Dec 1, 2021

Shipping logjams are polluting portside communities

Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Also: Millennials and the "existential dread" of inflation, and a look at the hurdles to leveraging all the renewable energy generating capacity.

Segments From this episode

COVID-19

Omicron's impact on inflation and supply chains is uncertain

by Mitchell Hartman

Dec 1, 2021

Fed Chair Jerome Powell says policymakers are monitoring the impact of the variant and are ready to act to address high inflation.

It might be too early to tell how exactly the new variant will impact global supply chains. Above, a trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Nov. 29.

Spencer Platt via Getty Images

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Millennials facing high inflation for the first time

by Kristin Schwab

Dec 1, 2021

Beset by economic instability since 9/11 and the Great Recession, many millennials feel pressured and anxious about their prospects.

Millennials have already grappled with steep housing and tuition costs, and many entered the job market during the Great Recession.

Moyo Studio via Getty Images

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"Digital-first mentality" will accelerate for shoppers and sellers, Visa CEO says

by Kai Ryssdal and Daisy Palacios

Dec 1, 2021

Despite the omicron variant, "the recovery we're in has an awful lot of momentum," says Visa chief Al Kelly.

Visa has launched its own buy now, pay later service called Visa Installments. CEO Al Kelly advises small businesses to create effective websites and be adaptable.

Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows

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Renewable energy generating capacity hit a record this year. But that's half the story.

by Samantha Fields

Dec 1, 2021

Because no form of electrical generation operates at full capacity all the time.

Onshore windmills generally produce energy about one-third of the time, an expert said. Above a wind farm near Palm Springs, California.

Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images

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Port slowdowns worsen air pollution in neighboring communities

by Amanda Peacher

Dec 1, 2021

Portside communities in California have suffered from polluted air for years.

A ferry passes the Port of Los Angeles. Neighborhoods surrounding the port have suffered from pollution linked to transporting massive volumes of goods.

Mario Tama via Getty Images

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Why don't American cities have more public bathrooms?

by Kai Ryssdal and Andie Corban

Dec 1, 2021

Writer Elizabeth Yuko explains why Americans use toilets in private businesses instead of those maintained by the government.

"9/11 really was the final nail in the coffin for a lot of the remaining public restrooms and a lot have been closed since," says Elizabeth Yuko, a contributing writer for Bloomberg CityLab.

Getty Images

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Music from the episode

Becoming a Tree Richard Houghten

Outer Sunset Tycho

Philodendron Fields Monster Rally

Adu DJ Day

So Fresh, So Clean Outkast

I'd Rather Be with You Bootsy Collins

The team

Nancy Farghalli Executive Producer

Maria Hollenhorst Producer II

Andie Corban Producer I

Sean McHenry Director & Associate Producer II

Richard Cunningham Associate Producer I

Dylan Miettinen Associate Digital Producer

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