Soy is in most of the processed foods we eat, fed to the animals we eat, and has become a staple in vegan diets. But unfortunately, intensive agricultural practices such as monocropping, monoculture, pesticide use, and deforestation have created a number of environmental issues around the crop. As the world’s leading soy producer, Brazil in particular has been the topic of global dialogue around agriculture-driven deforestation in the Cerrado and the Amazon, especially with an important runoff election coming up in two days. Today, we explore what issues soy presents, how climate change intersects with these issues, and what we can do from here to make soy more sustainable. With special guest Dr. Raoni Rajão: Professor in Social Studies of Science at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
The Sweaty Penguin is presented by Peril and Promise: a public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York, reporting on the issues and solutions around climate change. You can learn more at pbs.org/perilandpromise.
Support the show and unlock exclusive merch, bonus content, and more for as little as $5/month at patreon.com/thesweatypenguin.
CREDITS
Writers: Hallie Cordingley, Bobbie Armstrong, Ethan Brown
Fact Checker: Sarika Sawant
Editor: Megan Antone, Trevor Snow
Producers: Ethan Brown, Megan Crimmins, Shannon Damiano, Maddy Schmidt
Ad Voiceover: Sabrina Rollings
Music: Brett Sawka
The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and guests. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Peril and Promise or The WNET Group.