The John Batchelor Show podcast

2: . The Snowy Egret and Emperor Penguin: Conservation, Fashion, and Climate Crisis AUTHOR: Stephen Moss BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World This final excerpt discusses the slaughter of the Snowy Egret for its feathers during the 19th-century "plum

0:00
8:42
Rewind 15 seconds
Fast Forward 15 seconds

. The Snowy Egret and Emperor Penguin: Conservation, Fashion, and Climate Crisis

AUTHOR: Stephen Moss
BOOK TITLE: 10 Birds That Changed the World
This final excerpt discusses the slaughter of the Snowy Egret for its feathers during the 19th-century "plumage wars," driven by high fashion. The extreme cruelty galvanized women to form conservation societies, such as the Audubon Society. The murder of warden Guy Bradley, who was protecting the birds, helped end the industry. The conversation concludes with the Emperor Penguin, which is facing massive population loss (estimated 98% by 2100) due to the climate crisis and serves as the "miner's canary" warning humanity of impending doom.

More episodes from "The John Batchelor Show"