The Sweaty Penguin

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70. Smart Grids Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

When people flick a light switch, they expect the light to turn on. And supplying enough electricity to meet that expectation in a climate-friendly, cost-efficient way is a major challenge, which led to the invention of the smart grid—an electrical grid where suppliers also receive data back from customers to help them distribute electricity and avoid power outages. But as promising as this technology seems, there are also some aspects of smart grids that are worth discussing to ensure they don’t become issues, such as cybersecurity and integrating decentralized renewable energy. Today, we explore some of these smart grid dilemmas and consider how to ensure smart grids live up to their full potential. With special guest Dr. Ankit Kumar: Lecturer in Development and Environment at The University of Sheffield.

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: Caroline Koehl, Maddy Schmidt, Ethan Brown

Fact Checker: Isabel Plower

Editor: Frank Hernandez

Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Frank Hernandez, Dain Kim, Caroline Koehl

Ad Voiceover: Robert Branning

Music: Brett Sawka

69. Rubber Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

Natural rubber is widely considered a more eco-friendly and better product than synthetic rubber, but it still presents some issues. Natural rubber contributes to deforestation, biodiversity loss, pollution, and more. But climate change and disease also threaten natural rubber. And in a global market that already sees volatile prices, impoverished farmers, the stealing of land from Indigenous communities, and an international rubber cartel, these climate challenges just add to a laundry list of concerns. Today, we explore how rubber is made, what environmental, economic, and national security issues rubber presents, and what options we have moving forward. With special guest Dr. Miles Kenney-Lazar: Assistant Professor of Geography at the National University of Singapore.

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: Haley Cronin

Editor: Frank Hernandez

Producers: Olivia Amitay, Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Frank Hernandez, Dain Kim, Caroline Koehl

Ad Voiceover: Maddy Schmidt

Music: Brett Sawka

Tip of the Iceberg E4: Melting the Thwaites glacier is worse than the worst-case scenario Dec 31, 2021

Show notes

Research presented at the American Geophysical Union this month found cracks on the ice shelf holding back the Thwaites glacier: a mass of dense, landlocked ice the size of Florida. When the shelf collapses, which scientists now estimate will happen in five years, Thwaites will start moving toward the ocean, leading to sea level rise that exceeds even our worst-case scenario projections and would threaten coastal cities and communities around the world. Ethan breaks down this new research and contemplates what level of panic is appropriate in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”

Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin. Get your environmental questions featured on “Tip of the Iceberg” by contacting us on Patreon, email, or social media. Questions from patrons move to the front of the line!

Tip of the Iceberg E3: We don’t know if climate change affected this month’s tornadoes Dec 24, 2021

Show notes

On December 10th and 11th, historic tornadoes wreaked havoc on Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and almost instantaneously, people made the assumption that climate change played a role. But while tornadoes of this severity in December are unprecedented, scientists have not yet determined a link between climate change and tornadoes. Ethan breaks down what we know, what we don’t know, and why it’s important to stick to the facts in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”

68. Sharks Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

They’re older than the dinosaurs, they’ve survived four mass extinctions, and yet today, in the wake of climate change, pollution, and commercial fishing, sharks are endangered. As an apex predator, this steep decline in sharks also has massive ramifications for marine ecosystems and the economy more broadly, and because sharks don’t produce offspring at nearly the levels of other fish, it’s very difficult to help shark populations get back on track. Today, we explore what challenges face sharks, why sharks are important, and how we can support them moving forward. With special guest Dr. Jodie Rummer: Associate Professor of Marine Biology at James Cook University.

Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.

67. Policy Development Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

Why is it so difficult to achieve effective environmental policy in the United States? Is it just a lack of willpower, or is there a little more to it? Today, we explore some of the lesser-discussed procedural barriers to environmental policy development such as the amendment process, the recent preference for omnibus bills, and certain state preemptions, and consider if there are ways around these challenges to allow for more innovative, nuanced, and popular environmental policy in the future. With special guest David Johnson: Lecturer in Law at Stanford University.

Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.

66. Influenza Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

Flu season is fast approaching, and with it comes a Sweaty Penguin episode revealing that temperature rise, air pollution, and wildfires can actually make the impacts of the flu worse. But how can that be? The flu is at its worst in the winter, so shouldn’t a warmer climate help? Unfortunately, and perhaps surprisingly, it doesn’t actually play out that way. Today, we cover how influenza works, what this unexpected connection to climate change is, and what that means for the future. With special guest Dr. Jeffrey Shaman: Director of the Climate and Health Program at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.

Tip of the Iceberg E2: Phasing “out” coal versus phasing “down” coal Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

COP26 concluded with the adoption of the “Glasgow climate pact,” which was revised at the last minute due to demands from China and India to change the phrase “phase out coal” to “phase down coal,” which infuriated much of the rest of the world. But are the two phrases really that different? Will phasing “down” lead to a different outcome? Why would China and India make this demand? Ethan breaks all of this down in episode 2 of “Tip of the Iceberg.”

65. Coffee Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

The average American coffee drinker drinks over three cups of coffee per day, and that demand is only getting bigger. But unfortunately, coffee is a ridiculously sensitive plant, meaning even the tiniest changes in climate can eliminate many of the world’s current coffee growing regions and put farmers who often make as little as $2-3 per day in an even more difficult situation. Today, we discuss how climate change affects coffee, how these changes can exacerbate other issues such as poverty, deforestation, and child labor, and how the coffee industry could adapt moving forward. With special guest Dr. Janina Grabs: Assistant Professor of Business and Society at Esade Business School in Spain.

Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.

Tip of the Iceberg E1: COP26 was not dead on arrival Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

Even before the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow started, many in the environmental movement were ready to call it a failure, feeling world leaders would just spend the two weeks making empty promises. But while frustration about climate change to this point is warranted, is COP26 the right outlet? In The Sweaty Penguin’s first ever edition of “Tip of the Iceberg,” Ethan breaks down some of the challenges facing global environmental governance and considers why COP26 may be meaningful even if the resulting pledges and treaties don’t seem groundbreaking.

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