What it is
Drilled is an investigative journalism podcast by Amy Westervelt exposing fossil fuel industry disinformation campaigns. Seasons investigate specific themes: the creation of doubt about climate science, the infiltration of academic research, the weaponization of 'personal carbon footprint' narratives, and the industry's legal strategies against climate litigation. Each season functions as a standalone investigative series.
Why we picked this
Drilled is the 'true crime' of climate journalism: meticulously researched investigations into how the fossil fuel industry knew about climate change decades ago and deliberately manufactured doubt. Westervelt's reporting has uncovered internal industry documents, PR strategies, and lobbying networks that mainstream outlets missed. Understanding how we arrived at the current climate crisis requires understanding the deliberate obstruction that prevented earlier action. Drilled provides that understanding.
Key takeaways
- Internal industry documents show major fossil fuel companies had accurate climate models as early as the 1970s, predicting warming trajectories that have proven remarkably accurate.
- The concept of the 'personal carbon footprint' was popularized by BP's $100M+ ad campaign to shift responsibility from corporate emissions to individual consumers.
- Westervelt's investigative work has been cited in climate litigation cases and congressional hearings on fossil fuel industry accountability.