“Getting Warmer with Kal Penn”, Goldman Environmental Prize 2023 Ceremony Announced, What Is ISEW?

“GETTING WARMER WITH KAL PENN”

Here’s an interesting podcast series from Bloomberg. Media Studios Yes, THAT Bloomberg. It’s called, “Getting Warmer with Kal Penn.” Penn is a former Obama-era White House staffer, University of Pennsylvania guest lecturer in Cinema Studies, and oh yes, co-star of the comedic Harold & Kumar movies. In this GM-sponsored podcast, Penn explores solutions to the climate crisis with a dose of humor and optimism. In episode one, which dropped on Feb. 1, Penn tackles the plastic predicament. He investigates our toxic relationship with plastic and why we recycle so little of it. In New Jersey, he meets Tom Szaky, whose company TerraCycle promises it can recycle things like cigarette butts and dirty diapers. But does it really?

This is the first of 12 podcasts—short films, really, in the series. It’s an interesting take on Climate Change by Kal Penn. Remember, it is sponsored by GM, so it shall be interesting as each episode drops, how much editorial freedom/integrity Penn and his team have. I’m looking forward to the entire series.Why does Kal Penn’s “Getting Warmer with Kal Penn” matter to us? It’s one more effort in mainstreaming climate change. The faster we can mainstream climate change, aka normalize the message around climate change and efforts to lessen the worst effects of it, the better for all of us. 

Click on the link in the Deeper Dive section of theclimate.org/episodes to check out “Getting Warmer with Kal Penn” and episode one, “The Plastic Predicament.” And also, check out the link of the plastic pollution quiz.

DEEPER DIVE: GWwKP, Kal Penn, Plastic Pollution Quiz

GOLDMAN ENVIRONMENTAL PRIZE 2023 CEREMONY ANNOUNCED

Each year on The Climate Daily, we announce the winners of the annual Goldman Environmental Prize. The Goldman Environmental Prize recognizes individuals for sustained and significant efforts to protect and enhance the natural environment, often at great personal risk. It honors the achievements and leadership of grassroots environmental activists from around the world, inspiring all of us to take action to protect our planet.

This year, the 2023 Goldman Prize winners will be announced on Monday, April 24, 2023. They will be celebrated at live ceremonies to coincide with Earth Day: at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco on Monday, April 24, and at the Eisenhower Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, April 26. The San Francisco ceremony will be livestreamed on the Goldman Prize YouTube channel on Monday, April 24. We look forward to sharing more details over the coming months.

Why does the Goldman Environmental Prize matter to us? As Richard Goldman, co-founder of The Prize (along with wife Rhoda), said, It’s about rewarding “People of ordinary backgrounds doing extraordinary things to save our Earth.” 

DEEPER DIVE: Goldman Prize

WHAT IS INDEX OF SUSTAINABLE WELFARE?

The Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW) is an alternative measure of economic well-being that takes into account a broader range of factors than Gross Domestic Product (GDP) alone. One of the main criticisms of GDP is that it does not account for the negative impacts of economic activity on the environment, such as pollution and resource depletion. In contrast, the ISEW incorporates these factors by adjusting GDP for the depletion of natural resources, pollution, and other environmental costs.

One of the main advantages of the ISEW over GDP is that it provides a more comprehensive picture of a country’s economic well-being. GDP only measures the monetary value of goods and services produced within a country’s borders, but it does not take into account the value of natural resources, such as forests, water, and air. The ISEW, on the other hand, accounts for the depletion of these resources and the pollution caused by economic activity. This is particularly important in the era of climate change, as the depletion of natural resources and pollution can have significant negative impacts on the environment and human well-being.

Another advantage of the ISEW is that it allows for a more accurate comparison of economic well-being between countries. GDP is often used as a measure of a country’s economic success, but it does not take into account differences in the cost of living or the availability of natural resources. The ISEW adjusts for these factors, making it a more accurate measure of economic well-being.

The Index of Sustainable Economic Welfare (ISEW) matters to us because By using the ISEW, we can better understand the trade-offs between economic growth and other factors, such as environmental sustainability and social equality. This information can then be used to make more informed decisions about economic policies and investments, helping to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

DEEPER DIVE: ISEW, R-ISEW, Science Direct