It’s time to talk about a United Nations Treaty on Plastic Pollution. After months of anticipation, this episode focuses on the treaty’s negotiating process, the main actors involved, and the key interests at play. Joined by expert guest Tara Olsen, a researcher from Lund University, the conversation explores the complexities of treaty negotiations, including the differences between signing and ratifying a treaty, the influence of international law, and the possible outcomes of the upcoming final negotiation session. Packed with insights, this episode provides a deep dive into the current state of the global effort to regulate plastic pollution and what might come next.

Episode Guests: Tara Olsen

Connect with Tara Olsen here.

More on the Scientist’s Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty

Follow the treaty negotiations with CIEL

Follow the treaty negotiations with IISD

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Plastic Podcast, host Clark Marchese dives into the emergence and spread of anti-plastic movements, tracing their roots from local grassroots actions to global health policy. Clark speaks with Leah Shipton, a PhD candidate specializing in global health policy, who explains how health concerns drove the formation of anti-plastic norms worldwide. They discuss the role of norm entrepreneurs in spreading these norms, the challenges posed by industry-backed anti-entrepreneurs, and how this momentum led to the UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution. This insightful conversation ties together themes from previous episodes, setting the stage for the series finale, where the treaty itself will be explored in depth.

Episode Guests: Leah Shipton

Find more information about Leah Shipton here.

Find a link to Leah Shipton’s article here.

Find more of Leah Shipton’s research on Google Scholar

Follow Leah Shipton on X

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we dive into the case study of Cancer Alley. We investigate the environmental and health impacts of a region in Louisiana notorious for its high concentration of petrochemical plants. The discussion focuses on how pollution from these industries contributes to disproportionately high cancer rates, particularly in marginalized communities. Special guests Dr. Kimberly Terrell and Gianna St. Julien from Tulane Environmental Law Clinic share insights from their groundbreaking studies that link air pollution to increased cancer risks and explore the concept of environmental racism. The episode also highlights grassroots activism efforts aimed at addressing these injustices and the ongoing fight for meaningful policy change in the region.

Episode Guests: Dr. Kimberly Terrell and Gianna St. Julien

More on the Tulane Environmental Law Clinic

Find the Toxic Air Pollution Report here

Find the Racial Demographic Report here

More on the Louisiana Bucket Brigade

More on Rise St. James

More on Concerned Citizens of St. John

Pine Forest Media Something in the Water episode on plastic here

More information about the episode and the Plastic Podcast

Episode Transcript and more information on the Pine Forest Media Website.

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese

Cover art and PFM logo by Laurel Wong.

Theme music by Tadeo Cabellos

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.