The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, focusing on the Pacific Palisades community and the implications for urban areas as climate change intensifies. Actor Martin Short's love for that community and how James feels connected to it. Alongside an in-depth look at John Vaillant’s book Fire Weather, we uncover the growing wildfire threat to cities and practical ways to safeguard homes and lives.

Encore episode that followed the Pacific Palisades Fires in Los Angeles, January 2025. We will be back on August 14th with our Patreon episode and August 20th with a new regular episode.

UPDATE: CAL FIRE has marked Martin Short's home as 'undamaged'! This is contrary to the previous report by The Wrap.

CORRECTION on the size of screen to protect attic vents. It should be no bigger than 1/8" opening (we said 1/4" which is an out-dated guideline.)

Episode Highlights:

• Los Angeles Wildfires: Examining the catastrophic fires in Pacific Palisades, where a tight-knit, picturesque community was largely destroyed. We discuss the human stories, the risks of living in fire-prone areas, and the role of climate change in escalating wildfire events.
• Author John Vaillant: Insights from Fire Weather and Vaillant’s analysis of urban wildfires as a dire climate threat, with compelling clips from his talks and audiobook.
• The Cost of Fire Risk: Why insurers are pulling out of high-risk areas, leaving homeowners scrambling for alternatives like the FAIR Plan.
• Tokyo’s Disaster Preparedness: A spotlight on Tokyo’s remarkable infrastructure designed to mitigate natural disasters, from flood tunnels to seismic standards for buildings.
• Home Fire Safety Tips: Learn critical steps to reduce the risk of your home catching fire in a wildfire, including creating defensible spaces, fireproofing materials, and evacuation best practices.

Key Links Mentioned:

• Fire Weather by John Vaillant: Audiobook available here
• Induction Cooktop Review on Wirecutter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/copper-charlie-induction-stove-review/
• Raw video of Pacific Palisades fire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt7VVdGcDzE

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David Suzuki stuns with a message of climate defeat—but is he right? Brian and James unpack Suzuki’s pessimism and a powerful rebuttal from climate politics professor Donald Wright, who says the fight is not over.

Also this week:

• Germany hits a heat pump milestone, surpassing gas boiler sales for the first time.

• 🚴‍♀️ E-bike rebate programs are spreading fast across the U.S., from Rhode Island to Oregon to Washington D.C.

• Listener Tim follows up with insights on passive solar, geothermal, and his DIY sand battery project.

• 🚗 James prepares for an all-EV family vacation and shares why even an 87-year-old former gas junkie loves his Bolt EV..

Lightning Round ⚡

• ☀️ Transparent solar windows installed in Santa Barbara

• ⚡ EV price parity hits Thailand; major drops in Brazil

• 🤯 CES Fast Facts™: Microplastics in your brain & deadly cooking fuels in Africa

• 🧾 Oil & gas write Ohio’s carbon capture law

• ☢️ Renewables add more than nuclear—every two days

• 📉 Tesla ranks as America’s least trusted car brand

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🎙️ A rerun is coming next week while James is on vacation, but look out for a new Patreon episode Thursday!🎄 See you for the next regular show August 20.

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A viral meme claims Norway installed sea-life-friendly underwater turbines. It’s AI-generated nonsense—though there have been real tidal power projects in Norway and Scotland. We unpack the truth behind the clickbait.

The United Nations’ top court declares a clean, healthy environment a human right. But what does it really mean for international law and fossil fuel development?

Wildfire smoke chokes Saskatoon in record amounts. And we hear from Aiden, a listener in Lytton, B.C.—a town still devastated from climate disaster four years ago.

• Support The Clean Energy Show on Patreon for exciting perks including a monthly bonus podcast!

Also on the show:
🎬 Brian re-views the original Naked Gun 2½ and previews the new reboot.

Lightning Round Highlights ⚡

• Formula 1 to use electric/sustainable hybrid engines starting in 2026.

• Huawei patents a 2,900 km EV battery (wait, what?).

• California’s bullet train project gets a surge of public support.

• Australia installs over 11,000 grid-scale batteries—in one month.

• Tesla survives a brutal Chinese real-world ADAS test (barely).

• And: Greenpeace’s lawsuit against Eni over climate damage goes to court in Italy.

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