Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Climate Pact, Strawberry Incesticide, and the “Frozen Industrial Complex”
Today on Press Play: The realities of a U.S./China climate pact, an investigation into dangerous pesticides used around population centers, and why Bill Cosby shouldn’t have tried to use the internet to promote himself.
By Madeleine Brand • • 51m ListenWe start with a look at both sides of the new U.S.-China climate change pact: What domestic politics are at play in each country? Then, in our weekly Internet roundup, a look at Bill Cosby’s recent Twitter flub. Next, we dive into the dangerous pesticides being used on California’s strawberry crops and the communities endangered by the chemicals. And finally, the massive merchandising blitz around the Disney film Frozen is unprecedented.
Banner Image: Strawberries by ShakataGaNai - Own work
In this episode
5 storiesClimate Pact: U.S. Realities
President Obama and President Xi of China announced a new climate deal last night. Republicans in Washington are already criticizing the pact. We look at the politics of the agreement.
Read the story8 minClimate Pact: China Realities
Following our look at the domestic politics surrounding the U.S.-China pollution pact, we take a closer look at the Chinese side of the deal.
Read the story8 minBill Cosby’s Twitter Fail and Kim Kardashian’s Win
The power of the internet is undeniable: A few tweets can turn a random bag boy into an instant celebrity or destroy a politician’s career. And when brand-names and celebrities try to harness that power, they run the risk of an epic backfire. The latest person to learn that painful lesson is none other than Bill Cosby.
Read the story11 minSilent Strawberries
America's appetite for strawberries has exploded in the last few decades. We now eat four times as many as we did in 1970, fueling a $2.5 billion industry. But getting all those strawberries from farms in Ventura and Monterey Counties to market takes a lot of pesticides.
Read the story12 minThe Frozen Industrial Complex
Disney says it’s sold more than three million dresses based on characters from the animated feature Frozen. And that’s not all. You can now get Frozen themed mouthwash, hot cocoa and knock-off Ugg boots. Walmart sells over 700 Frozen-related products. We look at the merchandising blitz.
Read the story8 min
