Matt Steinglass, the Deputy Europe editor for The Economist, shares insights on Poland's political turmoil as the centrist government grapples with the legacy of the hard-right PiS party. Marie Seger, a data journalist, presents eye-opening research on the 'motherhood penalty', revealing how motherhood adversely impacts women's careers. They discuss the broader implications of these challenges, including media bias and gender disparities in the workforce, while touching on new technologies that could transform climate science.
Poland's Law and Justice Party compromised media independence, hindering the restoration of the rule of law.
NASA's Pace satellite can provide valuable data to enhance understanding of aerosols' impact on climate change.
Deep dives
Poland's State Media and the Erosion of Press Freedom
The Law and Justice Party in Poland made significant changes to state media broadcasters, turning them into propaganda organs. Journalists who didn't align with the party's agenda were fired or reassigned. The new government is now trying to undo some of these changes, but it faces challenges. The President of Poland, who is from the previous ruling party, is vetoing the government's moves. Additionally, much of the judiciary is still influenced by the previous party, posing obstacles to restoring the rule of law. The government aims to tackle issues with state-owned companies and state media, which has contributed to polarization in the country.
Pace Satellite Mission Aims to Shed Light on Aerosols and Climate Change
The Pace satellite mission launched by NASA aims to study and document aerosols, which are the largest source of uncertainty in climate models. The satellite is equipped with instruments that can capture and analyze the different types of particles suspended in the oceans and the air. By studying these particles, scientists hope to understand their role in cloud formation and their impact on the climate. Pace offers the potential to provide new insights and data to improve climate models and enhance understanding of aerosols' effects on the environment.
Motherhood Penalty: Impact on Women's Workforce Participation
A study analyzing data from over 130 countries reveals that motherhood has a significant impact on women's workforce participation. On average, nearly a quarter of women leave the labor force in the first year after childbirth, and even after 10 years, 15% are still absent. In the rich world, 80% of the gender gap in workforce participation can be attributed to women leaving after giving birth. The cost of childcare often plays a role in this decision, as it can exceed women's take-home pay. Efforts to provide more affordable childcare and parental leave policies are being implemented in various countries to address the motherhood penalty.
Donald Tusk’s predecessors in the hard-right PiS party captured the state and compromised its checks and balances. The newly-elected centrist party is having a hard time correcting course. A new NASA satellite which can map the tiniest of the earth’s particles is set to transform climate science (09:54). And a look at how motherhood hurts careers (17:41).
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