Drilled

Exploring the opposition to wind energy on the east coast, the deceptive tactics used by groups, the alliances between conservationists and fishing industry against offshore wind, ties between conservative organizations and shared rhetoric, challenges faced by renewable energy projects, and the resistance from oil majors in transitioning to renewables.

Ugochi Anyaka Oluigbo, a committed reporter covering environmental activism in the Niger Delta, joins Fine Boy Kuku, a former print journalist and MOSOP member living in exile. They discuss Shell's recent shift to offshore drilling while leaving a legacy of pollution and unrest in Nigeria. The duo highlights the Ogoni people's ongoing fight for justice, the brutal suppression of protests, and the pressing need for accountability from foreign oil giants. Personal stories reveal the deep scars of environmental and social injustice that continue to fuel resistance.

Exploring the history and impact of the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador, the biodiversity and pharmaceutical potential, the failed initiatives and environmental impacts of the oil industry, the controversial referendum on drilling, and the consequences post-referendum on residents and the economy.

Check out the limited-run series Hazard NYC from The City, all about how climate change intersects with Superfund sites in New York City. Start with episode one here.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana R. Fisher, author and protest research expert, discusses the tactics and future of climate protest. Topics include the departure from traditional social science, radicalization of protests, importance of media attention, and the role of the radical flank in the climate movement.

The United States' governments definition of "ecoterrorism" has long fueled backlash against environmental activists. Investigative reporter and Drilled senior editor Alleen Brown uncovers how the Department of Homeland Security warned Atlanta officials about the threat posed by "Defend the Atlanta Forest" for months before police raided the forest, ultimately killing one protestor, and charging dozens more with domestic terrorism and racketeering.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michel Forst became the United Nations' first Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders in 2022, monitoring the increasingly onerous laws and aggressive tactics being used against climate protestors. France reporter Anna Pujol-Massini talks to Forst about his position, his urgent warnings about climate activism in the United Kingdom, and what power he has to do something about the crackdown on climate protest.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A decade after United Kingdom courts made history with the first "climate necessity" ruling in history, the UK government has passed new laws that not only restrict what protesters can do, but also how protesters are allowed to defend themselves in court. In some courtrooms, the climate necessity defense has been effectively outlawed. How did that happen, how did it happen so quickly, and what does it mean for the future of climate activism in the UK?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protests at the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation gained attention, but at the Bayou Bridge, pipeline security suppressed free speech. The episode explores wrongful arrests, limited rights to protest, and criminalization of activists. It also discusses encounters with law enforcement, harrowing incidents, legal challenges, grassroots resistance, and the power of the next generation.

The podcast discusses the protests and legal battles against the Dakota Access Pipeline at the Standing Rock Sioux Indian reservation. It addresses the environmental impact, anti-protest tactics, and the ongoing resistance. The chapter also highlights the personal impact of private security and government decisions, emphasizing the power of voices and the importance of climate news.