Topic: Amazon Rainforest

Reports of the Amazon rainforest burning in Brazil are resurfacing in the media, mirroring the coverage from the previous year. The hosts argue that the media is "rerunning the playbook" by using the same environmental narratives to attack populist leaders like Jair Bolsonaro. They suggest this is part of a broader strategy to maintain a consistent political message.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro claimed that actor Leonardo DiCaprio donated $500,000 to NGOs that allegedly set fires in the Amazon to solicit donations. DiCaprio denied the allegations via Instagram, stating that while the organizations are worthy of support, he did not fund the specific groups targeted by the Brazilian government.

Scientific analysis suggests that while the Amazon rainforest produces significant oxygen, nearly all of it is consumed by the local ecosystem and soil. The common "lungs of the world" descriptor is challenged by the fact that very little net oxygen actually leaves the basin.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that July 2019 was the hottest month on record globally. Environmental writer George Monbiot warned that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's policies regarding the Amazon rainforest could lead to a "climate breakdown" by releasing massive amounts of stored carbon. Meanwhile, Pacific island nations criticized Australia for weakening climate agreements at the Pacific Island Forum.

A Conservation International advertisement featuring Harrison Ford getting his chest hair waxed is criticized for its "mixed metaphor" regarding the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. The hosts examine the organization's audited financials, noting they have relatively small assets compared to their global influence. A comparison is made to the Clinton Foundation, which has reportedly missed deadlines for filing its IRS 990 forms.