4 chapters across the catalog
Asheville Climate Haven, Insurance Data and Washington Strategy
The narrative of Asheville as a "climate haven" is challenged by recent storm damage. An insurance product manager provides data showing that storm damage costs are not rising when adjusted for inflation, while Washington state leaders use the events to push for new climate resilience strategies.
Winter Weather Disrupts Amtrak Zephyr, Texas Cold Snap
Heavy snowpack between Sacramento and Truckee forced the cancellation of the Amtrak Zephyr service. In Austin, Texas, temperatures dropped to 45 degrees, which is considered unseasonably cold for the region. The weather conditions prompted a brief discussion on climate shifts and the relative comfort of Texas winters compared to the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains.
Sierra Snowpack Reporting and "Man on the Street" Experts
A news report on the Sierra Nevada snowpack is criticized for using a random young man as an "expert" commentator. The hosts cite documentarian Adam Curtis and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to illustrate how modern news often relies on "blowhards on the street" rather than qualified sources.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Climate Video, Tesla Motors Promotion
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released a Google Earth-based video warning of a 7-degree temperature rise and the disappearance of the Sierra snowpack. The video is criticized for appearing to be a commercial for Tesla Motors, highlighting the $80,000 electric car's 0-60 mph acceleration as a primary solution for climate change.
