As climate unravels before our eyes: lead authors and new revelations.  Syee Waldeab: in a climate not much warmer than today, long-frozen methane on the sea floor released.  Michelle Dvorak’s: Earth will cross 1.5 degrees of warming before 2030, and probably two degrees C in the 2050’s.  Kevin Rennert: America underestimates climate damage and undervalues climate action.

Hitting Harder & Faster

With world heat records this summer - is too late?

Should we just give up and party like there’s no tomorrow? Scientist James Lovelock, inventor of Gaia, says “yes”. Former NASA scientist James Hansen says “no”. Loaded with clips including Obama’s science man John Holdren, deep greener Derrick Jensen, country singer Katty Mattea, rocker Tom Petty, new Lovelock on “Vanishing Gaia” and Hansen arrest audio (with Daryl Hannah).

ENJOY YOURSELF (It's Later Than You Think) (replay)

Welcome to a wild ride into “Necrocapitalism” - cutting observations by Greek scientist and author George Tsakraklides.  Then more worrying news about methane: frozen under the deep sea around every continent, methane can melt, migrate and release closer to shore.  A new discovery from Petroleum Geologist and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Newcastle University Richard Davies.  It all wraps up with my short-take on French Situationalist Guy DeBord and “Society of the Spectacle”.  You are living in it.

Spectacle, Necrocapitalism, & Methane

The United Kingdom could experience winters as cold as northern Canada - if warming waters from the tropics stop flowing in a collapse of the ocean system called “AMOC” - the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.  You hear the latest science from Dr. Stefan Rahmstorf. UK author and strategist Laurie Laybourn joins us.  Philip Boucher-Hayes explains expectations in Ireland. From Utrecht University, Rene van Westen predicts AMOC collapse before 2057 and an extra meter of sea level rise to boot.

AMOC: Freezing Europe More Likely Despite Global Heating

Extreme flooding, drought, and wildfires - why? Why did scientists leave out models showing extreme warming? UK expert Ranjini Swaminathan takes us inside the future-forecast machine. Then eco-feminism revisited:  U.S. Green Party founder Charlene Spretnak & Susan Griffin on “Women & Nature - Speed, Consciousness & Quantification” at the Chicago “Techno-Utopianism and the Fate of the Earth” Forum.

Techno-Utopianism Hard Landing

In 2019 late American Author Mike Davis told us on Ecoshock Malibu would burn.  Meanwhile, the mystery of hot 2023 and 24 is solved.  NASA scientist George Tselioudis reports shrinking cloud cover as planet warms. Plus: the rate of CO2 change can weaken the Gulf Stream/AMOC that keeps UK and Scandinavia warm.  Important new science from Dr. Camille Hankel.

Clouds, Currents, Future

Coal industry dwindling? That myth is blown up by German environmentalist Heffa Schücking.  Then: 17,800 years ago, methane shot up in decades.  Rapid ice melt changed the rain and an age of wildfire broke out.  Is it happening again? We ask Ben Riddell-Young from CIRES.  French economist Timothée Parrique says “Slow down or perish.”  The slow way out.

How to Defuse A Climate Bomb

How could madness dominate social media and politics? People are getting stupider.  Brain damaging trends are dumbing down the population.  Heavy metals, toxic chemicals, COVID, wildfire smoke an aging population, and climate stress all threaten intelligence.  Now add...“TikTokfication”. We talk with scientist  “Mr. White Orange”.  Tune in for unique talk on social media, culture, and our brains.

TikToxification: Dumbing Down

Are we ready for desperate measures? Veteran climate activist/author Mike Tidwell: the year of despair in his new book “The Lost Trees of Willow Avenue - A Story of Climate and Hope on One American Street”.  Award-winning conservation biologist and author Thor Hanson finds the awe:  “Close to Home - the Wonders of Nature Just Outside Your Door”. You can do it. Step up “Citizen Scientist”.

The Real Is Just Outside

I’d like to report a murder.  Trump’s fossil lobby wants to strangle American climate science.  You can’t even talk about it.  We track the worst with Romany Webb from the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, and reporter Bob Berwyn from Inside Climate News.  Officially now: wildfires, floods, and freaky weather are just a hoax.

Silencing Science: I’d Like to Report a Murder

Best friends become enemies.  Enemies are friends. Business is great. The market tanks. Winter yesterday, summer today, new rules tomorrow. Welcome to whiplash, the time of self-inflicted wounds.  What to do? We talk with Dana R. Fisher, expert in social action and author of “Saving Ourselves”. Then senior Australian scientist David Karoly with the frank view from Down-Under.

Whiplash - in a time of self-inflicted wounds

Shut down science.  Forget all that climate hoax stuff! We still get hotter faster. Seas rise higher, sooner.  Expect more super-storms, wildfires, and closed down rescue services.  Disaster management specialist Dr. Samantha Montano joins us. “Stand Up for Science” rally - short speeches by Bill Nye the Science Guy and Michael Mann, famous climate scientist.  Plus headlines from the real world. From the gathering darkness, I’m Alex Smith.  This is Radio Ecoshock.

Disaster-ology for our time

The atmosphere is changing much faster than ever before.  The rate of increase of CO2 increased by 25% in 2024. Explore declining carbon capture by plants with world recognized expert Dr. Pep Canadell, Chief Research Scientist  CISRO Australia & Exec. Dir. of the Global Carbon Project. Computer guru and security expert Richard Power says global warming is a threat far more serious than terrorism.  A critical conversation with Richard, recorded in 2007.  It is spooky how much this interview speaks to right now.

Talk About Emergencies!

Climate and security analyst Genevieve Guenther and her new book “Fossil-Fuel Propaganda and How to Fight It".  Canadian climate scientist Paul Beckwith: very serious new studies, like turbocharged extreme weather on every continent, planetary insolvency by 2070, and “jaw-dropping” increases in hurricanes.  Plus my new song “Rotten at the Top”.

Rotten at the Top

Timely tune from Radio Ecoshock.  Creative Commons - free to share for non-profit use.

Rotten At The Top (Song)


Yes, yes the stock market, the not-so-great Depression.  Does it matter water is being sucked out of the land and dumped into rising seas? What about emissions as we industrialize the ocean? Will growing conflict slow down climate heat or speed it up? We have three guests to answer those questions: Luis Samaniego in Potsdam, David Kroodsma in Oakland, and Manfred Lenzen in Sydney.

Urgent Planet & Manufactured Fright

Killer summer heat in Spring? Don’t worry.  Donald Trump shoots the messengers.  Closing down climate in NASA and NOAA, the news from Paul Voosen at the American Academy.  The voice of Canadian weather and science David Phillips help us process the news.  Plus a quick replay from Arjit Varki on denial as a basic function in the human mind.

Murder in Broad Daylight

California climate scientist and Weather West blogger Daniel Swain covers the latest U.S. purge of weather and climate science.  But first, a new public health study about your body.  How much heat before lasting damage kicks in?  From the T.H. Chan School of Public Health at Harvard Dr. Robert Meade on how heat kills.

Slashing Science In the Heat

Professor Antonio Lazcano: repression of science in the U.S. through the lens of political strongmen in Latin America.  What can science-killing in Nicaragua, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico tell us about the Trump repression? Followed by latest news - like Goddard Institute for Space Studies building shut down soon. Naomi Klein asks “Which side are you on?” & sea level expert Robert Kopp.  Sounding the General Alarm is not alarmism.

Fear and Loathing in the Atmosphere

John Timmer, Senior Editor of Ars Technica explains why they can't just switch the power back on. Going from a "black start" it can take days. After reviews and on-the-ground reporting from the blackout in Spain and Portugal, we'll get you out - to Shangri-La. A world expert on Deep Time Professor Robert Spicer joins us. Is there a warning there too? 

Black Start

We all know the car of civilization is heading into climate meltdown. In a rare radio interview, Dr. Jem Bendell explains “Deep Adaptation”. Keep listening for Skeena Rathor, co-founder of Extinction Rebellion. Then a quick look at what a different Elon Musk was saying just four years ago.

Rebel Against the Crash (replay)

We have to cope.  A comprehensive new study finds the best ways to cool down cities with Canadian scientist Scott Krayenhoff.  First we explore the dragon: can the world feed itself as we heat up the planet?  When crops go bad, society can go off the rails. Long-time expert David Lobell on climate and crop damage.  It’s must-listen radio for anyone who eats.

Cope and Cool Down

What is behind the strange burst of heat around the world and crazy weather? Hear best answers from a half dozen experts including: Michael Mann, James Hansen, Gavin Schmidt, David Victor, Leon Simons, George Tselioudis, and YangYang Xu.

Heat Surge - is it termination shock?

As the Trump Administration tosses regulations, PFAS - the “forever chemicals” continue their killing spree.  Most humans and animals already have them in our blood.  Colorado Hill reporter Sharon Udasin on new book “Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America”.  What really moves people to climate action? Penn scientists led by Allysa “Allie” Sinclair tell all in their new paper “Behavioral interventions motivate action to address climate change”.  Brain tools on Radio Ecoshock.

Forever Chemicals - the gift that keeps on killing

Have we already passed the point of no return for Polar glaciers? Explore with top glaciologist Dr. Chris Stokes from Durham University UK.  But first, Canadian fire expert Michael Flannigan reports on the latest giant outbreaks in the North.  Tens of thousands evacuated. Unhealthy smoke covering Canada, US mid-West, New York to Georgia - reaching Greece and Ireland.  We are living in the climate future already.

When the Dragon Comes


Wildfire smoke will slow down warming. New science with Dr. Edward Blanchard-Wrigglesworth in Seattle. It’s big. Plus drought advancing, becoming more extreme due to global warming.  Lead Author Solomon Gebrechorkos from Oxford explains.  Potsdam research scientist Stefan Rahmstorf on AMOC collapse.  New maps of extreme cold in Europe’s future. Plus more on warming acceleration.

Wild Card Smoke

Scientists find global food production will drop around 25% in a heated world - despite adaptation by farmers and new tech.  Two plant scientists explain cutting edge tools to prepare key crops for climate change.  From University of Illinois, Dr. Stephen Long reports on biotech breakthroughs to protect photosynthesis from climate damage.  Canadian evolutionary botanist Sam Yeaman asks “Can wild plant adaptations help crops tolerate heat?”  Exploring the future of food in a damaged climate, this is Radio Ecoshock.

Food Crisis In Hot World

Breaking climate news: hot humid heat domes over Eastern North America, UK, and Europe.  Scientist Michael Mann blames changed planetary waves. Gabriele Messori, Uppsala University: “whiplash” combined climate hazards increasing.  Body’s heat tolerance lower than we were told.  Dr. Daniel  Vecellio on “Greatly enhanced risk to humans” as humid heat stress strikes billions of people sooner than expected (repeat interview).

Hot And Polluted Episodes

David Wasdell, head of the Apollo-Gaia Project with devastating revelations.  Climate science has been manipulated or ignored by the IPCC, and by the leaders meeting in Paris. We are committed to far more than 2 degrees of warming. A vastly changed world awaits.

Facing the Harsh Realities Replay

2020 will be the hottest year ever recorded AND the rate of global warming accelerated. On December 14, 2020 Dr. James Hansen, former NASA Goddard Space Institute Director, released a new post "Global Warming Acceleration”.   This explanation for the rapid burst of warming may surprise you.  Our guest, Dr. Bjorn Stevens from the Max Planck Institute disagrees, in a replay interview.

Global Warming Acceleration! - Hansen & Sato

Radio Ecoshock is a weekly program broadcast on over 106 college & community radio stations in the U.S., Canada, UK, and Australia - by listener donations.  Podcast: http://www.ecoshock.org/podcasts
We cover the environment (lots on climate change), energy, and occasionally the big picture economy.  Lively radio for deadly times.

RadioEcoshock

Pinned to spotlight

Popular tracks