The Sweaty Penguin

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Tip of the Iceberg E44: The East Palestine train derailment Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

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 Feb 25, 2023

Show notes

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.

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 Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

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.”

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 Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

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 Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

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.

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" Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

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.”

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 Jan 21, 2023

Show notes

Drought is one of the most commonly cited impacts of climate change, leading to water shortages, crop failures, wildfires, and social inequalities. But why do droughts happen? And how does climate change play in? Today, we’ve got a “Drought 101” as it were — we’ll explore the science behind droughts, a variety of their consequences, and some possible solutions. With special guest Dr. Karletta Chief: Director of the Indigenous Resilience Center at the University of Arizona. 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 Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

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.”

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 Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

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.

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 Dec 30, 2022

Show notes

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.

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