Behind the Lens episode 248: ‘They’ve harmed our public health’

Sara Sneath on the fossil fuel industry's relationship with Louisiana universities. Marta Jewson and Katy Reckdahl on Rooted School's guaranteed income study.
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On this week’s episode, in what some critics are calling “greenwashing”, a prominent University of Louisiana Lafayette agreed to help spread fossil fuel industry talking points on social media and in op-ed pieces for newspapers. The unusual arrangement is part of larger, national pattern according to a congressional report. 

The number of low-income students who drop out of high school is nearly four times higher than those of higher-income households. Administrators at Rooted School thought those students might do better if they felt more economically stable, and piloted a guaranteed-income program, which they called The $50 Study.

Our guests this week are investigative environmental reporter Sara Sneath, Lens reporter Marta and Lens managing editor Katy Reckdahl. 

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Csm by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

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Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman Rovira has been in media for 35 years, and is currently the podcast host and producer for Behind The Lens. Heldman served as executive director at Aspen Public Radio, an NPR affiliate, where she launched four weekly news, public affairs, and cultural affairs programs. She has been a guest lecturer at Tulane University, is a frequent guest and moderator for the Aspen Institute, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute.