World Is Burning

We’re digging into America’s deepest darkest secrets — when it comes to food, that is. Elise tells us how one president’s cheese became the next president’s problem, which might lead you to Google “American government 1.4 billion pounds of cheese in caves.” We explore how the cheese caves of yesteryear became the weird milk ads of our present. Then Olivia gives us a brief history of bananas, which...

The experience of the last few weeks since the conflict escalated in Gaza has brought out a lot of emotions: grief, shock, fear, confusion, and prominently, anger. For many experiencing civil unrest from afar, it’s challenging to know how to respond, especially in the age of social media. In this episode, we focus on the constructive and destructive power of anger and sharing information. We break...

In this episode, Elise examines what we’ve learned (and what we still need to learn) from the impact of natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy, including pathways to climate resilience, advancements in attribution studies, and what makes for a healthier city. Then Olivia tells the story of the Flint water crisis, tracing back to a time when Vehicle City flourished and what happened when it flounde...

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 r...

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 t...

El Niño this, El Niño that! El Niño seems to be a weather buzzword these days, but what is it and what does it have to do with us? And how does it change the height of the Pacific Ocean? You're about to find out baby! Other topics include interstate moves, Hank Green, and letting go.

We’re covering a big topic this week: eco-fascism, an extreme far-right ideology that combines environmental concern with fascist viewpoints. In this episode, Olivia takes us through a brief history of eco-fascism, its ties to the U.S. conservation movement, and the surprising story of conservationist-turned-eugenicist Madison Grant. Then Elise tells the story of arguably one of the most famous ec...

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...

Can you believe we've gone 2 1/2 years without creating our very own game show about us? Neither can we! Test your climate knowledge alongside us as we ask ourselves the burning questions: Where are tumbleweeds from? What are our favorite climate activists' favorite insects? and How do you do fractions again? Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! Y...

This week we’re having some fun with a trivia episode! Test your climate story knowledge (and your World Is Burning fan level). Topics include an unexpected TIME Person of the Year, favorite gorillas, and reminiscing on the worst year in human history. Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter or @...

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...

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-sli...

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, exploi...

This week we’re digging deep on why we maybe shouldn't be digging into the depths of the ocean. Olivia covers the basics of deep sea mining, the potential "climate bomb" that could be set in July, and how we can amplify the work of activists and experts calling for a moratorium. Check the blog for this episode on worldisburning.com for action items and ways to learn more. Subscribe/f...

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. Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new ep...

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 fa...

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. Subscribe/follow/p...

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. Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on  Instagram  and  Twitter , and...

This week we're going deep on a controversial topic: human population growth. We talk about the roots of the overpopulation myth, the truths we can glean from it, and the scary ways that both eco-fascists and seemingly centrist figures have joined the population conversation. We take a closer look at the ways we talk about consumption and give tips on how to talk to your social circle when they br...

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 comedie...

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...

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 th...

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...

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 Ka...

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. Subscr...