World Is Burning

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. Subscribe/follow/press the&...

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...

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...

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 f...

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”...

With Olivia finishing up her grad program and BOTH of us having gotten covid in the last few weeks, we didn't want to throw together an episode! Quality over quantity right? But, we figured you might enjoy Elise's new podcast Bottle Episode: The Professional Bartender's Guide For The Cocktail Enthusiast that she's making with her husband Lan. This is definitely a change of pace from our usual cont...

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 celebrit...

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 inc...

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...

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 t...

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...

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, Jac...

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 me...

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 f...

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....

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...

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 ov...

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...

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. Related episodes include: Episode 44...

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...

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. Related episodes include: Episode 43 - Carbon Footprints and Treehuggers Episode 14 - Fracking and the Deception D...

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 i...

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'v...

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 s...

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 "mode...