Capitalism Itself Choosing Sides (537)

Stefan starts the show with former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson and his soon-to-be new role as Secretary of State for the US government. Not only did Rex preside over 20+ years of funding climate denial after already knowing from their own internal research that it was in fact true, but he has known associations with Vladmir Putin while Exxon has outstanding business deals with Russia put on hold by Obama's Russian sanctions. But I'm sure it's all fine, he divested his Exxon holdings right? Problem solved. Stefan also explores the implications of fraud charges for VW executives related to the emissions scandal last year.

• Rex Tillerson is big oil personified. The damage he can do is immense
• VW executive charged with fraud in connection to emissions cheating
• How much is human life worth? 1973 Cost-benefit analysis, the Pinto Memo

In the middle section Daryn talks about a few topics but mainly the drama that played out this week when Jane Fonda captured international headlines by calling out Justin Trudeau. While Canadian environmentalists have been on his case for some time for being at least to some degree a fraud on climate change, international media have bought into the image of him as some lefty-saviour so this accusation by a big star got lots of attention... which is exactly why Jane Fonda did it.

• Clark government gives environmental green light to Kinder Morgan pipeline
• OPG identifies most of Ontario as alternate 'location' to bury nuclear waste: Jennifer Wells
• Bracing for Trump's Anti-Science Agenda, DOE Announces 'Scientific Integrity Policy'
• Jane Fonda 'dining out on celebrity' but starved for facts, Alberta premier says

Also, breaking news during the show!

• Charges Dropped in Line 9 Shutdown

In the last section we interview Earth and Environmental Science Professor - Nathan Phillips from Boston University about his involvement with the 'Sleeping Giants' an partially anonymous twitter group that is using social media to expose brands who are (in many cases unaware) that they are paying ad revenue to hate sites full of fake news and racism like Brietbart. With Breitbart CEO Steve Bannon as one of the closest aids to President-Elect Trump however... this could get a lot worse before it gets better. Here's at least one tiny way to fight back, by making advertisers pick a side in the culture war.

• How to Destroy the Business Model of Breitbart and Fake News

Bonus Show:

Sabina is now also back! It's been a fun few weeks of reunions for us. Sabina directs the bonus show on the topic that most major companies really don't understand what climate change actually means, so how are they supposed to plan for it even if they have the best intentions?

• Climate change expertise lacking in Canadian boardrooms, says report

This Weeks Music:

Mother Mother 'Ghosting' & 'Dirty Town'

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