Policy for the Planet – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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, expensive, and potentially realistic. If the United States is to combat Chinese influence in Latin America, he argues, investing in the Panama Canal is a vital and urgent priority. 

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]

Learn more about David A. Gantz. 

Learn more about Monica de Bolle.

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 Hop/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

Download the episode transcript PDF.

Learn more about Ben Beachy.

Learn more about Monica de Bolle.

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 climate-focused collaboration.

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]

Learn more about Cecilia Malmstrom.
Learn more about Monica de Bolle.

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.

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]

Learn more about Dan Yergin.

Learn more about Monica de Bolle.

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 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]

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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.

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 adoption, and how carbon taxes could bring us closer to the green transition.

Music by Baegel/When I Hop/Courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Download the episode transcript [PDF]

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Learn more about Kimberly Clausing.

Learn more about Monica de Bolle.

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 efforts.

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]

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Learn more about Jacob Funk Kirkegaard.

Learn more about Monica de Bolle.

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.  

This podcast is produced by the Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Our theme is "When I Hop" by Baegel.

Download the episode transcript [PDF]

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Learn more about Shaolei Ren.

Learn more about Monica de Bolle.

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 of Epidemic Sound

Download the episode transcript [PDF]

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Learn more about Mary Hayden.

Learn more about Monica de Bolle.

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 on China's efforts.  

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]

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Learn more about Joanna Lewis.

Learn more about Monica de Bolle.