Podcast Summary
Unprecedented heat waves challenge workers and communities in the US and EU: Record-breaking temperatures impact millions in the US I-95 corridor and EU, with the hottest month on record declared, and heat waves affecting podcast recording.
The summer of 2023 has seen unprecedented heat waves leading to record-breaking temperatures and posing significant challenges for workers and communities. President Biden has taken measures to protect workers in heat-exposed industries, while the ongoing heat wave is affecting millions of people in the US, particularly in the I-95 corridor. The heat wave has also led to the EU and WMO declaring July 2023 as the hottest month on record, with an average temperature of 62.51 degrees Fahrenheit. The ongoing heat wave is not only affecting the US but also the EU, with dangerous extreme heat covering more area than all summer. The heat wave is also impacting the podcast recording, making it feel like a sauna. The era of global boiling, as UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres put it, has arrived.
Climate change's impact on health, food, and economy: Climate change causes heatwaves, animal virus spillovers, food shortages, wildfires, and displacement, disproportionately affecting low-income neighborhoods. Address this through climate tech or policy.
Climate change poses a significant threat to public health, food production, and the economy, with heatwaves being a major concern. Heat kills more Americans annually than any other natural disaster, and the increasing heat can lead to dangerous conditions such as falling over on hot asphalt. The changing climate also affects animals, leading to potential virus spillovers, and impacts agriculture, causing food shortages and higher prices. Wildfires and air quality issues are additional concerns, and millions of people around the world are at risk of being displaced due to climate change. The urban heat island effect, which is more pronounced in areas with less tree cover and more heat-absorbing materials, disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods. To address these challenges, working in climate tech or climate policy is a promising solution, as it offers the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world and potentially even financial gain.
Impact of extreme heat waves on society: President Biden allocates funds for urban tree planting, heat waves disrupt aviation industry, and Grimace goes viral in heat wave videos
The effects of extreme heat waves are far-reaching and impact various aspects of society, from urban development to business operations. The lack of tree cover in less affluent areas exacerbates the heat, making it more dangerous and uncomfortable. To mitigate this issue, President Biden has allocated over a billion dollars in grants to help cities plant trees. The aviation industry, already facing challenges, is being disrupted further due to heat waves. Planes require more maintenance and fuel when temperatures rise, and passengers experience longer wait times. Delta Airlines is under investigation for leaving passengers on a plane without air conditioning during a heat wave. On a lighter note, the McDonald's mascot Grimace, known for his pastel-colored, round, and purplish body, has gone viral in recent weeks, with Gen Z creating absurd videos featuring the character.
McDonald's successful 'Grimace' campaign on TikTok boosts sales: McDonald's unexpected viral campaign on TikTok featuring their mascot Grimace led to sales growth and engagement, reaching billions with millions in mentions. Leveraging user-generated content and nostalgia marketing, they cater to youth culture and diverse income groups.
McDonald's unexpectedly successful "Grimace" campaign on social media, particularly on TikTok, contributed significantly to their sales growth in the recent quarter. The campaign, which featured the lovable McDonald's mascot, went viral organically and reached billions with millions in engagement and mentions. McDonald's has been successful in tapping into youth culture with such campaigns and partnerships with popular artists, and they are also targeting customers from different income backgrounds. The Grimace campaign's success was a surprise to McDonald's, and it shows the power of user-generated content and nostalgia marketing. The company's sales and revenue beat expectations, and they are experiencing growth from customers with various income levels. Overall, McDonald's has effectively leveraged social media to drive sales and stay relevant in the market.
Facebook's Metaverse Venture Continues to Post Significant Losses: Facebook's metaverse unit, Reality Labs, lost $3.7B last quarter and $21B since last year, while Chipotle may need to raise menu prices but introduces a new avocado variety and dual-sided grill to offset costs.
While Facebook's digital advertising business is showing signs of a rebound, its metaverse unit, Reality Labs, continues to post significant losses. Meta's stock rose by over 4% after a solid Q2 earnings report and positive Q3 forecast, with digital marketing and the growing popularity of Reels contributing to the positive momentum. However, the metaverse remains a challenge for the company, which lost $3.7 billion last quarter and over $21 billion since the beginning of last year. Chipotle, on the other hand, faced a rough week as its Q3 growth was under forecast, and the company may need to raise menu prices to offset costs. Despite these challenges, Chipotle has a potential game changer with the introduction of a new avocado variety, Luna, which is easier to harvest and could help bring down guacamole costs. Additionally, the company is rolling out a dual-sided grill to improve cooking times. Overall, while Facebook is experimenting with various new initiatives, the success of its metaverse venture remains uncertain, while Chipotle faces pricing pressures but has potential cost-saving measures in the works.
Young Chinese opting out of workforce, called 'full time children': Intense competition and limited job opportunities in China drive some young people to forgo employment and live off their parents' salaries, exacerbated by the pandemic and economic uncertainty.
The pressure to succeed and work long hours is intensely felt by young people around the world, but nowhere more so than in China, where the unemployment rate for those aged 16 to 24 reached a record high of over 21%. In response, some Chinese youths have opted out of the workforce, choosing instead to be "full time children," receiving a salary from their parents to perform household chores and care for family members. This trend, driven by intense competition and limited job opportunities, has become a topic of discussion on Chinese social media. The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns have only added to the pressure and uncertainty, leading some to question the value of their education and future prospects. The generational divide between older generations who experienced different economic conditions and younger generations feeling overwhelmed and uncertain is widening, leading to a sense of "lying flat" and disengagement from the workforce. This trend highlights the need for governments and employers to address the root causes of youth unemployment and provide opportunities for the next generation to thrive.
Paris Olympics: Inclusive and Engaging: 300,000 free tickets, 20,024 marathon runners, focus on sustainability, return of breaking and debut of surfing, Xi Jinping's call for youth engagement
Despite the challenges and controversies, the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are shaping up to be an inclusive and engaging event for spectators. Xi Jinping's call for young people to embrace hardships echoes the spirit of the Olympics, as 300,000 people will receive free tickets to the opening ceremony and 20,024 will run in the marathon. The emphasis on existing venues and efforts to clean the Seine River reflect a focus on sustainability and showcasing the city. However, there are controversies surrounding corruption and domestic unrest. Despite these issues, the Olympics promise excitement with the return of sports like breaking and the debut of surfing in Tahiti. If I were designing the Olympics, I would propose an endurance-cooking competition to test teamwork and culinary skills.
Showcasing exceptional talents in sports and crime prevention: Individuals with extraordinary abilities can make a significant impact in their respective fields, while community efforts can lead to positive change.
Exceptional athletic abilities can be showcased in various competitions, as demonstrated by Shohei Ohtani's impressive pitching and home run performance in baseball's doubleheader. Meanwhile, in the world of crime prevention, Monica Poli, a TikTok famous woman in Venice, uses her platform to call out pickpocketers, leading to a significant decrease in thefts. Her dedication and confidence in her abilities, even facing skepticism, serve as an inspiration. These stories remind us of the power of individual talents and the impact of community efforts in making a difference.
Engage with Morning Brew team about Olympics sports: Morning Brew invites viewers to suggest Olympic sports and stay engaged with the team via email
Morning Brew, a daily news show, invites viewers to suggest sports they'd like to see included in the Olympics by emailing morningbrew@morningbrew.com. The team behind the show includes Emily Milliron as editor and producer, Samantha Velez and Raymond Lu as associate producers, Isabelle Nguyen as technical director, and Billy Mannino on audio. Devin Emery serves as the chief content officer. The team encourages everyone to stay cool and have a great weekend. Although the team members mentioned their individual roles, the overall focus of the sign-off was to engage with the audience and encourage them to share their thoughts on the Olympics.
