Smoke from wildfires in the Canadian prairies drifts all the way to Switzerland, ruining a listener’s hike—and James feels personally responsible. Meanwhile, Brian reports that global banks continue to pump money into fossil fuels, all while hiking credit card interest rates. He sums up their attitude perfectly: “We’re evil, we just can’t help it.”

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The Clean Energy Air Quality Project continues with a new discovery—our local landfill is a serious pollution source. James calls it a “foul, disgusting place,” and the data seems to back him up.

Plus, the UK is sweating through a major heat wave just as Brian plans a visit. Will his timing cool things down? King Charles seems to think so.

Also on this episode:

• Global banks’ greenwashing hypocrisy

• Citizen science and the ongoing Clean Energy Air Quality Project

• The unexpected reach of prairie wildfire smoke

• Climate change and travel plans colliding in real time.

Articles

1. Nepal’s EV Leapfrog – CleanTechnica

2. Tesla vs. NHTSA Autopilot Probe – The Verge

3. 25-Year Solar Panel Warranty – Electrek

4. Tesla Battery Recall & Fire Risk – InsideEVs

5. EV Idle Payment via Smart Grid – Canary Media

Let me know if you’d like this in a different format (e.g., for YouTube or Instagram).

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Our listeners bought an air quality monitoring station for the podcast and we plan to make the most out of it! Already, James is learning about some bad air from industry in his Canadian city.

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• Free link to the chapter Ungovernable by Patricia W. Elliott from the book Unjust transition: The future for fossil fuel workers (pp. 88-116), Fernwood Publishing, 2024.

Also on this episode:

• Saskatchewan’s air pollution is under the microscope — literally. James sets up a $500 air quality monitor near the Regina refinery and shares his findings with the world. Could data transparency change local air policy?

• The UK announces its biggest nuclear investment in a generation.

• South Korea’s new government ditches fossil fuels for an electrified future.

• John Vaillant, author of Fire Weather, pens a powerful op-ed: zombie fires are now surviving two Canadian winters.

In The Lightning Round:

• Protesters torch 5 Waymo robotaxis in L.A.

• BYD plans megawatt EV chargers across Europe.

• Canada's oil sands emissions fall — but not for in situ operations.A $1.60-per-passenger electric flight lands at JFK.

• Hong Kong launches drone-based McDonald's delivery.

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💬 Contact us:
Email: CleanEnergyShow@gmail.com
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Our city had the worst air quality in the world at the time of recording, with an Air Quality Index of 446 (that’s like smoking over 60 cigarettes a day). We explore what led to these hazardous conditions, how wildfires are affecting our communities and even reaching Europe, and why Canada’s air quality reporting system needs a 21st-century overhaul.

• Join The Clean Energy Show's CLEAN CLUB on Patreon for exciting perks! Our monthly bonus podcast is coming up this week!

The Clean Energy Show received two sustainability awards from the Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE), a United Nations University network promoting Education for Sustainable Development.

The fast fashion industry gets a sustainability report card. H&M tops the chart with a B+ thanks to its real investment in decarbonization. But most brands are still failing. Read more from Bloomberg:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-03/h-m-outperforms-zara-and-shein-on-green-report-card-for-fashion

Swiss authorities averted disaster by evacuating the town of Blatten before a monitored glacier collapsed. But such preventative infrastructure is rare globally. More from Bloomberg:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-03/swiss-glacier-collapse-is-a-lesson-on-climate-disaster-management

Jason Cook-Studer of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band is building microgrids and district heating with salvaged wood while fighting fires threatening his traplines. We share his inspiring work in a featured clip.

Andrew Johnson from One School, One Farm—building bridges between classrooms and climate resilience: We play a clip from his RCE presentation!

⚡ In the Lightning Round:

• Used solar panels get second life through Search4solar
  http://dlvr.it/TL6xmA

• Port of L.A. cuts ship emissions 24% with OpenTable-style scheduling
  https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-03/how-to-cut-shipping-pollution-quickly-and-cheaply

💨 Support our air quality monitor fundraiser: Donate via PayPal:

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