Drilled

Mary Annaise Heglar, an advocate for climate rethinking, and journalist Amy Westervelt dive deep into Project 2025 and its implications for climate policy. They share frustrations about the disconnection in current climate advocacy, critique the historical ties of environmental movements to social justice, and discuss the risks associated with privatizing weather data. They also tackle the ethical dilemmas in climate journalism and the shifting dynamics of political engagement as they humorously examine voter sentiments leading into the election.

In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled in Massachusetts vs. EPA that when the U.S. Congress passed the Clean Air Act in 1970, climate science was “in its infancy,” implying that government officials could never have intended for the legislation to cover the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022, SCOTUS doubled down on that idea, ruling in West Virginia v EPA that since the Clean Air Act didn't explicitly talk about climate change, the EPA cannot regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Now, new historical evidence unearthed by a team of Harvard University researchers led by Naomi Oreskes calls the court's understanding of the history of climate science into question, which could have major implications for the government's ability to regulate climate-changing emissions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carolyn Raffensperger, executive director of the Science and Environmental Health Network, joins to delve into the controversial realm of carbon capture technology. They discuss how the fossil fuel industry has rebranded oil production techniques as climate solutions, despite little evidence of genuine effectiveness. The conversation highlights the severe public health risks, the financial burden on taxpayers, and the regulatory challenges posed by CO2 pipelines. Raffensperger also critiques the misleading claims made by industry leaders and the implications for real climate action.

In El Salvador, a ban on mining was celebrated as a victory for environmental activism. However, President Nayib Bukele's push to revive mining threatens that progress, leading to dangerous allegations against activists. The narrative explores the haunting legacy of civil war that still impacts today's defenders of the environment. Grassroots groups are fighting back against corporate threats while striving for community resilience. Political turmoil and authoritarian practices are examined, revealing the urgent struggle for rights and environmental justice.

This week, we bring you an episode from our climate litigation podcast, Damages, because we've been getting SO MANY emails about what sorts of legal strategies might still be available for climate accountability given everything happening at the Supreme Court. Public Citizen has been working with various prosecutors to explore the idea of using criminal law to hold oil companies accountable for climate change, but is it really viable? The group's senior climate policy counsel, Aaron Regunburg, joins us to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exploring the manipulation of natural gas as a green energy solution, the role of lobbying groups, the ambitions of a young oil CEO in the LNG industry, deceptive greenwashing practices, and the divide in the US gas industry with shale companies competing against oil majors.

The podcast explores how management consultancies manipulate data to benefit the fossil fuel industry, emphasizing conflicts of interests and greenwashing. It details the influence of consultancies on climate policies, including promoting gas over renewable energy solutions. The episode discusses reports on carbon emissions in Gulf oil production and analyzes the potential for nationwide Renewable Natural Gas production.

Andrew Behar, CEO of As You Sow, discusses the surge of lawsuits against shareholder activism and the pushback faced. Topics include Exxon lawsuit, challenges in transitioning to sustainable energy, and strategies to counter anti-ESG actions.

Delve into the latest findings of the Carbon Majors Report and the rise in emissions by major fossil fuel producers post the Paris Climate Accord. Explore methane emissions tracking and legal collaboration on climate cases. Discuss complexities in corporate attitudes towards climate change and the impact of gas pumps on emissions. Highlight landmark rulings on climate action and the implications for global climate justice.

Reporter Anna Pujol-Mazzini delves into the shocking violence faced by a multi-racial coalition, Earth Uprising, in France comprised of Yellow Vest protesters, racial equity, and climate activists. The narrative captures escalating tensions, government crackdowns, and the resilience of activists fighting against corporate interests and environmental degradation, highlighting the intersection of social justice and environmental activism in the face of adversity.