Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast

216. Drilled, Baby, Drilled!

Oct 5, 2023

Amy Westervelt, award-winning investigative journalist, joins the hosts to discuss her climate podcast Drilled and her podcast production company Critical Frequency. They also explore the latest International Energy Agency report on the end of the fossil fuel era, Costa Rica's climate advocacy, frustrations with oil companies, and the importance of leadership in storytelling. The podcast features an interview with musician Nick Nuttall about his new album addressing climate change.

01:12:52

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Amy Westervelt

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Quick takeaways

The International Energy Agency report signals the end of the fossil fuel era and presents a slim opportunity for global unity in meeting climate targets.

Investigative journalism and storytelling play crucial roles in holding oil companies accountable and mobilizing collective action.

Despite some progress, challenges persist in addressing corporate influence, slow action, and the need for media accountability and reporting on climate change.

Deep dives

The Power and Influence of Oil Companies

The podcast discusses the overwhelming power and influence of oil companies, highlighting their global reach and their ability to impact government policies. The podcast raises concerns about the close relationships between oil companies and governments, and how this has hindered progress on climate action. It emphasizes the need for accountability and stronger measures to regulate the industry.

The Economic Case for Ambitious Climate Action

00:32

Managing Old School Risk vs. Blind Spot to New School Risk

00:56

Prioritize Ending Influence of Bad Faith Actors

01:10

The Influence of Carbon in Economic Structures

00:45

Introduction

3min

Achieving the 1.5°C Target: Optimistic Forecast and Government Goals

13min

Introducing Amy Westervelt and Critical Frequency

2min

Choosing Costa Rica as a Climate Advocate

18min

Running Out of Patience with Oil Companies

22min

Leadership in Storytelling and Standing Against Persecution

6min

Interview with Nick Nuthal and his new album

9min

This week on O+O, our hosts, Christiana, Tom and Paul delve into the latest International Energy Agency report which sounds the death knell on the fossil fuel era and welcome award-winning investigative journalist Amy Westervelt onto the show.

With the IEA’s publication of their World Energy Outlook report, Christiana, Tom and Paul assess what this means for the fossil fuel industry, national governments and the companies continuing to push the exponential growth of the renewable energy markets. The IEA report still offers us an opportunity, a very, very slim opportunity to act unitedly and decisively to keep within our global targets - can we heed this advice before the door finally closes on this opportunity?

We’re extremely excited to welcome Amy Westervelt as our guest this week. Amy is an award-winning investigative print and audio journalist, loved by our team for her true crime climate podcast Drilled. Join us as she shares her journey to launching Drilled and Critical Frequency, her podcast production company, and why she’s dedicating her time to unearth the nefarious actions of a few PR firms that enable incumbents to keep a stake in the climate crisis narrative.

Music this week comes from Nick Nuttall and his debut album, Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows, which draws on rich life experiences between his eccentric upbringing in the North of England, to his nearly two decades of work at the UN fighting the climate and environmental crises across the globe.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

GUEST

Amy Westervelt, Investigative climate journalist and Head of Drilled Media

Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

THINK TANKS Story: Meet the Shadowy Global Network Vilifying Climate Protesters

MUSIC

Nick Nuttall

Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter

Album ‘Just Because Some Bad Wind blows’ can be purchased here, or here

Watch the music video for ‘Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows’

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

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