Sammy is joined by Kelly Sanders, an engineering professor at USC and former White House advisor on energy policy. They talk about what the fires mean for the future of Los Angeles, and how the city might adapt as the planet heats up and the climate crisis worsens. LA Times Studios launched “Smoglandia" on Boiling Point Podcast, a new

limited narrative series hosted by award-winning Los Angeles Times

columnist Patt Morrison. The podcast traces the rise, impact and

eventual retreat of Los Angeles’ most insidious form of pollution: smog.

Through the words and insights of scientists, policymakers, filmmakers

and artists who lived through the city’s worst air-quality days, the

series explores how Los Angeles became a testing ground for

environmental regulation, and how science and innovation transformed

public health. At a time when hard-earned progress against smog faces

new setbacks, “Smoglandia” examines a landmark victory for the City of

Angels, and, through clearer air, looks forward to the lessons still to

be learned — and the battles yet to come.

The first episode explores the origins of smog in L.A., featuring

Natural History Museum associate curator Dr. Regan Dunn explaining how

research at the La Brea Tar Pits uncovered evidence that humans have

been creating pollution in the region for thousands of years. Listeners

will also hear from renowned artist Helen Pashgian, who recounts growing

up in Altadena in the 1940s, during a time when local wartime industries

took a toll on her health and obscured the once-glorious vistas.

Additional podcast guests will include actor and climate activist Jane

Fonda, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, and

other influential voices behind the city’s ongoing battle with air

quality.

“Smoglandia” is presented as a special season of The Times’ “Boiling

Point” environmental podcast.