Save the Earth? (ft. George Carlin)
Explicit content warning
04/19/23 • 22 min
In this episode, Ralph and Luc listen to a stand-up routine by comedian George Carlin about environmentalists. We engage with Carlin’s pontifications and his ingenious framing by providing context from a scientific perspective. We also gesture at disarming some of his cynicism while steering clear of fully explaining away what made his take comedic in the first place.
This episode contains 4 brief excerpts from George Carlin's "Jammin' in New York" special.
Erratum: we said microplastics were found in the blood of 99% of people tested – in fact, plastic was found in the blood of 17 of 22 subjects tested (77%).
• original article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022001258
• and a write-up in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time.
In this episode, Ralph and Luc listen to a stand-up routine by comedian George Carlin about environmentalists. We engage with Carlin’s pontifications and his ingenious framing by providing context from a scientific perspective. We also gesture at disarming some of his cynicism while steering clear of fully explaining away what made his take comedic in the first place.
This episode contains 4 brief excerpts from George Carlin's "Jammin' in New York" special.
Erratum: we said microplastics were found in the blood of 99% of people tested – in fact, plastic was found in the blood of 17 of 22 subjects tested (77%).
• original article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412022001258
• and a write-up in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/24/microplastics-found-in-human-blood-for-first-time.
Previous Episode
Greenwashing
On this inaugural episode, Ralph and Luc briefly describe the practice of greenwashing, with examples ranging from:
- BP's popularisation of the carbon footprint, to
- the labels on water bottles, to
- Volkswagen evading emissions tests, and
- the practice of carbon offsets...
Next Episode
Rainforest Restitution
In this episode, Ralph and Luc venture into the thorny discussions of what to do about the rainforest’s impact on the globe.
In the aftermath of Lula's conference in Belem, Brazil, in August 2023, we spotlight some good news: great strides are being made against deforestation, and South American leaders are keen to protect the Amazonian rainforest.
We also unpack criticisms and highlight pragmatic perspectives from Colombia and Ecuador, such as debt for nature swaps.
Sources:
• We sample a quote from climate scientist Stephen Schneider from this 1981 British TV documentary by Thames Television called “Warming Warning”. You can see the clip in context at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zHAbYOXjzk/
• A chart comparing Amazon deforestation between 2022 and 2023:
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/E100/production/_131000675_amazon_deforestation_aug_update-nc.png.webp
• You can read the Belem declaration – which the Amazon rainforest countries signed at the end of the August 2023 conference – here (in Spanish): https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/canais_atendimento/imprensa/notas-a-imprensa/declaracao-presidencial-por-ocasiao-da-cupula-da-amazonia-2013-iv-reuniao-de-presidentes-dos-estados-partes-no-tratado-de-cooperacao-amazonica/
• Lula’s Speech closing the Belem conference (translated in English):
https://www.gov.br/planalto/en/follow-the-government/speeches/speech-by-president-luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva-at-the-amazon-summit-with-guest-countries-in-belem-brazil/
• Articles in the journal Nature criticising Lula’s ecological record (especially on drilling):
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02511-x/
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02187-3/
• You can see Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s address at the Belem conference (in Spanish):
Read: https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/newsroom/news/prosperidad-descarbonizada-otro-tipo-sociedad-poder-economia-propone-presidente/
Or watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehsae42q_Mk/
• More information on Ecuador’s referendum on oil drilling in Yasuni:
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/ecuador-says-it-will-honor-referendum-yasuni-oil-project-2023-08-24/
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