Abrahm Lustgarten, ON THE MOVE & Ross Barkan on Jamaal Bowman’s Challenge

05/24/24 • 57 min

We talk with Abrahm Lustgarten about his book, On The Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America. It’s about how climate chaos means a humanity on the move.

Then, we catch up with journalist and author Ross Barkan about his recent article in New York Magazine, “The Most Endangered Democrat in America: Jamaal Bowman might lose his job over Israel.”

Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter @WritersVoice.

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Key Words: climate migration, climate refugees, climate justice, Abrahm Lustgarten, On the Move book, Ross Barkan, Jamaal Bowman, George Latimer, Gaza ceasefire, New York primary

Climate Chaos Means Humanity on the Move

Guest: Abrahm Lustgarten, investigative reporter on climate change

Book:On the Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America

Key Topics:

Climate Migration: The massive displacement of populations due to climate change, both globally and within the United States.
Human Habitability Niche: The ideal climate zone for human habitation is shifting, displacing billions.
U.S. Impacts: Wildfires, floods, extreme heat, and droughts will reshape the country.
Heat and Humidity: Rising temperatures and humidity levels will make parts of the U.S. uninhabitable.
Sea Level Rise: Coastal communities are facing rapid land loss and increased flooding.
Inequality: Climate change disproportionately affects poor communities and communities of color.
Economic Impacts: Climate change will cause significant economic disruption, particularly in the southern U.S.
Food Security: Agricultural yields are declining due to heat and water scarcity.
Global Perspective: The impacts of climate migration will be far greater in the developing world.
Loss and Damage: The U.S. and other wealthy nations have a responsibility to aid countries suffering from climate-related losses.
Economic Opportunities: Addressing climate change can create economic benefits, but requires investment and policy changes.
Solutions: Reducing emissions, investing in adaptation, and providing foreign aid are crucial steps.

Read an Excerpt from On The Move

Keywords: climate change, migration, displacement, heat, floods, drought, inequality, economics, food security, loss and damage, foreign aid, solutions

Additional Notes: Lustgarten’s book provides a detailed and personal look at the impacts of climate migration. The interview highlights the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for immediate action. The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate change, migration, and social justice issues.

The Most Endangered Democrat in America: Jamal Bowman’s Battle Against AIPAC

Congressmember Jamal Bowman of New York is facing a tough challenge in the upcoming June primary, with AIPAC backing his opponent George Latimer. Ross Barkan, author of a recent article in New York Magazine, joins us to discuss the stakes of this critical race.

Key Points

Bowman’s Stance on Israel:

Bowman’s position on Israel leans left, advocating for a two-state solution and conditioning military aid to Israel.
He’s drawn controversy by calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticizing Israeli government actions.

Latimer’s Position on Israel:

Latimer aligns with AIPAC’s positions, opposing conditioning aid to Israel and supporting Netanyahu.
He’s backed by significant funding from pro-Israel donors, including some with ties to Trumpist circles.

The Race Dynamics:

Bowman’s vulnerabilities, including past controversies and a spending disadvantage, make the race tight.
Latimer, a well-known local politician, presents a formidable challenge to the incumbent Bowman.

Implications of Bowman’s Defeat:

Losing Bowman would be a setback for progressive forces, signaling AIPAC’s successful strategy in Democratic primaries.

We talk with Abrahm Lustgarten about his book, On The Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America. It’s about how climate chaos means a humanity on the move.

Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004.

Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter @WritersVoice.

And don’t forget to spread the word about Writer’s Voice. Please love it on your podcast app!

Key Words: climate migration, climate refugees, climate justice, Abrahm Lustgarten, On the Move book, Ross Barkan, Jamaal Bowman, George Latimer, Gaza ceasefire, New York primary

Climate Chaos Means Humanity on the Move

Guest: Abrahm Lustgarten, investigative reporter on climate change

Book:On the Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America

Key Topics:

Climate Migration: The massive displacement of populations due to climate change, both globally and within the United States.
Human Habitability Niche: The ideal climate zone for human habitation is shifting, displacing billions.
U.S. Impacts: Wildfires, floods, extreme heat, and droughts will reshape the country.
Heat and Humidity: Rising temperatures and humidity levels will make parts of the U.S. uninhabitable.
Sea Level Rise: Coastal communities are facing rapid land loss and increased flooding.
Inequality: Climate change disproportionately affects poor communities and communities of color.
Economic Impacts: Climate change will cause significant economic disruption, particularly in the southern U.S.
Food Security: Agricultural yields are declining due to heat and water scarcity.
Global Perspective: The impacts of climate migration will be far greater in the developing world.
Loss and Damage: The U.S. and other wealthy nations have a responsibility to aid countries suffering from climate-related losses.
Economic Opportunities: Addressing climate change can create economic benefits, but requires investment and policy changes.
Solutions: Reducing emissions, investing in adaptation, and providing foreign aid are crucial steps.

Read an Excerpt from On The Move

Keywords: climate change, migration, displacement, heat, floods, drought, inequality, economics, food security, loss and damage, foreign aid, solutions

The Most Endangered Democrat in America: Jamal Bowman’s Battle Against AIPAC

Key Points

Bowman’s Stance on Israel:

Bowman’s position on Israel leans left, advocating for a two-state solution and conditioning military aid to Israel.
He’s drawn controversy by calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and criticizing Israeli government actions.

Latimer’s Position on Israel:

Latimer aligns with AIPAC’s positions, opposing conditioning aid to Israel and supporting Netanyahu.
He’s backed by significant funding from pro-Israel donors, including some with ties to Trumpist circles.

The Race Dynamics:

Bowman’s vulnerabilities, including past controversies and a spending disadvantage, make the race tight.
Latimer, a well-known local politician, presents a formidable challenge to the incumbent Bowman.

Implications of Bowman’s Defeat:

Losing Bowman would be a setback for progressive forces, signaling AIPAC’s successful strategy in Democratic primaries.

Previous Episode

Eric Klinenberg, 2020: The Year Everything Changed

Was 2020 the year Americans finally lost faith in their government? We talk with Eric Klinenberg about his acclaimed new book, 2020: One City, Seven People, And The Year Everything Changed.

The book follows seven New Yorkers as they try to cope with the pandemic. Among them, a transit worker, a bar owner, a retired lawyer who organizes a mutual aid network and a Black Lives Matter protester. Their stories and those of the others illustrate how our leaders and institutions failed us — and how some citizens stepped into the breach.

Then, in February 2021 we spoke with journalist John Nichols about why President Biden’s bold plan for Covid relief was defeated by the Republicans, joined by a few centrist Dems. We listen back to that conversation.

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2020: Covid, Black Lives Matter, Culture Wars

2020 was a momentous year in our nation’s history. The worst pandemic in a century was raging. The country saw the largest protest movement ever, with people of all races uniting in support of Black Lives Matter. The economy plummeted and the government spent trillions trying to keep people afloat.

It was also the year that many Americans lost the last shred of faith they had in our institutions. Yet, you hardly hear anybody talking about what happened that year.

That’s why Eric Klinenberg’s book is so important. He follows seven New Yorkers whose experiences illuminate how Americans reckoned with 2020. The book vividly captures these stories, casting them against the backdrop of a high-stakes presidential election, a surge of misinformation, rising distrust, and raging protests.

Klinenberg’s book 2020 not only helps us reckon with what we lived through, but also with the challenges we face before the next crisis arrives.

About The Author

Eric Klinenberg is an American sociologist and a scholar of urban studies, culture, and media. He teaches Social Science at NYU and is Director of the Institute for Public Knowledge. In addition to 2020 Klinenberg is the author of several books, including Fighting For Air and Going Solo, both of which we spoke to him about on this show.

Listen to an audio excerpt from 2020

Next Episode

Kelly Fong, INVESTIGATING FAMILIES & Emi Nietfield, ACCEPTANCE

Are child protection service (CPS) agencies doing more harm than good?

Join us for an in-depth conversation with sociologist Kelly Fong about her book, Investigating Families: Motherhood in the Shadow of Child Protective Services. We explore the inner workings of Child Protection Services (CPS), the impact on families, and the need for systemic change.

Plus, we replay a segment from our 2022 interview with Emi Nietfield, author of the memoir Acceptance, about overcoming childhood trauma and the foster care system.

And we recommend a new children’s book for Father’s Day!

Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter @WritersVoice.

Key Words: Child Protective Services, CPS, child welfare, family separation, poverty, social inequality, family policy, Emi Nietfield, Kelly Fong, podcast, book podcast, author interview

Kelly Fong, Investigating Families Interview Highlights

The disproportionate impact of CPS on low-income mothers and mothers of color
The fear and destabilization caused by CPS investigations
The vagueness of child abuse and neglect definitions
The need for alternative approaches to child protection
The importance of economic support and social infrastructure in preventing child maltreatment
Personal stories from mothers impacted by CPS

About The Author

Kelly Fong teaches sociology at the University of California, Irvine. Investigating Families: Motherhood in the Shadow of Child Protective Services (Princeton University Press) is her first book.

Key Quote

“The challenges that families face are not limited to...clinical or therapeutic challenges. For the vast majority of families entangled in the system, the root of many of the needs that they have is poverty, is adversity.” — Kelly Fong

Emi Nietfield, ACCEPTANCE

In the Fall of 2022, we spoke with Emi Nietfield about her powerful memoir, Acceptance. It chronicles her struggles as a teenager and young adult to rise above the poverty and abuse she suffered as a child, despite a child protection system that was anything but protective of children. We play an extended excerpt from that conversation.

Listen to the full interview

A Book for Father’s Day

Father’s Day is coming up and we have just the book to recommend: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON.

It’s from the prolific, award-winning children’s book author, Lesléa Newman, with charming illustrations by A.G. Ford. Featuring fathers who are strong in a gentle way, it’s a celebration of what fathers and sons do together — like cooking, camping and gardening. It also models what a good dad is like.