Earth Lad's RoundupExplicit

by Michael Fanelli

Welcome to Earth Lad's Roundup! A show diving into the most pressing topics surrounding environmental sustainability, hosted by me, Michael Fanelli. In each episode, I'll round up some timely news and information related to the climate crisis, and we'll consider what it means for us humans, and what we can do about it. Come learn along with me as I attempt to get a grasp on the unwieldy beast that is climate change.

Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Desalination with Andrea León-Grossmann

    Desalination with Andrea León-Grossmann

    Did you know that nearly 20% of all the power used in California is spent on water transportation? Did you know boron can cause testicle shrinkage? Did you know the beaches of "Surf City USA" were once covered with oil derricks? Me neither! Andrea León-Grossman, Director of Climate Action at Azul, stopped by to make her case against a pending desalination plant in Huntington Beach. In the process, she schooled me in the big, complicated world of water. Hopefully she'll school you too!

  • How MEGA is the drought?

    How MEGA is the drought?

    After a brief hiatus, we are back in action with Episode 6! Today's Bigger Picture unpacks the recent classification of the American West's "megadrought," and we talk about what can be done about it. We also have a very exciting update about nuclear fusion in The Happy Part. No guest today so kept this one a little shorter, enjoy!

  • The Labor Angle w/ Matt(y) Broad

    Explicit

    The Labor Angle w/ Matt(y) Broad

    Explicit

    On Episode 5, we welcome our very first guest to the show, Matty Broad! Mr. Broad is a longtime friend who currently works as a lobbyist in Sacramento specializing in labor unions. That means he fights for the classic union sectors like transit, medical, and education - but that also extends to fossil fuel employees. I invited him on the show to discuss the labor angle of the clean energy transition, one that's often forgotten in the conversation.

  • To the Glasgow, to the Hall(s of Congress)

    To the Glasgow, to the Hall(s of Congress)

    This is the COP26 breakdown and debrief episode! Lots to cover and reflect on from Glasgow. We start with the very big headlines out of Washington about both the infrastructure and Build Back Better bills, and make sure to leave you feeling uplifted with The Happy Part. The Headlines (1:31) - Infrastructure passed! - Build Back Better progressed! The Bigger Picture (8:30) - Glasgow debrief and takeaways The Happy Part (23:10) - Mustard jet fuel - Sir Attenborough

  • They Do Some Farting As Well

    They Do Some Farting As Well

    Here in Episode 3, we've streamlined the show into three basic segments and shortened it a bit for your convenience. But we still find time for some local, state, and national news and a Mariana Trench-esque deep dive into the world of methane. Plus a new section to close it out, filled with wonderment and cheer! The Headlines (1:07) - Prescribed burns law - Offshore drilling ban - LA County oil well ban - Coal Guy Manchin The Bigger Picture (7:30) - Alllll about methane The Happy Part (17:28) - T Bell packets - Cool Pavement - Agrivoltaics