
Elizabeth Kolbert
Staff writer at The New Yorker and author of 'Under a White Sky: The Nature of the Future'. Reports on environmental problems and attempts to solve them.
Top 10 podcasts with Elizabeth Kolbert
Ranked by the Snipd community

16 snips
Jan 10, 2025 • 52min
The L.A. Fires And The Uninsurable Earth (Part 1)
In a gripping discussion, New York Times reporter David Wallace-Wells, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert, and former California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones tackle the harrowing impacts of Los Angeles wildfires. They explore the urgent questions of safety, insurance accessibility, and climate crisis response. The conversation highlights the devastating effects of climate change on wildfire frequency and intensity, the shifting patterns of urban wildfires, and the pressing need for policy reforms in disaster preparedness and insurance.

14 snips
Sep 29, 2025 • 51min
From "How We Survive": The climate crisis is an economic crisis
Elizabeth Kolbert, a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer and New Yorker staff writer, dives into the economic implications of the climate crisis. She discusses how climate-related disruptions are projected to cost trillions, affecting real estate and investments. Kolbert sheds light on the urgent need for renewable energy and explores the potential of decarbonization as a viable solution. She emphasizes the role of local action and innovation in combating climate issues, while warning about the persistent political and societal challenges that hinder progress.

4 snips
Mar 1, 2023 • 26min
Block the sun, save the earth?
Elizabeth Colbert, a New Yorker staff writer known for her work on climate issues, and Kevin Surprise, an environmental studies lecturer, delve into the contentious world of solar geoengineering. They discuss its risky proposition of cooling the Earth by blocking sunlight, exploring historical perspectives and ethical dilemmas. The conversation highlights the geopolitical implications of unilateral actions and the urgent need for global cooperation. Ultimately, they question whether such interventions might distract from addressing the fundamental causes of climate change.

May 7, 2024 • 35min
CultureLab: Elizabeth Kolbert on what we’re missing in the fight against climate change
Journalist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Kolbert discusses the urgency and challenges of climate change in an engaging and informative conversation. Topics include the role of hope in inspiring action, meeting emission reduction targets, technological innovations, navigating uncertainty in climate preparedness, and the reality of climate change impacts. Kolbert's new book 'H is for Hope' is highlighted, along with the importance of narratives in shaping responses to the climate crisis.

Oct 10, 2025 • 56min
Episode 15: Elizabeth Kolbert
Join Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert as she dives into her latest book, exploring the astonishing diversity of life on our planet. She discusses the challenges and rewards of field reporting, including her firsthand account of a sperm whale's birth. Kolbert highlights the innovative use of machine learning in understanding whale communications and how each species showcases unique survival adaptations. Engage with her thoughts on balancing joy and despair in environmental writing while seeking to awaken curiosity about the natural world.

Sep 29, 2025 • 51min
From "How We Survive": The climate crisis is an economic crisis
Elizabeth Kolbert, a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer and New Yorker staff writer, joins the conversation to discuss the intertwining of climate change and economic crises. She highlights alarming trends, like rising disaster costs and home value corrections linked to climate risks. Kolbert explores the moral challenges of society's continued emissions and emphasizes hopeful solutions, including advancements in renewable energy. Her forthcoming book promises insights into the natural world and the urgent need for climate action.

Sep 29, 2025 • 51min
The climate crisis is an economic crisis (bonus episode)
Elizabeth Kolbert, a Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer from The New Yorker, discusses how the accelerating climate crisis is wreaking economic havoc. She highlights that 15-20% of U.S. homes are at acute climate risk, potentially resulting in massive real-estate losses. Elizabeth also addresses how investor portfolios are affected by climate risks and the growing sectors thriving on climate-driven demand. She emphasizes the importance of local action while cautioning that we may never see a stable climate again and encourages continued commitment to climate solutions.

Jun 4, 2025 • 19min
How Cannibalistic Tadpoles Could Curb Invasive Cane Toads
Biologist Rick Shine of Macquarie University discusses his pioneering project using CRISPR to create cannibalistic tadpoles that feast on cane toad eggs, aiming to tackle Australia’s invasive cane toad crisis. Elizabeth Kolbert, a journalist from The New Yorker, shares her insights on similar conservation efforts and the ethical dilemmas they entail. Together, they explore the unexpected consequences of manipulating nature, the tragic history of the cane toads’ introduction, and the fragile balance of ecosystems.

Oct 23, 2024 • 56min
Elizabeth Kolbert on What Happens "When the Arctic Melts"
In a recent discussion, Elizabeth Kolbert, a staff writer for The New Yorker and a renowned climate change reporter, shares compelling insights from her time on the Greenland ice sheet. She highlights alarming feedback loops from melting ice that threaten coastal cities and exacerbates drought. Kolbert discusses the ancient ice records that reveal our climate's history and the urgency of addressing human-induced impacts. With emotional narratives, she urges listeners to confront the stark realities of climate change and engage in meaningful dialogues.

Apr 5, 2024 • 56min
Elizabeth Kolbert on Hope, Despair, and Everything In Between
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Elizabeth Kolbert discusses the challenges of climate change communication. Topics include balancing hope and despair, navigating climate uncertainties, human impact on extinctions, emotional toll of climate work, and exploring clean energy futures and activism.