While I attempt to stay cool in the French capital, my husky is evidently sunbathing in Philadelphia's most intense heatwave since 2012. The U.S. electric grid is creaking under the strain of widespread intense heat, and prolonged outages in these conditions can quickly become fatal for the most vulnerable populations.
These are the moments when the scales fall from our eyes and awareness dawns that we need electricity for basic, life-sustaining, everyday needs. It's why I'm so passionate about the work we do to transform our energy system into one that's fit for the 21st century: cleaner, smarter, more affordable, and more reliable.
I guess that's also why, after a few days unplugged, I'm excited to dive into my stacked podcast queue throughout the remainder of my summer holiday. If I know our readers well (and I think I do), you'll find some treasures in here for your own summer listening. Stay cool out there, everyone!
- "My Brain Finally Broke" with Jia Tolentino on Why is this Happening? - I've loved Jia Tolentino's work since her time with Jezebel, so you can imagine my annoyance when the downloaded copy of this episode decided not to work today. This episode further unpacks her recent essay on the uncanny reality we currently inhabit.
- "Why We Can't Understand Each Other" on Planet: Critical - they had me at "bespoke realities". This is a topic we've explored in this newsletter before, and I remain convinced that our diverging sense of truth, language, and reality is the fundamental challenge of our era. Pivoting to this after the previous failed download was hardly a consolation prize, and I can't wait to finish it.
- "We Live in Systems Not Silos: How Changes in the Arctic Impact the World" on Perspectives on Sustainable Development - this episode just dropped today, and
Chris Whitehead, QEP
totally had my number with this episode title. How could I resist? It is especially timely given today's news of an Arctic offshore wind and national security port alliance. Do you think if we ask
Darius Snieckus
really nicely, he'd give us a gift link to the article?
- "The grid is getting smarter, but why aren’t we smarter about the grid?" on Open Circuit - I mean, good question. Hoping this episode has some insightful new answers aside from regulatory capture.
- "The National Security Risks We’re Not Prepared For: Adapting In an Age of Actorless Threats" on The Great Simplification - I might need a few glasses of wine to get through this one.
- "The Long Heat, with Wim Carton" on Wicked Problems - I'm on a bit of a kick with dystopian climate stories thanks to
Kevin Pearce
's recent book recommendation (Blackout by Marc Elsberg), so I can see myself adding Wim Carton's previous and upcoming work into the queue. In for a penny, in for a pound.
