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Persephonica and Global Optimism
There are chemicals in your blood that weren't there fifty years ago. They are in the products you use, the water you drink, the food you eat - and for years, almost nobody was told the full truth about the risk. This week, Christiana speaks to two women who found contamination in their communities and refused to accept it. Emily Donovan and Sarah Alexander have spent decades fighting for greater regulation of PFAS or ‘forever chemicals’. Through their work, and the work of many others, some progress has been made on regulation, and on supporting the communities most impacted. But this story is far from over. Because these chemicals don't break down. They move through soil, through water, through the food chain and through us. And the impacts on our health and on our ecosystems are only beginning to come to light.So, with environmental protection rollbacks at the US federal level, can progress endure? And can community action take on the big companies and the big money behind this scandal? This episode is about what happens when institutions fail, what accountability actually requires, and why the clean energy transition is incomplete if we trade one toxic system for another. 🔗Follow the work of Clean Cape Fear 🔗Learn more about the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association 🎬 Watch Dark Waters (2019) - the film that brought the DuPont PFOA story to a wider audience 📋Read the Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sea-level rise is often spoken about in centimetres, forecasts and future scenarios. But what if we understood it as a health emergency that is already reshaping lives, harming bodies and minds, and displacing entire communities? This week, as a landmark Lancet Commission launches, Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac argue that sea-level rise must be understood not just as a climate threat, but as a health crisis currently unfolding. And, as co-chair of the Lancet Commission on Sea-Level Rise, Health and Justice, Christiana brings us inside the thinking behind this urgent new effort. Christiana speaks to commissioners ‘Ofa Kaisamy, Professor Anne Poelina and Dr Sandro Demaio, who paint a vivid picture of what happens before and as the water arrives. This is a story of food insecurity, damaged clinics and hospitals, disease, displacement, trauma, and the loss of ancestral knowledge and cultural continuity. But it also points to an opportunity to finally see sea-level rise in fully human terms, with those on the frontlines shaping the response. What changes when we stop treating rising seas as a distant environmental problem and start recognising them as a present health emergency? And what might become possible if the people most affected are no longer treated as victims, but as leaders? Learn More: 🌊 Read The Lancet Commission launch paper on sea-level rise, health and justice. 🩺 Read Christiana’s opinion piece on health and sea-level rise in the Guardian 🏝️ Explore WHO Western Pacific’s work on climate change and health in the Pacific 📈 Go deeper with the IPCC on sea-level rise and low-lying coasts and islands. 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As headlines warn of a possible ‘super El Niño’ later this year, we ask: how do we respond to a warning before it becomes a catastrophe? The last major El Niño brought record heat, crop failures, flooding and deepening food insecurity across large parts of the world. This time, the question is not only what may be coming, but whether we are any better prepared to act on the warning? Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson look at what the forecasts do and do not tell us about the climate ahead in 2026, and what it means to prepare for a crisis that is still uncertain, but increasingly hard to ignore. And in a world of shrinking aid budgets and rising climate risk, they’re joined by Andrew Kruczkiewicz from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and Columbia Climate School - how do you justify spending on a crisis that hasn’t happened yet? From anticipatory finance and early warning systems to the politics of aid cuts and the difficulty of communicating risk in real time, they explore what climate preparedness looks like when the stakes are already human and immediate. Learn More: 🔴 Browse the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre’s work on linking climate science and action 🩺 Read the WHO explainer on ENSO and health 🌊 Get up to date on NOAA’s latest ENSO Diagnostic discussion for the clearest official snapshot of what forecasters are currently saying about the chances of El Niño emerging in 2026 🛰️ Explore the World Food Programme’s work on anticipatory action and see their Bangladesh case study to see how it’s used in practice 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We used to be shocked by this. Hundreds of thousands displaced, millions affected, whole communities washed out. But somewhere along the way, extreme weather events have become background noise. This week, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore what it means to live in a world where extreme rainfall, displacement and repeated flood damage are no longer rare shocks but part of a rapidly changing climate reality. Last year alone, Southern Africa, Pakistan, Brazil, South Sudan, and many other countries were devastated by catastrophic flooding. We reflect on the scale of the global crisis, the lives upended, and the huge economic losses that too often go uninsured. Then Paul speaks with Louis Ramirez, co-founder of Flooded People UK, about what happens when flooding stops being just a weather event and becomes a political force. They discuss the growing toll of flooding in the UK, from mental health impacts to rising insurance costs and falling property values, and ask what collective action looks like when communities are forced to confront climate damage on their own doorsteps. As the front lines of climate change move ever deeper into the Global North, will governments finally respond with the urgency this crisis demands? And can the devastation that flows from climate impacts help rally a social movement for change? Learn More: About flooding in the UK… 🌧️ Explore Flooded People’s resources on the state of flooding in the UK 🏠 Read about the government-backed Flood Re insurance programme mentioned in this episode 📍 Check the long-term flood risk for your area (England only, with links to other UK nations) About flooding internationally… 🌍 Read more about worldwide flood risk from the World Bank 🔎 Explore how extreme weather events are being attributed to climate change at World Weather Attribution 🚨 Understand how flooding is displacing people across the globe at the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
War in Iran has triggered another global energy shock. Once again, conflict has exposed the deep instability built into the fossil fuel system. And once again, the world is reminded that these fuels are not only polluting, but precarious. In this episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson unpack why the threat to oil infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz matters so much, and why these moments keep repeating. What does it mean to build an economy around fuels concentrated in a handful of volatile places, and transported through fragile choke points? And why are many responding to that insecurity by calling for more drilling? They’re joined by Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance and Chief Growth Officer at the Global Wind Energy Council. Bruce argues that although this is not the first energy crisis of its kind, it may be the first in which the alternatives are ready at scale. Renewables are available now - and, in many cases, cheaper, faster and more secure than doubling down on fossil fuels. Together they explore the fork in the road now facing governments. In a moment of insecurity, do countries try to squeeze more out of declining oil and gas reserves? Or do they use this as the push they need to invest in a more resilient system? That decision may determine whether this will be remembered as just another oil crisis - or as the moment political leaders finally started to absorb the lesson. Learn More: ⚡ Read the Global Renewable Alliance’s Renewables Action Plan to break the energy crises cycle ☀️ Learn more about Pakistan’s people-led solar revolution 🌍 Understand why the Strait of Hormuz matters so much to global energy supply 📈 Explore the IEA’s report on the status of renewables today and their forecasts to 2030 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The climate crisis is not one problem. It is a crisis of water, food, energy, language, justice and power - all colliding at once. So how do we respond when climate solutions create new trade-offs of their own? And are we even using the right words to describe what is happening? In this episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson take on some of the knottiest questions in climate. From water stress and biodiversity loss, to geoengineering, public understanding, and the language of urgency itself. What gets overlooked? What gets simplified? And how do we navigate increasing complexity in the middle of a worsening crisis? We don’t have all the answers. But as our choices grow harder, these are some of the questions that demand our attention. Learn More: 💧 Dive into Why Water Matters from the UNFCCC 🦅 Explore how solar and wind energy producers can mitigate impacts on biodiversity 🎧 Listen back to last year’s episode unpacking some of climate’s most common acronyms ☁️ … or return to our most recent episode on geoengineering with Politico’s Karl Mathiesen 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we acknowledge the US strikes on Iran and the escalation that has followed. The immediate human cost is what matters most right now. But this crisis is unfolding within a global system still shaped by oil markets and fossil fuel dependence - a dependence that amplifies regional instability and turns into global vulnerability. The same structural tensions sit at the heart of this week’s conversation, recorded before these events. Indonesia is the world's fourth most populous country, one of its largest coal exporters, and a nation with every natural resource it needs to transition to clean energy. The problem isn't will, it’s money. Who it's available to, and on what terms. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson are joined by Sri Mulyani Indrawati - Indonesia's former Finance Minister under three different presidents, former Managing Director of the World Bank, and one of the most credible voices in the world on exactly this set of challenges. She walks through what it actually costs to retire a single coal plant years ahead of schedule, why developing countries find themselves trapped by contracts they signed in good faith, and why the international finance system is making the transition harder, not easier. Countries like Indonesia borrow at far higher rates than wealthier economies, even as they face greater exposure to climate impacts. When that exposure feeds into credit ratings, the cost of capital rises, making clean energy investment more expensive precisely where it is needed most. In a system that makes decarbonisation harder for the countries most vulnerable to climate impacts, who pays? Learn More: 🏭 Explore Global Energy Monitor's coal plant tracker for Indonesia's existing and planned capacity 🎧 Listen to our interview with Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. 🏦 Learn about the Bridgetown Agenda and its proposals to reform international development finance 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Climate concern is not the problem. Most people have it. What's missing is everything that turns concern into action - and understanding that gap turns out to be a lot more complicated than it looks. This week, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson sit down with Lorraine Whitmarsh, Professor of Environmental Psychology and Director of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations at the University of Bath. Together they dig into the psychology behind catastrophe apathy: why understanding an existential threat doesn't always lead to action, and what the research says actually moves people. Lorraine shares real-world evidence - including renewable energy tariffs that shifted 90% of customers onto green power simply by making it the default - and explains why trusted everyday messengers, from hairdressers to taxi drivers, employers to community figures, often have more influence than expert voices in reshaping what feels normal. The conversation also revisits an uncomfortable history: how the personal carbon footprint, popularised by BP in the early 2000s, reframed climate responsibility around individual choices rather than systemic change. A framing so powerful that even environmental organisations adopted it. Who benefited most from that shift is a question the movement is still grappling with. If systemic change requires public consent, and public consent requires political will, and political will requires behaviour change - how do you break the climate Catch-22? With thanks to the University of Bath. Learn More: 🧠 Explore Lorraine Whitmarsh's research at the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations, University of Bath 🔌 Read about the Swiss renewable energy default study — the experiment that moved 90% of customers to green energy by changing a default setting 🗳️ Learn more about citizens' assemblies on climate and deliberative democracy in practice 🌍 Read the IPCC's work on demand-side solutions and behavioural change in its Sixth Assessment Report 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by Miles Martignoni Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Trump administration last week announced the repeal of the ‘endangerment finding’ - the 2009 determination that climate change threatens public health and welfare. It may sound arcane, but this piece of legislation empowered the US federal government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. This decision weakens the regulatory backbone of American climate policy, and may reshape the country’s emissions trajectory for years to come. So what happens next? This week, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson consider the politics, the economics and the climate reality of this move. And Tom calls friend of the show Manish Bapna, President and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, whose organisation is preparing to challenge the rollback in court. Speaking to us just as the case was filed, Manish explains why the endangerment finding has long been the legal bedrock of federal climate action, and how the case could climb all the way to the Supreme Court. Until then, uncertainty reins: is this a temporary political detour - or a structural turning point for US climate leadership? And if federal authority falters, will states, businesses and markets keep the transition moving anyway? Learn More: 🌿 Learn how the EPA’s 2009 Endangerment Finding established the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases 📊 Understand the ‘Social Cost of Carbon’ - and why putting a price on climate damage matters ⚖️ Read the statement from NRDC and its partners outlining their legal challenge to the rollback 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who shapes climate action when old systems begin to strain? And where does power really sit - with governments, financial institutions, communities, or individuals? Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore climate leadership in a more fragmented geopolitical moment. Picking up the threads from last week’s episode, they ask what happens when multilateralism is threatened - and whether smaller coalitions, subnational actors and civic movements are already stepping in to fill the gap. Because with great challenges, come new opportunities. What might we gain from faster, more focused alliances? Might Indigenous wisdom provide lessons for building fairer, greener economic models? And how can we use the resources we have to support Brazil’s vision for a global mutirão? Learn More: 💡 Watch Mark Carney’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos 🍩 Dive into the concept of Doughnut Economics 🏙️ Explore what C40 Cities members are doing across the world 📈 Find out more about ShareAction’s work to build a fairer and more sustainable financial system 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who really holds power in the climate transition? And how do money, politics, and influence shape the pace of change? In this episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson use some of your most probing questions on the political economy of climate action to unpack what happens behind closed doors and to challenge some of the assumptions that often dominate public debate. What does lobbying actually look like - and is it always a bad thing? What are we talking about when we refer to ‘fossil fuel subsidies’? And in an age of populist politics and shrinking attention spans, can complex climate solutions still cut through? Or are we drifting toward simpler narratives that are easier to sell, but harder to govern? From negotiation rooms to national politics, and the economic systems beneath them, these are the forces both loudly and quietly shaping climate progress. And if we want to accelerate action, we first have to understand where power truly sits. 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
World leaders are flocking to Beijing. In the first weeks of 2026, Canada’s Mark Carney, the UK’s Sir Keir Starmer and South Korea’s Lee Jae-myung have all made high-profile visits - an unmistakable signal of global power recalibrating. China’s dominance in clean energy manufacturing is already well established: from solar panels and batteries to wind turbines. The question now is whether this transition remains merely made in China, or whether it is increasingly being shaped and led from Beijing. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson consider what this shift may mean for the future of climate leadership - and for the institutions, alliances and norms that have shaped global climate cooperation for decades. They’re joined by scholar of China’s political economy and climate governance Yixian Sun, who has recently advised the UK government on their engagement with China. He unpacks the country’s own vision of leadership, its evolving role in the Global South, and the risks and opportunities of an increasingly multipolar climate order. As the world recalibrates around China’s growing role, how does Beijing see itself? And what are other governments actually seeking as they turn towards it? We spoke to the man advising the UK government ahead of Keir Starmer’s arrival in Beijing. 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How dependent are we - economically, politically and socially - on fossil fuels? And how do we begin to loosen that grip? As the world reels from geopolitical shocks, multilateral institutions under strain, and the United States’ withdrawal from key climate bodies, Ana Toni - CEO of COP30 - joins the show to discuss what comes next. Both for Brazil’s presidency in this crucial year, and for the wider system of climate cooperation at a moment when the old rules feel increasingly fragile. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson ask Ana what was achieved in Belém, what fell short, and why the year after the COP may matter more than the summit itself. Are we entering an era where progress is driven not by universal agreement, but by those willing to move first and bring others with them? And could reframing the transition around ending dependence, rather than negotiating targets, change the politics of climate action? 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when the world’s most powerful country walks away from the system it helped to build? This week, we examine the United States’ decision to withdraw not only from the Paris Agreement, but from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change itself - alongside dozens of other international bodies. Headlines declared the end of multilateral climate cooperation. But is that really what this moment represents? Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson unpack what has actually been announced - and what it does (and doesn’t) change in practice. They are joined by Sue Biniaz, former US Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change and one of the quiet architects of decades of climate diplomacy. Sue brings rare insight into whether a US president can legally withdraw from a Senate-ratified treaty, the surprising pathways by which a future administration could rejoin, and what influence the US may still wield as a non-party. Could the absence of the US voice, paradoxically, unlock progress elsewhere? And in a fractured world, where does collective climate leadership now come from? Learn more: 🎥 Watch our hosts’ immediate response to the US UNFCCC withdrawal announcement, recorded the day after news broke 📰 Read the New York Times profile of Sue Biniaz by Lisa Friedman: Meet the Closer Who Finds the Right Words When Climate Talks Hit a Wall 📄 Dive into the Just Security article penned by Sue Biniaz and Jean Galbraith on treaty withdrawal and re-entry 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The year has barely begun, and already the fault lines of global power are on full display. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson take stock of a moment that feels both shocking and revealing. The US abduction of Venezuela’s president raises urgent questions about sovereignty, international law, and the enduring grip of fossil fuels on geopolitics - even as the energy transition accelerates. But what’s really driving events in Venezuela? And how can we tease apart the political theatre from the realities of oil markets, military power, and domestic US politics. Later, we ask: what are the big themes, underlying trends and climate stories already shaping the new year? From the possible rise of left-wing populism, to the intensifying battle over who will become the next UN Secretary-General. As 2026 begins, the question is not just what kind of year lies ahead for climate action, but what kind of global order will shape it. Learn more: 🛢️ Deep dive into the stats from the US Energy Information Administration on Venezuelan oil production 🌐 Read more about the appointment process of the UN Secretary-General. 🎧 Listen back to our holiday episodes, Why Beauty Matters in the Climate Crisis and Beginning the Year with Ancestral Wisdom 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As billions around the world mark the beginning of a new year, many are pausing to ask the same questions: what do we carry forward, and what do we leave behind, as we cross from the old into the new? And as headlines fill with predictions about the rise of artificial intelligence, could a different kind of AI - ‘ancestral intelligence’ - offer insights equal to the depth of the climate and biodiversity crises we now face? This year’s COP saw Indigenous and First Nations Peoples better represented than ever before; but it also showed how far there is still to go to include them in meaningful dialogue. In a conversation recorded at COP30, Christiana Figueres sits down with two Indigenous leaders from different continents and traditions: Mindahi Bastida, from the Otomí-Toltec peoples of Mexico, and Atawévi Akôyi Oussou Lio, Prince of the Tolinou people of Benin. Together, they explore a relationship with the living world grounded in belonging rather than dominance, continuity rather than short-termism, and reciprocity rather than extraction. Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson then join Christiana to reflect on what it means to carry this wisdom into the year ahead. And if the challenges before us are not only technical and political, but also cultural and spiritual, how might that reshape the way we act, decide, and lead in 2026 and beyond? 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At a moment when the world feels noisier, faster, and more demanding than ever, what role can beauty play in helping us slow down, reconnect, and remember what matters? As the year draws to a close, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson step back from targets, timelines and political headwinds to explore how craft, design and the quiet appreciation for our objects and spaces can shape both the worlds we live in, and the futures we are trying to build. Tom is joined in Bath by designer and artist Patrick Williams, founder of the design studio and workshop Berdoulat, whose work is rooted in traditional craft, natural materials and a deep sensitivity to place. Together they reflect on what happens when efficiency crowds out care, when buildings and objects lose their connection to human bodies and natural rhythms, and why the climate crisis may also be a crisis of beauty. As we reflect on a challenging year for climate action, we also offer an invitation for the days ahead: to slow down, to notice what restores us, and to remember that meaningful change is sustained not just by effort, but by care, beauty and joy. Learn more: 📖 Find out more about Patrick’s upcoming book release, The House Rules 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At the very moment we need clarity and trust, information integrity is being polluted. Disinformation is profitable and the impact on truth is dangerous. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the discourse around climate. This week, Outrage + Optimism steps into the murky, fast-moving world of climate disinformation. Not simply misunderstanding and confusion, but the deliberate shaping of narratives to delay action, fracture trust, and profit from doubt. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore why disinformation is accelerating just as the climate stakes are rising, how it feeds on human psychology, and why the erosion of shared facts may be one of the greatest barriers to collective climate action. Paul brings us a conversation from COP30 with Jake Dubbins, a leading voice at the intersection of advertising, climate and human rights. Together they unpack how fossil fuel advertising, opaque algorithms and the attention economy are shaping what we see, what spreads, and what stalls climate action. And they examine the newly launched Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change, a first-of-its-kind effort at the international level. But can governments, platforms and advertisers clean up a poisoned information space without sliding into censorship? And where should the line really be drawn between free expression and preventing harm? Learn more: 🛡️ Read the Declaration on Information Integrity on Climate Change 📊 Explore the OECD report on disinformation and misinformation 🔍 Find out about the Conscious Advertising Network and Climate Action Against Disinformation 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ten years ago, a gavel dropped in a conference hall north of Paris. It was the moment the world agreed on a strategic plan for one of the most consequential transformations in human history. But, a decade later, what has the Paris Agreement truly delivered? Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson pull back the curtain on the moment that changed global climate politics. The emotional reality of that night, the fragile trust built after the failure of Copenhagen, and the architecture of cooperation that still shapes the world today. Looking back, they ask: was it diplomacy’s greatest breakthrough, or the beginning of a myth we still rely on? Can an agreement built on voluntary commitments survive as the world becomes increasingly fragmented? Is the Paris Agreement still our best chance at limiting the impacts of climate change - or simply the only chance we have? Learn more: ▶️ Watch Christiana’s Ted Talk 💌 Read Christiana’s Open Letter of Gratitude 🌱 Read The Future We Choose, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac 🌍 Dive into the Profiles of Paris - including contributions from Tom, Paul, and many former guests of the podcast 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Join the conversation: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, hosts Tom Rivett Carnac and Paul Dickinson delve into the rapidly emerging - and faintly surreal - world of solar geoengineering. Politico journalist Karl Mathiesen joins us to unpack his investigation into Stardust, a VC-backed startup claiming it’s ready to spray particles into the stratosphere. Karl explains why this technology is suddenly attracting serious money, why scientists still have major questions about safety and side effects, and how in some places, the global regulatory landscape is almost nonexistent. And from technological disruption to political stability, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, reflects on the leadership we need. She’s unflinchingly honest about why so many politicians still choose “fear and blame” over long-term action, and why climate remains New Zealand’s “nuclear-free moment.” A test of political character as much as policy. Her argument is hopeful: people, she insists, are ahead of their politics. As we march towards the end of 2025, these conversations map the terrain of 2026: technologies racing ahead, governance lagging behind, and a public increasingly hungry for leaders willing to act with integrity. If you want to understand where the climate fight is really heading this episode is essential. Learn more: 📚Read The Strange and Totally Real Plan to Blot Out the Sun and Reverse Global Warming 👂Listen to our episode with Ricken Patel 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Outrage + Optimism, we’re taking a breath. After two intense weeks of daily updates from COP30 in Belém, we’re returning to weekly programming with something different - a slower, deeper, more reflective conversation that felt too valuable to cut. While in the Blue Zone, we sat down with Kim Stanley Robinson, the acclaimed author of The Ministry for the Future, 2312, The Mars trilogy, and the Science in the Capital series. His writing has been read by negotiators, ministers, campaigners, and many of you. In our conversation, Kim Stanley Robinson reflects on why The Ministry for the Future begins with such a devastating opening chapter, a “punch in the gut” designed to reveal the human limits of adaptation. He introduces the idea of “pre-traumatic syndrome,” the unsettling clarity that comes from imagining a catastrophe before it happens, and how this can motivate us rather than paralyse us. We explore storytelling as a cultural tool for moving from despair to determination, and why each of us needs a a unifying purpose that gives shape to our actions in a chaotic world. At a COP defined by urgency, exhaustion, and flashes of courage, this wide-ranging conversation with Kim Stanley Robinson felt like a necessary exhale, a moment to step back and reflect on why we do this work, and what kind of future we’re choosing to build. We’re airing the conversation almost exactly as it happened. 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Series Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This is our final episode of Inside COP. For two weeks we’ve tried to bring you as close as possible to the heart of COP30 - the pace, the pressure, the progress, and the perspectives of those working inside and around the process. The closing plenary on Saturday began amid unexpected tension. Already running a day behind schedule, the Presidency moved to adopt the final text, but proceedings were paused following questions over whether all interventions had been properly registered. What followed were hours of clarification, consultation and procedural back-and-forth, underscoring concerns among many developing countries who had negotiated through the night to secure their priorities. In this episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson examine how the final day unfolded, what was agreed, and what it might mean. But this COP was never just about negotiation. Beyond the formal process, we explore what COP30 revealed about wider trends: shifting clean-energy economics, accelerating deployment across regions, and emerging signs of how the decline of fossil fuels is beginning to influence global decision-making. 🎤 What do you want to hear on Outrage + Optimism? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We recorded this episode across Friday afternoon and deep into the evening inside the Blue Zone at COP30. At the time of publishing, there is still no final deal. The negotiations are ongoing, positions are shifting, and the outcome remains uncertain. We know that by the time you listen, some of what we heard today may already have changed, but we decided there was value in sharing the day with you. This episode is meant as a time capsule. We wanted to bring you inside the atmosphere of a COP Friday: the outrage, the optimism, the urgency, and the sheer human effort that goes into trying to land a deal. Rather than wait for the dust to settle, we spoke to the people living this moment. City leaders. Climate diplomats. Ministers from the front lines. Seasoned negotiators who’ve been in this process for decades. Activists still fighting for the best possible outcome for the planet. Their perspectives were captured as they were living this day, not in hindsight. This episode captures the feeling of a COP Friday: the confusion, the determination, the fear of losing ambition, and the belief, still alive in many corners, that progress is possible if countries choose it. With thanks to those who spoke with us: Eric Garcetti, former US Ambassador to India and former mayor of LA Mark Watts, CEO of C40 Matt Webb, Associate Director for Global Clean Power Diplomacy, E3G Gustavo Pinheiro, Senior Associate, E3G Irene Velez Torres, Colombian Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development and head of the Colombian delegation Dr. Antwi-Boasiako Amoah, Ghanian Negotiator and incoming head of Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN) Giovanni Maurice Pradipta, Foundation for Sustainability 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Produced and edited by: Caitlin Hanrahan and Ben Weaver-Hincks Additional editing by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s Friday morning in Belém and COP30 is moving fast. After yesterday’s fire and the overnight closure of the venue, the Brazilian Presidency worked through the night and released a new draft text early this morning. It has immediately triggered significant pushback. In this emergency episode the team talks through what changed overnight, and why so many countries are unhappy. Christiana Figueres highlights how the new text removes the roadmaps for transitioning away from fossil fuels and for halting deforestation, and why that has triggered such a strong response. The mood on the ground has shifted. Delegates are back after the disruption yesterday, rested just enough to be energised, and preparing to make their views known in plenary. The Presidency now has to listen, absorb, and decide how far it can move. This is our Friday morning take on a rapidly changing situation, the snapshot before whatever comes next. Follow us on social media across the day for real time updates from Belém. Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Learn more: 📣 Read the latest draft of the Political Package 🧩 Use this helpful cheatsheet on how to read a COP text 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today was not meant to be this episode. At around 2pm local time, a fire broke out near the country pavilions, triggering the full evacuation of the Blue Zone. As COP30 entered its final stretch, we’d planned to bring you an update on the negotiations, and to share some of the many extraordinary stories of progress and perseverance that surface here every single day. As of Thursday evening, the fire has been contained, and we understand there were no serious injuries. But there is shock, and there will be aftershocks, for those who were inside the venue. And there is now a heavy burden on the Presidency and the teams working behind the scenes to stabilise and steer the summit through the hours ahead. For many, today has been a humbling reminder of how quickly the unexpected can unfold. But despite a difficult day, negotiations continue. And yet, despite an already difficult day, and despite the exhaustion of negotiators who have now been here for weeks, the work continues. In this episode, we reflect on what unfolded inside the venue. But we also look beyond it to the incredibly important work that still must be done at COP30, and to what we are collectively called upon to deliver. This episode includes eyewitness testimonies from Beatriz Beccari Barreto (CDR30 Pavilion), and members of our team Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We’re approaching crunch time in Belém, and a long-running COP30 saga may finally have found its landing spot. After days of rumour, diplomacy and thunderous rainforest downpours, the question of who will host COP31 looks close to being resolved - and it all plays out over the course of our day’s recording. Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith trace the twists of the Australia-Turkey negotiations in real time, with insight from former UN diplomat Dean Bialek. Plus, we hear from political journalist Thais Bilenky on the domestic pressures shaping Lula’s approach, as the Brazilian president personally steps in to break the deadlock. Across the day, the team also dives into one of the summit’s biggest sticking points: CBAM, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. In a wide-ranging conversation, the EU’s Teresa Ribera lays out why Brussels sees CBAM as essential for true decarbonisation - but why it’s sparking concern among countries who fear they’ll be penalised while still industrialising. Then it’s over to the Action Agenda, with Dan Ioschpe and Jennie Dodson giving a ground-level view of how coalitions, companies and cities are reshaping the COP’s centre of gravity - from regenerative landscapes in Brazil to global momentum across grids, food systems and industry. Finally, as we’re packing up the mics, news of COP31 appears to land. What does this unusual arrangement mean? What happens to the long-promised Pacific Island leadership? And what will it take for next year’s COP to deliver on the ambition so many hoped this decision would unlock? Learn more: 📣 Read the latest reports about the COP31 host and Presidency ⚙️ Dive into the nuts and bolts of the EU’s CBAM 🧩 Explore the 6 pillars and 30 objectives of the COP30 Action Agenda 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s the middle of week two at COP30, and the negotiations are entering their crunch phase. A draft cover text has finally landed, ministers are on the ground, and the presidency is pushing hard to close before Lula heads to the G20 in Johannesburg. Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith look at the issues still holding up progress - from finance and adaptation to trade, the global stocktake, and the long-running debate over fossil fuel language. Plus, Germany’s former climate envoy Jennifer Morgan joins the show with a clear-eyed read of where things stand, what’s moving, what isn’t, and how the presidency is trying to break the deadlock. But beyond the blue zone drama, real shifts are already reshaping the global transition. And nowhere is this more obvious (and more significant) than in the world’s two most populous countries: On China, Professor Wang Yi , senior adviser to the Chinese government on climate change, outlines how rising energy demand is increasingly being met by renewables and new energy sources, why emissions may already have plateaued, and how the world’s largest solar exporter thinks about “steering” the clean economy without dramatic rhetoric. And on India, Dr Arunabha Ghosh describes a “pentathlon” transition, sets out India’s avoided coal build-out, and explains why diversified supply chains will determine whether global deployment accelerates or stalls. Whatever happens in Belém this week, the direction of travel from China, India and other rising economies will be impossible to ignore. But can the text on the page match the momentum gathering pace in the real world? Learn more: 🔍 Read the COP30 Draft Cover Text 📖 Learn more about India's Local Grids to Global Power report, announced by Dr Arunabha Ghosh 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s getting hot in the COP. Executive Secretary Simon Stiell turned up the pressure in Belém on Monday, sharpening his message as ministers arrived for what is often the most charged phase of the summit. He called for no more tactical delays, and no more dancing around the hardest issues. And Pope Leo XIV weighed in with an appeal to moral responsibility and global solidarity. Fiona McRaith and Paul Dickenson break down what these dual interventions signal for the state of play at COP30, as key sticking points emerge for negotiators. And: a major milestone in the global energy transition. South Korea has joined the Powering Past Coal Alliance and committed to phasing out coal by 2040. Paul speaks with Joojin Kim of Solutions for Our Climate to unpack what pushed a G20 economy to move and why Korean industry now sees clean power as its competitive future. Finally, Christiana sits down with Minister Sonia Guajajara, Brazil’s Minister for Indigenous Peoples, for a powerful conversation about Indigenous diplomacy, forest protection, and why this COP marks a historic shift in global recognition of Indigenous leadership. Learn more: ⛏ Mine more information about the Powering Past Coal Alliance 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As ministers arrive in Belém for the crucial second week of COP30, forests move from the backdrop of the summit to the main stage. Protests began at dawn on Friday and have continued through the weekend - among them, several activists carried a giant Brazilian flag, emblazoned with the words “Amazȏnia Protegida” (“Protected Amazon”). From the streets outside to the plenary halls in the Blue Zone, trees, land and Indigenous stewardship are shaping this summit’s conversation. In this episode, Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith dig into this moment of forest urgency and turn their attention to one of the biggest themes of the COP30 Action Agenda: protecting these crucial ecosystems, carbon sinks and centres of cultural and biodiversity. Paul speaks with some of those behind the Race to Belém initiative - a real-world case study in how one Brazilian state, Tocantins, is rewriting the rules of forest protection. We hear Christiana Figueres speak to Mindahi Bastida about what genuine stewardship means and why so many Indigenous communities are the best equipped to care for their native lands. And Fiona reports to us from a project in the Amazon rainforest itself, where she met local producers building a sustainable bio-economy from the forest’s living wealth. The Brazilians have brought the world to the Amazon and put forests at the heart of this COP. What will be the legacy of COP30 for the forests of Brazil and beyond, that so desperately need protecting? Learn more: 🌴 Read about the Tropical Forests Forever Facility 📊 Explore the Forest Declaration Assessment and its 2025 report 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s the mid-point of COP30 and all four of our hosts have gathered in Belém to take stock. In the Blue Zone, the mood is its usual blend of high-stakes and surreal. The Presidency is calling its consultations a “collective therapy session,” China would prefer “massage and yoga,” and delegates are deep in the weeds of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. To sift the signal from the noise, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith take on the questions listeners keep asking. Why are there so many fossil fuel lobbyists here? Do recent host country venue choices undermine the process? And does the Amazon road story point to a deeper hypocrisy? The team dig into the numbers, assumptions and stories shaping public distrust and legitimate concern. Then: what connects the Protestant Reformation, Agora of Athens and the No Kings Movement? Yes, it’s Vice President Al Gore. In an expansive discussion that charts where we are now and how we got here, the former VP offers a wide angle diagnosis of the forces that have polarised climate politics in his own country - from decades of fossil-fuel-funded disinformation to the shockwave of Citizens United - and explains why linking climate to public health, backed by real-time emissions data, could transform global accountability. Learn more: 🛰️ Explore the Climate TRACE tool, and track emissions worldwide 📰 Read reports mentioned in this episode about the presence of fossil fuel lobbyists at COP30 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christiana Figueres takes us behind the scenes at the UNFCCC offices to speak to the man who now holds her old job as Executive Secretary. As week one of the negotiations nears its end, Simon Stiell explains the quiet but crucial difference between the COP Presidency, which sets the political direction, and the Secretariat, which guards the Paris process and connects it to the real economy. He also speaks candidly about Hurricane Beryl’s destruction in Carriacou, and how that experience turns what can look like abstract words and commas in negotiation texts into a daily, personal drive for urgency. Inside the media centre in Belém, the story of COP30 is being shaped in real time. Tom stumbles on Ed King, author of the Climate Diplomacy Brief, to talk protests, leaky ceilings, fire ants - and who is sidling up to whom in the negotiation chamber. At the core of the talks, three fault lines keep coming up: finance, fossil fuels and forests. Countries are edging towards stronger language on fossil fuels and implementation, but current national plans still only point to a 12 percent emissions cut by 2035, when science demands more than 50 percent. That gap is especially sharp for vulnerable countries already in heavy debt and struggling to even get full teams to Belém, fuelling talk of “roadmaps” to connect today’s constrained politics with tomorrow’s science-based destination and send credible signals that the transition is still on. Alongside the negotiations, the action agenda continues at pace. As Christiana tracks down Alan Dangour from the Wellcome Trust, who shares news of a new coalition of 35 philanthropic funders and a $300 million commitment at the intersection of climate and health. Learn more: 📖 Read the Climate Diplomacy Brief 📚 Learn more about Climate Adaptation Plan for Health 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Guest Producer: Juanita Silva Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
At a COP meant to centre the Amazon, some Indigenous voices have found themselves on the outside. On Tuesday night, what began as a vibrant street march ended in a dramatic breach of the Blue Zone, as Indigenous protesters passed through the barriers of the official venue. What does this moment tell us about who gets to shape the ‘Amazon COP’? From finance to flotillas, and from protest to participation, this episode traces how Indigenous leadership is being expressed - and tested - in Belém. Manuella Cantalice, Focal Point for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities at the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), shares how Indigenous and local communities are co-designing a global financial mechanism - reflecting the novel ways in which Indigenous leadership is being built into the architecture of climate finance at COP30. Indigenous communicator Levi Tapuia, who arrived in at the COP after a 31-day flotilla, describes a voyage retracing the routes of colonisation - and contrasts the sense of unity on the river with the divisions he’s witnessed on the ground in Belém. And Helena Gualinga, Indigenous and climate advocate, reflects on the frustration felt by many participants at COP30, and on the ongoing challenge of turning symbolic inclusion into meaningful influence. Where are the tensions between visibility and voice, inclusion and influence - and what it will take for Indigenous leadership to shape not just the storytelling of COP30, but its outcomes? Learn more: 📣 Find out more about the protests at the COP30 venue 🌳 Read all about the Tropical Forest Forever Facility 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Planning Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Guest Producer: Juanita Silva Translations by: Camilo Ramos Edited by: Miles Martignoni Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Day three of COP30, and there’s one elephant not in the room. While there are plenty of United States citizens at this COP, for the first time, there are no US delegates. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Fiona McRaith consider this notable absence, and ask: can a country that keeps flipping between progress and denial still claim climate leadership? In a conversation recorded live in the Blue Zone for America Is All In, Christiana sits down with California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, who delivers a fiery defence of his state’s climate leadership and a warning about what’s at stake for democracy itself. But with reports swirling that Donald Trump may soon greenlight new drilling off California’s coast, how does he respond? Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the team untangles the latest intrigue over who will host COP31 - with Australia, Turkey and even Germany now in the mix - and a rather surreal rumour involving Turkey’s First Lady. And just after the mics were packed away, protests erupted outside and inside the COP30 venue. Christiana shares her reflections on what this moment means for the summit. Learn more: 📰 Read the latest reports that Trump is planning to allow oil and gas drilling off the California coast 📣 Find out more about the protests at the COP30 venue 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What is Brazil trying to achieve with COP30? It's Day Two in Belém and all eyes are on the host nation. Join Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac as they unpack how the country is shaping the first days of COP30 - and the quiet strategy behind Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago’s leadership. With the release of the Call of Belém for the Climate, they explore what may be a masterstroke of multilateral diplomacy. And friend of the show Thais Bilenky joins us to break down how the early days of the summit are playing out in Brazilian media and on the streets of Belém. With the support of the Arapyaú Institute, this episode also turns the spotlight on Brazil’s own climate progress. How is a nation, standing at the bridge between the Global North and the emerging Global Majority, using this moment of global attention to tell a new story: one defined by solutions, not sacrifice? We hear from Renata Piazzon, Director General of Arapyaú, whose mission is to reframe Brazil’s climate story - showing the opportunity that lies in regeneration, restoration, and a thriving social bioeconomy. And Marina Silva, Brazil’s Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, joins Christiana to share her call for an Ethical Global Stocktake - a reminder that sustainability is not only a way of doing, but a way of being. Learn more: 🌴 Explore the work of the Arapyaú Institute ⚖️ Read about the Global Ethical Stocktake 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
COP30 is here! Day one dawns in the Amazon, and all eyes are on the host nation - and on the man tasked with steering the talks. On the eve of what could be the most consequential COP since Paris, Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac sat down with Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, Brazil’s COP30 President, for an inside look at his priorities: the tone he hopes to set and the outcomes he hopes to see for this pivotal summit. How does he view the difference between negotiation and implementation? How can leaders sustain confidence in progress when some countries aren’t even in the room? And what will it take to restore faith that this process can still deliver? The science is unsparing: the 1.5°C limit is no longer a distant prospect but a fast-approaching threshold. Meanwhile, the geopolitical framework on which multilateral cooperation depends is under strain. Against this backdrop, Ambassador Corrêa do Lago faces an unenviable task: to steer a divided world toward unity, and to turn ambition into action on the banks of the Amazon. Can he do it? Learn more: Listen to our episode, Inside COP: How to Build a COP 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe or on our socials where you can also see more behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Why hasn’t the UK contributed to Brazil's flagship Tropical Forests Forever Facility it helped design? With COP30 about to open in Belém, the UK’s absence from this major forest finance deal is raising eyebrows. Meanwhile, Prince William, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Energy and Climate Change Minister Ed Miliband have been in Brazil this week, demonstrating the country’s continued commitment to the COP process. Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac sit down with Ed Miliband for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about credible climate leadership, the defence of multilateralism, and why the right is wrong to claim voters don’t care about the climate. Recorded just after the Leaders’ Summit, 36 hours before COP30 begins, this episode dives into the apparent contradictions in the UK’s actions this week, and asks: how can climate ambition survive amidst political polarisation and harsh economic realities? Learn more: 💡 Read about the Tropical Forests Forever Facility ⚡See the latest from the UK’s Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us. Get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As COP30 opens in Belém, world leaders have gathered for the first major moment of this Amazon-based summit in the shadow of growing doubts about global cooperation. With some major countries absent and others already signalling caution, the urgency of credible action is louder than ever. Brazil has launched it’s flagship Tropical Forests Forever Facility to fund the protection of the world’s tropical forests. But with some major donors holding back, including the UK, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Fiona McRaith discuss who’s really stepping up to deliver - and who isn't. Jacinda Ardern, former New Zealand Prime Minister, joins Christiana and Tom to share what it’s like to be on the inside of a leaders’ summit and asks: if this is to be an implementation COP, the question needs to be, “of what?” And we are also joined by Selwin Hart, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advisor on Climate, for a wide-ranging conversation on shifting geopolitics and diplomatic tactics, and how the ‘The siloed Ministry of Environment’ is a thing of the past. As we move toward the start of the crucial COP30 talks, this episode brings you into the room where debates are shaped, questions are asked, and agreements are negotiated. Learn more: 📖 Read more about the Belem Leaders Summit 💡 Learn about the Tropical Forests Forever Facility 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us. Get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Behind the national plans and global headlines, a quieter revolution is already underway. Almost 100 major cities - representing 23% of the world’s economy - are proving what local leadership can do. From clean-air targets and green-job creation to citizen-led adaptation, these C40 cities are already showing that climate action works for the planet and for their people. In this episode, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Fiona McRaith take us inside the COP30 Local Leaders Forum in Rio de Janeiro - where mayors, governors, and regional leaders are driving climate progress from the ground up. As part of this, they spend time at the C40 World Mayors Summit, where Tom speaks with Mark Watts, C40 Cities Executive Director C40 Cities, about how mayors are turning ambition into action. And in a timely conversation, Mayor Keith Wilson of Portland shares how his city is cutting emissions and investing in resilience as federal support stalls. Finally, we hear from a panel hosted by Christiana Figueres with Mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, youth climate advocate Juliette Oluoch and COP30 Special Envoy for Bioeconomy Marcelo Behar. As the world prepares to meet in Belém, these cities, citizens, and local leaders are demonstrating that climate action doesn’t wait for permission - it starts where people live. Learn more: 📰 Read what was on the agenda and what happened at the COP30 Local Leaders Forum 🌆 Explore the people and places behind C40 Cities 🤝 Find out more about the CHAMP initiative (the Coalition for High Ambition Multi-Level Partnerships) 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us. Get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a year when climate news can feel relentlessly bleak, the Earthshot Prize offers something vital - proof of progress. And in this year’s fifteen finalists, that proof is taking many forms, across many corners of the globe. This week, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Fiona McRaith bring us behind the scenes of the Earthshot Prize. Recorded in Rio de Janeiro as the world’s attention turned to the 2025 ceremony. As Chair of the Earthshot Prize, Christiana reflects on Prince William’s vision to turn his platform into a catalyst for global good, and how the Prize has evolved into one of the most visible platforms for environmental innovation. Tom and Christiana sit down with Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, who shares how the idea first took shape during a trip to Africa and what it means to inject “a big dent of optimism” into the climate story. Christiana also speaks with Nonette Royo of the Tenure Facility - one of this year’s finalists - about empowering Indigenous communities to protect forests and secure land rights. Later, Fiona takes us inside the Earthshot hub in Rio to speak with more of this year’s finalists. Omoyemi Akerele of Lagos Fashion Week, Runa Khan of Friendship in Bangladesh, and Fred Holt of Key Quarter Tower in Sydney share what this recognition means for their work and the change they hope to spark in their fields. From floating hospitals to circular fashion, from forest protection to upcycled skyscrapers, hear the extraordinary creativity driving climate action around the world - and the energy building as the Earthshot movement looks toward its next chapter. Learn more: ⚡Explore all this year’s Earthshot Prize finalists and winners 📜 Read Christiana in the Economist on the innovation driving climate action 🌍Join the global citizens demanding faster action on climate change 🌊 Listen to our episode Hope for the High Seas on the "blue marble"! 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Edited by: Miles Martignoni Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It’s the trillion-dollar problem: funds are on the table - but the money isn’t always flowing to where it’s needed most. As Hurricane Melissa batters the Caribbean, it leaves behind a stark reminder of what’s at stake when finance fails to reach the most climate-vulnerable places. This week on Inside COP, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith unpack what it will take to fix the world’s climate finance system, and make COP30 a turning point from pledges to real investment. The team are joined by guest host Sue Reid, Climate Finance Advisor at Global Optimism, to demystify the landscape of public and private finance and explain how smarter systems - not just bigger sums - can unlock climate action at scale. And Avinash Persaud of the Inter-American Development Bank, outlines the major finance innovations to watch in Belém, from debt-swap facilities to the ReInvest+ initiative. Plus, the team considers the latest NDC synthesis report, which highlights the gap between where we are and where we need to be. But do these nationally determined contributions reflect the real-world momentum already underway - or just mirror the politics of the moment? Learn more: 🌎 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 💰 Read about the Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to $1.3 Trillion 🌳 Discover the Tropical Forests Forever Facility 📈 Explore the latest NDC Synthesis Report 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us. Get in touch with us via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Audio Editor: Ned Carter Miles Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nearly 9 out of 10 people worldwide want their governments to do more on climate. So why does it feel like progress is so slow? And what happens when countries start bending the rules? This week on Inside COP, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres, Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith react to the shock postponement of the IMO’s net-zero shipping deal, derailed by US pressure. What does this setback reveal about power, diplomacy, and the fragile state of cooperation. Meanwhile, the COP Presidency is turning a national idea into a global invitation: the Mutirão - a uniquely Brazilian, Indigenous-rooted concept of coming together to get things done for the common good. Christiana and Paul speak with André Guimarães, the COP Special Envoy for Civil Society, who unpacks the deeper meaning of the Global Mutirão and how it could unite citizens, communities and governments behind climate action that feels both personal and collective. And to bring that spirit alive, Laura Moraes of Earth FC joins to share how the world’s most-loved sport is joining Team Earth - using football’s passion and global reach to rally millions around climate action. From grief to agency, from stadiums to summits, from Outrage to Optimism, this episode asks: what does it take to feel part of something bigger? And how can each of us play our part in the world’s greatest team effort yet? Learn more: 🌎 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 🤝 Learn how COP30 is defining “Global Mutirão” ⚽ Get onside and learn more about Earth FC 🚢 Find out how the US torpedoed the IMO’s shipping emissions levy 📋 Read about the Global Goal on Adaptation on the UN Climate Change site 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us. Get in touch with us via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Audio Editor: Ned Carter Miles Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The global balance of power is shifting. Can climate diplomacy keep up? As China rises, the BRICS expand and the United States retreats, new power blocks formed by competition and conflict will take centre stage in the negotiations in Belem. In this week’s Inside COP, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres, Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith ask: what will it take for COP30 to foster genuine cooperation in a changing world? And who will get a slice of the new green economy? They are joined by Bernice Lee of Chatham House, who explores how multipolar geopolitics, resource security, and the race to ‘share the green pie’ are transforming climate diplomacy. And Joanna MacGregor, Senior Adviser to the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, sets out why progress is still being made despite global headwinds - and what implementation success could look like in Belém. From populism to geopolitics, the team asks: can climate ambition survive an age of competition? And what lessons from past COPs might help Brazil carve out space for collaboration in a fractured world? Learn more: 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements 💡 Dive into Chatham House’s work on subjects including climate policy, energy transitions, and natural resources 🤝 Read ‘Will China and the BRICS fill the ‘leadership gap’ on climate change?’ from Carbon Brief 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us. Get in touch with us via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Audio Editor: Ned Carter Miles Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Will COP30 be the COP of ‘implementation’? And what would that actually mean? Beyond the famous negotiating halls, climate action is already happening. Businesses, investors and cities are driving real change, and the new green economy is rising in tandem with diplomacy. So can Belém mark the moment when implementation promises turn into reality? This week, Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith explore the COP ‘Action Agenda’ - the broad range of voluntary climate action that mobilises the private sector, regional governments and civil society. Plus, they consider the extraordinary transformation already reshaping global energy systems and the flow of capital worldwide. Paul and Fiona hear from leading voices who explore how the real economy is accelerating climate action - from boardrooms and bond markets to start-ups across Latin America. Contributing are Marina Grossi, COP30 Special Envoy for the Private Sector; Aniket Shah, Global Head of ESG and Sustainable Finance at Jefferies; Sue Reid, Senior Advisor at Global Optimism; and Daniel Gajardo, Chilean entrepreneur and co-founder of Reciprocal. Together, they outline what to look for this November in Brazil, and ask how we can tell when implementation is truly happening - not just promised. Learn more: 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website for background and announcements ⚡ Dive into the details of Ember’s Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2025, highlighting the scale of the energy transition 🌳 Discover more about the proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility 📋 Read about the themes and key objectives of the COP30 Action Agenda 🎤 What do you want to hear on Inside COP? Ask us on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us. Get in touch with us via this form. Lead Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Audio Editor: Ned Carter Miles Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Following the sad news this week of Jane Goodall’s passing, Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac remember her extraordinary work, personality and humility. They are joined by Mary Lewis, Vice President of the Jane Goodall Institute and Jane’s long-time friend, who shares her memories of her remarkable colleague and her reflections on the incredible legacy she leaves behind. Plus, we share an interview from one of our very earliest episodes with Jane herself, originally released in May 2019. Learn more 🌳 Discover more about the work of the Jane Goodall Institute, and its impact across the world 🐝 Read the original 2019 report on nature and biodiversity loss from the UN's Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) referenced in the re-released episode with Jane Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How do you build a COP? With just a few weeks to go until COP30 in Belém, we take listeners inside the high stakes and the complex mechanics of a climate summit: how they’re structured, who’s running the show, and what makes this one different. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Paul Dickinson and Fiona McRaith unpack how high-level climate conferences actually work, and explore the people and processes shaping this first Amazonian COP. And, with multilateralism under pressure, they ask what we should be looking out for in November, and what success in Belém might look like. Joining the hosts is Thais Bilenky, Brazilian political journalist and new friend of the show, to give us the view from inside Brazil: Lula’s positioning on the global stage, domestic tensions between national and regional politics, the tricky symbolism of COP in the state of Pará, and what all this means for international climate negotiations. Learn more: 🌍 Check out the official COP30 website 📊 Find out more about the NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) and see what countries have submitted this year, or dive into this NDC tracker from Climate Watch for some digestible analysis of where they leave us 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How does COP deliver a pathway to dealing with the worsening climate crisis? That’s the big question as attention across the world turns to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, later this year. Inside COP is your complete guide, unpacking the challenges, conversations and actions shaping the global response to climate change in 2025. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Paul Dickinson and new co-host Fiona McRaith take you on the road to Belém, starting on the ground at New York Climate Week where we hear from Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon. What needs to happen from here in this new era of climate action? We speak to Ana Toni from the COP Presidency about expectations for the Nationally Determined Contributions (the climate action plans countries submit under the Paris Agreement) as well as what COP hopes to achieve, including their hopes for collaborative initiatives like the Mutirão. Plus, our hosts address President Trump’s shocking comments on climate. Is this a major concern or is the climate community already moving forward regardless? Learn more 🎬 Re-watch the live event at CWNYC 🌿 Follow the official COP30 website 🌅 Understand how COP30 can give rise to this new international era Make sure you don’t miss any of our behind the scenes content. Follow us on socials: LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Instagram @outrageoptimism And we want to hear from you! What do you want to hear more of in Inside COP? Get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas With thanks to Groundswell and Global Optimism. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Outrage + Optimism, we join the Be Hope global podcast takeover - a collaboration of shows amplifying courage and possibility in facing the greatest challenges of our time. Alongside Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson, guest co-host Sophia Li helps us explore how states, cities, and communities in the US are holding the line on climate when federal leadership fails. What does it take to take Trump to court on clean energy? Attorney General Peter Neronha of Rhode Island tells us about his landmark lawsuit to restart the nearly completed Revolution Wind project. How can we bring more people with us on this transition? Musician and climate advocate Adam Met introduces his Neo-Industrial Revolution declaration, calling for a new language of climate that connects with jobs, prosperity and everyday lives. Plus, we hear from voices in politics and advocacy - from New York to Texas - about the efforts they have been making to create green jobs, support healthier communities, and fight misinformation, at a time when the national picture is far from easy. Learn more: ⚖️ Read more on Rhode Island and Connecticut lawsuit against Trump over wind farm halt ⚡ Find out about New York’s all-electric buildings act 🏫 Further information on ALIGN’s Green, Healthy Schools campaign 🌍 See more on 50 for 50 Earth on Corey’s Substack 📜 Read the Neo Industrial Revolution declaration on Planet Reimagined’s website 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From stalled UN plastics treaty talks, to the hottest summer on record across much of the northern hemisphere - it’s been a bleak few weeks for climate news. So this week, against a backdrop of worsening headlines, we ask: are there still reasons to be optimistic? And what will it take to turn urgency into real change? Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson are joined by Ani Dasgupta, President & CEO of the World Resources Institute. His new book, The New Global Possible: Rebuilding Optimism in the Age of Climate Crisis, argues that while we know what needs to be done, the real challenge lies in how to orchestrate transformation at scale. Ani shares stories of progress from cities, nations, and communities around the world, making the case that optimism isn’t about ignoring reality, but about mobilising the political, economic, and social will to act. But does a hopeful outlook risk minimising the seriousness of the crisis? And how can we close the gap between lofty pledges and meaningful action? Learn more: 📖 Check out Ani Dasgupta’s The New Global Possible - currently available internationally in ebook and in print editions from many retailers 🌍 Read about the background and latest developments on the UN Global Plastics Treaty 🌡️ Dive into this roundup of the record-breaking extreme weather that hit the northern hemisphere this summer 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it mean to live on the front lines of climate change - where rising seas, collapsing ecosystems and the legacies of colonialism collide? This week, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson are joined by guest host Andrew Higham (Founder of the Future of Climate Cooperation, and former UNFCCC Senior Advisor), to hear from three remarkable people from across the Solomon Islands, Alaska and Greenland. Their stories serve as a stark warning of the ways climate change is reshaping lives, identities and politics. How centuries-old knowledge offers resilience and guidance the world cannot afford to ignore. How do you build an island? Indigenous Knowledge Advocate Lysa Wini describes how her Solomon Islands ancestors literally created their islands from coral and rock. How are their successors responding, now that rising oceans threaten their homes? Wáahlaal Gidaag, Haida leader from Alaska and VP of Arctic Conservation at Ocean Conservancy, shares how her son’s questions are drawing her back to ancestral ways of seeing land and sea. And Parnuna Egede Dahl, Special Advisor with Oceans North Kalaallit Nunaat in Greenland, explains how self-rule intersects with ocean governance, and what Greenland’s decision to join the Paris Agreement means for the future. Their experiences challenge us to look beyond negotiations and policy texts, and ask: what can we learn from those who have always been on climate’s front lines? And how can we work together to protect the planet on which we all depend? 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if we could not only listen to the rest of nature, but actually understand it? From decoding whale songs to giving nature a legal voice, the possibilities are tantalising - and they may not be as far-fetched as they sound. That’s why the Earth Species Project (ESP) is racing to use artificial intelligence to translate the communication of other species before they fall silent. How can this cutting edge technology analyse data that would take human researchers a lifetime? And how might findings feed into emerging ideas about ecocentric governance and earth law? We hear from ESP’s Aza Raskin (Co-founder), Jane Lawton (Managing Director) and Olivier Pietquin (Chief Scientist) about this extraordinary mission, and the tools they’re using to achieve the previously unimaginable. Plus, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson explore the promises and pitfalls of AI: its energy demands, its unpredictable impacts on democracy and capitalism, and its potential to become a ‘Galileo moment’ in how humans relate to the living world. This episode features recordings of animal species - some of which were used in the training of ESP’s NatureLM-Audio model. Learn more 🔊 Discover more about ESP’s large audio model, NatureLM-Audio, and the technology driving their work 📖 Read Aldo Leopold’s A Sound County Almanac, including the essay Thinking Like a Mountain 🐋 Read about about the story of Tokitae the orca calf 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Live from Belém… it’s Outrage + Optimism! (Or it will be.) This year’s COP is one of the most significant in years, and we’ll be there with you every step of the way - charting the buildup, analysing events on the ground, and reflecting on the impacts that will be felt for decades to come. We’re delighted to announce that we are the official COP30 podcast, and there’s nobody better than Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson to tell you everything you need to know - alongside some very special guests. Inside COP will bring you the voices of negotiators, COP30 leaders and communities from Brazil and beyond. And as the climate story of the year unfolds, we’ll be asking the hard questions, and ensuring you get the inside scoop on what’s really going on. Episodes of Inside COP will be released in this feed - so if you’re not already, subscribe now and join us as we gear up for Belém. Plus, send us your questions, insights, hopes and concerns, so that you can help shape this vital conversation. 🎤 Leave us your COP-related voice notes and questions on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What’s really in the food on our plates? The journey to our supermarket shelves is one of broken economics, environmental destruction, and social injustice. But what if agriculture could look completely different? This week, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson travel to Umbria, Italy, to visit QuintoSapore, a farm founded by twin brothers Nicola and Alessandro. After leaving city careers, they set out to reinvent farming: growing food in a way that respects living things, restores soil, and values the people who work the land. Instead of short-term, precarious labour, they offer full-time contracts, living wages, and community. Instead of chemical fertilisers and pesticides, they look to biomimicry, biochar, and heirloom seeds - not discovering, but remembering the old ways and learning from nature. From a revelation in a drought-stricken woodland, to redefining what it means to “grow” rather than “produce” food, this episode is a reminder that the path to climate resilience runs straight through our fields. Learn more 🌱 Explore QuintoSapore’s story 🍅 Watch our video clips from the farm visit on Instagram and LinkedIn 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As global temperatures continue to skyrocket, the once unthinkable is now within view: overshooting 1.5°C of warming. This limit, set out in the Paris Agreement, has defined a decade of climate action, but is fast approaching. So what happens next? This week, Tom, Christiana and Paul grapple with the latest science, the looming risks of climate tipping points, and the urgent need to prepare for the worst - even while hoping and working for the best. They’re joined by Ricken Patel, former Founding CEO of global activism nonprofit Avaaz, who is now calling us to take the possibility of overshoot seriously, and to build the political, technological and social capacity to bring temperatures back down. From nature-based solutions to novel carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation management, this episode considers the broad spectrum of options on the table, and the challenges they present. Why has climate contingency planning been missing from the political debate? And does simply talking about it risk slowing climate action? These aren’t just questions of what we might do in the future - but of what we’re prepared to act on now. Learn more 🌡️ Explore the IPCC’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C - outlining some of the projected impacts and available pathways 🌱 Interested in nature-based solutions? Check out this explainer from the UN Environment Programme 🌬️ Interested in carbon dioxide removal? Browse through the CDR Primer ☀️ Interested in solar radiation management? Read this NOAA factsheet 🎧 Listen to two of producer Ben’s other podcasts about carbon dioxide removal, The Carbon Removal Show and Grounded: A Climate Startup Journey 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Isn’t climate change just part of a natural cycle? Weren’t CO2 levels much higher in the past? And, even if we should be worried, can one person really make a difference? Lies travel faster than facts. We’ve all been confronted by someone who doesn’t ‘believe the science’ and asks questions like these - but how do we change their minds? A powerful report from the International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) warns how coordinated misinformation campaigns are eroding public understanding and slowing climate progress around the world. And as anyone working in or advocating for climate action knows, persistent myths and misunderstandings continue to thrive - even as the science gets clearer, the stakes get higher, and the crisis becomes more urgent. What’s clear is that disinformation is a weapon, and it’s being targeted at climate action. So this week, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson tackle some of the most common (and frustrating) climate myths - where do they come from, why are they misleading, and how can we win the battle against them? Learn more ⏳ Listen back to our episodes Momentum vs Perfection, where we explore different theories of change within the climate movement and the tension between urgency, impact, and doing things the ‘right’ way. 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As record heat scorches the US, Trump’s government is making things dramatically worse. We break down the devastating implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the reversal of the Environmental Protection Agency’s endangerment finding, and a potential US withdrawal from all UN agencies. It’s a full-blown climate backslide with global consequences. Then, we bring you a conversation with the brilliant Maggie Baird - actor, producer, climate activist, and mother of Billie Eilish and Finneas. Maggie joins us backstage at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, where Billie’s shows are going plant-based, thanks to Maggie’s food justice initiative Support + Feed. We talk food, parenting, the power of culture to shift climate narratives, and how to stay hopeful - even when it feels like the world is falling apart. Learn more ⛽ ‘How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ positions US energy to be more costly for consumers and the climate’ in The Conversation 🎶 See Billie Eilish talk about cleaning up the music industry’s environmental practices, or watch the full documentary (for CNN subscribers) ⏳ Listen back to our episodes Momentum vs Perfection, where we explore different theories of change within the climate movement and the tension between urgency, impact, and doing things the ‘right’ way. 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Assistant Producer: Eve Jones Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“An Existential Problem of Planetary Proportions” International Court of Justice President Yuji Iwasawa just delivered a landmark advisory opinion on climate change and human rights - one that could transform global climate action and accountability. A dancing and crying Christiana Figueres is joined by Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson, to react in real-time, and speak with two of the lawyers who helped make it happen. Fresh from the courtroom, Julian Aguon, the indigenous human rights lawyer who represented Pacific nations, and Jennifer Robinson, barrister for Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands, bring their raw, unfiltered reactions to this history-making ruling (before heading off to celebrate). As governments, legal teams, and corporate leaders worldwide scramble to interpret its implications, we have everything you need to know about what just happened in The Hague. The ICJ’s unanimous opinion states: Climate action is now a legal duty: States are obligated under international law to prevent dangerous climate change.1.5°C has legal weight: States must pursue their “highest possible ambition” in their Nationally Determined Contributions and ensure collective measures can limit warming to 1.5°C.Failure to act is unlawful: Granting fossil fuel licenses, providing subsidies, or failing to regulate emissions may constitute an internationally wrongful act.Reparations are possible: Countries could be required to compensate or remedy the damage caused by their emissions - anywhere in the world. Could this be the legal tipping point that forces governments to act? Across capitals and boardrooms, the conversations have already started - and what happens next could reshape how nations and companies are held to account. Listen in and join us as this story unfolds. Learn more Listen back to our two previous episodes that explore the background to this case: 🌿 Sovereignty and Survival: A Spotlight on Vanuatu, where Christiana reports on Vanuatu’s long fight for climate justice. ✊🏽 The Climate Case of the Century, where Cynthia Houniuhi shares her story of how the landmark ICJ case came to be. 📖 Dive into the full advisory opinion from the ICJ. 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Can a pilot really be the change-maker who helps us to holiday nearer home? Why aren’t governments and institutions doing more to help climate activists? And can climate progress happen without sacrificing prosperity, especially in countries like Brazil? Christiana Figueres, Paul Dickinson and guest host Fiona McRaith (Director of The Climate Pledge at Global Optimism) are back with more of the knottiest and most urgent questions you’ve ever sent us. Plus: are the world’s biggest financial institutions abandoning climate action? Sue Reid (Climate Finance Advisor at Global Optimism) explains how banks and insurers are reacting to political pressure, why some net zero alliances appear to be fracturing, and why “green hushing” doesn’t mean giving up entirely. And: from climate visas to sponge cities, adaptation is finally rising on the global agenda - but is it fast or fair enough? Irene Suárez Pérez (Senior Advisor to Groundswell) walks us through some of the global hotspots of climate resilience, and why adaptation isn’t a consolation prize. Learn more Listen back to episodes referenced in this Q&A, including: ⏳ Momentum vs Perfection, where Fiona joins Tom to explore different theories of change within the climate movement. 💼 When Business is Political: Climate Commitments in an Age of Backlash, where Tom and Paul speak to Helen Clarkson about the moves of large companies in the context of rising anti-ESG forces. 💰 Learn more about greening pensions and investments: ShareAction, Third Act’s Banking on our Future and Make My Money Matter 🎤 Get your chance to be featured on the show! Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe And follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Additional production: Miriam Hall Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We’re handing the mic over to you on this week’s Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast. In this special Q&A episode, Christiana Figueres, Paul Dickinson and guest host Fiona McRaith (Director of The Climate Pledge at Global Optimism) respond to thought-provoking questions from listeners around the world. They consider the future of the COP model, whether the Pacific concept of vā may offer a better way to think about our local and global relationships, what a multipolar world might mean for climate diplomacy, and much more. Plus, friend of the show Nigel Topping (Founder of Ambition Loop) helps to explain why UK electricity prices are tied to gas - and how we can fix it. From the philosophical to the practical, this is a wide-ranging conversation about where climate progress is stalling, where it’s surging forward, and how global cooperation might evolve in the years ahead. Learn more Listen back to episodes referenced in this Q&A, including: ⏳ Momentum vs Perfection, where Fiona joins Tom to explore different theories of change within the climate movement. ✊🏽 The Climate Case of the Century, where Cynthia Houniuhi shares her story of how the landmark ICJ case came to be. 🌿 Sovereignty and Survival: A Spotlight on Vanuatu, where Christiana reports back on her time in the South Pacific. 🤝 COP30: Can Brazil deliver a global breakthrough?, where Tom brings back the latest from Belém ahead of this year's COP. 🌎 Other episodes exploring the shifting geopolitics of climate, including deep dives on China, Australia and Canada 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Additional production: Miriam Hall Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In a world-first, the International Court of Justice is preparing to deliver an advisory opinion on climate change and human rights - all thanks to a youth-led campaign that began thousands of miles from The Hague, in the Pacific Islands. This week, we look inside that extraordinary campaign, and hear the story of Cynthia Houniuhi, who - as a young law student from the Solomon Islands - helped launch the movement that would ultimately unite over 130 countries behind a single goal. Now, six years after this idea began in a law classroom, the world’s highest court is set to weigh in on the responsibility of states to protect current and future generations from climate harm. Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson reflect on the power of legal activism, the role of youth leadership, and what this landmark case could mean for the future of international climate law. Learn more ⚖️ Read more information about the ICJ climate case on the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change website 🛏️ We’ve been told that the platforms QuintoAndar and ZAP Imóveis may be useful for booking accommodation in Belém. Please note that we don’t have any direct experience of them, so we do not and cannot recommend them personally. We encourage you to take the usual precautions when making any arrangements. 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Last episode, we explored the urgent connection between climate and health, and brought you a powerful and timely conversation with Julia Gillard, former Australian Prime Minister and Chair of the Wellcome Trust. Today, we want to recommend a show that those who enjoyed that episode are likely to love. When Science Finds A Way is a brilliant podcast from the Wellcome Trust that highlights how science is changing lives around the world. In the short clip here, we hear how something as simple as a cool roof - a special reflective paint - is helping communities stay safe from extreme heat. 🎧 Listen to the full episode: Cool roofs: homes fit for a hotter world 🔗 Follow the podcast: on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your shows, and learn more about it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Scientists warn that the world could breach its 1.5°C emissions limit within just 2-3 years. It’s a scary thought, but across the globe, many are grappling with an even more immediate and visceral reality: the climate crisis is already a health crisis. From deadly heatwaves to worsening air pollution and climate-related trauma, the health impacts of climate change are escalating. In this episode, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson explore how growing awareness of these challenges is beginning to reframe the conversation, and ask whether this could be the narrative that finally drives faster, more inclusive climate action. Christiana is joined by former Australian Prime Minister and Chair of the Wellcome Trust, Julia Gillard, who makes the case for why health must become central to climate communication - and why we should be talking about “lives lost”, rather than simply degrees gained. Meanwhile, Tom Rivett-Carnac drops in from the launch of London Climate Action Week 2025, where health is rapidly emerging as a defining lens. Learn more 🌡️ See what the Wellcome Trust is doing at the intersection of climate and health 🩺 Read all about the speakers and events at the Conduit’s Climate and The Future of Health, supported by the Wellcome Trust and held on the first day of LCAW 📅 Browse the full London Climate Action Week events listings, featuring over 500 events across London and online 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Assistant Producer: Caillin McDaid Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
While climate diplomacy grapples with global uncertainty, there’s a quiet revolution happening that may be just as important - thousands of breakthrough technologies and creative applications that are emerging to tackle the climate crisis in new and unexpected ways. Around the world, figures from business, government and civil society come together at climate weeks to share ideas, showcase solutions, and accelerate action. Ahead of London Climate Action Week, where many of these innovations will be spotlighted, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson introduce just a few of the many founders and builders reimagining how we grow, produce, work, and live in a world under pressure. From bio-based foams to paper-based electronic sensors, and from temperature-sensitive food labels to AI water management devices, this episode dives into the materials, data, and design transforming the climate solutions landscape. While technology alone won’t solve the crisis, can it offer glimpses of what a livable, low-carbon future might look like? And how might it contribute to reshaping the infrastructure, industries, and incentives that underpin our daily lives? Learn more 🧶 The Future Fabrics Expo, where Evoco and other makers of sustainably and responsibly produced materials will be sharing their work ♻️ Reset Connect, where Watergate, Hurd, Giki and hundreds of other businesses and speakers will be featured 🧪 The Undaunted Innovation Hub, from the programme that has supported PulpaTronics, Mimica and Cyanoskin 📅 The full London Climate Action Week events listings, featuring over 500 events across London and online 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
World leaders, scientists and ocean advocates are gathering in Nice for the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) and hopes are high that progress can be made on some of the many pressing issues facing our seas - from acidification to pollution, and from biodiversity loss to deep sea mining. Reporting from the summit, Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac ask: can this moment become a true turning point for ocean governance? Central to the agenda is the High Seas Treaty: a long-awaited international agreement designed to protect marine life in the 64% of the ocean that lies beyond national borders. But with more ratifications needed to get it across the line, can its future be secured while the world’s eyes are on Nice? Later, Christiana is joined by legendary oceanographer and explorer Dr. Sylvia Earle. Drawing on a lifetime of experience beneath the waves, she shares stories, warnings, and a passionate case for protecting the blue lungs of the planet. This episode features underwater and ocean recordings taken by sound artist and documentarist Louise Romain. Learn more ⚓ Get the latest news on UNOC from the official website 🌊 Learn more about the High Seas Treaty and track its progress towards 60 ratifications 🐠 Discover Sylvia Earle’s ocean advocacy initiative Mission Blue 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This November, Brazil will host COP30 in Belém, on the edge of the Amazon rainforest, in what is bound to be a moment packed with symbolism, high expectations, and global significance. This week, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson explore what’s at stake, what Brazil wants to achieve, and whether the world is ready to move from ambition to implementation. Back from his recent trip to the country, Tom shares conversations with COP CEO Ana Toni and Gustavo Westmann from the office of the Brazilian Presidency, along with insights and impressions he picked up on the ground - from the growing political momentum to the logistical and diplomatic hurdles still to be overcome. Plus, he introduces the team to the concept of mutirão - this COP’s ambition that the path to climate action be built collectively, and through shared effort, cooperation, and solidarity. With Brazil readying itself to be the focus of the world’s media later this year, we ask: can COP30 be a breakthrough moment for fossil fuel phaseout, nature protection, and delivery on past promises? Or will it risk becoming another high-profile summit weighed down by old divisions and new distractions? Learn more 🗺️ Get the latest COP30 updates and insights from the official website 💡 Start exploring the Outrage + Optimism archive by listening to our Lifelines VS Deadlines miniseries, co-hosted by Global Optimism’s Fiona Macklin, whom you heard from at the end of this episode 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How far would you go to protect your home? In this week’s special episode, Christiana Figueres brings us a deeply personal and political dispatch from Vanuatu - a country on the frontlines of the climate crisis and at the heart of one of the most significant climate justice initiatives of our time. In conversations with voices from government (Minister Ralph Regenvanu), climate diplomacy (Christopher Bartlett), youth leadership and advocacy (Litiana Kalsrap), and the arts (Jean-Pascal Wahe), Christiana explores the legacy of colonisation, the meaning of land and sovereignty, and the moral power of a nation that is doing everything it can to protect its people and its planet. Alongside Paul Dickinson, she also considers Vanuatu’s history as a climate leader and the decades-long struggle for loss and damage. Plus, they begin to unpack the landmark ICJ case that Vanuatu has initiated, and which we will be exploring further in future episodes. How is this island nation persevering in the face of rising seas and extreme weather? And what does the world owe to those who have done the least to cause our current crisis? This episode features songs recorded by Christiana in the village of Imaki, on Tanna island, and additional wildlife recordings from Vanuatu by Dominik M. Ramík. Learn more 🍠 Jean-Pascal Wahe telling Christiana what it means to be ‘chief of the yam’ ⚖️ Information about the ICJ climate case on the Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change website 🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the US federal government drifts further into anti-climate rhetoric and abandons its national and international commitments, can non-state actors hold the line? With Christiana Figueres away in Vanuatu, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson take the reins to explore how climate progress is increasingly being driven by - or being left to - businesses and non-profits. They unpack the mounting challenges facing climate-aligned companies, the promise and complexity of existing voluntary initiatives, and the role that the private sector can play in driving innovation, accountability, and ambition in the absence of strong national leadership. Later, they speak with Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, about the shifting reality for businesses trying to lead on climate in the US and beyond. And they ask her to address some of the rumours surrounding Climate Week NYC: Is it happening? Will it definitely be held in New York? And how can it become a beacon of action in an age of political uncertainty? Plus: Tom and Paul consider the upcoming ruling in a ground-breaking climate liability case with potentially seismic impacts. Learn more ⚖️ Details and documents on the Luciano Lliusya v. RWE EG legal case 🛢️ ‘Scientists Tally Oil Majors’ Climate Damage With Eye to Legal Liability’ in Bloomberg 🛑 ‘The End of Rule of Law in America’ by J. Michael Luttig, in The Atlantic 📺 ‘Every day I have been shocked and disgusted’ - J. Michael Luttig on MSNBC 🌎 Find out more about Climate Week NYC, or the Climate Group’s RE100 and EV100 Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On April 28th, millions of people across Spain, Portugal and beyond were plunged into darkness in one of Europe’s most severe blackouts in decades. Was it a cyberattack? A renewables failure? Or might things be a little more complex? This week, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres, and Paul Dickinson dig into what we know, what we don’t, and ask what this blackout really tells us about the transition to renewables. They speak with energy strategist Kingsmill Bond of Ember and hear an on-the-ground account from José Manuel Entrecanales, CEO of global renewables leader Acciona, to build a picture of how our grids function – and how they fail. Plus: what can we say when friends or colleagues claim that ‘renewables aren’t reliable’? And, after our recent conversations reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis, what might Pope Leo XIV mean for future climate leadership? Learn more 🔌 Ember’s report, ‘Energy Security in an Insecure World’ 🎧 Octopus CEO Greg Jackson interviewed on the Azeem Azhar’s Exponential View podcast 💡 Simon Evans’s analysis for Carbon Brief on the role of gas in electricity pricing 🌐 The IEA’s report, ‘Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions’ 🌳 ‘Pope Francis was a passionate climate advocate. Will Pope Leo XIV continue his legacy?’ in EuroNews Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says that net zero is politically unachievable without radical rethinking: a shift away from reducing consumption and toward technologies that can remove carbon both at the source and from the atmosphere. So, are carbon capture and carbon removal really viable - and more palatable - alternatives to a rapid fossil fuel phaseout? And is our net zero strategy failing, or simply failing to be explained? Hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson dive into the heart of these questions and explore what Blair’s comments mean for the wider net zero debate. At a time when climate action is becoming increasingly politicised and weaponised, they consider how we might frame net zero as something that improves people’s lives, rather than threatening them. And how we can ensure that every credible climate solution stays on the table. With timely and provocative contributions from listeners and friends of the podcast - including former BBC News Science Editor David Shukman and Senior Policy Advisor at Carbonfuture Sebastian Manhart - the hosts ask: can we rescue the net zero brand before it’s written off? Learn more 📘 The Tony Blair Institute’s report, ‘The Climate Paradox: Why We Need to Reset Action on Climate Change’ ✈️ ‘Aviation industry is ‘failing dramatically’ on climate, insiders say’ in the Guardian 🌱 The Future We Choose, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac 📣 Our previous episode on communicating climate change with John Marshall, whose work Christiana references in this episode Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Australia heads to the polls this weekend - with climate firmly on the ballot. Is the country ready to lose its reputation as the battleground of the climate wars? And are we about to see a lasting shift in a nation that has for years been torn between its sunlight and its coal? As a pivotal election looms, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson examine what’s at stake for one of the world’s highest per-capita emitters. After months of polling ahead, the opposition Coalition now faces a late surge from the governing Labor Party, with the Greens, Teals and independents all likely to play a crucial role. The result could reinforce, roll-back or reshape domestic climate policy, and determine whether Australia emerges as a global climate leader at a time when others are stepping away from the stage. To understand what’s going on, the team calls up friend of the show Dean Bialek, Founder and Managing Director of The Pacific Project. Together, they explore the opportunities for Australia in the energy transition, the narratives and dynamics driving this election, and the country’s potential role as a regional leader as it hopes to host 2026’s COP31 with other Pacific nations. So, does Australia have a role to play in reigniting regional and global climate momentum? And how will this election shape the climate fight - both within and beyond its borders. Learn more 🌿 Philip Levin’s opinion piece in the New York Times, ‘Trump Tried to Derail Our Work. We Banded Together and Moved Forward.’ 🦅 The Economist’s US cover this week, reported by Yahoo 🔬 Hungry Beast’s ‘I’m A Climate Scientist’ video ⚡ ABC News Australia’s graphic, illustrating the shift in Australia’s energy mix Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for fossil fuels? This Earth Day, Outrage + Optimism explores a seismic shift in global energy: the possibility that major oil and gas companies are entering a self-managed decline. Have fossil fuel companies been overvalued for decades? And are they now quietly winding themselves down? For years, analysts and campaigners have questioned why these companies are valued as if they'll pump oil forever. With rising climate risks, tightening regulation, and growing investor scrutiny, the foundations of their business model have looked increasingly shaky. Now, something remarkable is happening. From Exxon to Shell, oil majors are cutting back on capital investment, failing to replace their reserves, and instead handing profits back to shareholders. Could this be the beginning of an industry in managed decline? In this Earth Day special, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson sit down with Mark Campanale, founder of Carbon Tracker and the originator of the ‘stranded assets’ concept that helped launch the global divestment movement. Is this truly the start of fossil fuel’s final chapter? Or is it a strategic pivot - away from fuels and toward petrochemicals, plastics, and a long tail of influence? Learn more 🏛️ Adam Serwer’s article, ‘The Constitutional Crisis is Here’ in The Atlantic 🖍️ Reporting on the White House deportation cartoon 🚨 Ezra Klein’s video on illegal deportation, ‘The Emergency is Here’ 🏳️ Harry Benham’s Substack piece, ‘Leaving the battlefield: oil companies are quitting renewables, yes, but also quitting energy’ 🌍 Carbon Tracker’s Paris Maligned Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the wake of this morning’s sad announcement about the death of Pope Francis, Christiana Figueres reflects on his important legacy as a champion for environmental and justice causes, and shares some of the late Pope’s own words, reflecting on the landmark Paris Agreement. Learn more 🌍 Pope Francis’s words in Profiles of Paris 📜 Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the US retreats from international climate leadership and looks increasingly inwards, can China step up and steer the global energy transition? And if it can, what shape will that transition take? In the latest of our country deep-dives, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore China’s pivotal and complex role in decarbonising our world. At home, the nation is a technology superpower, the driver behind the renewables and EV revolutions, and dominates the world in solar panels, batteries and green hydrogen. But it’s also a coal-powered polluter, with a history of taking a backseat in traditional climate diplomacy on the international stage. So, with global geopolitics and trade realigning, is it about to pick a lane? To unpack all this, the team is joined by Li Shuo, Director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. At a time of flux, he outlines the complex forces shaping China’s strategy, and considers what we might expect to see from it in the years ahead. Above all, one thing is clear: China’s role will be a defining force in the next decade of climate progress. And the impact of its action - or inaction - will be felt around the world. Learn more 🔩 ‘China halts critical rare earth mineral exports as Trump teases new tariffs’ from the Independent🔋 BloombergNEF’s update on global investments into the energy transition, highlighting China’s role💥 ‘China hits out at Trump's "blackmail" and spells out conditions for ending trade war’ in TAG24 Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Executive Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when the US tears up the rulebook on global trade? And what does that mean for the planet? Plus: what on earth is happening in Greenland? And does it really signal an unlikely MAGA embrace of climate science? In this urgent and wide-ranging episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore the fallout from Trump’s new global tariffs, reflect on the environmental movement’s complex relationship with free trade, and ask what this moment tells us about democracy, power and inequality. Later, Christiana shares highlights from a timely conversation she recently had in Paris, with former US Vice President Al Gore and France’s Special Representative for COP21 Laurence Tubiana. Together, they consider the impact of money in politics, the poly-solutions to our state of polycrisis, and the importance of staying (stubbornly) optimistic. Learn more ⚖️ The New Civil Liberties Alliance Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief 📉 Rebecca Schneid’s article for Time, ‘Is the U.S. Heading Into a Recession Amid Trump’s Tariffs? ‘Liberation Day’ Fallout Sparks Fresh Fears’ Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Dino Sofos Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How have fossil fuel lobbyists become so embedded in the COP system, and how can we disrupt their involvement in domestic and international politics? This is our second episode inspired by the RSC and Good Chance Theatre’s production of Kyoto. In this episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore the history of this often unseen influence, ask why fossil fuel lobbyists have become so embedded in the COP system, and consider what levers are emerging to disrupt their involvement in domestic and international politics. This episode also features another panel from our live event at The Conduit, inspired by the RSC and Good Chance Theatre’s Olivier-nominated production of Kyoto, and hosted by the Financial Times’ Pilita Clark. She’s joined by climate lawyer Tessa Khan, climate finance and energy expert Kirsty Hamilton, and historian of climate change negotiations and former UNFCCC secretariat Joanna Depledge, to unpack how industry lobbyists - from oil majors to car manufacturers - used misinformation, procedural manipulation, and political influence to undermine progress in Kyoto and beyond. So, how have fossil fuel lobby tactics changed in the years since Kyoto? Have they achieved everything they set out to? And what might the world look like if the industry had never sought to delay and derail climate negotiations - or, better yet, had taken responsibility for its role in the green transition? This is our second episode inspired by the RSC and Good Chance Theatre’s production of Kyoto. You can listen to the first episode, Behind the Scenes at Kyoto: Drama and diplomacy on the world stage here. Learn more: 📚Read: This Guardian article about the Greenpeace loss in North Dakota 📺Watch: Climate of Concern, a 1991 film by Shell Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford and Dino Sofos Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What did it take to get nearly 200 nations to agree on tackling climate change in 1997? And what have we learned in the decades since? In this episode, we reflect on the drama, the impact and the legacy of the Kyoto Protocol, and go behind the scenes of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s powerful and acclaimed production of Kyoto, currently playing in London’s West End. After watching a performance of the play this week, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson introduced a live event at The Conduit, bringing together those who were in the room at COP3 in Kyoto with those now shaping the path to COP30 in Belém and beyond. First, we hear from a panel of seasoned voices from the world of international climate diplomacy, moderated by climate journalist Ed King. Farhana Yamin, longtime negotiator for small island states, speaks of how Kyoto helped amplify the voices of vulnerable nations for the first time. Nick Mabey, co-founder of E3G, reflects on Kyoto’s economic impact, arguing that it sparked a global clean tech revolution by making climate action economically viable. And Richard Kinley, former Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, offered rare insights into the diplomacy that shaped Kyoto. Together, they paint a vivid picture of Kyoto’s legacy and what it still offers to today’s climate movement. Later, we hear from the playwrights behind Kyoto, Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, about how they turned bureaucratic negotiations into riveting on-stage drama. So, what’s changed since 1997? Are we in a better place thanks to Kyoto? And is multilateralism still fit for purpose in today’s world? Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino Sofos Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is Canada a climate leader or a fossil-fueled dinosaur? And what will the recent ascension of Mark Carney as Prime Minister mean for the country’s climate agenda - both domestically and on the world stage? In the second of our country deep-dives, Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac speak with Catherine McKenna, Canada’s former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to discuss the mixed history, uncertain present and possible futures of the nation’s climate record. As Canada’s representative at the COP 21 negotiations in Paris, Catherine set the tone for the decade that has followed, during which time the country has increasingly engaged in international climate leadership. Back home, she also spearheaded an innovative carbon pricing system, which, though not always popular, attempted to shift the nation away from its fossil fuel dependency while delivering an economic net benefit for most Canadians. While former Bank of England and Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney has become widely known as a climate progressive, his first act in office was to end this carbon tax, leading many to question how his climate ideals will fare in the face of political reality. Catherine reflects on why the tax was scrapped, and the lessons that must be learned if we are to defend climate action. Along with Paul Dickinson, Christiana and Tom consider the challenges facing former Outrage + Optimism guest Carney as he takes the helm of one of the G20’s highest emitters, and ask if we’re witnessing a wider backlash against corporate net zero commitments. Learn more 📚Read: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse’s letter seeking information about the Department of Justice and FBI investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and the reported freezing of grant money awarded from that fund. 🏭 Mark Carney’s statement on his decision to scrap the carbon tax Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How can the law be used to champion human rights, drive progress and fight for climate justice? Paul Dickinson is joined by Laura Clarke, CEO of ClientEarth, the non-profit lawyers for the planet working to protect life on Earth. Laura shares how ClientEarth has successfully challenged corporate greenwashing, from the Dutch courts ruling against airline KLM for misleading customers, to forcing a Polish company to change the misleading name of its ‘eco-pea coal’. And beyond corporate accountability, how they take on national governments to ensure they uphold their environmental commitments. In this latest in our series on the new levers of change, co-presenters Tom Rivett-Carnac and Christiana Figueres join Paul to reflect on the ways in which law, climate and justice intersects. Christiana shares her excitement on the new ways in which the ‘web of jurisprudence’ is being woven in a field with little legal precedent. Plus, each share their take on the news that former Outrage + Optimism guest Mark Carney will become the next Prime Minister of Canada. How will he deal with President Trump amid the ongoing US-Canada trade war? Learn more 💼 ClientEarth case study: KLM Greenwashing found illegal https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/we-re-joining-legal-action-against-dutch-airline-klm-for-greenwashing/ 📖 Read more about ClientEarth https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/client-earth-james-thornton/3713181?ean=9781911344810 ⚖️ Learn about how young people are taking action in court https://www.kcl.ac.uk/climate-law/assets/climatechangeandyoungpeople-shortversion.pdf 🛢️ Find out how big oil’s campaign financing for Donald Trump’s re-election may have prevented a congressional investigation https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/06/big-oil-investigation-congress-republicans Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Jarek Zaba Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are women the key to solving the climate crisis? Why are they - and children - so disproportionately affected by the issue? And how can men step up to support change? To mark International Women’s Day, Christiana Figueres is joined by top climate scientist Dr Katharine Hayhoe. As well as being Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair at Texas Tech University, Katharine is an influential voice in communicating science at the ‘kitchen table’ level. She and Christiana reflect on the barriers women face in STEM roles, Katharine’s work with Science Moms highlights the impact of the crisis on children and the power of women in conversations about the climate. Women make up just over a third of STEM professionals in the United States and only a quarter of earth science professors globally. In an era where diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are being rolled back by President Donald Trump’s government, there’s never been a more urgent need for diverse voices in science. Leading data scientist Hannah Ritchie asks how we communicate in this new landscape. Plus, Katharine shares how her Evangelical Christian faith fuels—rather than conflicts with—her climate work, as she and Christiana they celebrate how love can be the driving force for all genders to unite for climate justice. Together with Christiana, co-hosts Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson reflect on why diverse perspectives lead to better solutions and ask how men can support greater gender equality in STEM. Throughout, we hear from incredible women worldwide with inspiring messages for International Women’s Day. From Pat Mitchell and her work on Project Dandelion to Natalie Isaacs of 1 Million Women - plus a rallying cry from Fabian Dattner of Homeward Bound. Learn more 📺 Watch the Science Moms campaign ad broadcast during the Superbowl 🗣️ Read the Science Moms guide on how to talk about climate change with friends, family, or strangers 🤩 Be inspired by Katharine Hayhoe’s TED Talk 📩 And check out our newsletter! Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Jarek Zaba Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Development programmes across the world are still reeling from the swingeing cuts to USAID, whilst other western nations such as the UK and Germany have announced plans to scale back their own aid commitments. With Mike Bloomberg agreeing to fill the gap in climate funding left by the US's withdrawal from Paris, is it up to wealthy philanthropists to fill the hole of state funding? Is it realistic or appropriate for them to do so? And do competing interests from funders compromise work on the ground? Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson examine the potential for a slippery slope in which governments increasingly abdicate their responsibilities for minimising problems for people and the planet. To delve into the topic more broadly, Christiana speaks to Helen Mountford, president and CEO of ClimateWorks Foundation, a global platform of researchers, strategists and grantmakers aiming to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $2 billion to more than 850 grantees in over 50 countries. Whether electric vehicles or clean cooling for air conditioning units, Helen cites examples of philanthropic programmes that not only tackle climate destruction but also improve standard of living for people. And after expressing some much justified outrage, Christiana and Helen agree on a moment of optimism for bottom-up community coordination. Learn more: 📖 Read up on the ClimateWorks Clean Cooling programme. 🧑🎓Learn more about wider trends of slashing global aid 💬 Let us know whether you think philanthropy can or should fill the gap left by governments by sending us a voice note! 🎟️Be a part of it: We’re very excited to announce we are hosting an event at The Conduit Club in London on the 22nd March and we’d like to invite you, our wonderful listeners, to join us. We’ll have just been to see the West End play Kyoto, an incredible dramatisation of the 1997 Climate Summit and will be hosting an evening of thought-provoking conversations with key insiders who were in the room at this negotiation, plus activists and thought leaders who can help us think about how we shape the next chapter of climate action. Click here to find out how to get your tickets. Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Jarek Zaba Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How does a nation transform its forest coverage from 21% to 60% in half a century? What are the policies that can place nature at the very heart of political thinking? And why does Christiana Figueres see a picture of her dad when she visits an ATM? Christiana is joined in her home country by co-hosts Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson as they explore Costa Rica’s remarkable history and constitutionally guaranteed environmental safeguards. Our resident expert explains her very deep personal bond to her country’s politics as her father, former President José Figueres Ferrer, was also the father of the Second Republic, most famous for abolishing the country’s army. It is perhaps Costa Rica’s policies towards nature that truly elevates this nation above its peers, from its drive on rewilding to carbon taxes. But this incredible progress is now under threat: Christiana and former President Luis Guillermo Solís reflect on the populist Trump-like measures implemented by the current administration, including plans for a regressive return to fossil fuels. Will the government go through with it? ——————————— Learn more: 📝 Check out Article 50 of the constitution of Costa Rica: All persons have the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment. For that, they are legitimated to denounce the acts that infringe this right and to claim reparation for the damage caused. 🌱 Read about the human right to a healthy environment 💬 Have a suggestion for another country case study? Let us know by sending us a voice note! Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Jarek Zaba Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What is the future of climate action? Having previously interrogated the failures of multilateralism in the years since the Paris Agreement was signed, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson look to the future and the alternative ‘levers of change’ that will tackle the climate crisis. These avenues are needed now more than ever after a whirlwind of executive orders and policies passed by President Donald Trump’s administration. These have placed climate action firmly in its crosshairs, whilst conflating it with other conservative talking points such as transgender rights and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programmes. So what other levers can be pulled? Whether it’s the utilisation of technology; our interaction with the worlds of business and finance; mass engagement with the public at large; climate litigation that moves the debate into the courtroom; and the role of young people – not just as campaigners, but also as corporate advisors. Will these approaches help bypass increasing obstructionism in the fight for climate justice? —————— 📊 Check out the graphs Paul mentioned about the power of wind and solar generation, as well as EV and battery sales! 💡 Learn more about Flooded People UK 💬 Have we missed any exciting levers of change? Let us know by sending us a voice note! 📺 WATCH: 10 years on from Paris, Christiana Figueres is forced to confront her negotiation style: “There’s no one less diplomatic than I am!” Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Jarek Żaba Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Christiana Figueres, the driving force behind the groundbreaking Paris Climate Agreement, reflects on the high-stakes negotiations that reshaped the global fight against climate change in the year that marks its ten-year anniversary. With the fate of the planet hanging in the balance, she reveals the relentless pushback from the fossil fuel lobby, and the ever-shifting geopolitical tensions that threaten progress. Will the world stay on course, or are we teetering on the edge of climate catastrophe? Co-hosts Paul Dickinson and Tom Rivett-Carnac recall the final hours of the deal being adopted, the extraordinary feeling of seeing the world come together in unanimous support of climate action and make their predictions for how the business and political worlds will move forward in a new era of leadership. As Donald Trump kicks off his second term with a raft of immigration policies, the hosts discuss how the number of people set to be displaced due to climate is set to exceed a billion by 2050. Plus, whether 2025 is the year the insurance industry reaches an existential crisis as climate-related weather events, like the LA fires, become uninsurable. ******************************************** Want to share your views on how the Paris Climate Agreement changed the course of history? Send us a voice note! Or understand more about today's episode: Read about the state of California’s lawsuit against big oil.Dive into the 25-page Paris Climate Agreement, or read the preamble for all the crucial context as recommended by Christiana Figueres. Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Nina Pullman Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What’s an NDC? What does El Niño tell us about global temperatures this year? And why could a landmark ICJ ruling unlock a wave of climate legal cases? Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson break down the climate acronyms and buzzwords you need to know in 2025. With a crucial year ahead for climate action, this podcast is your essential guide to the key terms shaping global discussions. From breaking down BRICS to how President Donald Trump’s return to the White House will change the climate conversation. Plus, Paul finally decodes the ultimate acronym soup of climate finance jargon and the hosts discuss whether scrapping acronyms altogether could make the climate conversation more accessible. ******************************************** Are there any major climate acronyms you think we missed? Send us a voice note! Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Nina Pullman Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What will a Trump presidency mean for the climate movement? Hours after Trump takes office for the second time, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson regroup to take stock and share their reactions to the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. Guest Greg Bertelsen, chief executive of the Climate Leadership Council, offers his perspective on positive ways in which to engage with the Trump presidency on climate and Paul Dickinson shares what business leaders will be discussing at this week’s World Economic Forum in Davos. ******************************************** Do you have any views on how the climate community could move forward under a Trump presidency? Send us a voice note! Follow us on social media for behind the scenes and video clips: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism You can also contact us via this form. Producer: Nina Pullman Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The devastating fires in LA have dominated the headlines in a dramatic start to 2025. Christiana Figueres,Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson discuss their link with climate, as the newly-released Copernicus report confirms the world has exceeded 1.5 degrees of warming. And, in the year that marks halfway in the decisive decade for world emissions, our hosts are here with your definitive guide to the biggest climate moments coming up in 2025. What solutions will technology, AI and business people bring forward this year? What are the key meeting points and dates for the climate community? And just how did Tom and Christiana go from watching Costa Rica in the football World Cup in a pub in New York to delivering the history-making Paris climate talks? ******************************************** Did we miss any major climate dates in your diary? Send us a voice note! Follow us on social media for behind the scenes and video clips: Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimism Or contact us via this form Producer: Nina Pullman Video Producer: Caitlin Hanrahan Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford Commissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Outrage + Optimism is for anyone who is not ready to give up on making the world a better place. Feeling exhausted at the thought of keeping up with climate news ahead of this pivotal year? Join Christiana, Tom and Paul in their weekly conversations to make sense of it all, bringing you expert insight, analysis and inspiring conversations with some of the world’s most visionary thinkers and influential decision makers. Subscribe to Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast. Follow us on LinkedIn, on Instagram and X. This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How can you reduce the environmental impact of your cat or dog? What’s the best way to prepare for climate breakdown? And how should you talk to children about climate? Christiana, Paul and Tom wrap up the year by answering an eclectic and insightful selection of your questions. Plus: they digest the fourth and final COP of the year, known as the Desertification COP, which took place in December in Saudi Arabia and reflect on their own feelings at the end of a challenging year for the climate movement. Huge thanks to our community of listeners for all the great questions submitted and all the support this year. Apologies if we didn’t get to your question this time but do keep sending them our way. See you in 2025! NOTES AND RESOURCES Learn more about the Paris Agreement. Please follow us on social media! |Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ben Rhodes—writer, political commentator, and former Deputy National Security Advisor under President Obama—joins the host team to dissect the challenges of a Trump 2.0 administration. Rhodes issues a bold call for a new "climate populist" strategy, to redirect the populist right-wing outrage over climate action toward exposing the oil and gas industry's stranglehold on climate negotiations, as seen at recent COP summits. Christiana, Tom, Paul, plus special guest Fi Macklin, invite Rhodes to explore themes of strong leadership, the shifting dynamics of geopolitics, Trump’s appeal to the U.S. electorate, and how the world could navigate global climate politics without the US over the next four years? NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Ben Rhodes, writer, political commentator, and national security analyst Website | Twitter (X) | Instagram Fiona Macklin, Senior Advisor on Groundswell, Global Optimism LinkedIn Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Christiana, Tom and Paul tackle the latest on the global plastics treaty (known as INC-5), which ended last week without a deal. Why were countries unable to agree a deal despite the huge amount of public concern about plastic pollution? What pathways remain for an agreement in 2025? And why is it so important to maintain focus on plastic from a climate point of view? Dive into the challenges and explore potential solutions with the team. Continuing this critical theme, Ellen MacArthur, Founder & Chair of Trustees of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, world record-breaking sailor and circular economy advocate, joins Christiana to share an exclusive conversation as part of a collaboration between The Circular Economy Show and Outrage + Optimism. Together they consider what’s next for the global plastics treaty, get excited about the role of the private sector in tackling plastic pollution, and highlight how the visibility of plastics can help capture public attention on climate. Before you go… Listener Survey Help shape the podcast for 2025! If you haven’t yet completed our annual listener survey, we’d be so grateful if you can spare 10 minutes to complete it here. Tell us what you like, what you don’t like, and what you want more of from Outrage + Optimism. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Dame Ellen MacArthur Website | Twitter (X) Ellen MacArthur Foundation Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) The Foundation works to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, if you’d like to find out more, the Foundation’s podcast ‘The Circular Economy Show’ talks to experts from across industry, governments and academia to hear first hand about how the circular economy is being developed and scaled. December Mailbag Episode We would LOVE to hear your questions for our end of year listener Mailbag episode. Whether it is your questions on our most recent How to Live a Good Life series, questions on the recent COPs or everything and anything in between. Please either: Send us an email: [email protected] with Climate Questions: December Mailbag in the title. Visit our social media pages and drop the question in the comments. Alternatively, if you want the chance for your message to be played on the show, record a message for us here Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, the team dives into the dramatic highs and lows of COP29 in Baku. With negotiations stretching into the final hours, a hard-fought finance deal emerged to bolster climate action and support for the most vulnerable. Yet, Christiana describes the agreement as “paltry at best,” highlighting the yawning chasm between what was agreed upon and what is truly necessary to address the climate crisis. For those advocating for an ambitious, needs-based outcome, this year’s COP was a bruising experience—marked by frustration, hurt, and disappointment. The hosts share their thoughts on the controversies surrounding Azerbaijan's COP presidency and the challenges faced by negotiators committed to transformational change. Finally, the team welcomes a very special guest: superstar producer Clay Carnill. As Clay prepares to leave the show, the hosts reflect on his incredible contributions to Outrage + Optimism—from the early days to now. Known for his humour, joy, unparalleled talent, attention-to-detail, professionalism, musicality and general all-round awesomeness, Clay has been a cornerstone of the podcast’s success. He will be deeply missed by the entire team. We send Clay off with all our love—and best wishes for him (and the Detroit Lions!) on the journey ahead. 🎧 Tune in for reflections, critiques, and heartfelt goodbyes. NOTES AND RESOURCES I’m glad we got a deal at COP29 - but western nations stood in the way of a much better one by Mukhtar Babayev December Mailbag Episode We would LOVE to hear your questions for our end of year listener Mailbag episode. Whether it is your questions on our most recent How to Live a Good Life series, questions on the recent COPs or everything and anything in between. Please either: Send us an email: [email protected] with Climate Questions: December Mailbag in the title. Visit our social media pages and drop the question in the comments. Alternatively, if you want the chance for your message to be played on the show, record a message for us here Listener Survey Help shape the podcast for 2025! If you haven’t yet completed our annual listener survey, we’d be so grateful if you can spare 10 minutes to complete it here. Tell us what you like, what you don’t like, and what you want more of from Outrage + Optimism. GUEST Clay Carnill Website | Patreon | LinkedIn | Instagram | Email Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, our hosts talk about what’s been happening - and not happening - in Rio and Baku. Christiana clarifies the mandate of COPs and advocates for COP processes and presidencies to be separate from national positions and interests while robustly defending multi-lateralism. The hosts discuss how world leaders meeting in Rio for the G20 meeting have sent a powerful political signal to those meeting in COP29 in Baku: a need for "rapidly and substantially scaling up climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources". The hosts are joined by Sue Reid, Climate Finance Advisor at Global Optimism who is on the ground in Baku. Together, they discuss what outcomes to expect as negotiators race towards the finish line in the second and final week of COP29. Sue Reid shares her optimism at leading investors at the pinnacle of the finance food chain calling for the same commitments in climate and nature as leading civil society advocates and developing countries. The hosts and Sue talk about the critical importance of innovative mechanisms to achieve the climate financing needed and the outsized impact of public finance to leverage and enable private finance. NOTES AND RESOURCES G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders Declaration COP29 gets boost from Rio as G20 leaders back scaling up climate finance from ‘billions to trillions’ GUEST Sue Reid, Climate Finance Advisor to Christiana Figueres at Global Optimism Global Optimism Website | LinkedIn Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Recorded live from COP29 in the UK Pavilion in Baku, Bigger, Better, Bolder: Updating NDCs in Line with 1.5 Degrees captures an energetic dialogue on the crucial role of bold leadership in climate action. Moderated by Tom, this dynamic session dives into why governments must ambitiously update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to meet the 1.5°C goal, recognizing this decade as a pivotal chance to shape a sustainable future. Kicking off with insights from Ed Miliband, the UK’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, we explore how the UK’s ambitious NDC exemplifies targets aligned with scientific guidelines, the public’s mandate, and the need for investment-ready, collaborative action. Tom also welcomes Emma Pinchbeck, CEO, Climate Change Committee and Russell Read, Lead Delegate, We Are Family Foundation to unpack how real-economy and societal stakeholders can drive meaningful NDC implementation. He talks to Nigel Topping, non-executive Director of the National Wealth Fund and Diana Layfield, Chair of British International Investment about the critical role business plays in inspiring investment and innovation both domestically and internationally. The session concludes as Ana Toni, Brazil’s National Secretary for Climate Change, joins Ed Miliband in a live Q&A, discussing how partnerships between major powers, such as Brazil and the UK, can accelerate global climate progress before the mid-decade tipping point. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP, UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Website Emma Pinchbeck, CEO of Climate Change Committee Twitter (X) Russell Reed, lead delegate for the We Are Family Foundation Website Nigel Topping, Non-exec director of National Wealth Fund and COP26 Climate Champion LinkedIn Diana Layfield, Chair of British International Investment Website HE Ana Toni, National Secretary for Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, from Brazil as COP30 Presidency LinkedIn Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Recorded Live at the UK COP Pavilion and moderated by Tom, ‘From Call to Action: the Bridgetown Initiative and delivering Global Financial System Reform’ is an inspiring conversation between Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and Foreign Secretary, UK, David Lammy. Mia Mottley called the world to action when she released the initial Bridgetown Initiative at UNGA in 2022. Now in its third iteration, the Bridgetown Initiative brings together an ambitious and holistic set of calls for reforms to make the Global Financial System more inclusive, more shock-responsive, and better scaled to meet the financing challenges and needs for developing countries. The UK is ready to stand up to face those challenges head-on. As a G7 country with the largest sustainable financial centre in the world, a track-record of delivering financial innovations and influencing the global debate, a key voice in the governance of the System, the UK has a strong track-record and platform to deliver. And deliver we must: the global financial system needs to deliver a fairer deal for developing countries. This conversation is a frank discussion between two leading voices to understand the problems, identify solutions, and drive reforms to create a world free of poverty on a liveable planet. Huge thanks goes to UK COP Pavilion for allowing us to use their audio recording of this conversation. To watch more live events from COP 29 make sure to follow their YouTube channel here NOTES AND RESOURCES The Bridgetown Initiative UK COP Pavilion UK Government at COP29 GUESTS The Honourable Mia Mottley, SC, MP, Prime Minister of Barbados Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) The Rt Hon David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Paul and Tom are joined by Tony Goldner, from the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures. Tony helps make sense of what happened at the recent Biodiversity COP in Colombia and discusses the many ways that nature is starting to appear on business’ and regulators’ agendas. Companies are waking up to the fact that their resilience depends on the resilience of nature. Many companies are in the process of developing and setting long-term transition plans to net-zero. Tony explains that as biodiversity and nature-loss risks mount, businesses need to also consider that nature-based dependencies, risks, and mitigations should be put in place. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Tony Goldner, TNFD Executive Director TNFD Website | LinkedIn Q&A The clock is ticking: finance sector deforestation action must now go mainstream with Stephanie Kimball, Senior Director of Climate Strategy at Conservation International and Sue Reid, Climate Finance Advisor to Christiana Figueres at Global Optimism Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the news of Donald Trump’s 2024 US election victory makes headlines around the world, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson unpack Trump and Harris’s campaign and discuss the implications of a Trump-led administration on US climate ambition, both domestically and internationally. Or as Tom puts it, “What the hell just happened in the US?” Join the hosts as they analyze potential shifts in policy, how business and finance could counterbalance federal setbacks, and what this means for COP29, NDCs, and global multilateral efforts. During their discussion, the hosts pose some crucial questions: how would a US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement impact global decarbonisation progress? What role will China play as the climate leadership landscape shifts? Amidst these turbulent times, we’re thrilled to inject a dose of much needed optimism by welcoming Congresswoman-Elect Yassamin Ansari to Outrage + Optimism. Fresh from her election to the US House of Representatives for Arizona’s 3rd District, Yassamin joins us with her inspiring perspective on leading progressive change at the federal level. Her election, which makes her the second ever Iranian American to be elected to Congress, brings hope for resilient climate leadership despite federal setbacks. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Congresswoman-Elect Yassamin Ansari Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Christiana has a fascinating window into the Biodiversity COP negotiations underway in Colombia. From Cali, she’s joined by Freya Newman and Irene Suarez Perez from the Global Optimism team who give us the lowdown into what’s going on inside and outside the negotiating rooms. They tell what’s unique about Colombia hosting, how it’s given a platform to indigenous and local community voices; and why business is talking about love as well as finance. Also joining Christiana from Cali is Monica Medina, a fellow with Conservation International and the US’ first Special Envoy for Biodiversity. They have an animated chat about the essential interdependence of climate and biodiversity, and Medina shares her optimism about a new oceans fund. And they take a deep (and refreshingly nerdy!) dive into DSI - digital sequencing information - and how we can ensure lucrative genetic codes, often found in the Global South, are fairly compensated and reimbursed. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Monica Medina, Arnhold Distinguished Fellow at Conservation International, former Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science and the first US Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X) Irene Suarez Perez, Senior Advisor - Nature & Food System Transformation - Groundswell at Global Optimism LinkedIn Freya Newman, Advisor, Groundswell at Global Optimism LinkedIn Please fill out our Annual Listener Survey! Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, as part of our focus on biodiversity during COP 16, we're excited to share a special crossover episode! In the first part of this exciting episode, join Christiana, Tom, and Ben Goldsmith for an insightful conversation about rewilding and its global impact, followed by a full episode of Ben's inspiring podcast Rewilding The World featuring UK national treasure, writer and actor, Stephen Fry. In his conversation with the hosts, Ben explores the concept of rewilding, its potential to reshape ecosystems worldwide, and the critical role grassroots community projects play in this movement. Ben Goldsmith is a pioneer in green investment and a driving force behind the rewilding movement in Britain and across Europe. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on the future of biodiversity and rewilding! NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Ben Goldsmith, co-founder and board member of Nattergal and host of Rewilding the World podcast Website | Nattergal | Rewilding the World podcast Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, our hosts dive into The Rio Trio! No, this is not the name of a new cocktail but three COPs (Biodiversity in Colombia, Climate in Azerbaijan and Desertification in Saudi Arabia) which are about to happen back-to-back. Plus the plastics treaty negotiations in South Korea. Join our hosts for their take on the history of these three different but interrelated COPs, all conceived in the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. How have they evolved, and how might they continue to evolve to be fit for purpose in a changed world? Since this subject is complex, Christiana uses her get-out clause and phones a special friend for much-needed clarity. Christiana also asks the question: If we had a blank slate now, would it make more sense to kick start a process based on all nine planetary boundaries? Would this help us focus holistically on the interconnected challenges we face? Sit back and listen as the hosts try to make sense of this negotiating super season for the planet and all its peoples. Please keep tuned for special and in-depth coverage from the Outrage + Optimism team to guide you through each of these key moments. NOTES AND RESOURCES How COPs are organised - Questions and answers From Cancun to Durban: Implications for Climate and Multilateral Diplomacy by HE Patricia Espinosa COP16 host Colombia pushes for unified UN climate and nature pledges COP Presidencies Launch ‘Rio Trio’ Biodiversity COP Climate COP Desertification COP GUEST Richard Kinley, President, Foundation for Global Governance and Sustainability and former senior official at the UN Climate Change Secretariat (UNFCCC) from 1993 to 2017. He served as Deputy Executive Secretary from 2006 to 2017 and was intimately involved in the development of UNFCCC as an organization from its establishment and in its management and operations. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the final episode of our How to Live a Good Life series, Tom, Paul and Christiana discuss the personal quandary of whether or not to have children in the midst of what appears to be significant climate breakdown. The questions they ponder are complex and philosophical: should we bring children into a world that is, some might say, collapsing? Would you consider having children is immoral, since more people living on the planet leads to greater consumption and emissions, thus exacerbating the problem? Or is having a child the greatest act of hope for the future that anyone can choose to make? The hosts approach this issue from different perspectives, opening up about their personal lives and addressing questions and comments sent in by listeners. We hope to offer you some clarity on this topic, or at least some comfort that even the greatest minds in the climate space sometimes have to take leaps of faith. This is the final episode in the series. We really hope you have enjoyed these episodes. As always, we would love to hear from you so please get in touch. NOTES AND RESOURCES Your Kids are Not Doomed by Ezra Klein, NY Times, June 2022 Four in 10 young people fear having children due to climate crisis The Guardian, September 2021 ‘I am starting to panic about my child’s future’: climate scientists wary of starting families, The Guardian, May 2024 Masters of War - Bob Dylan Resources and Consumption: Data from Population Matters The Whirligig by Paul Fleishman Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Newsflash: In this urgent episode recorded on Friday, October 11th, Tom, Paul, and Christiana come together to discuss the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The hosts express their frustration with the conspiracy theories circulating in the wake of the latest hurricane Milton - at a time when solidarity is needed most. They also dive into the harsh reality that the fossil fuel industry lies at the heart of the destruction. In This Episode: The hosts break down the undeniable science linking man-made global warming to the increasing intensity of hurricanes around the world. As private insurers withdraw from Florida, leaving homeowners and businesses without coverage, the hosts examine the crisis' wide-reaching effects, particularly on the most vulnerable populations. A deep dive into the dangerous disinformation spread by key Republican figures, tracing the real cause of man-made extreme weather back to the fossil fuel industry. The episode closes with sincere condolences for those across the globe who have lost lives and livelihoods due to extreme weather events. Join us for an insightful conversation on climate accountability, disinformation, and the forces fueling these devastating changes to our environment. NOTES AND RESOURCES Weather Catastrophes and Climate Change: Is There Still Hope for Us? The People of the State of California vs. Big Oil Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
SHOW NOTES: In the penultimate episode of our How to Live a Good Life in a Climate Crisis, our hosts talk about food and food systems. How can we enjoy meals while eating responsibly? Tom, Paul and Christiana find it difficult to digest our lopsided relationship with food, in which more than two billion people face food insecurity and a third of all food goes to waste. The conversation is free-range - the hosts reveal what shaped their own rituals around eating. They look at how humanity’s relationship with food went from trust to anxiety, from abundance to scarcity. They argue the merits of different veggie burgers. About a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions is linked to food. To limit global warming while feeding a growing population, every part of the food system - from farming to refrigeration - must become cleaner and more efficient. NOTES AND RESOURCES Global Nutrition Report More than a billion people obese worldwide, research suggests Outrage + Optimism: Our Story of Nature, From Rupture to Reconnection Outrage + Optimism: Yuval Noah Harari on the History of Our Future Outrage + Optimism: 2% for 1.5 with Yuval Noah Harari Drivers of Deforestation Outrage + Optimism: Going Beyond Meat with Ethan Brown Outrage + Optimism: Hungry for Alternatives? How to Grow Your Own Food Environmental Impacts of Food Production 42% of consumers worldwide think most people will likely be eating plant-based food instead of meat in the next ten years Implementing land-based mitigation to achieve the Paris Agreement in Europe requires food system transformation The carbon footprint of foods How to reduce the carbon footprint of your food Hope Farm Statement Fishing boat caught with Illegal 18-mile-long nets Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the third episode in our How to Live a Good Life in a Climate Crisis series, where our hosts grapple with some of the fiercest climate conundrums we face. This week, Tom, Paul and Christiana look at the issue of careers and ask - would you move jobs in response to the climate crisis? Is changing your job your most effective form of climate action? They explore what to look for if you’re attempting to use your career to scale up climate solutions. And they pose the biggie: is there even such a thing as a climate change job and a non-climate change job? Taking a moment to discuss their own careers, the hosts share what they’ve learnt about innovation, interns, and how chair-making can pave the way to the UN! We’d love to hear what your experiences are… Please do get in touch. NOTES AND RESOURCES ‘Thuto ya Batho’ Teachings from the People: Women Adapt to Climate Change by Maite Nkoana -Mashabane Outrage + Optimism: BP’s Road to Rebuilding Trust with CEO Bernard Looney Cardiff Freight Company Wins NatWest Cymru’s ‘Green Business of the Year Award’ Gen Z seek ethical workplaces as environ-mental health burden bites (Bupa, 2021) 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey: Living and working with purpose in a transforming world (Deloitte, 2024) The Undercover Activist Creatives for Climate Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media!Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Is it OK to Fly in a Climate Crisis? In episode 2 of our How To Live A Good Life in a Climate Crisis series, the hosts grapple with one of most divisive issues for those concerned with climate change - is it ok to fly, when flying is responsible for the bulk of our personal carbon footprints, and when 80% of the world never sets foot on a plane? Tom, Paul and Christiana dive into this thorny issue from three different perspectives. Putting forward the case for and against flying, the hosts touch on the miracle of flying, the potential of sustainable aviation fuels and offsets, and the joys of train travel! They hope that these tricky conversations will be a springboard for further and deeper conversations for listeners. NOTES AND RESOURCES How much does aviation contribute to climate change? How will this change in the future? Why do aircraft leave contrails in the sky? Europe Talks Flying: navigating public opinion on aviation and climate Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In episode 1 of our How To Live A Good Life in a Climate Crisis series, the Outrage + Optimism hosts introduce you to their new mini series and discuss how they define a good life. For the next few weeks, Tom, Paul and Christiana will explore questions that you, the listeners, have asked us to address, around what it means to live a good life at this pivotal moment, facing uncertainty and judgments. They’ll talk about whether we should fly, what we eat, how to enjoy a meaningful career and whether or not we should have children. This free ranging discussion attempts to shine a light on the interplay between the largest issue facing humanity - the climate crisis - and the difference each of us can make. Although this series concerns itself with individual action, part of our role is to call on governments and other institutions to precipitate systemic change. Please don’t expect any right or wrong answers! Tom, Paul and Christiana will not prescribe you the ingredients for the perfect life! They will share their own insights, stories and struggles. And after listening there’s a good chance you might feel more confused - we only hope you’ll be confused at a deeper level. We’d love to hear what you think. NOTES AND RESOURCES Understanding Ireland Citizen Visions of a Good Life 2030 Fifty Ways to Start a Climate Conversation Climate Week NYC: Love is the Answer Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Since Dr Stephan Harding passed away in September 2024, he has been deeply mourned by the climate community, many of whom have been touched and inspired by his life and work. In honour of his extraordinary contributions to our understanding of this beautiful planet, we’re re-releasing the Deep Time Walk, narrated by Stephan, and which has already been downloaded over a million times. This re-release includes an introduction by hosts Paul and Tom, and Tom’s eulogy, which he shared at Stephan’s memorial service on 30th September. Stephan Harding was a founding member of Schumacher College where he was a Deep Ecology Research Fellow, celebrated teacher and author. As a celebration of this remarkable and beloved man, we hope you enjoy his history of Gaia, told through immersive sound. We encourage you to set aside time to sit comfortably, relax, and learn to “walk well into the life of Gaia” as Stephan puts it. Stephan has had a massive influence on the climate movement, inspiring global leaders to shift their world view towards a Gaian view. We have the privilege of sharing an exercise of that shift with all of you. Enjoy and RIP Dr Stephan Harding. — Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now! — Mentioned links from the episode: DOWNLOAD: The Deep Time Walk App CHECK OUT: The Deep Time Walk Field Kit LEARN MORE: Deep Time Walk Project Dr. Stephan Harding Deep Ecology Research Fellow | Senior Lecturer in Holistic Science Author of Animate Earth and Gaia Alchemy LINKS: Schumacher College Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Deep Time Walk Website — Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Paul Dickinson: LinkedIn | Twitter — Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How to Live a Good Life in a Climate Crisis The Outrage + Optimism team are excited to bring you a series that confronts the big questions we ask ourselves whilst living in a climate crisis. Join hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett Carnac and Paul Dickinson as they grapple with issues like what we should eat, whether we should fly, and how to live with purpose and joy in these uncertain and overwhelming times. First and second episodes released on 3 October. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special weekend edition of the podcast, hosts Tom, Christiana, and Paul catch up with The Rt Hon David Lammy, the UK’s new Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Office. In a fascinating conversation, they delve into his decision to place climate change at the heart of his first major speech as Foreign Secretary and discuss why he sees the climate emergency as a national security issue. The Foreign Secretary expresses his outrage at recent trends which have seen climate change used as a political ping pong issue and shares insights into how we might build consensus across parties on the climate and nature agenda. The hosts also take a moment to congratulate him on the appointment of friend of the podcast, Rachel Kyte, as the UK’s new Climate Envoy. Tune in to hear the full conversation and discover why the Foreign Secretary’s answers convince the hosts that the UK is once again a global leader in climate action.Make sure to tune in Thursday October 3rd to our brand new five-part series called How To Live a Good Life in a Climate Crisis. Exploring dilemmas around issues like flying, food and parenting, the hosts explore how we might still have meaningful and good lives amidst the overwhelm and turmoil of the climate crisis. NOTES AND RESOURCES Rachel Kyte Appointed as the UK’s Special Representative for Climate The Kew Lecture: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s speech on the climate crisis David Lammy’s TED Talk: Climate Justice can’t happen without racial justice The Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre GUEST The Rt Hon David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this special episode, our hosts are live at Climate Week New York, joined onstage by a stellar line-up of influential voices from government, the private sector, science, civil society and academia. This flagship event highlights how transformative climate strategies can be supercharged. The conversation centers on the push for ‘positive tipping points’ across three key themes: energy, nature & food, and finance. Supported by Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund, and Systems Change Lab – alongside the Climate Group, the event showcases leaders from various sectors driving impactful change. Mission 2025 is a coalition of bold leaders, including mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians, and everyday citizens, all rallying governments to strengthen their national climate commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions) in alignment with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Known as the 'Defenders of Paris,' Mission 2025 Partners arrived at Climate Week NYC with exciting updates. New organizations are stepping up to support governments in setting more ambitious climate plans, accelerating action that can unlock trillions in private investment, boost renewable energy, help industries thrive in a low-carbon economy, and ensure equitable living standards for all. Tune in to hear the latest from Climate Week NYC and how global leaders are working together to shape a sustainable future! NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change LinkedIn | Twitter (X) Jennifer Morgan, Special Envoy for International Climate Action LinkedIn | Twitter (X) Tim Lenton, Professor of Earth System Science at University of Exeter LinkedIn Veena Balakrishnan, Political Scientist, Intersectional Environmentalist. Co - Founder, Youth Negotiators Academy LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X) Renata Koch Alvarenga, Disaster Risk Financing Specialist, World Bank I Master of Public Policy, Harvard University I Founder and Executive Director, EmpoderaClima LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X) Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder of ReNew and Chairperson Sustainability LinkedIn | Twitter (X) Günther Thallinger, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE, Investment Management, Sustainability LinkedIn Peter Bakker, President & CEO at World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) LinkedIn | Twitter (X) Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer at Climate Group LinkedIn | Twitter (X) Nigar Arpadarai, Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X) HE Ana Toni, National Secretary for Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, from Brazil as COP30 Presidency LinkedIn | Twitter (X) Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, The Climate Pledge turns five and Tom and Christiana talk to Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, to reflect on the journey of this initiative co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. At the top of the episode, Tom and Christiana anticipate the frantic and sometimes frustrating weeks ahead in this hectic period for those working in climate, and as wild weather continues to wreak havoc, Christiana and Tom invite us to pause for a moment. How can we listen and better contribute? How can we roll up our sleeves - with hope - and get to work on having a positive impact and building momentum? In their thoughtful interview with Kara, the hosts reflect on how The Climate Pledge has grown over the last five years to over 500 signatories - companies who share an ambition to innovate, accelerate joint action and collaborate across sectors to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years earlier than the Paris Agreement. Kara, Tom and Christiana discuss the specific challenges companies face and the solutions and strategies they’re adopting to meet targets. Sharing failures has been just as valuable as sharing successes because, as Tom points out, none of us have decarbonised the global economy before. Unafraid to go deep, they question how we would reduce emissions and redesign society if we kept in mind the earth’s atmosphere. NOTES AND RESOURCES Outrage + Optimism, Live at Climate Week NYC Event Title: It’s Time To Unite For Mission 2025 Event Details: Tuesday 24th September, 12:00 - 13:00 ET, Glasshouse (NYC) Event Description: Mission 2025 is a coalition of courageous leaders - mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians and citizens - who are inviting governments to ratchet upcoming national climate plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions) in line with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Described as ‘Defenders of Paris’, Mission 2025 Partners arrive at Climate Week New York with a major update of new organizations who are ready to embolden governments to set more ambitious plans and accelerate implementation because they know this can unlock trillions in private investment, scale cheap renewable energy, support industries to compete in a low carbon economy, and safeguard living standards equitably for our people. As a live recorded Outrage + Optimism podcast, this flagship event will demonstrate how these plans can be upgraded by showcasing government and real economy leaders who are driving towards ‘positive tipping points’ across the three themes of energy, nature & food, and finance. The event is supported by the Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund and Systems Change Lab – together with the Climate Group. Registering: Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in joining this event The Climate Pledge The Climate Pledge and C40 Cities Launch Laneshift GUEST Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon LinkedIn | Twitter (X) Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Christiana shares her awe and admiration for the athletes at Paris’ Paralympics after being lucky enough to experience some of the games first-hand. Can these incredible athletes inspire us to think and act differently on climate change? As global barometers measure the hottest August ever recorded, the hosts talk about extreme heat and its impact on children - affecting their health, their education and even placing them at increased risk of child marriage. Tom quizzes Paul and Christiana about the events of 12th January 1882 (hint: coal-fired power stations) and celebrates the news that the UK will close its last coal-fired power station later this month. Paul meanwhile is emphatic that nations and businesses need A Plan to Decarbonise. This week, Christiana is in conversation with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist, policy expert and writer. Ayana co-founded the non-profit think tank Urban Ocean Lab, co-edited the bestselling climate anthology All We Can Save, and was the co-host of the How to Save a Planet podcast. Her upcoming anthology is What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures. Christiana and Ayana discuss the ocean’s bounty of climate solutions; renewable offshore energy, carbon-absorbing wetlands and mangroves, and seaweeds and shellfish to feed people. GUEST Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Marine Biologist, Policy Expert, and Writer LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Website You can preorder the book, What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures For more information, subscribe to the What If We Get It Right? Newsletter where the new podcast will be launching! NOTES AND RESOURCES Outrage + Optimism launches its new Listening Journeys Recycled bottle tops and tables made from shuttlecocks - the greenest Olympics? BBC, July 2024 World’s warmest August completes hottest boreal summer on record, Copernicus Climate Change Service, September 2024 Summer 2024 is the hottest on record making it likely this will be the hottest year ever, Euronews, September 2024 Almost half a billion children live in areas experiencing at least twice as many extremely hot days as their grandparents, UNICEF report, August 2024 Bangladesh: IRC study reveals a staggering 39% surge in child marriage due to climate change, December 2023 Britain’s Reliance on coal-fired power set to end after 140 years, FT, September 2024 Chris Stark to lead Mission Control to deliver clean power by 2030 Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! X | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back to Season 10! With the hosts together again following our break, Tom, Paul and Christiana are bursting with news and analysis. Up for discussion this week, the hosts try to understand why the Democrats haven’t been talking much about climate change and what drives Kamala Harris’ outrage and optimism. They delve deeper into the UK’s new Labour Government’s plans around energy, nature and climate change. Plus the hosts scan the horizon for the consequential moments in climate policy, with UNGA, Climate Week NYC and two COPs hurtling towards us. NOTES AND RESOURCES Outrage + Optimism, Live at Climate Week NYC Event Title: It’s Time To Unite For Mission 2025 Event Details: Tuesday 24th September, 12:00 - 13:00 ET, Glasshouse (NYC) Event Description: Mission 2025 is a coalition of courageous leaders - mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians and citizens - who are inviting governments to ratchet upcoming national climate plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions) in line with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Described as ‘Defenders of Paris’, Mission 2025 Partners arrive at Climate Week New York with a major update of new organizations who are ready to embolden governments to set more ambitious plans and accelerate implementation because they know this can unlock trillions in private investment, scale cheap renewable energy, support industries to compete in a low carbon economy, and safeguard living standards equitably for our people. As a live recorded Outrage+Optimism podcast, this flagship event will demonstrate how these plans can be upgraded by showcasing government and real economy leaders who are driving towards ‘positive tipping points’ across the three themes of energy, nature & food, and finance. The event is supported by the Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund and Systems Change Lab – together with the Climate Group. Registering: Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in joining this event Fact check: Sea levels are already rising faster per year than Trump claims they might rise over ‘next 497 years’ CNN, June 2024 Trump’s chat with Musk on X fact-checked BBC, August 2024 Climate Concerns Dip - Monmouth University Poll, May 2024 Labour Government’s In-Tray for Climate Change, Energy and Nature Carbon Brief Summit of the Future Watch Sherman Guity win Costa Rica a Gold Medal in the Paralympics 100m Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Newsflash: In an emergency podcast session recorded on Monday, July 22nd, we delve into President Biden’s announcement that he will not seek re-election. Following his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Presidential Nominee, we bring you a comprehensive analysis of this pivotal moment in U.S. politics. In this episode: Kamala Harris’s Strong Record on Climate Action: A deep dive into her achievements and policies aimed at combating climate change. President Biden’s Climate Legacy: Reflecting on the significant environmental strides made during his tenure as he enters his final six months in office. Election Speculation: Could Harris defeat Trump? Is America ready for its first Black female president? We discuss the potential outcomes and implications of this historic candidacy. Optimism for the Future: Assessing the prospects of a Harris victory and what it could mean for climate action and environmental policies. Stay Connected: Follow us on social media for updates throughout the summer. Send in your questions and topics you'd like us to cover next season. NOTES AND RESOURCES Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's Election Special Roundup, our hosts delve into Labour’s recent victory in the UK, offering detailed analysis tailored for both UK and non-UK listeners. They cover the key events and implications from both before and after the election, providing a comprehensive overview of the political landscape. Highlights: Labour’s Win in the UK: In-depth discussion on Labour's success, including the factors leading to their victory and its potential impact on the UK political scene as well as key figures in Starmer’s cabinet that will play a key role in climate going forward. UK and French Elections: Celebration of the defeat of far-right factions in both countries, examining the broader implications for European politics. US Politics: A brief look at the challenges facing the Democratic Party, especially in light of President Biden’s underwhelming performance in his recent televised debate with former President Trump. Season Finale: As we wrap up this season, we want to thank our listeners for their support. Have an amazing summer holiday, and we look forward to returning in September with more discussions on climate action, political debates, and much more. Stay Connected: Follow us on social media for updates over the summer. Send in your questions and topics you'd like us to cover next season. See You in September! NOTES AND RESOURCES Listen to the latest The Way Out Is In Episode with Christiana Figueres Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In our penultimate episode of the season, hosts Christiana, Tom, and Paul delve into a reflection on the year 2024 so far. This episode takes a deep dive into recent events, including London Climate Action Week, the global political landscape, and the clean energy transformation, all viewed through a climate lens. Optimistic Outlook: Christiana shares positive news about upcoming trade agreements involving Costa Rica, Switzerland, Iceland, and New Zealand, which aim to eliminate tariffs on environmental goods. Looking Ahead: The hosts speculate on what the latter half of the year might bring for climate action and global policies as we anticipate UNGA, New York Climate Week, COP 16 and COP 29 to name but a few. Upcoming Episode: We will be back for a short episode early next week, dedicated to understanding the election results in the UK and France. Farewell for Now: The hosts and the O+O team wish you a restful summer holiday. Stay connected for announcements and content on our social media channels as we take a brief break from the airwaves. Thank you for tuning in! NOTES AND RESOURCES Dawn of the Solar Age article from the Economist as mentioned by Tom Details of the trade agreement between Costa Rica, New Zealand, Iceland and Switzerland as mentioned by Christiana UK Citizen? Learn How To Vote Here French Citizen? Learn How To Vote Here Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we recorded live from London Climate Action Week at the Mission 2025 launch event. Tom Rivett-Carnac was joined by guests Andrew Steer (Bezos Earth Fund), Adair Turner (ETC), Isabelle Noero (Earthrise), Hein Schumacher (Unilever), Tamsin Ballard (PRI), Karen Pflug (INGKA Group) and Nigar Arpadarai (COP29 Champion). Hear their conversations about how to act on climate with speed and scale. Moving faster on tackling the climate crisis is too difficult, too unpopular or too expensive, right? Wrong! This week a new high-ambition coalition of business, mayors, investors, health leaders, athletes, youth activists, scientists and citizens was launched to call on governments to move even faster on climate action. Over 20 organisations have joined Mission 2025, to say: "We are ready to embolden governments to set more ambitious plans and accelerate implementation. We know this can unlock trillions in private investment to protect our nature, scale cheap renewable energy, support industries to compete in a low carbon economy, and safeguard living standards equitably for our people." Mission 2025 is a much needed effort to unlock the momentum needed for this transition to happen at the speed and scale required, and with the equity deserved. Because holding the line on 1.5°C is not an aspirational target – it is a scientific imperative. We hope you enjoy this lively conversation! NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission Twitter | LinkedIn Isabella Noero, Head of Collaborative Partnerships at Earthrise Studio LinkedIn | Instagram Hein Schumacher, CEO of Unilever LinkedIn Tamsin Ballard, Chief Initiatives Officer at PRI Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer at Ingka Group LinkedIn | Instagram Nigar Arpadarai, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29 Azerbaijan LinkedIn | Twitter (X) London Climate Action Week Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, something unique for our listeners from the podcast 'We Are The Great Turning'. As Joanna Macy approaches the end of a long life dedicated to healing our imperiled planet, she begins the conversation with Jessica Serrante, her student and dear friend, “standing afresh with what it’s like to live on Earth at this moment.” As we look into the face of the climate crisis, injustice, and war, difficult feelings arise; all are welcomed. You are invited to join them at Joanna’s kitchen table, and invited into a deeper sense of your belonging and love for our world. In this episode: How to connect with the great possibilities that still exist for us even in these precarious times Joanna reflects on her awakening of environmental consciousness Jess reflects on how meeting Joanna changed her life Love, laughter, heartbreak, and the Work That Reconnects Bonus Exercise: “Open Sentences”—a practice for partners We recommend starting a podcast club with friends or family to do these practices together. Links and assets to help prompt reflection and build community can be found with every episode on WeAreTheGreatTurning.com. Website: WeAreTheGreatTurning.com RSS feed subscription links: Apple Podcasts + Spotify Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Outrage + Optimism celebrate World Refugee Day with an interview with Gaia Vince. The hosts discuss how extreme heat, floods or natural disasters cause tens of millions of people to leave their homes behind. They look at how climate migration is happening now and will only happen faster and with greater impact. With each degree of temperature rise, a billion people will be displaced and huge swathes of the world will become uninhabitable. Gaia Vince, author of Nomad Century: How to Survive the Climate Upheaval talks to the hosts about the need for what she calls ‘honest pragmatism about human mobility’. With Gaia’s steer, the hosts and Gaia discuss ways we might manage this inevitable movement of people; why the right wing, anti-immigration narrative might resonate but is not rooted in the fact that migrants historically enrich societies, both culturally and financially, and how to implement long-term solutions rather than patch-ups. NOTES AND RESOURCES Please fill out our 2024 Listener Feedback Survey! Vote for Outrage + Optimism in the British Podcast Awards Listeners’ Choice Category! GUESTS Gaia Vince Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X) NOTES World Refugee Day Refugee Week: 17 - 23 June What is the ‘human climate niche’ and why does it matter? ‘Simple Acts’ for Refugee Week! Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we go deep into trauma with Thomas Hübl, who developed the Collective Trauma Integration Process for working with individual, ancestral, and collective trauma. With the help of Thomas, hear our hosts unpack why, and how, we have to keep working on the solutions even as we are still experiencing the trauma of the climate crisis. Thomas Hübl, is a renowned teacher, author, and international facilitator who works within the complexity of systems and cultural change by integrating the core insights of the great wisdom traditions and mysticism with the discoveries of science. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Thomas Hübl, Teacher, Author, and International Facilitator Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube | attuned Please fill out our 2024 Listener Feedback Survey! Vote for Outrage + Optimism in the British Podcast Awards Listeners’ Choice Category! Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week’s episode kicks off with Tom and Paul discussing the critical events shaping global democracy over the last week including Trump’s convictions, the first head to head debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer ahead of the July 4th UK elections and Modi’s unexpected election result. They provide thoughtful analysis of the question: how much is climate change impacting these global democratic events? We also feature a brilliant conversation Christiana had with Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media where they discuss Trump and what his possible re-election could mean for climate action. Could a second Trump administration surprise us on climate? NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Ian Bremmer, President and Founder of Eurasia Group and GZERO Media LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Christiana, Tom and Paul bring the politics with a discussion on the upcoming UK election. Our hosts chat to Tom Steyer, Co-Executive Chair of Galvanize Climate Solutions, a mission-driven investment platform, about clean power S-curves, the Climate War and Texas. Christiana questions whether economic competitiveness will win over "political tentacles" in the urgent timeframe we face, particularly in the context of Trump's current position of advantage in the US electoral race. Tune in to hear what Tom Steyer and our co-hosts think. They also discuss Tom’s new book, Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War, in which he shares his own story and showcases the inspiring and innovative work of other climate leaders in the clean-energy transition. He shows us how capitalism can be used to scale climate progress, debunks many of the arguments made by fossil fuel companies, and calls on all of us to make stabilizing our planet part of our life's work. As green technology is fast becoming cleaner and cheaper, reshaping our planet's future--and our own--has never been more crucial or within our reach. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Tom Steyer, Co-Executive Chair, Galvanize Climate Solutions and author of Cheaper, Faster, Better: How We’ll Win the Climate War Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X) Galvanize Climate Solutions Website | LinkedIn Proposition 23 Story on Wikipedia Leave us a Voicemail for our “How To Live A Good Life” Series Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On this week’s show…. Christiana's Corner: Dive into the riveting insights from Christiana as she unpacks the recent CBS interview with the Pope where he declared "Climate change at this moment is a road to death." Discover why she believes stubborn optimism is our strongest ally in turbulent times. Paul's Perspective: Join Paul as he shines a spotlight on the pressing issue of green tariffs. Get ready for a deep dive into how these tariffs can revolutionize our approach to sustainability. Tom's Take: Brace yourself for a captivating argument from Tom as he advocates for the redemption of none other than Jeremy Clarkson. It seems his newfound role as a farmer has transformed his outlook on climate change… Tune in to this week's episode for a whirlwind of thought-provoking discussions and inspiring perspectives! NOTES AND RESOURCES Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, with Tom away, our hosts are joined by Dr. Sweta Chakraborty, Climate Behavioural Scientist & CEO of North America, We Don't Have Time. Together they wrestle on the spectrum of outrage and optimism with the news of Trump's message to oil and gas executives, the part young people play in the climate vote and what impact the survey of IPCC scientists published in the Guardian had on the global community. Please remember to keep sending in your conundrums for our up and coming ‘How to Live a Good Life’ series. Email us at [email protected] or send a voice message to Outrage + Optimism. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Dr. Sweta Chakraborty, Climate Behavioural Scientist & CEO of North America, We Don't Have Time LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X) We Don’t Have Time Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter (X) | Instagram | YouTube Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Christiana, Tom and Paul are back together and, as we continue to experiment with a new format, they each bring the topic they are feeling particularly outraged or optimistic about; listen in for discussions about deceitful campaigns by the oil and gas industry dating back to the 1960’s, small thinking in Europe and fiduciary duty with a capital F. And remember, we need your help. Be part of our new podcast series! We’ll be asking, ‘What does it mean to live a good life in a climate crisis?’ and we'd love to include questions and stories from you. While we are working to change systems, how do we also adapt our everyday lives - eating, traveling, parenting, working - to best fit with the demands of the times? Email us at [email protected] or send a voice message to Outrage + Optimism. NOTES AND RESOURCES Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Tom and Christiana are in Seattle recording in the Amazon studio where they are joined by special guest Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon. Together they bring you an eclectic mix of topics of outrage and optimism ranging from the introduction of the Bechdel test for climate change, storytelling with the national geographic and mosses! The nature sounds that close the podcast come from One Square Inch located in the Hoh Rain Forest at Olympic National Park. Thanks goes to Quiet Parks International for allowing us to use the audio of this oasis of calm and quiet. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do! NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon LinkedIn | Twitter (X) MUSIC / SOUND Gordon Hempton, Bioacoustician and Co-Founder of Quiet Parks International Instagram | Twitter (X) | Facebook Check out the full recording and more at One Square Inch. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Can one vegan with no car really help the planet? Today, a special presentation of a podcast we think O+O listeners will love from The Anti-Dread Climate Podcast. The climate crisis gets more terrifying every year. The impact is undeniable and can feel totally overwhelming. Hope won’t solve it, but neither will hopelessness. A surefire way to manage anxiety and stress over the existential problem threatening our planet is to participate in solutions. So our team is prepared to answer your questions about how you can meaningfully make a difference. In this episode titled, ‘Does What We Do Really Matter?’, hosts Caleigh Wells and Candice Dickens-Russell tackle a hard question; Why bother taking any individual actions to help the planet if industry and other nations pollute so much that they cancel you out? Caleigh and Candice discuss and invite guest Jiaying Zhao, psychology professor at University of British Columbia, to answer how your daily choices to affect climate change can have an impact but maybe not the way you think. – The Anti-Dread Climate Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Website Caleigh Wells Host, TADCP, and KCRW Climate Reporter Website | Twitter (X) Candice Dickens-Russell Environmental Educator, and CEO of Friends of the Los Angeles River LinkedIn KCRW Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, our hosts each arrive with one specific issue they feel freshly outraged or optimistic about. Tom talks about how Earth Day 2024 will come to be known as the beginning of the end of the climate crisis. Christiana is outraged (and a tiny bit optimistic) about the plastics pandemic. And Paul gets fired up about investor and corporate transition plans - can he convince his co-hosts to ‘light the blue touch paper’ and ignite their own optimism? Music comes from Cosmo Sheldrake with his song, “Soil”. Cosmo is a UK-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, live improviser, and field recordist. As part of the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live’s new initiative Sounds Right, Cosmo has shared this new track “Soil (feat. NATURE)”, a homage to the powerful transformative and generative capacities of subterranean ecosystems. Money raised will go towards conservation projects around the world. NOTES AND RESOURCES The Babies vs Plastics Report 23 - 29 April 2024 in Canada - The Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution More on Earth Day 2024 The IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2023 on how it expects CO2 emissions to peak “in the mid-2020s” First Colour Photograph of the Earth from space The danger of the very serious person By Pilita Clark in the Financial Times PAUL’S BOOK TIPS The Corporation that Changed the World by Nick Robins MUSICAL GUEST Cosmo Sheldrake Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) | Spotify | YouTube NATURE Spotify | Apple Music Check out the feat. NATURE playlist on Spotify Sounds Right Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube Listen to Greg Cochrane speak with Brian Eno about EarthPercent + Sounds Right on Midnight Chats Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To mark Earth Day, Christiana shares her conversation with the incredible young climate justice activist, indigenous rights advocate and author Xiye Bastida. From the Otomi-Toltec indigenous community in Central Mexico, Xiye’s life and work demonstrate how indigenous wisdom and principles unearth solutions to the climate crisis. She is driven to create a climate movement that is more inclusive and more diverse. Since 2019, Xiye has been actively involved in organising climate strikes with Fridays For Future, including for their largest youth-led march in New York City. In her role as Co-founder and Executive Director of Re-Earth Initiative, Xiye supports frontline youth across 27 countries, whilst also studying for an Environmental Studies degree with a concentration in Policy and a Minor in Latin American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Recently listed in TIME100 Next as a phenomenon (we agree!), she holds the UN Spirit Award. This episode is the full, unedited version of a conversation recorded for the recent mini series Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection, co-hosted by Christiana Figueres and Isabel Cavelier. This is a wonderful and moving insight into Xiye’s story of nature, on how to slow down, and how we might keep past and future generations in our minds - and hearts. We hope you enjoy it! Background on Earth Day: The first Earth Day was on April 22nd 1970. Across America, twenty million people took to the streets to protest against environmental destruction. Many people were motivated by the devastating impacts of a recent oil spill in California, others campaigned to reduce air pollution. The spirit, scale and power of the protests were inspired by student anti-Vietnam marches. Denis Hayes, who coordinated the original Earth Day, remembers how the day unified diverset groups: "By the time it finally came around, it was in virtually every town, every village, in the United States. It took this basket of issues that we now call 'the environment' and elevated them spectacularly in the public consciousness." Earth Day 1970 is described as the dawn of the modern environmental movement. Events that day resulted in political changes: landmark environmental laws were later passed in the United States - the Clean Air and Water Acts - and the Environmental Protection Agency was created. Many other countries subsequently adopted similar laws. In 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day as the day to sign the Paris Climate Agreement into force. Earth Day is now the biggest civic event in the world, with billions of people participating in events to highlight the urgent need to protect our planet. Its theme this year is Planet vs. Plastics - calling for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, for an end to single use plastics, and for a robust UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution. NOTES AND RESOURCES More on Xiye Bastida, Co-founder and Director of Re-Earth Initiative More on Earth Day Links to Our Story of Nature episodes: Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 1 Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 2 Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 3 Our Story of Nature Intro Music - Catalina by Tru Genesis Other full, unedited interviews from the mini-series can be found HERE Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, the hosts discuss the much celebrated ruling last week at the European Court of Human Rights when over 2000 women aged 64 and up, took the Swiss Government to court for failing to protect them from the growing effects of climate change which proved detrimental to their health. The court in Strasbourg ruled in favour of the women, opening up a pathway for other similar cases to now be heard. The hosts briefly discuss the ruling as well as the backlash experienced among some MPs in the UK and Switzerland and why their accusations of infringement upon country sovereignty is false. We are then joined by the incredible Paul Goodenough, an award-winning, purpose-driven storyteller and entrepreneur, working in the environmental, charity, peace-building and entertainment sectors. In 2019, Paul co-founded Rewriting Earth (formerly Rewriting Extinction), a global collaboration of 300+ of the most influential storytellers creating non-political, non-judgemental content to reach mainstream audiences not typically engaged with environmental issues. It was a brilliant, fun and inspiring interview - make sure to listen to hear how Paul G describes how he hopes the stories he helps bring to life ‘throw an arm around people’ and welcome them into the climate space. The more the merrier we say! NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Paul Goodenough, an award-winning, purpose-driven storyteller and entrepreneur, working in the environmental, charity, peace-building and entertainment sectors Website | LinkedIn | Twitter (X) | Instagram Rewriting Earth Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram Rewriting Earth’s book, The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World, launched in the UK in 2021 and is available at Bookshop.org. The book is launching in Germany next week and is available at Panini Shop. To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The How To Academy Podcast is the biweekly show from London’s home of big thinking. Each episode they take a deep dive into the life and ideas of one of the most significant thinkers, artists, or leaders of our time – from Gordon Brown and Bill Clinton to Mary Beard and Marina Abramovic. This episode features a live, on-stage conversation between Christiana Figueres and the former CEO of Unilever, Paul Polman, on the fight to keep the planet within 1.5 degrees of warming. Visit howtoacademy.com for more podcasts, live events, and livestreams with the world’s leading thinkers. --- To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week’s episode, Tom files an exclusive report live from London, where he's on the ground covering Simon Stiell's highly anticipated Chatham House speech, "Two Years to Save the World". Not stopping there, Tom also snags a quick interview with Simon right after the event. Back in the studio, Christiana, Paul, and Tom dive headfirst into the heart of Simon's speech. They navigate through the maze of mixed public reactions it sparked, delving into the underlying tensions it brought to light. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Here are two links to excellent initiatives seeking to help investors evaluate government performance on policy: ASCOR: https://www.ascorproject.org/ Climatescope: https://www.global-climatescope.org/ Check out Greg Cochrane’s LinkedIn Post on Billie Eilish’s Vinyl Release Extended Listening - Be sure to listen + subscribe to both Sounds Like A Plan + Midnight Chats Listen + Subscribe to The Way Out Is In! To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this week's special episode, while our team takes a well-deserved break, we're excited to present an exclusive, unedited conversation between Christiana Figueres, Isabel Cavelier Adarve, and the award-winning Krista Tippett, host of "On Being." Join us as we delve into "Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection." Take a moment to relax and immerse yourself in this expansive and inspiring dialogue. Krista opens up about her personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences with nature, offering a fresh perspective that's sure to leave a lasting impact. Get ready to see the natural world in a whole new light after tuning in! Krista Tippett is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, New York Times bestselling author, and host of the acclaimed podcast "On Being." Renowned for her insightful interviews exploring the intersection of spirituality, ethics, and humanity, Tippett's work fosters meaningful dialogue and reflection. With her distinctive blend of curiosity and empathy, she invites listeners to engage in conversations that inspire deeper understanding and connection in today's complex world. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Krista Tippett, award-winning journalist, author and host of On Being podcast Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook For more unedited versions of our wonderful guest conversations from our recent mini-series Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection please visit the dedicated Website page Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, the hosts welcome Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor at Our World in Data and a Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford as our guest and discuss her book ‘Not the End of the World, How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet’. In this compelling episode, join the hosts and special guest Hannah as they delve into the intricate dynamics of data, cautious optimism, and doom narratives within the climate community. Don't miss out as we explore the crucial role these elements play in shaping perspectives and driving action. Plus, Hannah treats us to an insightful reading from her remarkable work, offering a poignant addition to our discussion. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue you won't want to miss! Music comes from Fran Lusty with her pop-folk ballad ‘I Hate My Job’. Fran is an Indie-folk singer-songwriter born in Cambridge with Norwegian roots, see her pages below to listen to more of her soul-stirring nature inspired songs. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor at Our World in Data and a Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford Sustainability by numbers | Our World in Data | Twitter (X) You can buy her book here: Not the End of the World, How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet MUSIC Fran Lusty Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube People of the State of California v. Big Oil / The text of the lawsuit is here Our Story of Nature, Deep Dive Series Website Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, our hosts are rejoined by the incredible Isabel Cavelier Adarve. Tune in to hear them answer some of the brilliant questions listeners sent in following Christiana’s and Isa’s launch of their masterful recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection. Christiana, Isabel, Tom and Paul muse on an intriguing range of questions from ‘how to teach citizens and governments about nature’ to ‘could bioliteracy transform things’? The hosts dive deep into philosophical questions about the role of religion, and more prosaic ones about supermarket food. They propose that it is possible, if we want, to sustain, and improve our relationships with nature wherever we are, whether in the heart of the city, or deep in the forest. Also, Tom tries to read out a question in Spanish and threatens to mastermind a presidential bid on behalf of Christiana! NOTES AND RESOURCES Isabel Cavelier Adarve, Co-Founder of Mundo Comun LinkedIn | Twitter Links to Our Story of Nature episodes: Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 1 Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 2 Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 3 Our Story of Nature Intro Music - Catalina by Tru Genesis More on Xiye Bastida who features in the show. Paul’s Book Recommendation - Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher The full, unedited interviews from the mini-series can be found HERE Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, we bring you a US democracy special, discussing Joe Biden’s energetic State of the Union Address in which climate action played a significant role, and also the new guidelines from the Securities and Exchange Commission, a move which has seen the Commission attract a slew of legal challenges from both sides of the climate divide. The hosts ask: can Biden’s campaign for presidency in 2024 unite the partisan divide around climate change and if not, how can we protect the progress that the IRA has already made in the US in the face of a Trump victory? To help us unpack all of this, we have the force of nature and great friend of the podcast, Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. Today, Gina is a Senior Advisor at Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Managing Co-Chair of the America Is All In Coalition, and a Senior Fellow at The Fletcher School’s Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University. She is also an Operating Advisor at Pegasus Capital Advisors and a Senior Advisor at TPG Rise Climate Fund. She serves as co-chair of the India-U.S. Track II Dialogue on Energy and Climate Change, and on the Board of Directors for the Energy Foundation and the Resources Legacy Foundation. Music this week comes from James Hastings with his beautiful song ‘Mother’. James is a singer-songwriter whose unique brand of eco-conscious alt-folk conjures up wild, earthy textures enfolded in ethereal, electronic landscapes. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Website MUSIC James Hastings Website | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify Check out ‘The Forest Sessions’ SEND IN YOUR Q’S FOR NEXT WEEK! - SPEAKPIPE LINK Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get ready to celebrate International Women's Day with Tom and Christiana on Outrage + Optimism! We're discussing the fallout from Super Tuesday and the uphill battle for female parliamentary leadership. Plus, don't miss our exclusive interview with the incredible Gaia van der Esch! Tune in for insights, inspiration, and empowerment! Gaia van der Esch, is an executive in the non-profit and public sectors, a policy expert and author, and we discuss her book, "Leading Our Way: How Women Are Re-Defining Leadership". She is currently the Managing Director of a large international foundation working across 40+ countries to build a world with zero exclusion, zero carbon and zero poverty. Laura Lucas closes this week's episode with her beautiful song, ‘The Sun Touches Everything’. Laura’s introspective songwriting is delivered by delicate vocals and dreamy instrumentation rooted in a warm, modern take on the indie-folk genre. And remember, if you'd like to be part of our miniseries, Our Story Of Nature, Christiana and Isabel will be answering your questions in a special episode on Thursday 21 March. Submit your questions now by emailing [email protected] with 'Audience Q&A' in the subject line. You can send your question in writing or as a video or voice note. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Gaia van der Esch, CEO, Author of "Leading Our Way", Policy Expert Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Leading Our Way: How Women are Re-Defining Leadership, also available on Amazon MUSIC Laura Lucas Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify Submit your question for Christiana + Isa’s Q+A here Check out Climate Clock's Gender Parity Lifeline which tracks the global averages of women in all national parliaments. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, our hosts discuss the global farmers’ protests, what's behind them, how they are being co-opted by right leaning populist parties as an ‘anti-net zero’ rhetoric and what needs to be done to support both farmers and the planet to thrive. Given how essential food production and distribution is to our survival, this is an issue that needs our full attention and global cooperation! Music comes from Olivia Fern with her beautiful song ‘Calling Us Home’. Based in amongst the wild natural beauty of the Lake District National Park in north west England, Olivia’s music is deeply rooted in her connection to the living earth. Did our miniseries Our Story Of Nature spark any questions or thoughts for you? We’d love to hear how your relationship with nature has changed over your lifetime, or what impact you think an individual’s relationship with nature has on our global systems, for example. Or if you'd like to ask Christiana Figueres and Isabel Cavelier Adarve about anything covered (or perhaps something you think should have been covered) in the series, this is your chance. Email [email protected] with 'Audience Q&A' in the subject line. You can send your question in writing or as a video or voice note. Tune in for the answers in discussion with Christiana and Isabel on Thursday 14th March. NOTES AND RESOURCES MUSIC Olivia Fern Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1.5C degrees is back in the news again as the recent Copernicus report reported that the world had exceeded this politically agreed temperature limit for the majority of 2023. But what does this mean? Do we abandon this target and set a new one? Is it still useful to use this as our north star in tackling the effects of man-made climate change? Is now the right time to start a serious conversation about geo-engineering? Join Christiana, Tom and Paul as they grapple with these difficult questions and their wider implications. Our guest this week is Dr. Michael E. Mann, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth & Environmental Science, and Director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media (PCSSM) at the University of Pennsylvania. He lends us his expertise to discuss the liabilities and implications of breaching the 1.5 degree ceiling, and what his latest legal victory means for the ‘war on science’. Music comes from Luke Wallace with his song ‘Comeback’. Luke is a songwriter, speaker, choral arranger and environmental champion from the Coast Salish Territory known as Vancouver, Canada. NOTES AND RESOURCES The O+O episode with Elizabeth Kolbert where we discuss the possible implications of Geo-Engineering explored in her book ‘Under A White Sky’ can be found here. GUEST Dr. Michael E. Mann, Presidential Distinguished Professor of Earth & Environmental Science, and Director of the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media (PCSSM) at the University of Pennsylvania Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube Check out Dr. Mann’s new book, ‘Our Fragile Moment: How Lessons from Earth's Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis’ MUSIC Luke Wallace Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Christiana Figueres and her guest co-host Isabel Cavelier Adarve introduce the third and final episode in their mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection. In this episode, Living As Nature, co-hosts and a stellar cast of guests use the pandemic as their jumping off point to unpack how a moment of physical separation, from each other and the natural world, became a strange chrysalis to stronger and deeper interconnections. Contributors from across many religious and spiritual traditions, including Bayo Akomolafe, public intellectual, and Sister True Dedication,Zen Buddhist monastic teacher join Christiana and Isabel to discuss how developing a sense of reverence and responsibility for the Earth leads to both personal and systemic transformation. They ask: how can our unprecedented ecological and social crises become an opportunity for the foundation of a new way of relating to each other and to nature? How can we move away from living from nature to living as nature, so that we can grow and flourish? This episode is part of a series that shines a new light on humanity’s fundamental relationship with the rest of nature as key to responding to the climate crisis and to transitioning into a regenerative future. Please don’t forget to let us know what you think here, and / or by contacting us on our social media channels or via the website. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Xiye Bastida, Co-Founder Re-Earth Initiative, Indigenous Wisdom, TIME100Next, UN HLC Ambassador, TED Speaker Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | TED Janine Benyus, Co-Founder Biomimicry 3.8 and Biomimicry Institute Biomimicry Institute | LinkedIn | Twitter Dr. Lyla June Johnston, Indigenous musician, author, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Dr. Bayo Akomolafe, Public Intellectual, Author, Professor and Chief Curator, The Emergence Network Website | Course webpage | LinkedIn | Facebook Sister True Dedication, Zen Buddhist monastic teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Community Twitter | Instagram Plum Village LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Krista Tippett, award-winning journalist, author and host of On Being podcast Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Arturo Escobar, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Wolf Martinez, Diné, Lakota, & Spanish. Two Spirit. Speaker, Ceremonialist and practitioner of Ancient Healing Arts. Therapist. Lover. Human Being. LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Kate Raworth, Author of Doughnut Economics and Co-founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab Twitter | DEAL Twitter Dr. Gunhild Anker Stordalen, Founder and Executive Chair of EAT Foundation LinkedIn | Instagram Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Christiana Figueres and her guest co-host Isabel Cavelier Adarve introduce the second episode in their mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection. In this episode, Living With Nature, the hosts share a series of conversations with experts from the worlds of food, the economy, energy and design to illuminate how our man-made systems are rooted in a separation from the natural world. You’ll hear insight and fresh ideas from author Kate Raworth, Founder and Executive Chair, EAT Gunhild Stordalen, energy strategist at Rocky Mountain Institute Kingsmill Bond, author of the Earth Transformed: An Untold History, Peter Frankopan and co-founder of Biomimicry, Janine Benyus. With appropriate outrage, Christiana and guests will explore how the climate crisis, the energy crisis, the inequality crisis and the food crisis all share the same deep root: extractivism based on extrinsic principles. They argue that this extractivism not only depletes the planet—the very soil of the Earth itself—it also depletes our human soul. With characteristic and bold optimism, Christiana, Isabel and guests will argue that if we can overthrow the tyranny of GDP, invest in harvesting rather than in extraction, and if we design our world mimicking nature’s genius, we might yet create a future where humans and nature thrive in balance. This episode is part of a series that shines a new light on humanity’s fundamental relationship with the rest of nature as key to responding to the climate crisis and to transitioning into a regenerative future. Do not miss the third and final episode, Living As Nature, in which Christiana and Isabel invite listeners to contemplate what it will take for each of us to fully awaken to our interconnectedness as, perhaps, the starting point - the foundational stone - without which no new home can be built for a truly regenerative future. Please don’t forget to let us know what you think here, and / or by contacting us on our social media channels or via the website. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Arturo Escobar, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Kate Raworth, Author of Doughnut Economics and Co-founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab Twitter | DEAL Twitter Krista Tippett, award-winning journalist, author and host of On Being podcast Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Dr. Gunhild Anker Stordalen, Founder and Executive Chair of EAT Foundation LinkedIn | Instagram Kingsmill Bond, Energy Strategist at RMI LinkedIn | Twitter Janine Benyus, Co-Founder Biomimicry 3.8 and Biomimicry Institute Biomimicry Institute | LinkedIn | Twitter Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, Christiana Figueres introduces a new mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection. Over three episodes, Christiana and guests will shine a light on our relationship with the rest of nature. Does transforming our connection with the natural world hold the key to transforming our response to the multiple environmental, political and social crises we face? Christiana’s accompanied on this journey by co-host Isabel Cavelier Adarve. Isabel is a former negotiator for Colombia and co-founder of Mundo Comun. In Episode 1, Living From Nature, Christiana, Isabel and guests delve deep into the roots of humanity’s separation from nature. They explore moments where cracks may have appeared and widened, including the advent of farming and a particular interpretation of the Book of Genesis. How have certain ideas shaped different cultures’ relationships with the natural world, and what are their consequences? Is our distance from nature related to other forms of separation, like colonialism? How can we nurture and narrate new stories of our relationship with nature to address 21st Century problems? The best and brightest minds from around the globe contribute to Our Story of Nature, including Peter Frankopan author of the Earth Transformed: An Untold History; Janine Benyus, co-founder of Biomimicry 3.8; Dr Lyla June Johnston, indigenous musician and community organiser; Krista Tippett, award-winning journalist and author Reverend Doctor Augusto Zampini Davies, former adjunct Secretary of the Vatican Dicastery for the Service of Integral Human Development ; Wolf Martinez, Traditional Medicine Person, Guardian and Keeper of the old indigenous ways; Arturo Escobar Professor Emeritus of Anthropology and Xiye Bastida the co-founder of Re-Earth Initiative. Once listeners have heard about the roots of our rupture from nature, tune in for the second episode of the series - Living With Nature. A stellar cast of experts will join Christiana to explore how our current systems - food, economy, energy, design - have been built on a mindset of extraction and separation. With characteristic optimism, they will give us a glimpse into how these systems, in many places, are planting the seeds for a more regenerative future. The third and final episode, Living as Nature, is where the science of awe meets spirituality. Christiana and Isabel invite listeners to contemplate what it will take for each of us to fully awaken to our interconnectedness as the starting point - the foundational stone - without which no new home can be built for a truly regenerative future. Please don’t forget to let us know what you think here, and / or by contacting us on our social media channels or via the website. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History at Oxford University Website | Twitter | LinkedIn Janine Benyus, Co-Founder Biomimicry 3.8 and Biomimicry Institute Biomimicry Institute | LinkedIn | Twitter Krista Tippett, award-winning journalist, author and host of On Being podcast Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Reverend Doctor Augusto Zampini Davies LinkedIn | Laudato Si Platform | Laudato Si Movement | Laudato Si Research Institute, University of Oxford | The encyclical Laudato Si | European Climate Foundation Arturo Escobar, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Xiye Bastida, Co-Founder Re-Earth Initiative, Indigenous Wisdom, TIME100Next, UN HLC Ambassador, TED Speaker Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | TED Dr. Lyla June Johnston, Indigenous musician, author, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages Website | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook Wolf Martinez, Diné, Lakota, & Spanish. Two Spirit. Speaker, Ceremonialist and practitioner of Ancient Healing Arts. Therapist. Lover. Human Being. LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Sister True Dedication, Zen Buddhist monastic teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Community Twitter | Instagram Plum Village LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Dr. Bayo Akomolafe, Public Intellectual, Author, Professor and Chief Curator, The Emergence Network Website | Course webpage | LinkedIn | Facebook Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back to Outrage + Optimism! Season 9 starts here… Our hosts - Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson - are back in conversation, sharing expertise, insights and camaraderie at the outset of the biggest election year in history with more voters than ever heading to the polls globally. Tune in as we explore what on earth does this all have to do with climate change? The three hosts also discuss Christiana Figueres and co-host Isabel Cavelier’s mini-series ‘Our Story of Nature’. Over three episodes, they deep dive into how the ecological crisis - and the many crises we find ourselves in - have their roots in the fact that, by and large, over time, many of us have become disconnected from the rest of nature. This heartfelt inquiry into our relationship with nature has been months in the making. It includes conversations with many insightful guests, including Arturo Escobar, Xiye Bastida, Dr. Bayo Akomolafe, Kate Raworth and Sister True Dedication. Music comes from Wyldest and her beautiful song ‘Easier to Believe’. Wyldest is the artist project of London-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, Zoë Mead. NOTES AND RESOURCES Democracy by Margaret Atwood | Democracy 2024 Costa Rica: Civil War – The Rest Is History Paul’s Book Recommendation: ‘Short Circuiting Policy’ MUSIC Wyldest Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Bandcamp | Mailing List Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective And subscribe to our newsletter! Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For the final episode of the year, we asked you, our listeners, to submit any awkward, painful or difficult climate questions you've encountered from (often well-meaning) friends and family, and Christiana, Tom and Paul told us how they would respond. Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to send through a question to our hosts, you made this a very special episode. Apologies if we weren’t able to get to yours, please do go and engage with us on social media and share your thoughts. Music comes from composer and pianist, Joep Beving and his beautiful piece of music, ‘Losar’. NOTES AND RESOURCES MUSIC Joep Beving Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube Watch Joep perform ‘Losar’ on YouTube - Want to help a musician climate activist hit No. 1 on the UK Charts? Click Here to Buy Louise Harris’ ‘We Tried’! - Our answers not good enough? Katharine Hayhoe has some FANTASTIC advice and guidance on navigating difficult climate conversations. Check out a pile of resources here. - Listen to O+O regularly? Please fill out our 10 minute survey - We want to hear from you! - Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Outrage + Optimism we bring you a serving of sizzling Cuban black bean soup in the form of a special live panel that was hosted by Tom Rivett-Carnac during COP 28! Joined by special guests Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer for Mastercard; Kate Brandt, Chief Sustainability Officer at Google; and Craig Hanson, Managing Director and Executive Vice President for Programs at World Resources Institute, Tom and the panel dug in to a series of fascinating questions: how do businesses and organisations shift consumer behaviour to close the value -action gap; what is the importance of the role of the CSO in corporations; why is providing people and businesses with the right information at the right time key to transformation; and why communicating what IS working will build momentum. Essential listening as we enter the run up to the holidays when many of us will be choosing gifts for loved ones and taking time to set intentions for the New Year ahead! NOTES AND RESOURCES Ellen Jackowski LinkedIn | Twitter Kate Brandt LinkedIn | Twitter Craig Hanson LinkedIn Listen to O+O regularly? Please fill out our 10 minute survey - We want to hear from you! Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With Christiana away, Tom and Paul invite Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s Special Envoy for International Climate Action, to share her thoughts on the final text achieved and what we can take from this year’s COP 28 process. NOTES AND RESOURCES Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s Special Envoy for International Climate Action LinkedIn | Twitter Listen to O+O regularly? Please fill out our 10 minute survey - We want to hear from you! Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With much of the world’s media focusing on the language of the final text at COP 28 to determine the success or failure of the COP and Dr Sultan’s presidency, Tom, with the help of friend of the show and High Level Climate Champion for COP 26, Nigel Topping; and H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High Level Champion for COP 28, take a different lens on what has been unfolding at COP 28 aside from the phase out/down controversy. NOTES AND RESOURCES H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion from the COP28 Presidency LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website Nigel Topping, Member of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) / Non-executive director of the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) Twitter | LinkedIn Listen to O+O regularly? Please fill out our 10 minute survey - We want to hear from you! Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Outrage + Optimism we bring you news that over 1000+ signatories from across business, finance, philanthropy, politics, academia and civil society have joined forces to call on Sultan Al Jaber and all Parties to deliver a 1.5C aligned outcome in response to the Global Stocktake - because later is too late! Tom reflects on this huge concerted effort to deliver outcomes at COP 28 and speaks to Halla Tómasdóttir, CEO & Chief Change Catalyst at the B Team about her motivations to galvinise the B-Team behind this effort to call for meaningful action, and we also hear from many of the signatories themselves explaining why transformative action must happen now. NOTES AND RESOURCES Link to the website STATEMENT: THE TRANSFORMATION IS UNSTOPPABLE Click here to see all signatories featured in this episode. Click here to see the full list of signatories. Listen to O+O regularly? Please fill out our 10 minute survey - We want to hear from you! Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Outrage + Optimism our hosts give a crucial update from Dubai’s COP28 opening days. With Tom and Paul dialling in direct from Dubai and Christiana offering an outside perspective, the hosts ask: Will the word 'out' be in? What role will governments play in the climate crisis going forward? How brave was it for Dr Sultan to launch with a COP outcome (loss and damage) on day 1? They also discuss the incredible commitment from 134 countries to the food systems declaration, and much, much more in this packed episode. To close this week's episode, we have Louise Harris with ‘We Tried’, a moving and beautiful song about the climate crisis and what will happen if we don’t act. The song became the first ever climate song to reach UK iTunes No.1 and all proceeds go to climate causes. NOTES AND RESOURCES MUSIC Louise Harris Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | DistroKid | YouTube | Spotify Watch ‘We Tried’ Here ‘We Tried’ is just the beginning of Louise's music activist journey, with plans to release an entire Climate Album in 2024 if she can raise enough funds for it. You can donate to her GoFundMe if you would like to see more songs and videos like ‘We Tried’ from Louise. Listen to O+O regularly? Please fill out our 10 minute survey - We want to hear from you! Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on Outrage + Optimism our hosts discuss the leaked documents revealing how Adnoc, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Dr. Sultan were planning to use COP 28 meetings with other countries to promote deals for its national oil and gas companies. With Dr Sultan set to give his speech on Thursday, our hosts ask what needs to happen to restore the faltering trust in his presidency and avoid derailing the COP agenda at such a vital time. Our guest this week is Nathaniel Stinnett who founded the Environmental Voter Project, which targets inactive environmentalists, transforming them into consistent voters to build the power of the environmental movement, something which may prove critical given the news that Trump would scrap the landmark IRA and BIL legislations if elected. To close this week's episode, we have Chris Redmond, Co- Artistic Director of Hot Poets with his poem ‘Blink’, with a beautiful musical accompaniment by The Tongue Fu Band (music written by Riaan Vosloo). The poem was commissioned by 3M as part of a series of poems in collaboration with UNFCCC's Resilience Frontiers. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Nathaniel Stinnett, Founder & Executive Director of the Environmental Voter ProjectTwitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram ARTIST Chris Redmond, Artistic Director - Hot Poets (the film of ‘Blink’ will be released on Thursday 30 November on YouTube and across Hot Poets channels) Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok The Tongue Fu Band Twitter | Instagram Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on O+O… our hosts discuss the US-China ‘Sunnylands statement’; China’s positive 2024 emissions news, and ask how we hold this positivity, alongside the recently published UN report that warns of lack of global progress on climate change and the inexorable rise of greenhouse gas emissions, without our heads exploding! Our guests this week are Simon Mulcahy and Shyla Raghav from TIME, both responsible for founding TIME CO2, a division focused on providing businesses with the trusted content, solutions, applications and community that accelerate investment in climate solutions, and progress towards net zero. They recently released their TIME 100 CLIMATE inaugural list which includes our very own incredible Paul Dickinson. Music this week comes from completely DIY self taught Indie-alt-pop musicians and producers Bad Sounds, with their song ‘Beggin’. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Shyla Raghav, Chief Climate Officer, TIME Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Simon Mulcahy, President Sustainability, TIME LinkedIn | Twitter TIME CO2 Twitter | LinkedIn | Website MUSICAL GUEST Bad Sounds Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube EXTRA LINKS Submit your awkward family climate questions via video or voice note to [email protected] OR comment the question on our Instagram Post Check out The Climate Question’s Episode on COP - ‘What has COP Achieved?’ – Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On Being with Krista Tippett is a groundbreaking show, with an iconic host, about the big questions of meaning in 21st Century life - from science to spiritual inquiry, from social creativity to poetry: What does it mean to be human and how do we want to live and who will we be to each other? Listen and subscribe to On Being with Krista Tippett, wherever you get podcasts - LINK - From this week's episode of 'On Being with Krista Tippett': 'The ecological crisis we are standing before is at once civilizational and personal - intimately close to each of us in the places we love and inhabit, and unfolding at a species level. And as much as anyone alive on the planet now, Christiana Figueres has felt the overwhelm of this and stepped into service. She gives voice so eloquently to the grief that we feel and must allow to bind us to each other - and what she sees as a spiritual evolution the natural world is calling us to. If you have wondered how to keep hope alive amidst a thousand reasons to despair, if you are ready to take your despair as fuel - intrigued by the idea of stepping into love and immediate realities of abundance and regeneration - this conversation is for you.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, Christiana joins us from Singapore where she has been attending the inspirational Earthshot Prize Awards, a week of climate and nature-based workshops and events, culminating in a prize awarded to 5 winners who are scaling the most innovative solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges. She points to the fact that the prize itself also represents a mindset, by acknowledging that we do have what it takes to tackle these issues if we support and finance incredible initiatives such as these. The three hosts also discuss the recent concerning polls around the US Presidential Elections suggesting that our democratic institutions are not delivering solutions to the systemic global challenges we now face. They also touch on other topics; as insurance companies forecast more climate destruction, what does an uninsurable future look like? How do religion and faith communities deliver in the climate crisis? Music this week comes from DL Rossi, a Singer-Songwriter from the Metro Detroit area of Michigan. His latest single “With Two Feet” speaks to the random nature of life, and the lessons learned from just being able to show up and work through things as they come. NOTES AND RESOURCES The Earthshot Prize Awards How To Watch | YouTube MUSICAL GUEST DL Rossi Website | Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week, the team talk positive tipping points, grapple with the comms coming out of the pre-COP meets and send our tributes to dearly loved colleagues who have recently passed. With pre COP 28 meetings currently taking place, the host team discuss the mixed messaging that is currently making headlines and anticipate what this might mean for how the future of fossil fuels will appear in the final text at COP 28. Tim Lenton, the founding Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science is our guest this week, and with Tom unable to make the interview, our brilliant colleague from Global Optimism, Freya Newman, joins Christiana and Paul to interview her former professor. With negative tipping points racing along their own ‘S curve’, the team ask Tim Lenton whether there are signs that the positive tipping points can win this race and avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis (pssst, the answer is it looks very, very possible). Music this week comes from Jemima Coulter with their beautiful song ‘[flowers]’. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Professor Tim Lenton, Founding Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science Website | LinkedIn Here is the website on Global Tipping points where you can find resources and info on all that Tim and the team discuss. Spread the word! FREYA NEWMAN LinkedIn PETE BETTS We are all very saddened by the news of the death of Pete Betts, a former guest on Outrage + Optimism and an all round incredible human being. Please check out the episode here, to hear the man himself and his lifetime dedication to working for a better, fairer sustainable future. DAVID ATTENBOROUGH As mentioned by Tom here is one of the first O+O episodes recorded and it is one worth revisiting to hear the exchange between Christiana and David as they talk about the Garden of Eden and Garden of Intention. Truly worth a revisit. MUSICAL GUEST Jemima Coulter Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube Go buy/stream ‘Grace After A Party’ PLUM VILLAGE ‘An Invitation to Sit Together For Peace’ Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week it is over to you, our listeners as the hosts strive to answer all of your challenging and wonderful questions: Should we be having children? How long have we got? How do international conflicts impact climate? And so many more… Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to send through a question to our hosts, you made this a very special episode. Apologies if we weren’t able to get to yours, please do go and engage with us on social media and share your thoughts. We also have an edited interview between our friend and colleague Sue Reid and the incredible Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, a Tanzanian biodiversity leader and lawyer, speaking in her capacity as Co-Chair of The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) on the incredible launch of TNFD’s final framework/recommendations at Climate Week NYC on 18 Sept and the urgent need to shake up current paradigms that still pervasively treat nature as disposable and limitless. Music this week comes from Passiflora and their wonderful track ‘Bosque’. NOTES AND RESOURCES Latin America and Caribbean Climate Week Links to the report mentioned by the hosts at the top of the episode called: Latin American successes in the energy transition can be found here Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme and Co-Chair of The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) LinkedIn | Twitter Here is the link to the published TNFD framework. MUSIC GUEST Passiflora Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | Spotify | Soundcloud Check out Passiflora’s Live Album ‘Noches en vela’ on Bandcamp Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ahoy! With Christiana at the helm this week we’re raising our anchor and charting a course into the fascinating and complex world of greening shipping. The shipping industry can feel removed from our daily lives. With images of huge cargo ships criss-crossing the oceans, distant foreign ports and international regulatory bodies with unfamiliar acronyms like the IMO or the GMF, you might even ask yourself: why should I care? We’ll hear how 90% of what we consume, wear and use in our homes comes to us via a ship. And how the predominant use of dirty fossil fuels means that the shipping industry currently contributes around 3% of the world’s global CO2 - that’s the same as the whole of Germany or Japan’s emissions. But not any more! Christiana and her crew of shipping experts take you on a journey to explore how the shipping industry is at the forefront of an exciting transition to Net Zero, and will explain how greening the maritime sector could help us address the climate emergency. Christiana has been a long and passionate advocate for reform in the shipping industry. With the help of guests such as AP Moller-Maersk’s Senior Vice President, Morten Christiansen; Alejandra Teran from Costa Rica’s Sailcargo; Eric Leveridge, Campaign Lead at Ship it Zero; Ambassador Albon Ishoda, Royal Marshall Islands Presidential Special Envoy for Maritime Decarbonisation, Dr Lucy Gilliam, Seas at Risk, Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO, MaerskMcKinney Moller Centre, Cleo Bierneza, Third Officer at Swire Shipping and many more, this deep dive episode will hope to leave no doubt in our listeners’ minds as to why shipping’s path to Net Zero is integral to our current and future life on the planet. How these ships are fuelled now and in the future, why the recent International Maritime Organisation decision was history in the making, how the people working on these ships are treated to ensure a just transition as well as the role that we, the consumers, can play, are all questions that Christiana and her guests tackle during this special episode. Do let us know what you think! NOTES AND RESOURCES GUESTS Alejandra Terán, Chief Purpose Marketing Officer at Sailcargo LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Ambassador Albon Ishoda, Royal Marshall Islands Presidential Special Envoy for Maritime Decarbonisation Twitter | LinkedIn Bo Cerup-Simonsen, Chief Executive Officer of Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping LinkedIn | LinkedIn for Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology LinkedIn Cleo Bierneza, Third Officer at Swire Shipping LinkedIn Eric Leveridge, Campaign Lead at Ship It Zero Ingrid Irigoyen, Associate Director, Ocean and Climate, Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program & President and CEO, Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance Twitter | LinkedIn Dr Lucy Gilliam, Senior Shipping Policy Officer at Seas at Risk Twitter | LinkedIn Seas At Risk Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Morten Bo Christiansen, Senior Vice President, Head of Energy Transition at A.P. Moller - Maersk LinkedIn Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when three wise women get together? Just an incredible series of new, mind-blowing conversations, that’s all. In this week’s episode we are THRILLED to bring you an edited version of the AMAZING ten-part video series Uncertainty and Possibility -Meeting the Climate Future featuring Buddhist teacher, Roshi Joan Halifax; writer/activist Rebecca Solnit and of course, our own remarkable Christiana Figueres. Recorded by our friends at Upaya Zen Centre earlier this year while the three women were together in person, please do be sure to check out the full series in its entirety! During the course of these discussions, Roshi Joan, Rebecca and Christiana go deep on topics ranging from personal reflections on climate grief, to how to be present to the current climate reality, to how we can rewrite the current narrative of the anthropocene. We guarantee you will leave this conversations with a deepened understanding of the transformation, both personal and systemic, required to meet the challenges of the climate crisis. Huge thanks goes to the team at Upaya who recorded these interviews and kindly allowed us use of their audio, and to Roshi Joan Halifax, Rebecca Solnit and Christiana for the rich conversation. If the episode leaves you wanting to hear more from these wonderful women, you can download the previous Outrage + Optimisms episodes where Roshi Joan Halifax and Rebecca Solnit feature as guests. Please remember to send in your questions for the Listener mailbag episode we are doing at the end of October. Either submit through our social media channels or email: [email protected] NOTES AND RESOURCES Upaya Zen Centre Website | Instagram | Facebook Ten-part Video Series Video Series: Uncertainty and Possibility—Meeting the Climate Future - Upaya Zen Center GUESTS Roshi Joan Halifax Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | flickr Rebecca Solnit Website | Twitter Rebecca’s organisation Not Too Late co-founded with Thelma Young Lutunatabua. Website Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on O+O, our hosts, Christiana, Tom and Paul delve into the latest International Energy Agency report which sounds the death knell on the fossil fuel era and welcome award-winning investigative journalist Amy Westervelt onto the show. With the IEA’s publication of their World Energy Outlook report, Christiana, Tom and Paul assess what this means for the fossil fuel industry, national governments and the companies continuing to push the exponential growth of the renewable energy markets. The IEA report still offers us an opportunity, a very, very slim opportunity to act unitedly and decisively to keep within our global targets - can we heed this advice before the door finally closes on this opportunity? We’re extremely excited to welcome Amy Westervelt as our guest this week. Amy is an award-winning investigative print and audio journalist, loved by our team for her true crime climate podcast Drilled. Join us as she shares her journey to launching Drilled and Critical Frequency, her podcast production company, and why she’s dedicating her time to unearth the nefarious actions of a few PR firms that enable incumbents to keep a stake in the climate crisis narrative. Music this week comes from Nick Nuttall and his debut album, Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows, which draws on rich life experiences between his eccentric upbringing in the North of England, to his nearly two decades of work at the UN fighting the climate and environmental crises across the globe. NOTES AND RESOURCES GUEST Amy Westervelt, Investigative climate journalist and Head of Drilled Media Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram THINK TANKS Story: Meet the Shadowy Global Network Vilifying Climate Protesters MUSIC Nick Nuttall Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter Album ‘Just Because Some Bad Wind blows’ can be purchased here, or here Watch the music video for ‘Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows’ Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on O+O: UK Net Zero rollbacks, the rise of global populism and why we should all be hungry for (protein) alternatives. Pull up a chair to the table and tuck in to this week's episode. With the UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent announcement that he plans to ‘roll back’ Net Zero commitments, coupled with the disturbing rise of global populist politicians choosing to hack the climate crisis conversation, our hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson, ask: why, and why now, are these leaders choosing to act against the scientific consensus and hit the brakes on progress? Tune in this week to hear the hosts’ lively and insightful analysis on this worrying trend in global politics. Alternative proteins is the topic of this week’s guest interview. Bruce Friedrich from the Good Food Institute is interviewed by the unflappable Andy Jarvis from theBezos Earth Fund, using his expertise in this area to dig into this incredibly important and hugely influential issue. Bruce, Andy and the hosts unpacked the outsized positive impact that alternative proteins can have not only on tackling the climate crisis, but also our health, animal well-being and nature restoration. He also issued a stark warning with regards to the huge quantities of antibiotics we feed our animals and the current and future on human health: “The UK government said the threat to the human race from antimicrobial resistance is more certain than the threat from climate change. It's already killing 1.3 million people per year. It's predicted to be killing 10 million people per year by 2050, according to an article in The Lancet last year. Seventy percent of medically relevant antibiotics are being fed to farm animals. Now, former head of the World Health Organization, Margaret Chan, has said the end of working antibiotics is the end of modern medicine.” * Yikes. Music this week comes from Colombian Psychedelic band ‘BALTHVS’ and their track ‘Eclipse Solar’. NOTES AND RESOURCES * Bruce quotes an article published in Jan 2022 by The Lancet: Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. This article in turn quotes the UK’s AMR review’s final paper:Tackling Drug-Resistant Infections Globally: Final report and recommendations (2016) which is the original source of the figures Bruce uses in the quote above. PLUM VILLAGE Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet course. Sign up HERE and make sure to check out their scholarships on offer if support is needed. GUESTS Bruce Friedrich, President and Founder of The Good Food Institute Twitter | LinkedIn The Good Food Institute Twitter | LinkedIn Andy Jarvis, Director of Future of Food at Bezos Earth Fund Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram MUSIC BALTHVS Website | Instagram | YouTube Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, Tom plays the role of roving reporter live from Climate Week NYC and shares his analysis of UNGA and the growing public concern around the UN’s ability to maintain the momentum and vision that we so desperately need to keep us on track to meet our global goals. Tom also shares an incredible finding with us all presented by former O+O guest, John Marshall, CEO of Potential Energy Coalition, that the winning message that caused people to unite behind climate change action is….love. The hosts beautifully discuss what this means for us as a global community and how we should stay as close to this source as possible. Throughout the episode, we also hear from a range of voices captured by Tom throughout the first part of the week from leaders representing civil society, private corporations, youth, state legislatures and communication professionals. Music this week comes from Annie Hamilton and her incredible track, 'Electric Night'. NOTES AND RESOURCES Celine Herweijer, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at HSBC Twitter | LinkedIn Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer and EVP at Mastercard Twitter | LinkedIn Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Isabelle Offer, Photographer Website | Instagram | LinkedIn Phil Drew, Partner at Brunswick Group LinkedIn Harjeet Singh, Head Of Global Political Strategy at Climate Action Network (CAN) Twitter | LinkedIn Sally Fouts, Director of The Climate Pledge at Amazon LinkedIn Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California Secretary for Natural Resources Agency Twitter | LinkedIn - MUSIC annie hamilton Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Check out the dreamy and fuzzy version of ‘electric night’ Annie’s ‘production, sustainability, and brand ethos’ - Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, we welcome back perennial friend of the podcast Nigel Topping as he joins Christiana, Tom and Paul on a fast-paced whistle stop analysis of the recent and up-coming events (Africa Climate Week, UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week) populating the climate change calendars. If that was not enough, the team also discusses the soon to be published IEA report, set to declare the ‘beginning of the end’ of the fossil fuel industry, (watch out for the ‘Minsky Moment’) as well as the much anticipated recent UNFCCC Global Stocktake report, with an invitation to view these reports in a more integrated way. Music this week comes from Nu Deco Ensemble and their beautiful piece of music titled 'Sacred Earth'. The orchestra’s mission is to create compelling and transformative genre-bending musical experiences that inspire, enrich and connect new and diverse audiences and artists. NOTES AND RESOURCES Nigel Topping, Member of the Climate Change Committee (CCC) / Non-executive director of the UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) Twitter | LinkedIn Fatih Birol’s op-ed: Peak fossil fuel demand will happen this decade THIS WEEK: Go to a March or Climate Action Near YOU - Fight Fossil Fuels Dot Net - MUSIC Nu Deco Ensemble Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Check out their Daft Punk and Dr. Dre concerts on YouTube - Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. Back together following our break, the hosts discuss the devastating extreme weather events that have been happening across the world and they encourage us to think about how these changes within the global climate are impacting all our environments. Looking ahead to the next few months, we’ll cover the major climate events, all requiring critical decisions to be made in this important decade. They also explore some positive news stories that have happened over the last month, including the vote by Ecuadorians to halt oil drilling in the biodiverse Amazonian national park. We have a fascinating and passionate interview from the incredible Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, he gives us an honest account of what he feels are the top political obstacles to climate solutions. Music this week comes from the very talented Hilang Child, a British-Indonesian alt-pop artist, songwriter and drummer from South London! NOTES AND RESOURCES Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Watch AG’s New TED Talk - ‘What The Fossil Fuel Industry Doesn’t Want You To Know’ - Hilang Child Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Pre-Save or Stream the new single - ‘Lapwings’ Extra Listening - ‘Seimbang/Balance’ - Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. For the final episode of the season, Christiana, Tom and Paul answer many of your fantastic questions including: ‘We hear a lot of talk about planting trees to sequester carbon, but most of our planet is covered by ocean, and the ocean is absorbing most of the heat. Should we be doing more to plant and restore seaweed, seagrasses, and mangroves?’; ‘If anything would be possible and all of us would work together towards one goal - what would your ideal world look like?’ and “Are we gonna be OK?”’ Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to send through a question to our hosts, you made this a very special episode. Apologies if we weren’t able to get to yours, please do go and engage with us on social media and share your thoughts. Music this week comes from our very own fabulous host, Christiana Figueres, check out the video of her rap here. Feel free to spread the love! We will welcome you back in September with a very exciting not-to-be-missed interview, followed by episodes sharing insights into New York Climate Week, COP and many more important events which will see us through to the end of the year. NOTES AND RESOURCES Christiana’s incredible rap video can be found here. Adam McKay’s video can be found here. The song mentioned by Paul from Gracie Fields can be found here. Here is a link to the lawsuit against big oil companies by the city of San Francisco. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. Pilita Clark, associate editor and business columnist at the FT is our very special guest this week and as huge fans of her work at Outrage + Optimism Tom and Christiana were thrilled to host this fascinating conversation. In this episode, Pilita discusses with the hosts the changing landscape of climate coverage against the backdrop of the extreme weather events across the globe, delves into her insights from her recent article The fossil fuel industry will not lead us out of the climate crisis | Financial Times and why exponential growth in climate solutions is a narrative that technology is leaving editors with no choice but to cover. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did! If you have not yet checked out Christiana’s rap on social media - where have you been? Go show our brave host some love and let us know your thoughts. You can find it on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn Look out for our end of season listener mailbag special on Friday! NOTES AND RESOURCES Pilita Clark, FT Columnist and Associate Editor LinkedIn | Twitter Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. With Tom away, Christiana and Paul discuss the extreme and deadly heat waves facing multiple continents, news which is dominating the headlines. They review the details of the recently published Letter to Parties from the incoming COP president, which sets out his vision for what he thinks needs to be accomplished at COP28 later in the year. Also, they talk about the hard won law just passed by the European Parliament to restore degraded natural ecosystems. Our special guest this week is Fiona Morgan, Chief Purpose Officer of Sail GP, an extraordinary international sailing competition. Hear about the Sail GP Impact League, in which athletes race to win two podiums - one for sporting performance and one for the planet. They bring us a fascinating conversation on how climate, sport, ocean and nature collide. To close this week's episode, music comes from the Norwegian band Darling West, and their beautiful song ‘How I Wish’. You still have time to submit your questions to our hosts for next week’s episode, email us at [email protected] or engage on our social media channels. NOTES AND RESOURCES Letter to Parties - COP28 UAE Fiona Morgan, Chief Purpose Officer at SailGP LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Here is a link to the video mentioned by the hosts, Season 4 Calendar Revealed | SailGP Purpose & Impact Report Darling West Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, our podcast comes from Detroit, Clay's home city, where Christiana, Tom and Clay have been attending the TED Countdown conference. The hosts provide an insight into what has been an incredible week, with fascinating speakers including a not-to-be-missed speech by Al Gore, Xiaojun "Tom" Wang and Susan Lozier, many talking about the exponential change that we are seeing, a recurring message coming out of the event. They also discuss Christiana’s recent op-ed, I thought fossil fuel firms could change. I was wrong’ which really is worth a read if you haven’t already. Our hosts speak with some special guests from across the TED Countdown conference about this idea of exponential change and the need for a shift in the narrative of climate change; Andrew Steer, Fiona McRaith, Dr Jonathan Foley and Ellen Jackowski. With Clay busy in Detroit at TED Countdown, huge thanks to Airaphon who mixed and sound edited the podcast this week. NOTES AND RESOURCES You can read Christiana’s most recent op-ed here, I thought fossil fuel firms could change. I was wrong’ Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Fiona McRaith, Manager, Engagement & Delivery and Special Assistant to the President & CEO, Bezos Earth Fund LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Dr Jonathan Foley, Executive Director, Project Drawdown LinkedIn | Twitter Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer and EVP at Mastercard LinkedIn | Twitter TED Countdown Summit 2023 Learn more about the Paris Agreement. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. With the hosts back together, Christiana and Tom discuss their week at Plum Village with Paul, and Christiana mentions the privilege of meeting Emmanuel Faber, the Chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). They debrief on their fascinating conversation with him about the recently launched IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards, ushering in a new era of sustainability-related disclosures in capital markets worldwide, something very close to Paul’s heart. Our interview this week is with Simon Sharpe, Director of Economics for the UNFCCC Climate Champions, Senior Fellow at the World Resources Institute and author of Five Times Faster. In conversation with Christiana and Tom, Simon discusses how we can accelerate climate action, why we need to decarbonise the global economy five times faster than we have managed so far, and why some of the real blocks to achieving this could be the very ideas and institutions that are supposed to be helping us. To close the episode, we have some exciting instrumental music from a listener of the podcast, Gilmore Trail. NOTES AND RESOURCES Simon Sharpe Director of Economics for the Climate Champions Team and Senior Fellow at the World Resources Institute. Author of Five Times Faster Five Times Faster Website I LinkedIn Gilmore Trail Website I Facebook I Instagram I Twitter I Youtube I Bandcamp I Soundcloud I Spotify Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, we bring you a very special joint episode of Outrage + Optimism and The Way Out Is In. From the peace and tranquility of the International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, Christiana and Tom speak with Zen Buddhist monk Brother Pháp Hữu and journalist Jo Confino. Listeners of both podcasts are invited to join in on an intimate and deep conversation covering everything from the missing spiritual elements in the climate movement, moving beyond linear timelines into exponential transformation, and what happens when we all stop. So bring your tea to the table and let the radical collaboration begin. NOTES AND RESOURCES Note: this episode was edited on 22.09.23 date in response to a listener comment on language Listen and Subscribe to ‘The Way Out Is In’ Listen to Brother Phap Linh perform ‘Music for Difficult Times’ Plum Village App Twitter | YouTube | Instagram Thich Nhat Hanh Twitter | Foundation Plum Village Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Brother Chân Pháp Hữu Instagram Jo Confino Instagram LISTEN: ‘Bringing the Ultimate Dimension Down to Earth’ READ: ‘Zen and The Art of Saving the Planet’ by Thich Nhat Hanh To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week our hosts discuss the slow progress made at the negotiations in Bonn which concluded last week and how the perceived lack of direction has led many in the climate community to feel anxious about how successful talks will be in Dubai later in the year. Christiana also touches on the New World Bank report, Detox Development: Repurposing Environmentally Harmful Subsidies, highlighting the trillions of dollars wasted on subsidies for agriculture, fishing and fossil fuels that could be used to help address climate change instead of harming people and the planet. With Tom off to the Global Citizen Power Our Planet Live event on Thursday, the hosts discuss their hopes for a more positive outcome from The Summit for a New Global Financing Pact also happening in Paris this week. Look out for the anticipated momentum to gather pace on Mia Mottley’s Bridgetown Agenda for the much needed reform of international finance. Our special interview this week is with the brilliant communications expert John Marshall, CEO of Potential Energy Coalition, to discuss climate change’s marketing problem and how we can solve it. Essential listening and the team here all agree we could learn a lot from John’s insights! For anyone wanting to learn more about the important work of Potential Energy, click here. Our fabulous music this week comes from Hazel Mei and her song Golden Chains, another finalist from this year's Environmental Music Prize. Check out her links below. With Clay away, huge thanks to Airaphon who mixed and sound edited the podcast this week. Please don’t forget to let us know what you think here, and / or by contacting us on our social media channels or via the website. NOTES AND RESOURCES John Marshall, Chairman and CEO of Potential Energy Coalition LinkedIn | TED Bio Potential Energy Coalition Website | LinkedIn | Instagram Hazel Mei, Environmental Music Prize Finalist Instagram | Facebook | YouTube For anyone wanting to watch the absurd Fox news interview with Power the Future founder, Daniel Turner, here is the link. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week we are excited to share our Live Lifelines vs Deadlines Q&A session packed with brilliant questions from some of our listeners! Alongside our regular hosts, we welcomed back the fabulous Fiona Macklin and Dylan Tanner co-hosts of the original mini-series with Paul Dickinson, and were thrilled to once again offer O+O listeners the chance to peek behind the curtain on our live recording. Listen to the episode to find out how our hosts feel about what place the oil and gas companies should have at COP28, and should they be there at all? And is it time for the climate movement to unite around one single issue, and what should that be? We close this week's episode by sharing an inspiring video which shows the moment 200 South African firefighters landed in Canada to help fight the wildfires. Please don’t forget to let us know what you think here, and / or by contacting us on our social media channels or via the website. NOTES AND RESOURCES Don’t Miss Another LIVE O+O Event - Sign up here for our newsletter! Got thoughts from this episode? Continue the conversation here on LinkedIn. — Fiona Macklin, Senior Adviser, Groundswell at Global Optimism LinkedIn Dylan Tanner, Executive Director at InfluenceMap Twitter | LinkedIn | Website It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. With anti-ESG action hitting the headlines across the ‘puddle’ (as Christiana would say), our hosts begin this week by walking us through the origins of the anti-ESG movement which we covered in our Season 6 episode: ESG: Facts are not Political, before moving us on to explore the current spate of legal cases being brought by certain Republican groups, designed to intimidate members of net zero alliances. We were very fortunate to speak to Maurits Dolmans, attorney and partner of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, and a rising star of the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance, who helped us understand the baseless allegations and coordinated propaganda employed by Republican groups (such as Consumers’ Research and the State Financial Officers Foundation) to delay and obfuscate meaningful climate action, while putting voters’ pensions, investments and livelihoods at risk. Expect high octane outrage from this episode! Relief in the form of our talented musical number comes this week from Constant Follower and their track “The Merry Dancers on TV”. Check out their links below. Also, don't forget we’re hosting a live Q+A session on Monday 12 June with Paul, Fiona, Dylan, Tom and Christiana to cover all those burning questions unearthed by the Lifelines vs Deadlines mini-series. Details about how to register your place can be found here. Please don’t forget to let us know what you think here, and / or by contacting us on our social media channels or via the website. NOTES AND RESOURCES Don’t miss our LIVE Online Podcast Recording & Q+A on Monday, June 12, 2023. Click the link to register and save your spot! Letter from 23 Attorney Generals to the Net Zero Insurers Allianz that Paul mentioned in the episode. Maurits Dolmans LinkedIn | Blog Co-Authord by Maurits Constant Follower Instagram | Linktr.ee | McAll’s Story Check out UK-based Charity - Help Musicians Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, Christiana, Tom and Paul debrief on Paul’s recent mini series and discuss the news that insurers are leaving the Net Zero Insurance Alliance after the ESG backlash in the U.S. There is a big week coming up, with the Bonn climate intersessionals in preparation for the COP28 in Dubai later in the year. Finally, they discuss the devastating news of heat waves in India and Asia, and the fact that the World Meteorological Organization has said that there is a 66% chance that the world will exceed the 1.5 °C threshold in at least one of the next five years. We introduce you to this year's Environmental Music Prize which aims to amplify the voices of artists who inspire action for climate and conservation. We feature three of the finalists; Meraki Mae, SheisArjuna and Sunfruits. Also, don't forget we’re hosting a live Q+A session on the 12th June with Paul, Fiona, Dylan, Tom and Christiana to cover all those burning questions unearthed by the Lifelines vs Deadlines mini-series. Details about how to register your place can be found here. Please don’t forget to let us know what you think here, and / or by contacting us on our social media channels or via the website. NOTES AND RESOURCES Don’t miss our LIVE Online Podcast Recording & Q+A - June 12, 2023. Click the link to register and save your spot! Environmental Music Prize 2023 ***Go to EnvironmentalMusicPrize.com to VOTE for your favorite 3 finalists by Sunday, June 4th!*** Edwina Floch Founder, The Environmental Music Prize LinkedIn | Twitter Finalists Featured: Meraki Mae - Warrior Instagram | Facebook | Spotify SheisArjuna - Vessel Instagram | Facebook | Spotify Sunfruits - End of The World Instagram | Facebook | Spotify Learn more about the Paris Agreement. Credits: Exec Producer: Sarah Thomas Producer/Sound Design/Editor: Clay Carnill Production Coordinator: Mandy Clark Social Media Manager: Kam-Mei Chak Communications Manager: Zoe Tcholak-Antitch Operations Manager: Katie Bradford It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. Last week Paul Dickinson, Dylan Tanner and our guests explored some of the good, the bad, and the downright dark side of government action on climate policy, or perhaps that should be inaction. This week, with the help of co-host Fiona Macklin, part two of Lifelines vs Deadlines will go beyond the politics and speak to industry and city leaders, lawyers and youth activists on the need for collective support around regulatory lifelines if the deadlines, climate science has set for us are to be met. Expert guests including: Mark Watts, Executive Director at C40 Cities Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission Paul Polman, Business leader, campaigner and co-author of ‘Net Positive: how courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take’ Georgina Beasley, Secretary General at Net Zero Lawyers Alliance Joshua Amponsem, Founder, Green Africa Youth Organization and Co-Director - Youth Climate Justice Fund Shyla Raghav, Co-Founder, Chief Portfolio and Partnership Officer at TIME CO2 Dr Ellen Quigley, Special Adviser (Responsible Investment) to the Chief Financial Officer and Principal Research Associate (Climate Risk & Sustainable Finance) at University of Cambridge Please don’t forget to let us know what you think here, and / or by contacting us on our social media channels or via the website. NOTES AND RESOURCES Paul Dickinson, Founder Chair at CDP LinkedIn Fiona Macklin, Senior Adviser, Groundswell at Global Optimism LinkedIn Dylan Tanner, Executive Director at InfluenceMap Twitter | LinkedIn | Website Mark Watt, Executive Director at C40 Cities Twitter | Instagram Lord Adair Turner, Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission Twitter Energy Transitions Commission Twitter | LinkedIn Paul Polman, Business leader, campaigner and co-author of ‘Net Positive: how courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take’ Twitter | LinkedIn | Website Georgina Beasley, Secretary General at Net Zero Lawyers Alliance LinkedIn Net Zero Lawyers Alliance LinkedIn Joshua Amponsem, Founder, Green Africa Youth Organization and Co-Director - Youth Climate Justice Fund Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Shyla Raghav, Co-Founder, Chief Portfolio and Partnership Officer at TIME CO2 Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | InstagramTIME and TIME CO2 Twitter | LinkedIn | Website Dr Ellen Quigley, Special Adviser (Responsible Investment) to the Chief Financial Officer and Principal Research Associate (Climate Risk & Sustainable Finance) at University of Cambridge LinkedIn Paper: Universal Ownership in Practice: A Practical Investment Framework for Asset Owners Paper: Universal Ownership and the Polycrisis: Social Norms, Feedback Loops, and the Double HermeneuticCredits: Series Producer: Catherine Harte Exec Producer: Sarah Thomas Producer/Sound Design/Editor: Clay Carnill Production Coordinator: Mandy Clark Social Media Manager: Kam-Mei Chak Communications Manager: Zoe Tcholak-Antitch Operations Manager: Katie Bradford It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week Paul Dickinson introduces the first of his two-part series on Lifelines vs Deadlines: The Need for Science Based Policy by delving into some of the big, underlying and often nefarious causes currently blocking the implementation of meaningful science-based policy which would accelerate our collective transition to a net zero world. Paul kicks off the episode by outlining the enormity of the net zero target that businesses have set themselves in line with scientific targets and expresses his belief (which is share by many) that these goals are not achievable without meaningful government policy to derisk, regulate, set a level playing field and penalise persistent offenders. Why then, instead of governments swooping in with these regulatory lifelines, are we seeing at best antipathy or at worst active disinformation campaigns to block regulation that might aid businesses to make the necessary transitions to align with Net Zero strategies and investments? What are the forces at play? Why aren't governments stepping up to the challenge? These are a few of the questions Paul and Dylan will be exploring over Part One of this mini series with a range of expert guests including: Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Naomi Oreskes Amita Chaudhury Steve Waygood Chris Skidmore MP NOTES AND RESOURCES Dylan Tanner, InfluenceMap Website | Twitter | LinkedIn Senator Sheldon Whitehouse Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Naomi Oreskes Twitter | LinkedIn Amita Chaudhury LinkedInAIA Group Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Steve Waygood Twitter | LinkedIn Aviva Investors LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Chris Skidmore MP Twitter Credits: Series Producer: Catherine Harte Exec Producer: Sarah Thomas Producer/Sound Design/Editor: Clay Carnill Production Coordinator: Mandy Clark Social Media Manager: Kam-Mei Chak Communications Manager: Zoe Tcholak-Antitch Operations Manager: Katie Bradford It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, Christiana, Tom and Paul cut straight to heart of our collective outrage following yet more announcements from Oil and Gas companies disclosing record-breaking profits. The fact that these record breaking profits are juxtaposed with record-breaking temperatures directly causing devastation to people and planet leads to a line-in-the-sand moment for Christiana. Our esteemed guest this week is Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28. Tune in as the hosts explore with Razan her journey to her current role, her passionate focus and belief on the integral role of nature in tackling the climate crisis and the importance of engaging, understanding and preserving different cultural relationships to our environment. This week's music comes from a wonderful artist called Arya with her superb track: "The Art of Letting Go." NOTES AND RESOURCES H.E. Razan Al Mubarak UN Climate Change High-Level Champion from the COP28 Presidency LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website Arya Instagram | Facebook | Spotify Check out Arya’s “Por Amor De Mi Vida” - WATCH: Zen Rapstars of Plum Village - “Little Star” Performance - SIGN UP: Donna Grantis' Culture vs Policy Email List (scroll down to bottom of the page to enter your email) Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. Okezue Bell, a high school senior, activist and a social entrepreneur, is the co-founder of Fidutam, a SIM card based application that provides microloans to low infrastructure and unbanked communities, and the co-inventor of something called WeArm, which is a low cost 3D printed human like prosthetic arm for below the elbow amputees. Christiana and Tom caught up with him to hear more about his work in the climate space, how he views the current situation and his ideas for a clear solution driven approach to tackling the climate crisis. Notes Okezue Bell LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter| Website It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. With our very own 'durational piece of art' Paul Dickinson away this week, Christiana and Tom take a sobering look at the heatwaves affecting so much of the global community right now; and analyse Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber's speech at the 14th Petersberg Climate Dialogue. We also have music this week from Stella Talpo with her track Tarantino. Clay is sadly away this week spending some time with the monastics of Plum Village - we are expecting him to be very Zen upon his return! Huge thanks as ever to Airaphon for helping with the edit. Stella Talpo - Tarantino Instagram | Twitter | Bio-site For those interested in Tom and Christiana's reference to The Ministry of the Future, check out our episode with author Kim Stanley Robinson here Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another bumper episode of Outrage + Optimism! This week we kick off with a rather triumphant Paul Dickinson revelling in the news that Fox News personality, Tucker Carlson, has parted ways with the corporation. First David Malpass, now Tucker Carlson... We can’t help but wonder who else features on Paul’s mysterious list? Don’t worry Tom, you are quite safe. For now… Christiana, Tom and Paul cover other big news in the US including Biden’s re-election bid; a White House commitment to put $1 billion into the Green Climate Fund; the announcement of the launch of Carbon Management Challenge; and an anticipated Biden vs Trump showdown. The recent G7, IMF and World Bank gatherings also come under the hosts scrutiny. Our interview this week is with two formidable and fantastic women: (Mama) Mary Robinson (Chair of the Elders) and Hafsat Abiola, (President, Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative), who together have launched Project Dandelion, an incredible initiative that has grown out of the Connected Women Leaders network. Finally, we play a brief clip featuring Mary Robinson taken from a short film entitled How Do We Get the World Off Fossil Fuels Quickly and Fairly? This film, recently made and released by our fantastic friends and partners over at TED Countdown serves as the second installment of their brilliant TED Countdown Dilemma Series. Be sure to watch the many varied viewpoints offered by an impressive line-up of guests here. NOTES AND RESOURCES Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders Instagram | Facebook | Website | Twitter | YouTube Hafsat Abiola, President, Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website | Twitter | YouTube Connected Women Leaders (CWL) and Project Dandelion LinkedIn | Twitter TED Countdown Website | Instagram | Twitter WATCH: TED Countdown Dilemma Series How Do We Get the World Off Fossil Fuels Quickly and Fairly NEWSLETTER: Subscribe! Prince? Tzeporah? Shredding? —-> It will all make sense. To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. AND - The Environmental Music Prize is BACK for 2023! YOU can take climate action by watching music videos and voting for your favourites to win the $20,000AUD prize! Go here to vote: Environmental Music Prize Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back to an Outrage + Optimism Earth Day Special where we are super excited to share with you this recording of our Live Q&A session recorded on Wednesday 19th April discussing the Momentum vs Perfection series. We duly rolled out the red carpet once again for the fabulous Fiona McRaith who co-hosted the original Momentum vs Perfection mini-series with Tom Rivett-Carnac, and were thrilled to be able to offer our wonderful audience the chance to peek behind the curtain on our live recording and put their questions to the host team. Tune in to hear our hosts’ answers to questions about momentum, perfection, diversity, 'the moveable middle', joy, spirituality and more. PLUS Paul's singing 🎶 - and the audience vote on it 👍👎...? NOTES AND RESOURCES Fiona McRaith, Manager, Engagement & Delivery and Special Assistant to the President & CEO, Bezos Earth FundLinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Find out what’s happening around the globe on Earth Day 2023. Major events include Extinction Rebellion’s The Big One in London which aims to be the largest environmental protest of 2023, Earth Day DC’s End of Era of Fossil Fuels in Washington DC and countless more. AND - The Environmental Music Prize is BACK for 2023! Starting Earth Day (Saturday) Apr 22, 2023 YOU can take climate action by watching music videos and voting for your favorites to win the $20,000AUD prize! Go here to vote: Environmental Music Prize Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With Tom away this week, tune in to hear Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson discuss announcements from the World Bank, the spring G7 meeting in Japan and Paul’s mini scoop into the issue of UK internal flights, as well as their fantastic interview with celebrated author Jon Alexander and his widely acclaimed book: “Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All of Us” We are also excited to share details of how you can join Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Fiona McRaith and Paul Dickinson for a live online Q&A recording of Outrage + Optimism on Wednesday 19, 2023 @ 4.30pm BST / 11.30am EST. During this live Q&A session we will be taking questions resulting from Tom and Fiona’s mini series: Momentum vs Perfection. Please follow this link to register your place. We will be taking a short break next week so please take time to revisit the mini-series here. And we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Wednesday 19 April! Enjoy the episode! NOTES AND RESOURCES O+O Live Q&A: Join Us - April 19, 2023 @ 4.30pm BST / 11.30am EST Register to join us for our live online Q&A episode of Outrage + Optimism and put your question to our hosts, please click on this link and follow the instructions. Rachel Kyte article mentioned by Christiana here Jon Alexander Twitter | LinkedIn MUSIC Banditos Instagram | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube Be sure to spin and buy their latest record ‘Right On’! To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson this week on Outrage + Optimism as they discuss how best to counter the doom and disinformation in the wake of the recent IPCC synthesis report. Our special guest this week is Pete Betts, the much loved and highly respected civil servant with over 10 years as Director International climate and energy in the UK Government. Despite receiving a terminal diagnosis, Pete continues to dedicate his time and effort to climate change, specifically highlighting those who stand to suffer the most from its effects are kept in the forefront of decision makers minds as we attempt to face the challenges of climate change. Pete shares that the two most important questions we believe we should all ask ourselves: “Are you surrounded by people you love and that love you? And did you make a difference?” How would you respond? NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. Pete Betts LinkedIn The Climate Pledge Future Forward The Climate Pledge | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn MUSIC Aisha Badru Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | Apple Music Be sure to check out the official lyric video for ‘Path of Least Resistance’ on YouTube. It’s trippy and beautiful. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back to part two of the mini-series Momentum vs Perfection! This week Tom Rivett-Carnac and Fiona McRaith deepen their exploration of the tensions in the climate movement outlined in episode one, and look to see how we might begin to move past the current impasse to accelerate action in this decisive decade. Journey with Tom, Fiona and their guests as they seek to answer the burning questions that they hope might unlock a trajectory to collaborative, joyful action. Some of these questions include: Is a rebuilding of trust and understanding among the different actors key? What part does the ‘moveable middle’ play on the spectrum of momentum and perfection. How do we ensure inclusivity and engagement of those whose voices are not currently represented in the wider movement? How do these divisions present in the corporate world where the sense of urgency is well embedded but transition to action is hesitant? What role can impartial actors and data play in pushing forward the momentum and perfection agendas? Can the capitalist spirit ever be used as a force to accelerate change as long as it is rooted in good intention? Is connection and personal relationships key to building the sense of common purpose and approach we need now? Helping Tom and Fiona to answer these questions is an incredible line-up of guest speakers: Justin Forsyth, Co-Founder Count Us In, a radical collaboration of business, faith, sport, and civil society to inspire a billion people to take climate action. Farhana Yamin, Lawyer/Author/Activist & Keynote Speaker. Farhana is an internationally recognized environmental lawyer, climate change and development policy expert. She works part time at the Doc Society coordinating the Climate Reframe Project which seeks to amplify the voice of climate activists and experts from racialized minorities in the UK environment movement. Peter Bakker, President & CEO WBCSD, the global CEO-led community of the world’s leading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net zero, nature positive, and equitable future. Sister True Dedication, Zen Buddhist monastic teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Community Prof Helen Pankhurst CBE. CARE International, MMU, UOS. Senior Advisor at international humanitarian agency CARE International, women’s rights activist, and the direct descendant of Emmeline Pankhurst and Sylvia Pankhurst, both leaders in the suffragette movement NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Learn more about the Paris Agreement. Fiona McRaith, Manager, Engagement & Delivery and Special Assistant to the President & CEO, Bezos Earth Fund LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Justin Forsyth LinkedIn | Twitter Count Us In Twitter | Instagram Farhana Yamin LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram Peter Bakker LinkedIn | Twitter WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development LinkedIn | Twitter Sister True Dedication Twitter | Instagram Plum Village LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Helen Pankhurst, women’s rights activist and Senior Advisor, CARE International LinkedIn | Twitter CARE International Twitter | YouTube Learn more about Pankhursts’s great-grandmother Emmeline Pankhurst and grandmother Sylvia Pankhurst, both leaders in the suffragette movement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn - Click Here to see the full show notes for this episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week Tom Rivett-Carnac introduces the first of his two-part series on Momentum vs Perfection by looking at the different theories of change within the climate movement and asking if and how they can co-exist to drive the level of scale and action needed in this decisive decade. He is joined on this complex and emotive journey by guest co-host Fiona McRaith, Manager of Engagement & Delivery and Special Assistant to the President & CEO at climate philanthropy fund Bezos Earth Fund. Fiona brings a (significantly younger) Gen Z perspective to this thought-provoking discussion. Our co-hosts speak with a series of esteemed guests on this timely and important question, including: Helen Pankhurst, Senior Advisor at international humanitarian agency CARE International, women’s rights activist, and the direct descendant of Emmeline Pankhurst and Sylvia Pankhurst, both leaders in the suffragette movement Author, educator, environmentalist, and Co-Founder of international environmental organization 350.org, Bill McKibben Environmental activist and Co-Founder of global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion, Gail Bradbrook Jerome Foster II, Co-founder of Waic Up and youngest member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council Director of mission-driven consulting firm Reos Partners, Adam Kahane Previous Director of Strategy for the Cabinet Office for COP 26 (the United Nations’ annual climate conference) Charles (Charlie) Ogilvie Don’t miss Part One of this incredible and timely conversation, including insights from previous movements, generational collaboration, the value of civil disobedience, the role of data and measurement, and whether agreement between sides is necessary for advancement. And be sure to look out for the final episode of this mini-series next week, in which our co-hosts, with the help of their guests, will hopefully draw some conclusions to help guide us in these crucial years. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson interrupt their previously scheduled programming一the launch of the O+O miniseries discussed last week一to celebrate International Women’s Day (recognized annually on March 8) with CEO & Leadership Activist Fabian Dattner. The team also covers big news about our oceans’ future and closes with music from Child Seat. Tom starts with the news that after nearly 20 years, members of the United Nations have finally agreed on the United Nations High Seas Treaty, an international framework to protect biodiversity in international waters. It’s a massive achievement that protects the migratory routes of some of our most iconic species and demonstrates significant multilateral cooperation. Oh, and negotiations were led by Rena Lee, Singapore’s Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues and Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs一another great reason to celebrate International Women’s Day. On a related note, Christiana references a disturbing statistic from a report prepared by GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion, an advocacy group of 62 current and former senior women leaders, that women have held just 12% of top positions at 33 of the largest multilateral institutions since 1945. Clearly, we still have a ways to go in the pursuit of gender equality. Next, the trio welcomes CEO & Leadership Activist and the founder of the global leadership consultancy the Dattner Group, Fabian Dattner. The group discusses Dattner’s work at the nexus of leadership, support for women, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). While it may sound like an unconventional combination, Dattner explains how it all came together一initially in a dream一and later in her Homeward Bound initiative. It is, our co-hosts agree, an unassailable mix of what our world desperately needs and could use more of. Later, Dattner brings up her trip to Antarctica and how the concept of success is as dangerous as the concept of failure. For many women, Dattner explains, success can be framed as an elusive ideal. She counsels that if you aren’t willing to fail, there’s nothing you can achieve because success is mostly a string of failures. These are just some of the topics from the group’s lively exchange! Finally, the episode closes with the track “Burning” from indie rock powerhouse Child Seat. You won’t want to miss this one! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Find out more about the United Nations High Seas Treaty. Download the report from GWL, Numbers Matter: To Fix the multilateral system start by including women. Fabian Dattner LinkedIn Learn More about the Dattner Group, the Compass Leadership Program for Women, and Homeward Bound. Here’s the 20023 Edelman Annual Trust Barometer referenced in the episode. MUSIC Child Seat Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome listeners as as we start the week with a special bonus episode from the wonderful folks at Conscious Coliving who recently hosted Tom Rivett-Carnac on their brilliant podcast Coliving Conversations, a show that shines light on the people, projects, and places of the blossoming coliving movement! In this episode, join co-hosts Naima Ritter Figueres and Dr Penny Clark for an insightful conversation with Tom Rivett-Carnac where together they explore the role of communities in addressing the climate emergency. Enjoy! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. This week, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss the amazing reviews they’ve received on the podcast and take the opportunity to thank listeners for participating with us in trying to save our planet. The team also announces an upcoming special project they’ve been working on and chats about the nomination of Ajay Banga as World Bank President. A frightening new study on the accelerating rates of extinction is also discussed, and there’s music from Bailen. Paul starts with highlights from the results of a listener feedback survey. First, a whopping 87% of respondents said they’d taken action on climate change since listening to the podcast, which includes sharing the podcast一a key part of our mission一and for which we’re deeply grateful. Plus, only 43% of those listening work in the climate space. That means we’re breaking out of the climate bubble and bringing people outside of climate into the conversation. “Astonishing!” declares Christiana. Wait until you hear the rest! Next, Tom introduces a fresh theme on O+O related to personal projects each of the co-hosts will work on individually and bring to the podcast. Over the next few weeks, Tom will begin the series on different approaches to change一momentum and perfection. He’ll explore whether they can work together, and if so, how? Exciting stuff is on the way! In the following segment, our co-hosts weigh in on the World Bank presidential nomination of Ajay Banga, previously President and CEO of MasterCard. They agree he’s a hopeful choice for, among many other things, bringing climate issues back to the World Bank, which stands in contrast to the positions held by outgoing president David Malpass, a climate denier. Finally, the trio discusses the alarming new study by lead author Dr. Yuangeng Huang of the China University of Geosciences on the steady destruction of biodiversity and how it’s likely to suddenly tip over into total ecosystem collapse. All agree the study didn’t get the coverage it should have, and that it’s critical we’re focused now on strategies and capital allocations to protect and reverse habitat destruction. Climate won’t matter if this doesn’t get done. Again, thank you for taking the time to respond so thoughtfully to our listeners’ survey and to help us improve the podcast. And before you leave please don’t miss the beautiful three-part family harmonies of Bailen on their moving ballad “Eyelashes.” Correction: We would like to apologise for the mispronunciation of Dr Yuangeng Huang's name during the episode. NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Find out more about Ajay Banga, the U.S. nomination to lead the World Bank. Here is The Guardian’s coverage of Dr. Yuangeng Huang’s study on ecosystem collapse. Here is Dr. Yuangeng Huang’s study itself. More on Elizabeth Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History referenced in the episode. GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE on FRIDAY MARCH 3 - Click here to find a strike near you. #TomorrowIsTooLate MUSIC Bailen Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Spotify | TikTok Click here to Pre-add/Pre-Save ‘Tired Hearts’ coming out May 5th! See Bailen on Tour Check out Clay’s Picks this week: ‘Call It Like It Is’ ‘Something Tells Me’ - It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson interview climate leaders Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of global issues think tank the Club of Rome (the Club), and Johan Rockström, Joint Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (Potsdam). Our esteemed guests discuss the 50th anniversary of the Club’s groundbreaking report on the implications of continued worldwide expansion, “Limits to Growth” (Limits), and their recently published collaborative report “Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity (Earth For All).” Serving as both a sort of update to “Limits,” and a new solutions manual, “Earth For All” goes deep into the interrelationships between global stress points, the consequential scenarios that could lay ahead of us, and the policy recommendations we need to save our future. It’s a fascinating conversation that covers planetary boundary science, dynamic systems modeling, the social tension index, and whether we can reach aspirational and equitable goals for humanity within our environmental boundaries. Importantly, we explore whether a planetary solution is possible without addressing systemic inequity. Of course, be sure to stick around for music this week from brand new father/son duo Emrys + Clay. Don’t miss a minute of this compelling episode! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome LinkedIn | Twitter Explore The Club of Rome and the original landmark report (including a free download), “Limits to Growth.” An updated version is available here. Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Twitter Listen to a previous episode featuring Rockström about the race to zero. Learn about the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Twitter Read more or get your own copy of “Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity.” MUSIC Emrys + Clay You can find more of Clay and Emrys on Clay’s Patreon. Clay has played in bands before. They are: Claslan | Flint Eastwood Clay Carnill Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week in a surprise move, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, announced her resignation. So in light of this profoundly ego-less moment of leadership, we revisit a stirring conversation we had with her in 2021 when we visited the First Minister at her residence in Edinburgh during the TED Countdown Conference. Our conversation surrounded this new vision she had brought forth into the world for small countries collaborating on climate action, detailed in the instantly-popular TED Talk she had just delivered earlier that day (immediately followed by a standing ovation). Tom said, “it was one of the best I’ve ever seen.” This interview is part of a longer episode we published in 2021 titled, ‘Small Countries, Big Vision with Nicola Sturgeon’. You can listen to that full episode and more by visiting the Outrage + Optimism website or by finding us wherever you get your podcasts. Enjoy the Rewind. — NOTES AND RESOURCES Nicola Sturgeon | First Minister of Scotland Twitter Watch Nicola Sturgeon’s TED Talk referenced in the episode, followed by a short Q+A. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss the monstrous profits made by Big Oil last year, how at least one fossil fuel firm plans to invest its gains, and what it all means for the climate agenda going forward. They also speak to Avinash Persaud (Avi), Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados on Investment and Financial Services and creator of the 2022 Bridgetown Initiative, and we have music from gifted musician Scotty Grand. The team opens with the astounding report that BP, Chevron, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies together made more than $200 billion in profits in 2022. What’s even more shocking? BP followed with an announcement that in the interests of “energy security,” it’s scaling back its 2030 emissions reductions targets from 40% to 25%. Let’s just say the trio doesn’t mince words in response. Outrage indeed! Next, Avi Persaud outlines his work on the 2022 Bridgetown Initiative with Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. While climate change impacts us all, it does so unevenly. Those who suffer disproportionately have the narrowest access to capital support. Can our current economic system address this problem? Persaud leads a fascinating discussion on the power of global financeーwhen deployed creativelyーto drive extraordinary changemaking. Find out how callable capital, international reserve currency, and other key levers could meet the significant systemic challenges in front of us today. Finally, we have music from the one and only Scotty Grand. He’s served as Creative Director, Keyboardist, and MC for Grammy-nominated artists Jordin Sparks, the Jonas Brothers, and fellow pianist Alicia Keys, among many other A-listers. He’s also the great-nephew of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jacksonーand Christiana’s neighbor! You won’t want to miss a minute of this substantive and thrilling episode! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Avinash Persaud, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados on Investment and Financial Services LinkedIn |Twitter | Facebook Learn more about the Bridgetown Initiative. Scotty Grand Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Watch Scotty Grand’s inspiring video for “Change Everything.” Also, be sure to give a listen to ‘All I Know’ and ‘Alchemy’ It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us online! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss US President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, a possible green race to the top across the G7 nations, and how to identify positive economic tipping points with Kelly Levin, Co-Director of the Systems Change Lab and Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change for the Bezos Earth Fund, which provides grants to support the climate and nature. The team agrees that United States politics, as witnessed through the lens of the annual State of the Union speech, seems like a slugfest, with jabs from both sides but no winner. Still, they admire Biden’s multiple references to climate change as a global security issue affecting vulnerable people一rather than more political drama. Also worth discussing: Could Biden have a chance at winning reelection in 2024? The trio weighs in. Next, Kelly Levin discusses the Breakthrough Effect, a groundbreaking report on how to trigger a cascade of tipping points to accelerate the net zero transition. She outlines the three super leverage points that could prompt the “tipping of the tipping points” to bring about planet-saving climate action. Electric vehicles (EVs), green ammonia, and alternative proteins play a role. The co-hosts contend this is a welcome concept一that if we can trigger the right leverage points, we can cause a global cascade of positive climate change. From there, we can go from a linear to exponential transformation. It’s almost a relief to think it’s possible, especially in the face of grinding, slow change that seemingly won’t be fast enough to save the planet. You won’t want to miss this fascinating conversation! Finally, alt-pop singer-songwriter Panteon closes the episode with the beautiful acoustic track “Archipelago.” See you next week! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Kelly Levin, Co-Director Systems Change Lab LinkedIn |Twitter Bezos Earth Fund Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Find out more about The Breakthrough Effect report Explore more about the Systems Change Lab To find out more about the Climate Party, visit their website. Or contact them on: [email protected] Instagram | Twitter | Facebook MUSIC Panteon Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube Check out Panteon’s new single - ‘Anyone Someone’ Yvonne from Panteon is in Encanto! We were a finalist for the AICA Award (International Association for Environmental Communication)! Check out the work they are doing here on their website. Be sure to check out and follow our sister podcast, ‘The Way Out Is In’ It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Happy New Year! Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. After a well-spent hiatus, the team returns with the first episode of what we hope to be an amazing year documenting climate progress! We know from previous years that many people discover the podcast over our break, so If you're a new listener, we're thrilled you’re here! In today’s episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson catch up on what’s been happening in climate over the last few weeksーand what’s to come in 2023. First up, the team chats about their break and the importance of taking time to reflect and cultivate equanimity, self-care, and inner strength. And speaking of inner strength, what about the brave decision of New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, to leave office after five remarkable years? Our co-hosts weigh in with some thought-provoking insights. There’s talk of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the controversial pick to be the president of COP28—this year’s UN climate conference, which is set to be held in Dubai. Al Jaber is the Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Check out Christiana’s Op-Ed on Al Jaber in The New Statesman. This year will also mark the first global stocktake (GST), the process designed to assess the world’s progress toward achieving the purpose behind the landmark Paris Agreement. Oh, and Paul’s “friend” wrote a poem about Christianaーyou’ll have to listen to find out what rhymes with “emissions.” Finally, we leave you this week with the beautifully haunting track “Oh Mother” from Sive. Bye for now! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Tom recommends Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. Learn more about ChatGPT. Read Christiana’s Op-Ed about Dr. Sultan Al Japer in The New Statesman. Learn more about COP28. MUSIC Sive Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Spotify | Bandcamp Check out Sive’s album ‘We Begin In Darkness’ Check out our sister-podcast, ‘The Way Out Is In’ Did you know we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast? - Check it out! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. In the final episode of 2022, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson look back at what transpired this year, what went well, what didn't, and what to expect in 2023. Plus, they have a conversation with spiritual leader Roshi Joan Halifax and highlight music from Windser. Reflecting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the team addresses the profound tragedy of the war but also how it proved to be a watershed moment for exposing the vulnerability of fossil fuel markets. It appears the weaponization of energy has driven the world closer toward decarbonization. While 2022 was undoubtedly marked by tragedy, there was some good news, including three landmark legislative wins from the United States that contain meaningful provisions to address climate change. They also hailed the recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy about an unexpected breakthrough: Scientists at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California for the first time successfully generated more energy from a fusion reaction than what was required to produce it. And in another positive note, biodiversity is also getting a much-needed boost from the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Next, guest Roshi Joan Halifax provides a nourishing dose of inspiration with her thoughts on her lifelong spiritual journey, social and environmental engagement, and cultivating resilience in the face of increased uncertainty. It’s the type of motivational close to the year we needed. As we all take stock, we’re reminded that we couldn’t do this without your support, and we thank you from the depths of our hearts for joining us on this journey to better understand our ability to come together to affect transformation in the world. Also, we wish environmental activist, Buddhist scholar, and dear friend Joanna Macy, a swift recovery as she recuperates from pneumonia in the hospital. You can find more about Macy and her work in the show notes below. Finally, we’ll leave you with the dazzling sounds of California singer/songwriter Windser. Have a wonderful holiday season, and we’ll see you in January 2023. NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Roshi Joan Halifax Instagram| Twitter | Facebook | flickr Upaya Institute and Zen Center Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram Here’s more on the Inflation Reduction Act 2022, the 2022 Budget Resolution And Reconciliation: How We Will Build Back Better, and the CHIPS Act of 2022. Read more about the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15). Find out more about fusion energy from the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Listen to environmental activist, Buddhist scholar, and deep ecologist Joanna Macy on Outrage! + Optimism. Explore her celebrated book Active Hope. MUSIC Windser Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube Watch the video for “Drift Away” Stream the new EP - “Where The Redwoods Meet The Sea” Watch Windser perform with Macklemore on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Also - Check out Windser’s AudioTree Live Session It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future. Who are our heroes? How do we select them? In addition to parents, families, partners, friends, comic book characters, or others on your list, you might want to add today’s guests. In this episode, co-host Christiana Figueres speaks with climate activists Mauricio Porras and Anuna De Wever about HERO一a climate tech startup on a mission to empower people to accelerate change in the world. Co-founder Porras and advisory board member De Wever share the inspiring story behind this extraordinary organization and platform一which enables subscribers to provide critical financial support to those on the frontlines of climate action. Links on how to subscribe are below! As climate activists, they are all too familiar with how draining such work can be. Most activists, in fact, must hold down other jobs to support themselves. This often becomes exhausting, and untenable一which can negatively impact the campaign’s momentum. Find out how HERO creatively addresses this very real need for financial support while sharing highlights of activist journeys and connecting climate “mobilizers” (their term) with broader communities worldwide. It’s an uplifting conversation that touches on tech, finance, innovation, communication, climate, and some of the true heroes of the climate movement. You won’t want to miss it! As the holiday season approaches please consider supporting the activist community by subscribing to a policy circle of your choice. NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. HERO Hero Circle | Podcast | Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok Mauricio Porras Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Anuna De Wever Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue on building a sustainable future. In this jam-packed episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson catch up on news from the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Boston, the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) in Montréal, insights from Conservation International’s Dr. M. Sanjayan, and music from Boyish. Christiana opens by recounting her time at the award ceremony for the Earthshot Prize一the world’s most prestigious environmental award. Highlights include the “green carpet” with such A-listers as Prince William, Billie Eilish, Annie Lennox, and David Beckham, among others, £5 million in prizes, and the extraordinary winners themselves. Christiana was actually brought to tears. The team also previews the UN Biodiversity Conference COP15, which started Dec. 7. Conference dynamics are bound to be interesting since it’s being chaired by the Chinese delegation (a holdover from the cancellation of the in-person conference in 2020) but hosted by the Canadians in Montréal. Listen for all the details on “30 by 30,” the significance of biodiversity for global GDP, and more. Later, Conservation International CEO Dr. M Sanjayan shares his thoughts on the connection between climate and nature, why the nature agenda is一counterintuitively一running behind the climate agenda, and the forthcoming nature economy. We close the episode with music from the indie duo, Boyish. They’ve amassed more than 15 million streams across their catalog, received praise from publications including Billboard, Paper, Office Magazine, and Pigeons and Planes, and were the recipient of the 2021 LGBTQ+ Emerging Artist Award. Enjoy their beautifully evocative track, “mom i think i'm gay” Listeners, this is your last chance to complete our listener survey. Your feedback is important to us, and we’re deeply grateful for your ongoing support. Thank you! Bye for now! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Catch up with The Earthshot Prize 2022 Learn more about the UN Biodiversity Conference: COP15 in Montréal Check out our sister-podcast, ‘The Way Out Is In’ Sanjayan, Ph.D. Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube Conservation International Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective MUSIC Boyish Spotify | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook Clay’s Pick of The Week: Boyish Music Videos - Smithereens | Legs | Congratulations | Superstar BEL - Paul BigDawg (with Boyish) Please follow us! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue on building a sustainable future. In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac go deep into U.S. domestic energy policy with guests U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and White House Deputy National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. First up, the critical topic of energy justice: Granholm updates the team on the Justice40 Initiative, in which an unprecedented 40 percent of federal energy investments are earmarked for disadvantaged and historically underserved communities that are overburdened by pollution. The plans, which seek to reckon with deep-seated inequities, are ambitious, exciting, and groundbreaking. Speaking of action, Tom and Christiana’s next guest is optimist and White House Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. He contends the U.S. is on a positive linear trajectory and accelerating exponentiallyーnot just in clean energy or emissions reduction but in terms of the political economy backing these actions. Get the scoop on how federal agencies and departments are pushing forward together. We finish the episode with the beautiful track “Until the Day” by Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter BEL. Additional details are included in the show notes below. You won’t want to miss a second of this electrifying episode! Listeners, please take a minute to complete our listener survey. Your feedback is important to us, and we’re deeply grateful for your ongoing support. Thank you! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Please complete our listener survey here Jennifer M. Granholm, Secretary U.S. Department of Energy. Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Find out more about the Justice40 Initiative Ali Zaidi, White House Deputy National Climate Advisor Twitter | | LinkedIn Learn about the National Climate Task Force Here’s more on the Inflation Reduction Act 2022 and the 2022 Budget Resolution And Reconciliation: How We Will Build Back Better legislation It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective MUSIC BEL Spotify | Twitter | Instagram | SoundCloud | YouTube Please follow us! Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, a special TED Countdown conversation for you! In June 2022, TED’s climate initiative, Countdown, launched its Dilemma Series: events designed to look at some of the “knots” in the climate change space, where diverging positions have stalled progress and solidified into an inability to collaborate across differences. What we offer today is one of the conversations recorded as part of that event between Outrage + Optimism host Tom Rivett-Carnac, and academic, writer, and author Professor James Dyke. The event focused on the question: Is there a role for carbon credits in the transition to a fair, net-zero future? We hope that Tom and James' ‘agreeable disagreement’ on this often divisive issue will be taken as an invitation to listen deeply, keep an open mind and get a little wiser on a complex topic. Please follow the links below to view the fantastic film produced by the TED Countdown team, and gain a greater insight and understanding on the topic of carbon credits but also the process of holding space for such conversations to take place. Carbon credits is a contentious subject that prompted some discomfort, disagreement and, ultimately, a renewed sense of possibility. Enjoy We want to hear from you! Fill our our LISTENER SURVEY - Thank you! To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective. TED Countdown Dilemma Series TED Countdown Dilemma Series Intro Film | Blog | TED Countdown Website | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter Professor James Dyke Website | Twitter Follow us on Social Media Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue on building a sustainable future. In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson give their concluding thoughts on COP27, followed by Tom’s interview with Rory Stewart OBE FRSGS FRSL一former Conservative cabinet minister, diplomat, soldier, author, academic, charitable entrepreneur, and podcaster一a true polymath if there ever was one. We close the episode with music from British singer-songwriter L.A. Salami and his captivating single, “Desperate Times, Mediocre Measures.” Enjoy the show! NOTES AND RESOURCES We want to hear from you! Fill our our LISTENER SURVEY - Thank you! To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Explore more about COP27. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective. Rory Stewart Twitter | The Rest is Politics | Wikipedia GiveDirectly Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube MUSIC L.A. Salami Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music Watch the amazing video for “Desperate Times, Mediocre Measures.” All his incredible music videos are here - WATCH Clay’s Pick of The Week - ‘Things Ain’t Changed’ Follow us on Social Media Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue on building a sustainable future. In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson share their reflections on COP27. We also have music from South Africa’s Daily Maverick, featuring the brilliant vocalist, Anneli Kamfer. Tom is back from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where he spent several days at COP27, the UN’s annual climate conference. The trio discusses whether the international commitment to contain global warming to 1.5°C一now that the target seems to be moving out of reach一is as robust as it should be. Is conference messaging, such as “[We are] resolved to pursue efforts,” as strong as it should be? Next, there’s good and bad news on “Loss and Damage.” This refers to the responsibility of industrialized nations for the climate crisis and the moral case for compensating poorer countries suffering disproportionately from its consequences. Hear the breakdown and where the group stands on the progress of this critical issue. Other COP27 discussions cover balancing collective global action with internal political realities, strides in reversing deforestation, and Tom’s birthday! You won’t want to miss this engaging conversation! Before we go to the music, hear our incredible ‘pass the mic’ segment where Zoe, our roving reporter, spent an afternoon capturing diverse voices from COP 27 delegates in the halls and corridors of the conference. Finally, we finish with our musical selection: “20Twenties: Eve of Destruction,” by the Daily Maverick, featuring the celebrated vocalist Anneli Kamfer. Enjoy the show! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Explore more about COP27. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective. MUSIC Listen to the full track “20Twenties: Eve of Destruction” from the Daily Maverick featuring acclaimed vocalist, Anneli Kamfer. Anneli Kamfer Facebook | Instagram Learn more about the Daily Maverick and the Our Burning Planet initiative. Here’s a well-known version of Eve of Destruction, written by 19-year-old PF Sloan in 1965 and recorded soon after by Barry McGuire. Follow us on Social Media: Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue on building a sustainable future. In this special episode we bring you the conclusion of our celebrated Future of Food series, recorded live from COP 27. Outrage + Optimism host Tom Rivett-Carnac pulls together an incredible line up of leaders to explore how food might act as the connecting force that engages communities and individuals and brings us all together in a united global movement. First, Tom takes the opportunity to catch up Per Heggenes, the CEO of The IKEA Foundation, to hear why food is of huge importance to his organisation's work and why Per believes food needs to stay top of the global agenda. Next, Tom convenes a fascinating and diverse group of guests in a unique and quirky setting: a blue shipping container repurposed in collaboration with Museum for the United Nations UN Live team and The IKEA Foundation using Global We portals, to bring the voices of people on the frontline of climate change, directly into the heart of climate conversations at COP27 via full length screens, set up in diverse global locations. Listen to the fascinating contributions from Tom's IRL guests Paul Polman, Business Leader, Former CEO of Unilever and co-author of Net Positive; Liesbet Steer, Executive Director of the Education Commission; and Sophia Kianni climate activist, Executive Director of Climate Cardinals and the youngest member on the United Nations Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change; and our Global We portal leaders from Kigali Sarah Kenkuyu, Program Manager at GiveDirectly Rwanda; Kristian Gasaro, activist, Greenpreneur and photographer; and Tanignigui Siriki Soro, a writer and community leader from the Ivory Coast. The resulting conversation is as diverse and as fascinating as our guests themselves. Enjoy the show! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. The IKEA Foundation Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Museum for the United Nations Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn GUESTS: Per Heggenes Twitter | Paul Polman LinkedIn | Website | Twitter | Liesbet Steer Twitter | LinkedIn | The Education Commission Website | Twitter | Instagram Sophia Kianni LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Sarah Kenkuyu LinkedIn GiveDirectly LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Kristian Gasaro LinkedIn | Twitter Tanignigui Siriki Soro LinkedIn Want to participate in the COP27 Civic Imagination Lab? REGISTER HERE Also, explore more about COP27 It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Go listen to Abigael Kima’s coverage of COP27 on the Hali Hewa Podcast Click through to listen to more of our episodes on The Future of Food Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue on building a sustainable future. First up we have some exclusive news... *drumroll*... We are excited to announce that Outrage + Optimism is now part of the TED Audio Collective! This news represents an exciting continuation of the collaboration between our organizations, which began with our strategic partnership with TED Countdown. The TED Audio Collective is a curated collection of podcasts sharing ideas on a range of subjects, including psychology, business, and design. Be sure to check out some of the other podcasts in the collective! Back to this special COP 27 episode... co-hosts Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson talk long-distance with co-host Tom Rivett-Carnac, who’s on the ground at the COP27 UN climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Also, Christiana interviews Simon Stiell, the latest Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the podcast announces a new partnership with TED Audio Collective. First, Tom calls in from COP27, where the top item on the agenda is “Loss and Damage,” which refers to the historical responsibility of industrialized nations for the climate crisis and the moral case for compensating poorer and developing countries suffering the brunt of its many devastating effects. What is fair, really? Next, Christiana discusses getting things done, accountability, and the power of meditation with UNFCCC Secretary Simon Stiell. They expand on COP27 and the role of oil and gas companies in the conference. You won’t want to miss this engaging conversation. The team closes with their reflections on the midterm elections in the United States (votes are still being counted) and what a divided Congress means for President Biden’s climate agenda. And finally, producer Clay brings us the goods on O+O’s new partnership with the TED Audio Collective and today’s tune from British guitar-goddess and artist, Anna Calvi: “Don’t Beat the Girl Out of My Boy.” Enjoy the show! NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Want to participate in the COP27 Civic Imagination Lab? REGISTER HERE Also, explore more about COP27 It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof! Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Want to join our Book Club? Read Jon Alexander’s ‘CITIZENS’ and email your question from the book to [email protected] to be invited to an invite-only session with Jon and us! Go listen to Abigael Kima’s coverage of COP27 on the Hali Hewa Podcast GUEST Simon Stiell LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram MUSIC Anna Calvi Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Be sure to listen to ‘Indies or Paradise’ -Clay Listen to the full album ‘HUNTER’ Peaky Blinders fans - Listen to ‘Tommy EP’ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson catch up on the whirlwind political news from the last few weeks. They cover the defeat of Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro by former president (and prisoner) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva aka “Lula,” the upcoming COP27, and the U.S. midterm elections. First up, Brazil. The news of Lula’s presidential win is a victory for the planet. Deforestation skyrocketed under Bolsonaro but declined under Lula’s first stint as president. However, it won’t be easy to reverse Bolsanaro’s trends. Lula doesn’t have a Congressional majority, and Bolsonaro’s party just picked up a few more legislative seats. What will this mean for Brazil’s regeneration initiatives? Next, the team discusses COP27, the upcoming UN climate conference. This year’s theme will be implementation rather than high-stakes, multi-governmental negotiation. But that has our trio wondering about what that means for the private sector? With $20 trillion in income, they’re essential to hitting net zero targets. What role will they play? On to U.S. and U.K. politics: Republicans一with their climate denial stance一seem poised to win both legislative houses in the upcoming American midterm elections. And across the pond, the U.K. continues to flounder in its ongoing leadership crisis. How does this affect the U.S. and U.K. climate agendas, wealthy western oil companies, or climate finance commitments to developing countries? You won’t want to miss the team’s insights! Finally, enjoy the amazing British-Asian fusion sound of Nikhil Beats with an exclusive performance of his song 'Wisdom ft. Eclipse'. NOTES AND RESOURCES To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here. Learn more about COP27 Participate in the COP27 Civic Imagination Lab – REGISTER HERE Nikhil Beats Soundcloud | Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube Get Tickets to Nikhil’s Headlining Show in London on Nov 16! - Watch Sister True Dedication’s Ted Talk Listen to Sister True Dedication on 10 Percent Happier with Dan Harris Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the fifth episode of the Hali Hewa Podcast. ‘Hali Hewa’ is a Swahili term for ‘climate ' and this podcast series is hosted and produced by Kenyan climate activist, Abigael Kima. In the lead up to the COP27 international climate negotiations, which are now just a month away, Abigael interviews African climate change experts and activists on the issues that matter most to them. Guests sign off each episode by sharing what they feel the COP27 conference must deliver on. Our guest today is Sofanit Mesfin. Sofanit is a gender specialist working as the Regional Gender and Social Inclusion Coordinator at Ripple Effect, formerly known as ‘Send A Cow’. Ripple Effect works with smallholder farmers to equip them with knowledge and skills enabling them to improve their livelihoods and thrive. Farmers working alongside Ripple Effect learn more, grow more and sell more. They can feed their families nutritious food, and by having a surplus to sell can invest in their farms, send their children to school and build sustainable agri-businesses. In this episode, Sofanit takes us through her journey working with women farmers in different African countries to deliver training programs that help them adapt to a changing climate. She explains how and why women and children are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, and what Ripple Effect is doing to ease the burden on women, children and their households. Sofanit also explains how other stakeholders can come on board to support this kind of work, ensuring that more and more communities get support to build resilience and secure a healthy future for themselves and their children. Sofanit signs off the show by sharing what she wants the upcoming COP27 climate conference in Egypt to deliver in November. Enjoy the show! Learn more about Ripple Effect Linkedin | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Website [Note: I recently had the privilege to visit women farmers in Busia and Bungoma in the Western Region of Kenya. I learned a lot from them about methods to improve food production, and how these practices allowed them to better their lives and that of their families. Follow the Hali Hewa Podcast on social media to see these interviews] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.