Under international law, the North Pole and the Arctic waters surrounding it are not owned by any country. But this January, President Donald Trump announced his plans to buy the Arctic territory of Greenland, testing the claims of rivals and opening up a greater conversation around who governs the Arctic Circle. On top of these icy tensions, the North Pole is warming. Melting ice caps are opening up new shipping routes and making the region increasingly mineable, generating even more interest from leaders around the world.   This episode was originally released on March 29, 2023.   Featured Guests   Esther Brimmer, James H. Binger Senior Fellow in Global Governance   Jeff Randall, Military Fellow, U.S. Coast Guard For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/whats-cracking-arctic

In this discussion, Kate Mackenzie, Green columnist for Bloomberg, and Michael Greenstone, Professor of Economics at the University of Chicago, dive into the urgent need for climate pricing mechanisms like carbon taxes. They explore the economic impact of climate change and the struggle against corporate greenwashing amid rising fossil fuel investments. The conversation highlights the crucial role of international agreements like the Paris Accord and the pressing need for regulatory reforms to reshape corporate sustainability and prioritize genuine climate action.

For decades, U.S. homeowners have counted on property insurance to protect them from catastrophic loss if their homes are destroyed. But last year, private companies pulled their coverage in multiple climate-sensitive states, only months before the fires in Los Angeles and the hurricanes in the Southeast region wreaked havoc. As climate disasters become more frequent, can home insurance hold up?    This episode was originally released on September 27, 2023.   Featured Guests   David Marlett, Managing Director of the Brantley Risk & Insurance Center, Appalachian State University   Nancy Watkins, Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at  https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/could-climate-change-break-home-insurance

Our editors top picks of Why It Matters episodes on climate.

Varun Sivaram, a Senior Fellow for Climate and Energy at CFR, dives into the environmental implications of AI's energy demands. He discusses how AI's growth relies heavily on fossil fuels, posing challenges for clean energy transitions. The conversation highlights the urgent need to mitigate carbon emissions tied to AI development. Sivaram also addresses the U.S.-China energy competition and the importance of integrating climate policy with national security, showcasing the stakes of clean energy innovation in the AI landscape.

Tumultuous events have rocked the last four years: the COVID-19 pandemic, Europe’s largest land war in eighty years, and an escalating Middle Eastern conflict between Israel and Iran-backed forces. On top of that, the United States faces an intensifying geopolitical struggle with China and Russia. Now, U.S. President Joe Biden is running out of time to secure his legacy while the transition to a second Donald Trump administration comes sharply into focus. The U.S. president-elect has been quickly nominating leaders to his cabinet and receiving calls from foreign leaders. Why It Matters sits down with the hosts of The World Next Week to talk about what the United States–and a closely watching world–should expect in the weeks and months to come as incoming President Trump takes office.   Featured Guests:   Robert McMahon (Managing Editor, CFR) Carla Anne Robbins (Senior Fellow, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/why-world-next-week-matters 

For most of our history, the realm of international relations was dominated by nation-states. They waged wars and signed treaties through the framework of governance. But today, more so than ever before, tech titans are acting as unilateral decision-makers, upsetting the balance and structure of global power around the world.   Featured Guests: Rana Foroohar (Global Business Columnist and Associate Editor, Financial Times; Global Economic Analyst, CNN) Adam Segal (Ira A. Lipman Chair in Emerging Technologies and Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/new-tech-world-order

Renee DiResta is an expert on online manipulation at Georgetown, while Nic Newman researches news consumption at the Reuters Institute, and Michael Spikes teaches media literacy at Northwestern. They discuss the significant shift in news consumption as social media influencers gain prominence over traditional outlets. The trio dives into the challenges of misinformation and the evolving dynamics of audience engagement with influencers. They also touch on the impact of foreign influence in U.S. elections and the urgent need for critical media literacy in a complex digital landscape.

The United States national debt is rising to levels not seen since World War II. Many economists say Washington is on an unsustainable track, but no one knows when it will pass the point of crisis. What is at risk if U.S. debt continues to grow?   Featured Guests: Maya MacGuineas (President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget) Roger W. Ferguson Jr. (Steven A. Tananbaum Distinguished Fellow for International Economics, CFR)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/whos-afraid-national-debt 

The world is watching the U.S. presidential contest between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris with intense interest. Few countries are tracking the race more closely than Germany, Europe's biggest economy and a founding member of the NATO alliance. Its experiences provide insights into how this election is reverberating globally.   Featured Guests: Liana Fix (Fellow for Europe, CFR)  Stefan Kornelius (Foreign Editor, Süddeutsche Zeitung)   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit us at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/wim/why-world-obsessed-us-election-ask-germany