Deeper Look from New York

1. 

   E1. Challenges of the Leaders Summit on Climate: Mark Jacobson / Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University

   Apr 13, 2021

   President Biden will host 40 global leaders at the Leaders Summit on Climate. Environmental experts stress the urgency to limit earth's warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius to mitigate the most pressing impacts of climate change. What does that number mean? What will happen if we can't reach this goal? After abandoning the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, can the U.S. reclaim its leadership role? We asked Professor Mark Jacobson how things will differ this time when significant measures have still not been taken.

2. E2. Tackling Climate Change: Mark Jacobson / Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Stanford University

   Apr 20, 2021

   Scientists began warning us about climate change a long time ago. International discussions about reducing greenhouse gas emissions have been ongoing, but no significant steps have been taken. In the interim, temperatures keep rising in many places, and extreme weather events are more frequent. Some say it is impossible to completely withdraw from carbon energies. But Mark Jacobson has a plan to replace them with 100% clean renewables. We asked Prof. Jacobson how we can tackle this issue.

3. 

   E3. Vaccinations - The Global Response to COVID-19 a Year On: Akiko Iwasaki / Professor of Immunobiology, Yale University / Howard Hughes Medical Institute

   Apr 27, 2021

   In late 2019, Akiko Iwasaki was alarmed about a new virus coming out of China. Reports revealed a possible respiratory infection which meant rapid transmission rates, and as she predicted, the virus soon spread worldwide. While vaccinations are now underway in the U.S. and other countries, variants have emerged, and cases are rising in some regions. So, are vaccines the light at the end of a long tunnel? Professor Iwasaki shares insights on vaccination, variants and the long-term effects of COVID-19.

4. 

   E4. What Will Our Post-Pandemic Future Look Like?: Akiko Iwasaki / Professor of Immunobiology, Yale University / Howard Hughes Medical Institute

   May 4, 2021

   In the U.S., Federal officials announced that fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks outdoors in small groups, when dining outside, or biking and running. As vaccination rates pick up, people are starting to do some things they had stopped doing because of COVID-19. This makes us wonder how much longer this pandemic will last? When will we achieve "herd immunity"? And when can we return to our pre-pandemic lives? We asked Professor Iwasaki about the prospects for the near future.

5. 

   E5. Impacts of US Withdrawal from Afghanistan: Cheryl Benard / Political Analyst, President of Alliance for the Restoration of Cultural Heritage

   May 25, 2021

   President Biden announced that the exit of US troops from Afghanistan would be completed by Sept. 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on the U.S. But even after the US declaration, bombings have not ceased, and insurgencies cast a dark shadow on the country's future. What consequences will the withdrawal bring to the nation and to the U.S. itself? We asked Cheryl Benard, an expert on national security issues, post-conflict reconstruction, and author of books on Islamic countries.

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   E6. What Does US Withdrawal Mean to People in Afghanistan?: Cheryl Benard / Political Analyst, President of Alliance for the Restoration of Cultural Heritage

   Jun 1, 2021

   While hundreds of people have been killed in Afghanistan in May, reports claim that the U.S. troop withdrawal is accelerating months ahead of the deadline set by President Biden. Responsible for the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas, concerns grow over the Islamic fundamentalist group, the Taliban's return to power. If they regain control, how will they govern and treat citizens, especially women and the people who helped the U.S.? We continue our conversation with Cheryl Benard for insights.

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