1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,960 All right, so today we're gonna be looking at this, 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:04,640 this kind of environmental battleground 3 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:06,280 that's been playing out in America. 4 00:00:06,280 --> 00:00:08,720 And we've got some pretty fascinating Washington Post 5 00:00:08,720 --> 00:00:10,440 articles to help us break it all down. 6 00:00:10,440 --> 00:00:12,360 Yeah, there's some really interesting stuff here, you know, 7 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:16,040 it's not just about, you know, political back and forth. 8 00:00:16,040 --> 00:00:17,640 It's like real tangible impacts 9 00:00:17,640 --> 00:00:18,640 on the environment and community. 10 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:20,160 No, yeah, like the future of the planet 11 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:21,120 kind of hangs in the bounce. 12 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:23,040 So these articles, they kind of paint this picture 13 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:26,040 of a tug of war, you know, between what Trump did 14 00:00:26,040 --> 00:00:28,080 and what Biden's trying to do before he leaves office. 15 00:00:28,080 --> 00:00:28,920 Yeah. 16 00:00:28,920 --> 00:00:30,000 And then we can start with all of this. 17 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,680 Well, ANWR is a good place to start, 18 00:00:31,680 --> 00:00:33,760 the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. 19 00:00:33,760 --> 00:00:36,360 It really shows how, you know, these political decisions 20 00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:39,120 have a huge impact on these delicate ecosystems. 21 00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:43,560 Oh yeah, ANWR, that's that massive area in Alaska. 22 00:00:43,560 --> 00:00:45,480 Like with polar bears and caribou and all that. 23 00:00:45,480 --> 00:00:49,160 Exactly, it's been this huge debate for decades, you know, 24 00:00:49,160 --> 00:00:53,000 drill for oil and gas or protect this amazing biodiversity. 25 00:00:53,000 --> 00:00:54,720 And the Trump administration really pushed 26 00:00:54,720 --> 00:00:55,800 for that drilling, huh? 27 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:57,040 Yeah, for sure. 28 00:00:57,040 --> 00:00:59,560 In 2017, the tax bill that Trump signed 29 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:02,120 actually made it a requirement to have oil and gas 30 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,440 lease sales in ANWR. 31 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:05,760 It was a big win for the oil industry, 32 00:01:05,760 --> 00:01:08,040 but a huge loss for environmentalists. 33 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:10,400 Didn't Trump like brag about how much oil was there? 34 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:11,240 Yeah. 35 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:12,680 Even comparing it to like Saudi Arabia? 36 00:01:12,680 --> 00:01:16,960 He did, yeah, but his estimates were a bit, 37 00:01:16,960 --> 00:01:18,040 let's just say optimistic. 38 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:20,360 It was definitely a way to kind of sway public opinion 39 00:01:20,360 --> 00:01:22,200 and downplay the environmental risks. 40 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:24,240 So knowing that mandates in place, 41 00:01:24,240 --> 00:01:27,400 what can Biden even do to protect ANWR? 42 00:01:27,400 --> 00:01:29,880 Well, it's tough, but they're trying to minimize the damage. 43 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,760 So even though they have to hold another lease sale legally, 44 00:01:32,760 --> 00:01:35,120 they're only planning to offer the bare minimum acreage, 45 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:36,760 which is like 400,000 acres, 46 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:39,280 just a tiny fraction of the whole ANWR area. 47 00:01:39,280 --> 00:01:40,440 It's like a balancing act, huh? 48 00:01:40,440 --> 00:01:42,320 Follow the law, but try to protect the environment 49 00:01:42,320 --> 00:01:43,480 as much as possible. 50 00:01:43,480 --> 00:01:45,400 Exactly, and they're also really focused 51 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:49,400 on protecting critical habitats within ANWR, you know? 52 00:01:49,400 --> 00:01:52,280 The areas that are essential for certain species to survive, 53 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,480 plus they're working with Alaskan native communities 54 00:01:54,480 --> 00:01:56,280 to make sure their needs are met. 55 00:01:56,280 --> 00:01:59,240 Those communities rely on the land for their way of life, 56 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:01,880 you know, for food and cultural practices. 57 00:02:01,880 --> 00:02:04,880 It's a good reminder that it's not just about, you know, 58 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:06,880 nature in some abstract sense. 59 00:02:06,880 --> 00:02:10,360 It's about real people and their lives and cultures too. 60 00:02:10,360 --> 00:02:11,560 Absolutely. 61 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:13,480 It's all about finding that balance 62 00:02:13,480 --> 00:02:15,200 between different interests 63 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:18,200 while making sure the planet is healthy for the long haul. 64 00:02:18,200 --> 00:02:20,080 Right, because at the end of the day, that's what matters. 65 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:21,480 So it seems like the Biden administration 66 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:23,480 is in this tough spot trying to fix things, 67 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:25,200 but also facing all these roadblocks, 68 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:26,400 legal and political. 69 00:02:26,400 --> 00:02:27,600 Yeah, it really is. 70 00:02:27,600 --> 00:02:29,480 Like, they're racing against the clock. 71 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,800 The Washington Post actually used the term Trump-proofing 72 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:34,400 to describe how Biden's trying to protect 73 00:02:34,400 --> 00:02:35,640 his environmental policies 74 00:02:35,640 --> 00:02:37,480 before the new administration takes over. 75 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:40,280 Trump-proofing, that's a pretty strong image, huh? 76 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:41,280 It is. 77 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:43,440 So what does that actually look like in practice? 78 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:46,280 Well, it's a lot of activity across different agencies, 79 00:02:46,280 --> 00:02:49,360 especially the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency. 80 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,440 They're trying to finalize all these rules and regulations 81 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:54,840 that would be hard for the new administration 82 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:56,680 to just get rid of. 83 00:02:56,680 --> 00:02:58,080 Okay, so give me some specifics. 84 00:02:58,080 --> 00:03:00,120 What are some of the big areas they're focusing on? 85 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:03,040 Well, one of the main things is limiting oil drilling, 86 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:06,320 not just in ANWR, but in other sensitive areas too. 87 00:03:06,320 --> 00:03:09,520 They're also working to protect the sage-grouse habitat. 88 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:12,240 That's a bird whose population has been declining 89 00:03:12,240 --> 00:03:13,840 because of habitat loss. 90 00:03:13,840 --> 00:03:17,600 Right, trying to protect species and their homes makes sense. 91 00:03:17,600 --> 00:03:18,600 Yeah. 92 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:19,600 That's what they're working on. 93 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:21,240 Public health is another big one. 94 00:03:21,240 --> 00:03:24,320 The EPA is finalizing rules to restrict the release 95 00:03:24,320 --> 00:03:27,800 of certain toxic chemicals, like perchloroethylene, 96 00:03:27,800 --> 00:03:31,160 which is used in dry cleaning, and trichloroethylene, 97 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:34,160 which is found in some cleaning products and refrigerants, 98 00:03:34,160 --> 00:03:36,720 they've been linked to some pretty serious health problems. 99 00:03:36,720 --> 00:03:37,720 Dry cleaning. 100 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:39,400 Seriously, I had no idea. 101 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:41,400 Yeah, it's one of those things you don't really think about, 102 00:03:41,400 --> 00:03:44,360 but it can have a real impact on the environment and our health. 103 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:46,840 That's why these regulations are so important. 104 00:03:46,840 --> 00:03:49,640 So the EPA is trying to get these protections in place, 105 00:03:49,640 --> 00:03:52,280 but what about actually enforcing the environmental laws 106 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:53,920 that are already there? 107 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:56,360 Are they going after companies that break the rules? 108 00:03:56,360 --> 00:04:00,400 Yeah, the EPA's enforcement office is actually stepping up their efforts. 109 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,880 They're trying to penalize companies that violate environmental laws, 110 00:04:03,880 --> 00:04:07,400 even working on settlements before the new administration comes in, 111 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:09,640 but some companies are kind of dragging their feet, 112 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:13,240 hoping for more leniency under the next administration. 113 00:04:13,240 --> 00:04:15,600 It's a risky gamble. 114 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:19,600 They're betting that a new administration will be more sympathetic to their industry, 115 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:21,600 but it's the environment that ends up suffering. 116 00:04:21,600 --> 00:04:24,080 Exactly, and it's not just the EPA. 117 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:27,080 The Department of Energy is also playing a big part in all of this. 118 00:04:27,080 --> 00:04:28,600 Oh, this is where it gets really interesting. 119 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:29,600 Yeah. 120 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:30,600 Tell me more about what they're doing. 121 00:04:30,600 --> 00:04:35,080 Well, they're in the middle of this study on liquefied natural gas exports, or LNG. 122 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:38,600 They're trying to figure out if continued U.S. exports of LNG 123 00:04:38,600 --> 00:04:40,600 are actually in the public interest. 124 00:04:40,600 --> 00:04:42,600 LNG exports, I remember hearing about that. 125 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:43,600 Yeah. 126 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:44,600 Why is this study so important? 127 00:04:44,600 --> 00:04:48,600 Well, because exporting LNG has a big impact on climate change. 128 00:04:48,600 --> 00:04:54,600 Expanding the infrastructure for LNG could mean decades more of increased greenhouse gas emissions. 129 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:56,600 And that's the opposite of what we need right now 130 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:58,600 when we should be moving towards cleaner energy. 131 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:00,600 So this study could be a turning point. 132 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:02,600 Yeah, potentially. 133 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:05,600 If it says that LNG exports aren't in the public interest, 134 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:07,600 it could give environmental groups more power. 135 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:10,600 They could challenge the approval of new LNG projects 136 00:05:10,600 --> 00:05:13,600 and potentially block billions of dollars in investments. 137 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:17,600 That's a pretty powerful tool the administration could use to cut emissions 138 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:21,600 and maybe even shift our energy future in a more sustainable direction. 139 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:25,600 But I bet the fossil fuel industry is pushing back hard against all of this. 140 00:05:25,600 --> 00:05:26,600 Definitely. 141 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:29,600 They argue that LNG exports create jobs and help the economy. 142 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:33,600 But the question is at what cost to the environment and to future generations. 143 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:37,600 It feels like every single environmental action the Biden administration takes 144 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:39,600 is being watched and challenged. 145 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:40,600 Absolutely. 146 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:45,600 And while they're dealing with these immediate battles, there's this whole other level of anxiety and uncertainty among scientists. 147 00:05:45,600 --> 00:05:47,600 Talk on. What are they worried about? 148 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:51,600 They're worried about going back to the kind of political interference in science 149 00:05:51,600 --> 00:05:54,600 that we saw during Trump's first term. 150 00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:59,600 Remember when scientific findings were being suppressed or twisted to fit a certain agenda? 151 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:01,600 Yeah, I remember reading about that. 152 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:05,600 It was really disturbing to see science being politicized like that. 153 00:06:05,600 --> 00:06:09,600 It should be about objective truth, not pushing an agenda. 154 00:06:09,600 --> 00:06:12,600 Can you remind me of some specific examples? 155 00:06:12,600 --> 00:06:18,600 Yeah, it's kind of scary to think that objective truth could be twisted like that just for a political gain. 156 00:06:18,600 --> 00:06:21,600 What were some of the worst examples that you remember? 157 00:06:21,600 --> 00:06:24,600 Well, one big one was how they downplayed climate change research. 158 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:29,600 Like reports from government scientists were altered or sometimes even completely hidden 159 00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,600 just to make climate change seem less of a threat. 160 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,600 So basically they were picking and choosing information to fit their narrative 161 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:37,600 instead of actually looking at the science. 162 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:38,600 Exactly. 163 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:40,600 And it wasn't just climate change either. 164 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:45,600 They tried to interfere with research on hurricane forecasting the coronavirus, even reproductive health. 165 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:50,600 It's wild to think that political beliefs could override scientific consensus like that, 166 00:06:50,600 --> 00:06:53,600 especially when it comes to things like public health and safety. 167 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:56,600 And it's not just about those individual cases. 168 00:06:56,600 --> 00:07:01,600 There's this bigger worry about people losing trust in scientific institutions, you know. 169 00:07:01,600 --> 00:07:04,600 When people start questioning the validity of scientific findings, 170 00:07:04,600 --> 00:07:07,600 it makes it way harder to tackle big issues like climate change. 171 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:14,600 It really does feel like we're living in this age of misinformation where facts are constantly being debated and distorted. 172 00:07:14,600 --> 00:07:19,600 Yeah, and that's why it's more important than ever to be careful about the information we consume. 173 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:24,600 You know, really evaluate sources and look for credible evidence-based research. 174 00:07:24,600 --> 00:07:29,600 So as we wrap up this deep dive, I'm feeling this sense of urgency, but also a bit of hope. 175 00:07:29,600 --> 00:07:34,600 We've seen how easily environmental progress can be reversed, you know. 176 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:37,600 How quickly political changes can undo years of hard work. 177 00:07:37,600 --> 00:07:42,600 But we've also seen how resilient people are fighting for a sustainable future, 178 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,600 pushing back against these rollbacks and demanding change. 179 00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:48,600 It's kind of like a pendulum swinging back and forth, but every time it swings towards progress, 180 00:07:48,600 --> 00:07:53,600 it sets a new standard, a new starting point for the next generation of activists to build on. 181 00:07:53,600 --> 00:07:55,600 I like that analogy. 182 00:07:55,600 --> 00:07:58,600 So what's the one thing you really want our listeners to take away from this conversation? 183 00:07:58,600 --> 00:08:02,600 Don't underestimate the power of your voice and your actions. 184 00:08:02,600 --> 00:08:06,600 Stay informed, stay engaged, and hold your elected officials accountable. 185 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:08,600 The future of our planet depends on it. 186 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:09,600 Well said. 187 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:12,600 And to our listeners, thank you for joining us on this deep dive. 188 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:36,600 Remember, knowledge is power. Use it wisely.