On October 22, 2021, evidence of a major oil spill off the coast of California was reported. A pipeline spilt an estimated 30,000 gallons of oil into the ocean and onto the beaches. This oil spill caused significant environmental, ecological, and economic damage. What is the impact if oil spills and oil transportation generally on coastal health and general health? How does our continued dependence on fossil fuels remain an environmental risk? Doug Becker speaks with Deborah Gordon, Ron Tjeerdema, Jill Sohm, and David Ginsburg.

Deborah Gordon is a Senior Fellow in International and Public Affairs at Brown University. She is an expert on global oil and climate change issues and is the author of No Standard Oil: Managing Abundant Petroleum in a Warming World.

Ron Tjeerdema is a Distinguished Professor in Environmental Toxicology at the University of California, Davis. He is an expert on marine and freshwater systems.

Jill Sohm is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Southern California. She is an expert in microbial ecology.

David Ginsburg is a Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Southern California. He is an expert in the organisation and dynamics of natural communities.

Podcast:

 

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Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this discussion reflect the views of the guests and not necessarily the views of The Big Q. 

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