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Beth Gardiner

@bethgardiner.bsky.social
394 followers 244 following 43 posts

Journalist, author of PLASTIC INC. Buy US bit.ly/4hTHGFh Buy UK bit.ly/3LTjHdi And CHOKED #airpollution book. Bylines in NYTimes, Guardian, NatGeo, Scientific American, & more. AP alum. bethgardiner.com

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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
For Pacific Islanders, climate change is exacting profound cultural, spiritual & emotional damage not captured by the usual language of environmental harm. Lawyer Julian Aguon told me how important islanders' voices were to winning a landmark international climate case e360.yale.edu/features/jul...
e360.yale.edu
From Indigenous Loss, a Potent Legal Argument on Climate
Human rights lawyer Julian Aguon explores how warming threatens not only the survival of small island nations but also the traditions of their Indigenous peoples. He is citing these injuries in legal ...
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
As the Trump administration works to unravel a Biden-era effort to restrict toxic pollution from petrochemical plants, I took a look for Yale E360 at what the loss of the hard-won protection might mean for those plants' neighbors.
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Plastic Inc. is an Amazon UK Kindle monthly deal! If you're in the UK, you can grab the e-book for just 99p any time in August. www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Inc-...
amazon.co.uk
Plastic Inc: Big Oil, Big Money and The Plan To Trash Our Future eBook : Gardiner, Beth: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
Plastic Inc: Big Oil, Big Money and The Plan To Trash Our Future eBook : Gardiner, Beth: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
With temperatures climbing again in Europe, reposting this piece I wrote in the last heatwave (just a few weeks ago) about the continent's cooling challenges www.theatlantic.com/health/2026/...
theatlantic.com
Europe’s Come-to-AC Moment
The heat is changing the continent’s interest in cooling technologies of all kinds.
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Jeff Goodell @jeffgoodell.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
20,000 people killed by heat in Europe in less than a week. That's the finding by @ccallahan45.bsky.social, a first-rate scientist who has co-authored several important climate attribution studies. Near real-time analysis like this is so important -- it makes the invisible visible.
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Sean Dague @dague.net · 28/06/2026
This is a great time to read The Heat Will Kill You First by @jeffgoodell.bsky.social . Heat sneaks up on people in unexpected ways, and we don't take it seriously enough. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hea...
en.wikipedia.org
The Heat Will Kill You First - Wikipedia
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Zia Weise @ziaweise.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Why are Europe’s heat waves still so deadly, 20+ years after we supposedly learned our lesson in 2003? An ageing population and overheating buildings are all part of the problem. But the pace of warming in Europe is also fast outstripping our paltry preparation efforts. bsky.app/profile/ziaw...
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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 26/06/2026
Much of Europe wasn’t built for air-conditioning, or for coping with hot weather at all—but Europeans urgently need a way to cool down, Beth Gardiner reports from London:
bit.ly
Europe’s Come-to-AC Moment
The heat is changing the continent’s interest in cooling technologies of all kinds.
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Grantham Research Institute at LSE @granthamlse.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
We regret that our event on Extreme Heat: Improving governance and strengthening action around the world has been cancelled due to the red extreme heat warning issued by the UK Met Office. Our apologies to everyone who was planning to attend the event.
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
"Beth Gardiner drops some extraordinary truth bombs in Plastic Inc." Thank you @ianfraser.bsky.social for this thoughtful and nuanced review.
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Ian Fraser @ianfraser.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
You begin to hate the plastics industry the further you get into Plastic Inc. @bethgardiner.bsky.social charts the industry’s use of disinformation, lobbying, legal sabre-rattling and lawsuits to emasculate or eliminate legal and regulatory constraints. My Plastic Inc review @litreview.bsky.social
literaryreview.co.uk
Ian Fraser - Bottling It
Ian Fraser: Bottling It - Plastic Inc.: Big Oil, Big Money and the Plan to Trash our Future by Beth Gardiner
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NRDC @nrdc.org · 22/05/2026
We’re excited to support @bethgardiner.bsky.social's “Plastic Inc," a new book about Big Oil flooding our world with plastic. Despite evidence that microplastics harm public health, the industry is on track to triple production in the next 40 years. Take action now: on.nrdc.org/3PgFu0X
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
I always listen to @kqedforum.bsky.social when I'm in the Bay Area, and it was so much fun to be on the show today, for a great conversation about PLASTIC INC. with @alexis-madrigal.bsky.social! www.kqed.org/forum/201010...
kqed.org
How Plastic Took Over the World – And How Big Oil is Betting on It | KQED
We talk about why the world is drowning in plastic and how we might reverse the trend.
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Queens Public Library @qplnyc.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
Join @bethgardiner.bsky.social and Queens environmental leader Susan Latham at Hunters Point Library on Thursday, May 7 at 6PM for their discussion about Gardiner's new book, "Plastic Inc.: The Secret History and Shocking Future of Big Oil's Biggest Bet." queenslibrary.org/calendar/tal...
Promotional flyer for the QPL program Talk with Beth Gardiner, Author of "Plastic Inc."
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
If you're in the UK, Plastic Inc is a Kindle Daily Deal today, available till midnight for just 99p! www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Inc-...
amazon.co.uk
Plastic Inc: Big Oil, Big Money and The Plan To Trash Our Future
Plastic Inc: Big Oil, Big Money and The Plan To Trash Our Future eBook : Gardiner, Beth: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
What a thrill to be published in the @theatlantic.com! Took a look at the Iran war's disruption of plastic supply chains -- yet another way the fossil fuel economy makes us vulnerable to geopolitical shocks www.theatlantic.com/science/2026...
theatlantic.com
Brace for the Plastic Price Hikes
The war in Iran could raise the consumer costs of car parts, toys, clothing, and more.
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Important story from @lizagross.bsky.social
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Gaby Hinsliff @gabyhinsliff.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
Good morning for once to some good news: gonna have so much solar powered energy this summer they will be literally giving it away www.thetimes.com/business/ene...
thetimes.com
Do your laundry at weekends to get free electricity, Britons told
The National Energy System Operator has launched a scheme to reward homes and businesses that use more power when there is an oversupply of energy
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Ian Fraser @ianfraser.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
“In her investigation of the scope and impact of plastics, Gardiner doesn’t hold back. Plastic Inc is an angry book: timely, well researched and full of facts that make you furious.” Rosie Boycott reviews Plastic Inc: Big Oil, Big Money and the Plan to Trash Our Future by @bethgardiner.bsky.social
ft.com
Plastic Inc — how the defining material of the modern age ended up trashing the planet
Beth Gardiner’s angry, well-researched book investigates a profit-driven industry and the environmental debts it imposes on generations
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Garrett M. Graff @vermontgmg.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
It is hard to capture what a sweeping strategic defeat the war in Iran has been for the United States. I’m going to thread here some of the posts today that try to capture those effects. Here’s the first:
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Utterly reprehensible. What an indelibly shameful moment this is for America.
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Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Morally, legally, economically the war on Iran is disastrous and the disaster goes on for years no matter what happens now. But what cannot be overstated is that in pure national security terms it is also an unmitigated catastrophe.
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
As a writer, nothing is more gratifying than discussing your book with someone who's read it deeply and thoughtfully–especially when that person is the great @tonyamosley.bsky.social, of Fresh Air. It was an absolute pleasure and honor to talk to her about Plastic Inc. www.npr.org/2026/04/01/n...
npr.org
The oil industry is betting big on plastics. Here's what that means for the future
Journalist Beth Gardiner says the fossil fuel industry is increasingly reliant upon plastic products. Her book is Plastic Inc.: The Secret History and Shocking Future of Big Oil's Biggest Bet.
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Brent Toderian @brenttoderian.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
“Air pollution fell substantially as Paris restricted car traffic and made way for parks, people-streets and bike-lanes.” Better for the climate, better for health, better for livability and quality of life. Common sense. Such a no-brainer, it’s remarkable that more cities HAVEN’T done the same.
washingtonpost.com
Paris said au revoir to cars. Air pollution maps reveal a dramatic change.
Air pollution fell substantially as the city restricted car traffic and made way for parks and bike lanes.
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Akshat Rathi @akshatrathi.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
Fossil fuel crises before the 2020s left consumers with three options: 1. Switch fuel if possible 2. Pay more if you can find fuel 3. Cut fuel use Fossil fuel crises after the 2020s give new affordable options: 4. Install cheap solar panels and batteries 5. Buy electricity-consuming devices
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Ben Goldfarb @bengoldfarb.bsky.social · 02/01/2026
One of the chief virtues of the book is that it’s nearly the only remaining form of media that isn’t constantly being interrupted by ads. Between the covers is the last place on earth where no one is trying to sell you shit, a place where you can still be a human being rather than a mark.
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Jan Rosenow @janrosenow.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Spain's renewables build-out has structurally decoupled its electricity prices from gas markets. Gas now sets the price in only 15% of hours, compared to 90% in Italy. Countries that invested early in clean power are far less exposed to fossil fuel price shocks. Those that didn't now pay the price.
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Eva Holland @evaholland.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
"Britannica’s lawsuit said that OpenAI unlawfully copied nearly 100,000 of its articles... The complaint said that ChatGPT produces “near-verbatim” copies of Britannica’s encyclopedia entries, dictionary definitions and other content, diverting users who would otherwise visit its websites."
theglobeandmail.com
Encyclopedia Britannica sues OpenAI over alleged AI training
Case is one of many high-stakes lawsuits filed by copyright owners against tech giants
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Elizabeth Kolbert @elizkolbert.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
Your tax dollars at work: the Trump Administration wants to pay Total $1 billion NOT to build wind farms.
nytimes.com
Trump Officials Weigh New $1 Billion Deal to Stop Offshore Wind Farms
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Julia Simon @juliaradio.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
25% of the world's liquified natural gas/LNG is offline. But Pakistan is in a better position - because of the explosive growth of solar and batteries. Pakistan DECREASED LNG imports last year in part because of ☀️+🔋 Here's why renewables - and EVs -are an energy security solution 🎧📻📖 on @npr.org
npr.org
Oil and gas prices are soaring. Some countries are ready with solar panels and EVs
As an energy crisis grows, some countries are more prepared because of renewable energy and electric vehicles. Pakistan reduced its reliance on imported natural gas because of the growth of solar.
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Kristin Toussaint @ktoussaint.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Plus, as @climatepower.bsky.social told me, it's becoming clearer that home solar, as well as EVs, are the way for Americans to get off the "merry-go-round" of fossil fuel price spikes—since this certainly won't be the last geopolitical event to affect them www.fastcompany.com/91508367/sol...
fastcompany.com
More homeowners are considering solar power during the Iran oil crisis
EnergySage, an online marketplace, has seen a surge in people requesting quotes for solar installations since the conflict in the Middle East began.
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Here’s some good news, from @ktoussaint.bsky.social
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Damian Carrington @dpcarrington.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
Lobbyists for the UK wood-burning stove industry threaten councils with legal action over public information campaigns on the harms of #airpollution - "Straight from the playbook of tobacco" says Jemima Hartshorn, at Mums for Lungs www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Lobbyists send legal threats to councils over anti-wood burner campaigns
At least eight councils receive legal threats alleging flyers criticising wood burners are in breach of advertising codes
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 08/03/2026
Thank you @authorsguild.org for suing over this hostile and ignorant assault on knowledge and culture. Proud to be a member www.nytimes.com/2026/03/07/a...
nytimes.com
When DOGE Unleashed ChatGPT on the Humanities
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Wow, thank you @zoeschlanger.bsky.social. So grateful for your thoughtful and thorough read of PLASTIC INC. I feel so lucky it was reviewed by someone who understands the issues so deeply.
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Oh wow, the NY Times just reviewed Plastic Inc.! "A compelling true-crime story." Thank you so much, @zoeschlanger.bsky.social, for such a thoughtful and thorough take. www.nytimes.com/2026/03/04/b...
nytimes.com
Life in Plastic: It’s Not Fantastic
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Loved talking to NYT Climate Forward's David Gelles about my new book, Plastic Inc. He called it "a sobering read that exposes disinformation campaigns, efforts to foist responsibility onto individual consumers and brutally effective political lobbying" www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/c...
nytimes.com
Plastic, Plastic Everywhere
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
I'm thrilled to say Plastic Inc is out today, shifting the lens on plastic from where it ends up to where it comes from — the fossil fuel industry. "Deeply researched, sharply written & totally compelling," says @elizkolbert.bsky.social "Breath-taking & revelatory"— @christopherleonard.bsky.social
penguinrandomhouse.com
Plastic Inc. by Beth Gardiner: 9780593717103 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
An extraordinary exposé of the industry flooding our world with plastic—and now ramping up to make more than ever “Deeply researched, sharply written, and totally compelling.”...
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Jeff Goodell @jeffgoodell.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
"The push for plastic reflects both the [oil] industry’s modus operandi—more production means more money—and a growing anxiety about a future in which demand for fossil fuels as fuel may flatten and eventually decline." Plastic is the future of oil. Read @bethgardiner.bsky.social PLASTIC INC.
atmos.earth
Big Oil’s Not-So-Secret Weapon For World Domination? Plastic. | Atmos
Plastic Inc. author Beth Gardiner on how plastics became central to fossil-fuel profits—and how new laws could cut the flow at the source.
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
"Kraków is proof that politicians wield the power to save lives by cleaning the air." I visited Krakow in 2015 to report on its terrible pollution, & the fight to reduce it with a ban on home burning of coal & wood. Wonderful to see the impact that law is having www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
How ‘smog capital of Poland’ saved 6,000 lives by cutting soot levels
Kraków’s ban on burning solid fuels plus subsidies for cleaner heating has led to clearer air and better health
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
This beauty just arrived and it is an absolute joy to finally hold it in my hands! Coming Feb. 24 to a bookstore near you
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Emily Atkin @emorwee.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
It’s true! Air pollution regulations actually do way more harm than good if you don’t count all the lives they save
nytimes.com
E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
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David Roberts @volts.wtf · 19/12/2025
Hell yeah: @science.org's official Breakthrough of the Year for 2025 is ... [drumroll] ... ... the unstoppable rise & spread of renewable energy.
science.org
Science’s 2025 Breakthrough of the Year: The unstoppable rise of renewable energy
Clean energy infrastructure is being deployed with unmatched scale and speed—and China is leading the way
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
So excited to see Plastic Inc. (UK edition) on Waterstones "The Non-Fiction You Need to Read in 2026" — "Shocking and compelling ... pacy, character-driven prose." www.waterstones.com/blog/the-non...
waterstones.com
The Non-Fiction You Need to Read in 2026 | Waterstones.com Blog | Waterstones
From Mary Berry to Patrick Radden Keefe, here is our pick of the non-fiction you need to read in 2026.
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Pulitzer Center @pulitzercenter.org · 25/11/2025
To maintain profitability, oil and gas companies are increasingly reliant on converting fossil fuels into plastic products, including packaging. Grantee @bethgardiner.bsky.social reports on its environmental and health consequences. A story for @sciam.bsky.social. bit.ly/4ogmUkI
pulitzercenter.org
The Fossil-Fuel Industry Has a Plan To Drown Earth in Plastic
To keep profits rolling in, oil and gas companies want to turn fossil fuels into a mounting pile of packaging and other plastic products. In 2018, at a Dubai resort next to the blue-green waters of...
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Bri 💝 @breezybrik.bsky.social · 18/11/2025
In @sciam.bsky.social December issue @bethgardiner.bsky.social shows readers why Big Oil is so interested in Big Plastic 🧪 📚 If you're looking for more to read on plastic, power and pollution check out why I recommend these 5 books www.scientificamerican.com/article/five...
scientificamerican.com
Five Essential Books on Plastic, Power, and Pollution
If you enjoyed Beth Gardiner’s feature about big oil’s bet on plastics, here are more books curated by Scientific American
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 14/11/2025
My new book, Plastic Inc, comes out in Feb, shifting the lens on plastic from where it ends up to where it comes from — the fossil fuel industry. "Totally compelling," says @elizkolbert.bsky.social. "Breath-taking and revelatory," says @christopherleonard.bsky.social. Pre-order now! bit.ly/4hTHGFh
bit.ly
Plastic Inc. by Beth Gardiner: 9780593717103 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books
An extraordinary exposé of the industry flooding our world with plastic—and now ramping up to make more than ever “Deeply researched, sharply written, and totally compelling.”...
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Yale Environment 360 @yalee360.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
A review of hundreds of studies finds that plastic additives pose a serious threat to children, raising the risk of disability and disease long into adulthood. Plastics are associated with heart disease, obesity, asthma, and autism, among other issues.
e360.yale.edu
Children Exposed to Plastic Face Lifetime Health Risks, Research Finds
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Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
@johnvaillant.bsky.social Hi John, I'm a fellow environmental journalist. Wondering if you might follow me so I can send you a DM? Thanks! Beth
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