The imperiled future of the Panama Canal (Episode 21)
Policy for the Planet
The Panama Canal suffered severe droughts in 2023 and 2024. Lower water levels disrupted vital US commercial trade routes for liquefied natural gas and other products. The canal’s disabled state opens an opportunity for China, which is investing in infrastructure throughout Latin America, causing concern in Washington. With weather patterns changing, is the canal doomed? In this episode, host Monica de Bolle asks David A. Gantz (Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University) whether anything can be done to save the canal. There are alternatives being explored—some of them surprising,...
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Can climate efforts create jobs? (Episode 20)
Policy for the Planet
Is it possible to pursue climate efforts, create jobs, and achieve social justice at the same time? That was the challenge that the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was designed to meet. Ben Beachy (Global Fund for a New Economy), an architect of the Act, joins Monica de Bolle (PIIE) to explain the accomplishments and disappointments experienced by the Biden administration over one of its signature efforts, and policy strategies for the future in the wake of legislative rollbacks. This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Music by Baegel/When I...
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How Ukraine’s critical minerals could help rebuild its economy (Episode 19)
Policy for the Planet
Ukraine has been defending itself from Russia’s attack for more than three years, forcing it to struggle with a wartime economy. Negotiations to end the fighting have gone nowhere, but it is not too early to think about a resolution at some point. How will Ukraine rebuild if the countries reach a ceasefire? Elina Ribakova (PIIE) joins to discuss how Ukraine could pivot to a reconstruction with a green transition, taking advantage of its critical minerals while aiding Europe’s efforts on defense spending. This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics....
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How to combat disinformation on climate science (Episode 18)
Policy for the Planet
In the age of the Internet, artificial intelligence, social media, and instant access to knowledge, disinformation has become a challenge in public discourse on climate change. Naomi Oreskes (Harvard University) joins to discuss how attacks on climate science contribute to polarization, the demonization of science, and how to combat these trends. This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Music by Baegel/When I Hop/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Mentioned in the episode: Naomi’s latest book, . Learn more about . Learn more about .
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The looming water security crisis (Episode 17)
Policy for the Planet
Access to water, a vital necessity for every walk of life, is increasingly jeopardized by the malign effects of climate change, from pollution to melting glaciers, erratic rainfall, and droughts. Finding science-based solutions is only a first step to protect humanity from water scarcity. Aaron Salzberg (consultant, formerly at the US Department of State) joins to talk about how declining water supplies are disrupting livelihoods–from displacing populations to interrupting trade routes–and how science must be mobilized by global organizations to mitigate a potentially looming crisis. ...
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India must pursue its own climate change course (Episode 16)
Policy for the Planet
India’s poverty and tropical heat pose extraordinary challenges as its population faces rising temperatures, less rainfall, and torrid weather. But India is also uniquely positioned to deal with global warming internally, providing lessons for countries around the world. Arvind Subramanian (PIIE) joins to discuss the steps that India can take to tackle climate change and provide lessons for the world. This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Music by Baegel/When I Hop/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Learn more about . Learn more about .
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Climate storytelling faces a crisis (Episode 15)
Policy for the Planet
Telling stories about the challenges of climate change has never been harder. The world is beset by other problems as the newscycle churns from crisis to crisis. Communicating the urgency of dealing with climate needs fresh approaches. Dan McDougall (Documentarian) joins to tell us about the climate storytelling crisis, how to engage audiences, and how to better frame stories for policymakers. This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Music by Baegel/When I Hop/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Learn more about . Learn more about . Read about Dan’s...
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Higher temperatures are fueling the rise in bird flu (Episode 14)
Policy for the Planet
An outbreak of bird flu in the United States and Canada is ravaging chicken flocks and driving up egg prices. What’s causing the spread? Dr. Shayan Sharif (University of Guelph) joins to explain how climate change is affecting migratory birds and leading to more cases of bird flu globally. This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Music by Baegel/When I Hop/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Learn more about . Learn more about .
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How frozen seeds in an Arctic mountain could avert a food crisis (Episode 13)
Policy for the Planet
Climate change is jeopardizing the future survival of millions of different kinds of seeds needed by growers to meet global food demands. Cary Fowler (Svalbard Global Seed Vault; former Department of State), a founder of the little-known Svalbard Global Seed Vault, where millions of seeds are conserved inside a mountain in Norway, explains why drastic steps are needed to preserve biodiversity and meet future food security challenges. This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. Music by Baegel/When I Hop/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound. Learn more about ...
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Is the US renewable energy push dead? (Episode 12)
Policy for the Planet
The current political establishment’s opposition to climate change incentives makes it easy to assume businesses are going along. But that’s far from the case. Kristina Costa (formerly at the White House and Department of State) joins to discuss the status of the Inflation Reduction Act enacted under President Biden, renewable energy, and how IRA’s new incentives that pushed the renewable agenda are not dead. Learn more about . Learn more about .
info_outlineHow does climate change exacerbate armed conflicts—and how do conflicts get in the way of climate efforts? Cullen S. Hendrix (Peterson Institute for International Economics) joins to examine the economic and security implications of climate change, with examples from the war in Ukraine, Syria, and other regions. He also discusses research on how weather patterns affect political risk and securing supply chains of critical minerals in conflict-heavy areas, and why there’s room for optimism.
This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.
Music by Baegel/When I Hop/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Download the episode transcript [PDF]
Show Links
The El Niño Southern Oscillation and Geopolitical Risk
Graphite from East Africa could help the US build green tech, but the region faces instability
Learn more about Cullen S. Hendrix.
Learn more about Monica de Bolle.