As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc worldwide, another looming threat remains on the back burner: the global climate crisis.
Climate change has been a hot topic and polarizing issue for decades, with debates over its validity and level of seriousness more political than scientific.
But the science is clear: Earth is getting hotter and its inhabitants are largely to blame.
The warmer world is already provoking an increased number of extreme weather events, causing negative health impacts and obligating people to flee their homes. Experts say failure to take considerable action will have devastating consequences.
What evidence do we have that the world is changing for the worse? What effects are we seeing now in 2020 and what more is predicted?
Who and what are the biggest contributors? What is the status of environmental regulations and policies? What more has been proposed?
Is there time to reverse concerning trends? What would be the biggest challenges? What’s at risk if we don’t?
Guests:
- Jody Freeman, professor of law and founding director of the Environmental & Energy Law Program at Harvard University
- Abrahm Lustgarten, senior environmental reporter for ProPublica
- Jason Smerdon, research professor, co-director of the sustainable development undergraduate program and faculty member of the Earth Institute at Columbia University
"The Source" is a live call-in program airing Mondays through Thursdays from 12-1 p.m. Leave a message before the program at (210) 615-8982. During the live show, call 833-877-8255, email thesource@tpr.org or tweet @TPRSource.
*This interview was recorded on Monday, August 17.
