Macrodose

On this week's Macrodose, James Meadway looks at how the ongoing Iran war forms part of a longer story of US decline (0:45), why a direct consequence of the war is higher borrowing costs for government (7:50), and what the UK government actually doing in response to the crisis (12:22).Subscribe to support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/Macrodose.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.Listen to Death In Westminster - a new documentary podcast from Planet B Productions & Novara Media: https://novaramedia.com/category/audio/death-in-westminster/#the-station

On this week's Macrodose, James Meadway looks at the disruption to global food supplies that surge in oil prices is now causing (2:01), how fossil fuel companies are profiteering from the crisis (5:51), and why the fresh enthusiasm for motorhome ownership is an unexpected side-effect of climate change (10:40).Subscribe to support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/Macrodose.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.Got a question or comment? Reach out to us at ⁠macrodose@planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.To learn more about the work we do at Planet B Productions, head to ⁠planetbproductions.co.uk⁠.Listen to Death In Westminster - a new documentary podcast from Planet B Productions & Novara Media: https://novaramedia.com/category/audio/death-in-westminster/#the-stationCome to the 'Dark Money' launch event on March 19th:https://dice.fm/event/oevl5r-dark-money-how-billionaires-destroyed-britain-and-how-to-make-them-pay-19th-mar-earth-london-tickets

Discussion of how a US-Israel conflict with Iran could choke fertiliser flows through the Strait of Hormuz and push up farm input costs. Exploration of the lagged effects on harvests and spikes in fertiliser prices. Examination of drone economics giving Iran leverage and the new vulnerability of cloud data centres to attacks. Consideration of policy responses like rebuilding domestic fertiliser capacity and regenerative farming.

Alyssa Battistoni, a political theorist at Barnard who studies climate, political economy, and feminist thought, explores how capitalism treats nature and unpaid labor as 'free gifts'. She discusses how markets hide consequences, the limits of pricing ecological harm, and rethinking freedom as collective decision making in a finite world.

An analysis of recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran's military responses. A look at munitions economics and how cheap drones strain defence supplies. Discussion of regional attacks targeting refineries, ports and shipping chokepoints. Examination of energy, insurance and trade disruptions and the political and resource limits on a prolonged military campaign. A focus on the UK's international financial and material vulnerabilities.

A deep dive into the US Supreme Court striking down Trump’s global tariffs and the immediate legal and economic fallout. A look at how tariffs could reshape trade winners and hit the UK financially. A corporate climate warning as a major hotel chain flags weather-driven demand shifts and operational risks. Early signs of a UK economic rebound are discussed, alongside strong caveats.

A look at how climate-driven droughts, storms and export restrictions are disrupting supermarket supplies and spiking prices for staples like olive oil. Discussion of the UK’s growing reliance on imports and the national assessment warning of ecosystem and supply risks. A spotlight on India’s solar boom and how clean energy expansion can let countries industrialize without repeating fossil-fuel paths.

David Edgerton, historian of science and technology and author, challenges techno-optimism with crisp historical perspective. He critiques vague talk of 'technology', exposes how innovation stories can excuse inaction, and unpacks China’s double role as polluter and green producer. He questions nostalgic industrial revival fantasies and reframes AI hype as political, not inevitable.

Discussion of new forecasts showing coal use may have peaked despite rising energy demand. Examination of China's surge in coal approvals and shrinking hydropower from reduced snow and droughts. Exploration of widening adaptation shortfalls, missed private investment in resilience, and debates over data centres' local costs versus claimed job benefits.

Discussion of China’s push to make the renminbi a global reserve currency and how that could reshape monetary power. Exploration of shifts in reserve holdings, gold buying, and moves away from dollar reliance. Examination of rising demand for critical minerals and how countries are stockpiling cobalt, lithium and copper. Consideration of how strategic hoarding tightens supplies and lifts prices.