Corn: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

John Oliver discusses the financial and environmental impact of corn in the U.S., and whether or not he really knows what Pearl Harbor is.

Text above is from original video description.

Summary:

John Oliver discusses the various issues surrounding corn on the latest episode of ‘Last Week Tonight’. From the love for corn in various forms, such as the Corn Palace and the Nebraska Corn Huskers mascot, to the world’s largest corn maze in Illinois, corn has a significant presence in American culture.

However, the episode delves into the darker side of corn production, including the impact on the environment, health, and farming communities.

The episode highlights the government’s role in subsidizing corn production, leading to an oversupply of corn and its use in various industrial products, such as cornmeal, high fructose corn syrup, and ethanol.

The episode also explores the environmental consequences of corn production, such as the use of nitrogen fertilizer, which can lead to groundwater contamination and the creation of ‘dead zones’ in bodies of water.

See also:

John Oliver Explains Why Ethanol Fuel Is a Lie (Gizmodo)

The disastrous financial and environmental effects of corn ethanol subsidies, broken down by the late-night Brit.