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.

We spoke last year on this podcast about the European Union’s ambitious climate agenda. The world has changed since then! A new US president determined to impose tariffs on Europe poses tough new challenges for Europe’s goals. Joining is Cecilia Malmström (PIIE), who will help us understand the changes in Europe since October and update us on the EU’s climate agenda, industrial policies, and the desperate need for clim...

The United States has become the world’s biggest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, a trend certain to continue under President Donald Trump, but will this surge hurt or help the cause of climate change? Renowned energy expert and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Daniel Yergin (S&P Global) joins to discuss the future of  LNG exports and how LNG could play a useful role in the green transition.

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How 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 criti...

As the world grapples with climate change, carbon pricing has emerged as a proven policy tool for discouraging the use of fossil fuels. But raising the price of fuel, gasoline, and other fossil-based energy remains politically tough. Kimberly Clausing (Peterson Institute for International Economics; UCLA) joins to discuss how carbon pricing works, what makes it effective, why the US lags behind other nations in adoptio...

Europe has emerged as a global leader in climate action, but what makes Europe's approach so effective? And how did the Russia-Ukraine war unexpectedly become a catalyst for a faster green transition? Jacob Funk Kirkegaard (Peterson Institute for International Economics; Bruegel) joins to discuss carbon pricing, Europe’s adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles, and whether Europeans are on board with these e...

There has been much hype over AI and its potential benefits to work and society, but what about the vast computing power necessary to develop and train deep learning models? Shaolei Ren (University of California Riverside) joins to discuss the effects of the AI supply chain on the environment and public health, and what regulatory actions are being taken to mitigate its negative impacts.  

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The warming of Planet Earth poses an array of public health challenges beyond excessive heat. The rising threat of prevalent vector-borne diseases is the subject of this conversation with Mary Hayden (University of Colorado, Colorado Springs), with a particular focus on the perils for developing countries, and whether the globe is ready for another public health crisis. 

Music by Baegel/When I Hop/Courtesy...

China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and the country faced new records for extreme temperatures in 2023. Its domestic response has prioritized measures to adapt to climate change rather than reduce emissions, but what other steps is it taking? Joanna Lewis (Georgetown University) joins to discuss China’s green innovation, how to foster cooperation on climate , and the impact of decoupling policies o...

Electric vehicles have surged in popularity in recent years. But not all consumers are ready to hit the EV pedal. In this episode, host Monica de Bolle sits with Mary E. Lovely (Peterson Institute for International Economics) to understand how the auto industry is changing; challenges for supply chains, the environment, and workers; and ultimately, what it will take to get more people to ...

The rise in extreme weather events is forcing more people to leave their homes, but what about those left behind? Renowned immigration expert Michael A. Clemens (Peterson Institute for International Economics) joins to discuss how climate affects migration, common misconceptions, and how immigration policies need to adapt.     

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As countries attempt to reduce carbon emissions, they must consider the price tag of rebuilding energy systems, housing, infrastructure, and more. Jean Pisani-Ferry (Peterson Institute for International Economics), former top adviser to President Emmanuel Macron of France, joins to discuss how the world will pay for the green transition. 

Solving the climate crisis requires a historic global collective effort. The Policy for the Planet podcast explores how countries are responding. Join best-selling author and scholar Monica de Bolle as she converses with economists, health experts, political scientists, and more to unravel the complex policy choices to save our planet’s future. Subscribe today so you don’t miss an episode!

From the Peterson Institute for Internatio...