Up-style asteroid attack, or should we focus our energy on the ground? Then Olivia tells the incredible story of Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native activist best known for refusing an Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando for The Godfather at the 1973 Academy Awards. We talk about her surprising career shift and the long-overdue apology that almost came too late. Other topics include Mother Teresa, spooky ghost tours, and the difference between an asteroid, a comet, and a meteor.

This episode is all about our favorite topics, colonialism and the climate crisis. Olivia tells the story of the Irish Potato Famine, which likely goes a bit deeper than you remember. We talk about the parallels between this piece of Irish history and the crises happening today that impact the most vulnerable first. What happens when power structures are completely out of balance? Then, Elise digs further into the suspicious claims that Charles could be our new “Climate King.” Other topics include reformist vs. abolitionist approaches, meaningfully redistributing power, and diving into fall.
P.S. Like Elise says at the top of the episode, we had some audio issues on this episode that make a little less crisp than usual. We hope you can bear with us!

This week Olivia tells the story of the unexpected place where the environmental justice movement cut its teeth: Warren County, North Carolina. What started as a small town fighting against a dangerous landfill became national news and seven weeks of continued protests, led together by civil rights leaders and local activists. Then Elise tells us about the cowgirl-actress-turned-canyon-advocate Katie Lee, who dedicated her free-spirited life (and her music) to the preservation of Glen Canyon. Other topics include Simpsons villains, mediums with dark family histories, and swearing in board meetings.

How should you respond when you see a friend going down a climate doom spiral? What’s the best way to approach headlines that spark panic and disengagement over action? In this minisode, we dismantle some of the common doom narratives and consider better ways to approach big issues. Because if we’re committed to building stronger communities, we have to acknowledge our hardest feelings too.

This week we’re finally tackling an age-old question head-on: does individual action matter? How can we stay motivated to make small changes in our own lives when Kylie Jenner is using her private jet like a local taxi? Elise looks into the individuals behind a famous statistic and shares a framework for valuing individual action without missing the bigger picture.

This week we’re taking a closer look at what happens when the government procrastinates on its homework. Olivia tells the story of the “white city” of Armero, Colombia, where a 1985 volcanic eruption resulted in the deadliest mudslides in human history. She recounts the haunting story of 13-year-old Omayra Sanchez, and how the tragedy highlights the need for robust emergency management. Then Elise looks into the ancient origins of water towers, some more recent horror stories, and why we should care about how the government regulates water safety. Other topics include Sally Rooney, having an Oscar Wilde quote for everything, and buying sweaters in a heatwave.

Do you imagine a tiny person with a pick axe when you hear about cryptocurrency mining? Are you frustrated that the only ways to learn more come either from crypto bros or slyly sponsored content? Then this is the episode for you :) Elise breaks down what cryptocurrency is, the mysterious creator behind Bitcoin, and why crypto mining is known to be so energy-intensive. Does crypto spell danger for the climate, or can it be an innovative source of good? Our answer might surprise you. Other topics include volcanic love stories, avoiding scams, and nights at the roller disco.

This week we’re looking at inventions gone horribly wrong. Olivia tells the story of the “one-man climate disaster,” aka the wildly successful 20th-century inventor Thomas Midgley Jr., whose creations caused widespread lead-induced madness and the near destruction of the ozone layer. Thanks to a bit of showmanship and barely any regulations, his inventions ended up in everyday vehicles and homes for decades after his untimely death. Then, Elise digs into “forever chemicals” in period underwear, the little-known class-action lawsuit against Thinx underwear, and how to advocate for safer products. Other topics include ethical inventing, the lead-crime hypothesis, and what we’re listening to.

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We’re back from our break! In this episode we’re exploring the multiverse and all of the things that almost didn’t happen in our universe. Elise tells the story of the 90s electric car renaissance that never was, and the untimely death of the electric vehicle that won over Tom Hanks. Then Olivia tells a story of something we’re thankful DID happen in our universe: the discovery of the ozone “hole” and the people who harnessed the power of metaphor to fix a problem that could have wiped out all life on Earth (like, actually). Other topics include the multiverse in pop culture, life updates, and buying a retro camper trailer.

How do you get a billion people to participate in a single event every year? In this episode, Olivia looks back on the roots of Earth Day and what we can learn (and avoid) from the day’s history. Then Elise tells us about the origins of greenwashing at a beachside resort, some of the most outrageous examples, and common greenwashing schemes to look out for this month. Other topics include celebrities who participate in corporate greenwashing traps, the season for greentrolling, and clothing recycling that only exists in Animal Crossing.

Have you ever wondered how the trees on your block ended up there? In this episode, Elise explains why botanical sexism is an interesting idea, but might not explain your seasonal allergies like you thought. Then Olivia tells the story of community ecology advocate Hattie Carthan, who helped bring tree-lined streets back to her redlined Brooklyn neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant. Other topics include how to barter with your local community board, new tunes, and trees that smell like poop.

What happens when an image changes our worldview? In this episode, Olivia tells the story of Earthrise, the era-defining photo that almost wasn’t taken. Cue astronauts bickering over color film and stars aligning. Then, Elise tells the story of a well-meaning architect whose design was co-opted by Big Plastic. A stealthy meeting at the Ritz Carlton led to a recycling symbol that has been confusing consumers for decades. Other topics include harnessing your pissed-off energy, new music, and The Container Store’s alter ego.

Sometimes you just need a good escapist story! This week we’re diving into two unlikely climate tales that say more about our current situation than you might suspect. First, Olivia explains why 2020 has nothing on 536 as the worst year in human history. Yearlong fogs, snow in August, the first plague pandemic... and not without a healthy dose of medieval drama and gluttony. Then, Elise takes on tumbleweeds, an iconic staple of the American Southwest that is actually from halfway across the world. Add “house buried by tumbleweeds” to your list of disasters to avoid. Plus, we talk rebranding Elise’s vintage shop, a new podcast for the cocktail enthusiast, and our new favorite word.

Documentaries can expose us to new worlds and change the way we think about our current reality. In this episode, we’re exploring the genre of environmental documentaries. Elise takes a look at Grizzly Man, Tiger King, and our patriarchal obsession with large wild animals. Then Olivia looks back on THE climate change documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, and how it paved the way for what we’ve seen since. Other topics include the hockey stick graph, Euphoria, and nature not loving you back.

First the girlboss, then the Fleabag era... what is the next era of feminism, and how can we make sure it’s intersectional? In this episode we take a look at some inspiration. Olivia recounts the rich life story of Jane Fonda and her many iterations: coy movie star, anti-war activist, workout icon, and climate justice advocate. Then Elise tells the story of two Aboriginal Australian activists, Jacqui Katona and Yvonne Margarula, who defended their homeland from extractive mining and helped to organize the largest blockade in Australian history. Other topics include passivity as a tenet of white feminism, why celebrity activism often falls flat (and why Jane’s hasn’t), and how to participate in the world.

We’re back for our 50th episode, and we're coming into the new year with a bang – Elise tells us how the Hindenburg airship explosion, despite some amazing survival stories, might have halted the potential for low-carbon air cargo (and cool blimps). Then Olivia revisits a phenomenon of early 2021: Ever Given, the ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal, and what it says about our supply chain and meme culture. Other topics include how the fossil fuel industry upholds itself, adding a comma for dramatic effect, and what we’ve been reading.

There are a lot of myths to bust about daylight saving time — does it really save energy? Was it invented for farmers? Does it "end" in November or did it just begin? We do a dramatic reading of Benjamin Franklin's 18th-century sh*tpost that somehow led to him being credited for inventing daylight savings. Then, we take a look at the 2005 energy policy that changed the game (or, really, kept the fossil fuel subsidy game strong). Other topics include mall culture, another win for the golfers, and a haunting prediction about high energy consumption.

There's a lot going on right now!! From COP26 to Build Back Better to local elections, it's all just a lot. This week we're looking at countries with their sh*t together and ways to process all this information. First, Elise tells us how Bhutan became one of the first carbon-negative countries in the world – and how a teenage king transformed their entire economy to focus on happiness over profit. Then Olivia goes through some tips to deal with the barrage of climate information coming at us every day, and how to find your place in the movement without taking on too much. Other topics include being paranoid that someone is reading our diary, Joe Manchin jack-o-lanterns, and how many people have actually read the full IPCC report.

In this spooky Halloween episode, we're digging into the eerie and the terrifying. Olivia takes us through the streets of New York to determine if climate change will lead to a catastrophic ratpocalypse — and how we can avoid one. Then, Elise retells the story of the Wendigo, a mythological creature of Native folklore whose message has gotten muddled by colonizers. Plus, we talk about how Elise's new project is heating up, our rat horror stories, and some last-minute DIY Halloween costume ideas.

In the 1960s and 70s, rising leader of the American Indian Movement Leonard Peltier was known for providing mutual aid from his auto shop and advocating for Native civil rights. After a controversial trial concerning the deaths of two FBI agents, Peltier was sent to jail to serve two life sentences. Despite cries for clemency from the likes of Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela, Peltier has spent over half his life in jail. This week, Elise tells his story. Then, Olivia talks about her time down at the People vs. Fossil Fuels action in Washington DC. She witnessed the first occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs since the Trail of Broken Treaties in 1972 (which Peltier participated in). The demands of both occupations are eerily similar. Plus, we talk about how to get involved in current urgent actions, which climate activist is a fan of Rick-rolling, and Elise's vote for best environmental film.

This week, Olivia gets us up to speed on what's happening at Fairy Creek Watershed, where an old-growth forest protection effort has become the largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history. Then, Elise tells us about Saket Soni and Resilience Force, who advocate for migrant and workers' rights on the frontlines of climate change. Other subjects include the disaster economy, media coverage of activism, and Elise and Olivia seeing each other in person for the first time since we started the podcast!

In this minisode, we explore the term "petro-masculinity" and how it helps us understand the deep connection between the fossil fuel economy and white patriarchal rule. We talk about the role of fossil fuels in identity creation, gender as a system, and why confidence is a key factor in determining whether conservative white men will become climate denialists.

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This week we're talking about cars and Cars! Elise tells the story of the VW emissions scandal, which we've dubbed "cheaty cheaty bang bang," about an engineering hack that allowed VW cars to fraudulently pass US industry standards during testing. Then Olivia answers the question we've all been asking: is the Disney/Pixar Cars franchise propaganda for the automobile industry? Short answer is... no, but there's a lot more to it than meets the eye. Other subjects include corporate obsession with growth, petromasculinity, and a documentary about the Pepe the frog meme.

In this minisode, we're focused on the star of the dystopian show – fossil fuels. How many of them are there? Are petroleum and gas the same thing? Why do I keep hearing so much about natural gas? Elise breaks down the categories of fossil fuels and debunks some common industry-speak.

Did the fossil fuel industry really invent the carbon footprint? Did you know that the first "treehugger" came waaaay before the 1960s hippie, and took a much greater risk? This week we're talking about the language of climate change, specifically the carbon footprint and the term "treehugger." Olivia digs into the real story behind the corporate world's favorite unit of measurement, and whether it has any value in conversations today. Then Elise tells the story of the Bishnoi people and how the "treehugger" legacy echoes the stories of climate justice activists today.

What is COP26, and why is it so important? In this episode, we're breaking down the history of the UNFCCC, previous climate conferences, and what to expect from this year's conference in Glasgow later this fall. And more specifically, what we need to demand from our leaders, because there's no time to mess around. Other topics include a wee back-to-school climate emergency, vampires, and what we've been watching.

Happy first birthday to us! In our anniversary episode, we're looking forward: what does a climate just future look like? Olivia tells us how a more pedestrian-focused city can make people happier, healthier, and more connected. Then Elise explains the Land Back movement which is re-establishing indigenous rights over colonized land. Other topics include new pets, all the Molly Shannon shows you should be watching, and skipping that trip to Hawaii.

This episode (recorded during IPCC report week, when our brains were mush) is literally about bottles — family heirloom glass milk bottles and the modern-staple-turned-environmental-cliché of the plastic bottle. We cover a little bit of everything: a visionary cartoonist who couldn't imagine a future without the milkman. The rapid decline of milk delivery thanks to supermarkets, suburbs, and "modern" packaging. Dramatic commercials for the same product in returnable glass and convenient plastic. Side trails include Phil of the Future, environmental justice narratives in television, and how maybe fossil fuels are the milkmen of right now?

After we learned about the climate and cultural impacts of non-native lawn grass in North America, we were left wondering: what's up with golf? In this minisode, Elise tells us why golf might be one of the rare resource-intensive problems that could actually be on its way to solving itself. Topics include creative land use, solar farms, and affordable housing.

This week we're exploring ways to cope with climate despair. Maybe you're experiencing it for the first time in the wake of the new IPCC report, or as wildfire smoke makes its way to your doorstep. Maybe you've been around the block a few times. In this short episode we define what exactly climate despair is, where we struggle with it, and how to frame it as a valid emotion that guides us to transformative climate action. We take some notes from our favorite artists, writers, and scientists. If you don't know what to do or where to look, come join our club! It's only 30 minutes.

What would a decolonized world look like? How can we spend more time building the world we want to live in, while still fighting back against oppressive systems? This week we're focusing on the work of two Indigenous environmental leaders, Winona LaDuke and Sherri Mitchell. We discuss teenage Winona's decision to use her high school debate skills at the U.N. Conference in Geneva, how to learn from Indigenous wisdom without extraction, and ways to dismantle white supremacist and colonial capitalist practices in our lives, even those that have benefitted us. Other topics include the 80/10/10 rule, the dandelion insurrection, and the song of the summer as decided by Elise's cat.