The goal of this lesson is for you to apply the knowledge you've gained in the first Module to a contemporary artifact in energy and sustainability. Pick one of the themes below to analyze. I strongly suggest taking a look at the assignment details prior to reading and/or listening to it, and before deciding which theme to analyze. This will help frame your thinking and home in on key details. I also suggest at least browsing through each of the selections below in order to make a well-informed choice regarding which theme to analyze.
The assignment is to analyze and post about one. If you analyze more than one, you may earn more Yellowdig points, but it isn't necessary if your first post is engaging and thorough. You are encouraged to go through each of the selections, as these are all really important contemporary issues. However, your only required to analyze one.
Theme 1: Degrowth: An Alternative to Late Capitalism
In this podcast, the folks at Vox explore the concept of degrowth, which puts a name to something that we have explored in this course. While there is not one universal definition to point to, degrowth refers to minimizing and/or eliminating the influence of GDP on economic policy and instead pursuing quality of life and sustainable use of natural resources. In order to do this, wealthy countries in particular must stop growing economically, and even shrink. If you choose this topic, base your discussion board post this week on this artifact.
To Read/Listen to Now
In addition to the podcast, you should read through this article and video about degrowth from the World Economic Forum as well as this article from The Conversation. These are meant to help you think about degrowth and its pros and cons.
- "Blame Capitalism: Degrowing pains," from Vox's podcast Today, Explained. You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the "Play," but the full transcript is also available on the same page. You can also access the podcast (along with the rest of the podcasts in the Today, Explained series) here.
Theme 2: Climate Change Adaptation and Emergency Planning
You probably recall the devastating and deadly flash flooding that occurred in Texas during the very early moring hours of July 4th, 2025. Over 130 eople died, including dozens of children, many of whom were campers at Camp Mystic. This flood was kind of a "worst case scenario," given that it happened in the very early morning hours when people were sleeping, and since it was a flash flood, which provides very little warning. That stated, there appeared to be some possible oversights by emergency personnel on that morning that made it more deadly, and it is notable that a flood warning system was not in place due at least partially to a recent policy (and budget) decision. Camp Mystic - where so much devastation and tragic death occurred - is in a 100-year floodplain and in part of Texas nicknamed "Flash Flood Alley."
In this interview on the "Fresh Air" NPR show, Abrahm Lustgarten of ProPublica discusses the probability of the increased incidence of climate-related disasters such as this one, the attitude of the current federal government with regards to disaster preparedness, the economic impacts of these and other such events, climate mitigation, and domestic climate refugees. If you choose this topic, base your discussion board post this week on this artifact.
To Read/Listen to Now
- "'ProPublica' climate reporter calls Texas floods an 'early warning' of future chaos," an interview with of Abrahm Lustgarten by Tonya Mosley on Fresh Air on NPR. You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the "Play" link at the top of the page (I suggest listening), but the full transcript is also available at the same link. You can also listen on any podcast app.
Theme 3: The Real Cost of Meat
In another The Ezra Klein Show podcast, Leah Garcés discusses the true costs (externalities alert!) of that all American pastime: Eating meat. Lots and lots of meat. According to Our World in Data, Americans ate nearly 300 pounds of meat in 2022. While it may be delicious (depending very much on personal preference), eating meat has a host of sustainability and animal welfare impacts.
To Read/Listen to Now
In this podcast, Ezra Klein talks to Leah Garcés about the many (deliberately) hiddent impacts of the meat industry. If you choose this topic, base your discussion board post this week on this artifact.
- "The Hidden Costs of Cheap Meat," an interview with Leah Garcés by Ezra Klien on The Ezra Klein Show. You should be able to find this podcast on whatever podcast app you use, but here are links to some of the most common apps: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, New York Times. If you would prefer, here is a link to the full transcript.