Nov 29, 2023

An oil exec hosting COP28? Surprise!

Sean Gallup/Getty Images

World leaders will try to sell the switch to clean energy in a country that depends on fossil fuel extraction. Plus, Varda Space Industries wants to make medicine in zero gravity.

Segments From this episode

The long-expected consumer pullback may finally be materializing

by Kimberly Adams

Nov 29, 2023

We spent more over the holiday, but we bought less — thanks to inflation.

While consumers spent a couple percent more this Black Friday weekend than last, they didn’t necessarily buy more.

Yuki Iwamura/AFP via Getty Images

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“Low Earth orbit is now open for business”

by Kai Ryssdal and Maria Hollenhorst

Nov 29, 2023

This is how Varda Space Industries hopes to commercialize manufacturing in space.

Will Bruey, CEO and co-founder of Varda Space Industries and Wendy Shimata, VP of Autonomous Systems observe Varda’s spacecraft as it orbits Earth.

Maria Hollenhorst/Marketplace

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EVs and hybrids drive 18% of car sales, doubling market share since 2021

by Samantha Fields

Nov 29, 2023

Price dips and and an expansion of models to choose from contributed to the boost in third-quarter purchases.

Some car companies, like Honda, are making more hybrid models available, says Stephanie Brinley at S&P Global Mobility.

Mark Ralston/AFP via Getty Images

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The UN is holding this year's climate conference in a petrostate reachable only by air

by Henry Epp

Nov 29, 2023

And the leader of the COP28 gathering is the CEO of a giant oil company. Will those fossil fuel ties compromise the outcome?

The CEO of a fossil fuel company will host this year's COP28. "It's like the CEO of a cigarette company presiding over a conference on lung cancer and its treatment," says Andreas Sieber, with climate non-profit 350.org.

Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Told You SO Paramore

STYLE Tatsuya Maruyama

The Wad Vels Trio

Rare Form Millionyoung

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sarah Leeson Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Jordan Mangi Assistant Digital Producer

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