Zero: The Climate Race Best of: How the humble refrigerator changed the world
14 snips
Dec 26, 2024 
Nicola Twilley, author of "Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves," explores the transformative power of refrigeration on food systems. She reveals how the vast "cold chain" ensures food freshness while also highlighting its environmental repercussions. The conversation tackles the paradox of refrigeration, discussing its role in both reducing waste in developing countries and exacerbating overconsumption in wealthier regions. Ultimately, Twilley advocates for mindful consumption to balance flavor and sustainability.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
First Transcontinental Broccoli Shipment
- Matthew Dorigo's family shipped the first transcontinental broccoli.
- They used a refrigerated train from California to New York, marking the cold chain's early days.
Cold Chain's Impact
- Most American food is processed, packaged, shipped, and stored cold.
- The US has massive refrigerated space, and developing countries are rapidly expanding theirs.
Early Refrigeration Challenges
- Early humans understood cold preservation but couldn't control it.
- Creating artificial cold was dangerous, with pioneers facing frequent injuries.
