Sometimes, climate change IS a laughing matter. Every week, The Sweaty Penguin cuts through the noise and the doom-and-gloom of the climate conversation with la...
Tip of the Iceberg E62: Could Saudi Arabia derail COP28's biggest victory?
The United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP28, wrapped up in the United Arab Emirates last month, bringing several steps forward for global climate cooperation. Chief among them: all 195 countries signed onto a “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science.” That said, some countries’ plans are not in keeping with this commitment. A new investigative report revealed Saudi Arabia is working with developing countries to try to set up oil-based infrastructure, locking in future oil demand for the coming decades. In this week’s Tip of the Iceberg, Ethan explores the good news from COP28, how Saudi Arabia’s Oil Demand Sustainability Program could derail it, and why wealthier countries like the U.S. should outcompete the Saudis with clean energy partnerships in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
Now more than ever, The Sweaty Penguin needs your help to continue! 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, Shannon Damiano, Mo Polyak, Emma Quarequio
Fact Checker: Alia Bonanno
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Megan Antone
Ad Voiceover: Mo Polyak
Music: Brett Sawka
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132. Polar Bears
As climate change drives the melt of Arctic sea ice, polar bears are facing a major challenge. Scientists have said it is likely the global population of polar bears will fall by more than a third within the next three generations. But why does this issue matter, beyond polar bears being really cute? Today, we explore the ecological and economic importance of polar bears, the variety of threats they face in a changing climate, and a variety of tangible solutions to protect polar bears moving forward. With special guest Dr. Andrew Derocher: Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta.
Now more than ever, The Sweaty Penguin needs your help to continue! Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Aana Shenai, Emma Quarequio, Emma Jones, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Alia Bonanno
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Megan Antone
Ad Voiceover: Mo Polyak
Music: Brett Sawka
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Bonus: Why Do You Want to Take Over Gotham City?
In The Sweaty Penguin’s second annual “Holiday Mailbag,” Ethan rounds up a few of the most cynical audience questions from 2023. Learn why the change from “global warming” to “climate change,” where climate alarmists may have taken things too far, and ChatGPT’s response to everyone calling Ethan a clown in this can’t miss bonus episode to conclude another year of The Sweaty Penguin.
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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131. Rethinking Carbon
If and when humans completely stop emitting carbon dioxide, how will the climate respond? For some time, communicators were operating with the misconception that there would be a “carbon lag” — carbon previously emitted would still be in the atmosphere, still be trapping heat, and still be warming the planet, and this lagged warming would continue for several decades. Recently, scientists clarified that this was not quite right. This lagged warming effect does exist, but simultaneously, oceans suck carbon out of the atmosphere creating a cooling effect. The two ultimately cancel out, and the global climate can stabilize as quickly as three years after emissions halt. Today, we explore how the greenhouse effect has worked through history, what this updated science means for both us and our oceans, and why this science should mostly be seen as good news moving forward. With very special guest Dr. Michael Mann: Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth and Environmental Science and Director of the Center for Science Sustainability in the Media at the University of Pennsylvania.
Now more than ever, The Sweaty Penguin needs your help to continue! Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Mikaela Gonzalez, Emma Jones, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Sophie Colbert
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Megan Antone
Ad Voiceover: Mo Polyak
Music: Brett Sawka
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Tip of the Iceberg E61: But what about China and India?
A couple weeks ago, world leaders descended on Dubai for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) — a reminder of the fact that the United States cannot mitigate climate change alone, and needs China and India to curb their emissions too. But that’s not an argument to slow climate progress at home. Ethan explains that while global participation is necessary for the climate, smart climate solutions also have benefits for local environments, health, justice, security, and the economy in this week’s “Tip of the Iceberg.”
**Note: This episode was written prior to COP28, so the opening references some pessimism I was feeling going into the conference. As it turns out, the conference had some pretty exciting successes, which we’ll break down in Tip of the Iceberg 62. However, due to some delays in editing, we were not able to release this episode before the conference as planned. The rest of the episode remains relevant though, so we hope you still enjoy!**
Now more than ever, The Sweaty Penguin needs your help to continue! 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, Velina Georgi, Mo Polyak, Emma Quarequio
Fact Checker: Aana Shenai
Editor: Megan Antone
Producers: Ethan Brown, Hallie Cordingley, Shannon Damiano, Megan Antone
Ad Voiceover: Velina Georgi
Music: Brett Sawka
Sometimes, climate change IS a laughing matter. Every week, The Sweaty Penguin cuts through the noise and the doom-and-gloom of the climate conversation with late-night-comedy-style monologues and in-depth conversations with leading global experts on a variety of environmental issues. Through a nonpartisan approach, The Sweaty Penguin makes environmental issues less overwhelming and politicized and more accessible and fun. In partnership with Peril and Promise, a PBS/WNET public media initiative on climate change, The Sweaty Penguin invites you to join the hottest conversation in town.
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