logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2021
23m 30s

Watts the problem: Texas’s energy failin...

The Economist
About this episode

Crippling blackouts can be explained in part by the state’s unique energy market, but the disaster exposes wider failures that must be confronted amid a changing climate. Today’s landing of another Mars rover broadens the hunt for evidence of extraterrestrial life—an effort that is expanding faster and farther than ever before. And soft rock shakes off its milquetoast manner.

For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer

Listen and subscribe to “The Jab from Economist Radio”, our new weekly podcast at the sharp end of the global vaccination race.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Yesterday
Even-more-maximum pressure: sanctions on Iran
After much hullabaloo America announced its “Operation Economic Outcast”, a new tranche of sanctions. It is thin gruel, and might in fact invite military reprisals from Iran. Call centres form a large part of the economy of the Philippines; surprisingly, AI is not stopping the in ... Show More
23m 25s
Aug 24
Elbows up, again: a US-Canada trade flare-up
Promising trade talks imploded after a literal 11th-hour change from the American side. We examine the new trade barriers being erected, and the complex calculation for Prime Minister Mark Carney. In Japan Gen X workers are even still bearing the costs of an economic bubble-burst ... Show More
21m 48s
Aug 21
I, robot? AI and consciousness
The rise of generative AI has put new urgency into ancient questions. What is consciousness, and can machines ever have it? We dive into the data that reveal a surge in sexually transmitted infections in Europe. And our obituaries editor considers the life of Mary de Rachewiltz, ... Show More
24m 48s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2021
The Blackout in Texas
<p>An intense winter storm has plunged Texas into darkness. The state’s electricity grid has failed in the face of the worst cold weather there in decades.</p><p>The Texas blackouts could be a glimpse into America’s future as a result of climate change. Today, we explore the reas ... Show More
27m 7s
Mar 2021
The blame game: What really caused the Texas blackouts?
Texas is still reeling from an unprecedented energy disaster, where unusually cold temperatures brought their power grid to a standstill earlier this month. Now, as the dust settles and the ice melts, the blame game begins.This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of ... Show More
40m 52s
Feb 2021
Texas Energy May Stay the Course Even After Freeze
To an outsider, it seems like the state of Texas now has no choice but to make huge changes to its energy policies, with last week's freeze-induced power outages and utility failures becoming nothing short of catastrophic. But Rachel Adams-Heard isn't too sure about that.The Bloo ... Show More
16m 47s
Sep 2022
Europe’s looming energy crisis
Pipelines are leaking, winter is coming, and concerns over an energy crisis in Europe are growing. Vox’s Jen Kirby heads to Oktoberfest to find out more. This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul R ... Show More
26m 6s
Jan 2020
Viral hit: the costs of China’s lockdown
Our correspondent travels to the border of the locked-down Hubei province, finding among the people a mixture of resignation, fear and distrust. Was the draconian response appropriate? Big oil firms have just the kind of expertise needed to make a vast transition to renewables; i ... Show More
23m 23s