Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/03/28/world/our-future-someone-has-think-about-dirt
Summary: Nitrate pollution and soil erosion are common concerns when it comes to growing soy and corn. These crops are generally grown in the U.S. because farmers usually have an abundance of economic incentives such as crop insurance and the ethanol mandate, encouraging them to do so.
Original Air Date: March 29, 2016
Length: 3 minutes 44 seconds
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/03/03/world/chinese-lake-has-become-ground-zero-bird-flu
Summary: Hundreds of thousands of birds migrate to China’s Poyang Lake each year, creating a breeding ground for the avian influenza virus. This virus has the ability to spread rapidly if wild birds connect with domestic birds found on farms within China. The implications this virus can have on human health, farmers, and the economy is deadly.
Original Air Date: March 30, 2016
Length: 5 minutes 16 seconds
Link: http://www.marketplace.org/2016/03/29/world/study-fracking-contaminated-water-supply
Summary: Marketplace addresses the negative economic and health impacts fracking can have on a community, particularly those resulting from a lack of clean drinking water.
Original Air Date: March 29, 2016
Length: 3 minutes 20 seconds
Summary: When the economy expands, there is an increase in economic activity that is fueled by the consumption of more energy (fossil fuels). How can global leaders commit to a lower carbon footprint and deliver on their promise for economic growth? The price of renewable energy needs to be lower to make it more attractive and the price of fossil fuels should be higher to reflect its environmental cost through policy.
Original Air Date: March 18, 2016
Length: 2 minutes and 32 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/11/04/454698093/episode-661-the-less-deadly-catch
Summary: The Planet Money team investigates a regulation the Alaskan government implemented to make fishing less frantic and more efficient.
Original Air Date: November 4, 2015
Length: 18 minutes 11 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/11/13/455941812/episode-663-money-trees
Summary: The Planet Money team investigates ‘carbon offsetting’ and the good it does for the environment as well as the pros and cons that accompany it.
Original Air Date: November 16, 2015
Length: 17 minutes 52 seconds
Link: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2015/03/27/395815221/episode-613-trash
Summary: The Planet Money team investigates the $100 billion industry that is recycling and the downward spiral it has taken due to developments in in other markets.
Original Air Date: March 27, 2015
Length: 13 minutes and 52 seconds
Summary: The Nigerian Internet hosts many ads for stolen oil, inspiring the question: how? Why? Nigeria has one of the top oil reserves, and it is controlled by the government. They lose about $10 million a day from oil theft. This podcast dissects how they get away with it.
Original Air Date: October 29, 2014
Length: 19 minutes 30 seconds
Discussion Question: The podcasts says that this problem is for the Nigerian government to solve. Should it be an international issue?
Prompt: The podcast does not reflect on the legally sold oil, and the effect the stolen oil has on that market. Write how you think the stolen oil would change the market for legal crude oil in the international arena, paying specific attention to the quantity and the prices.
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2015/04/10/398811199/episode-616-how-solar-got-cheap
Summary: Solar power is becoming increasingly popular. The main reason is not due to environmental awareness but because of a market glut and a need to clear inventory.
Original Air Date: April 10, 2015
Length: 16 minutes
Link: http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2015/02/04/383830776/episode-601-the-chocolate-curse
Summary: This podcast explores the shortage in supply of cocoa around the world, as well as one man’s solution to the crisis. However, this solution comes at a price.
Original Air Date: February 5, 2015
Length: 18 minutes 12 seconds
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