Ep 1. Hard NOx

Dirty Money is a Netflix original series which investigates some of the world's most corrupt organizations and individuals across multiple sectors, including politics, finance, and energy. The show offers a fascinating look at how money can corrupt the world, and how some individuals stoop to great depths using every trick under the sun to get rich, leaving the environment, public and other important factors at risk.

Season 1 of Dirty Money features six episodes, each exploring a different aspect of corporate corruption. The debut episode, Hard NOx, is an eye-opening look at the Volkswagen emissions scandal, which rocked the car industry when it first came to light in 2015.

The episode opens in September 2015, where it shows a team of researchers at West Virginia University discovering an increased level of nitrogen oxide exposers from a Volkswagen diesel engine. The team then publishes a report regarding the Volkswagen engine and its contribution to the dangerous pollutant. Meanwhile, Volkswagen executives are working on damaging the image of the report and tarnishing the image of the researchers to protect themselves from what could ultimately become a public relations disaster.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that something is not quite right with Volkswagen's engines. The company's habit of using emissions testing defeat devices is revealed, which allows the engines to perform differently during emissions tests than in real-world driving conditions. The use of defeat devices allows the car to cheat the testing procedure, providing false information regarding the amount of pollutants released during the engine's operation. Interviews with industry insiders and former employees provide a glimpse into the extent of Volkswagen's deception and the impact it had on the environment.

Dirty Money is not only highlighting Volkswagen here as the only culprit, but the car industry as a whole. The episode reveals the veil that covers the motor industry, which has misled governments, regulators, and public alike with bullshit technology that appears to be environmentally friendly, but couldn't be further from the truth. The car industry's greed and lack of global cooperation ensure that these concerns remain unresolved, and the environmental and health consequences remain a self-righteous over-protesting hyena that has a lack of bite to show for its angst.

As the story unfolds, audiences will gain insight into what drove Volkswagen executives to manipulate and deceive the public, how the scandal was eventually uncovered, and the aftereffects of the scandal. It will also shed light on the rigidity of industry standards that allow corporations to make false claims concerning the environmental impact while continuing to harm the atmosphere.

Overall, Hard NOx is a gripping account of the Volkswagen scandal and its implications for the environment, society, and global corporations. The documentary raises a valuable question: How far will corporations go to turn a profit, and what is the true cost to society and the environment? It is an informative and fascinating watch that leaves a lasting impression of the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the automotive industry, the environment, or corporate accountability.