550. Why Do People Still Hunt Whales?

For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredient in (yum!) margarine. Whale meat was also on a few menus. But today, demand for whale products is at a historic low. And yet some countries still have a whaling industry. We find out why. (Part 2 of “Everything You Never Knew About Whaling.”)

Episode 550 of the Freakonomics Radio podcast, hosted by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher, titled "550. Why Do People Still Hunt Whales?" was published on July 20, 2023 and runs 37 minutes.

July 20, 2023 ·37m · Freakonomics Radio

Summary

For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredient in (yum!) margarine. Whale meat was also on a few menus. But today, demand for whale products is at a historic low. And yet some countries still have a whaling industry. We find out why. (Part 2 of “Everything You Never Knew About Whaling.”)

Episode Description