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Taking a deep dive into climate breakdown. With interviews from activists, scientists, politicians on how we can push for a green and just world. Looking at the latest developments in Manchester's and the North's climate movement.
153 Episodes
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When people think about environmentalists, the next words they probably say are, "Oh, like Extinction Rebellion?" The impact of XR on the the climate movement probably can't be over stated. From ubiquitous association to the effects on organising practice, Extinction Rebellion has been at the forefront of climate action for the last five years.  In the U.K many campaigns and activist are holding their breath, waiting for the Labour Party to take the reins of government, so the question is: what next for XR?This week Ads and Andrew are joined by XR and Just Stop Oil co-founder Roger Hallam.  They discuss how the efffects of climate change spurred Roger into working on building a climate movement, how XR was built, its successes and shortcomings, why revolution is the only answer now as we head past 1.5 degrees and why citzens assemblies can be the mechanism for the revolution. Check out Roger's "The Work We Need to Do" herehttps://drive.google.com/file/d/13UFxnwIEb4afjEzRdZQ72WUtLvvPB0PM/view?ref=rogerhallam.comRoger's Websitehttps://rogerhallam.com/Shout outYou can check out Rogers humanity project and get involved here. https://rogerhallam.com/humanity/Support the show
Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gndmediaukTwitter: @gndmediaukInstagram: gndmediauk This week on the show we are joined by the Deputy Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales, Zack Polanski. We discuss how Zack ended up in the Green Party, what makes the party different from Labour, what would a Green Party in Government mean for British industry and how Zack sees personal choices versus systemic change.Shout Out United voices of the worldhttps://www.uvwunion.org.uk/en/ Support the show
If there is any one word that is synonymous with tackling climate change it is “electrification”. Yes, getting off fossil fuels and taking the majority of CO2 out of our economy are the goals of many working on the climate, but if there was one silver bullet for the climate movement its generating more clean electricity.  Renewable forms of energy have sharply decreased in price over the last twenty years, and battery storage solutions are coming on in leaps and bounds, but most of the world is still tied to oil and gas for their electricity use. So our question today is: Why aren't we moving faster on the green energy transition?  luckily we've found a guy who might know. Our guest today is Brett Christophers, Brett is a political economist and economic geographer, and has just published his new book “The Price is Wrong “Why capitalism won’t save the Planet “  on Verso books.  Andrew and Lucy discuss with Brett why the energy sector is so complex, how it favors fossil fuel based energy production , why isn't investment pouring into green energy and how china and India's energy needs should be a focus for the years to come. LinksPick up a copy of Brett's book herehttps://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/3069-the-price-is-wrongShout outhttps://heatmap.news/Support the show
It's our yearly stock take, where are we now in the fight to save the planet, and what do we need to do, to make progress faster?  Friend of the show Professor Kevin Anderson joins us to cut through the crap and get the heart of the matter.  Kevin is the chair of  energy and climate change at the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) at the University of Manchester and works at the Tyndall center for climate change research. Ad's and Andrew discuss how much more carbon has been emitted since last year,  Why there is political cowardice at the top of the UK's politics, why inequality and climate change are intrinsically linked and how the framing around "Net Zero" has done more damage than good.   This episode was recorded before the Labour Party dropped their £28bn a year pledge on green investment. Thanks lads. Shout outRena Jones- Notts and Derbyshire councils and all the climate officers at local authorities fighting hard for change with no resources. Support the show
 You would be very hard pressed to say 2023 was not an awful year for natural disasters and climate related tragedy. Wildfires in Canada and the US, extreme flooding in Bulgaria and Bangladesh, and record breaking heatwaves in Northern Africa and the Mediterranean. When the science is pointing in this direction, of destruction and chaos and those in power aren't listening, what do you do? This week we are joined by Peter Kalmus, Climate scientist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California*. Peter is also a member of Science Rebellion and co-founder of Undeniable Network.  We discuss how NASA plays it part in monitoring the changes in the earths climate, how he speaks to his family about climate change,  what is the science behind reversing climate change and what political action needs to take place to do that. Then we discuss the importance of the next US election, and how it affects the global effort get off fossil fuels. *Peter Kalmus speaks on behalf of himself and not NASA. Linksundeniable networkCheck out Peter's book "Live Well and Spark the Climate Revolution" https://peterkalmus.net/books/Shout Out Peter's brothers and sisters in Scientist Rebellion Support the show
To say the modern world is dependent on materials we dig out of the ground is an understatement. From the lithium in your phone battery to the cup you're drinking your tea in, mining and mineral extraction play a vital part of how survive on earth. With the race to get off fossil fuels, and electrify our entire transport network kicking off, dependency on rare earth minerals like lithium  is going to increase, and the conditions of the people mining it brought ever to our attention. This week on the show Lucy and Andrew are  joined by  Thea Riofrancos, Professor at Providence College in the US and the author of "Resource Radicals" and "A Planet to Win".  They discuss how Lithium is a key resource when it comes to the transition away from fossil fuels, how mineral exploitation in South America has shaped the politics of the region and how Unions are now driving the just transition in the Americas.    LinksCheck out Thea's website herehttps://www.theariofrancos.com/The Lithium Problem (interview by Alyssa Battistoni). Dissent, 2023.https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/the-lithium-problemElectric vehicles alone won’t take us to a decarbonized future. The Hill, 2023https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/3861795-electric-vehicles-alone-wont-take-us-to-a-decarbonized-future/Chile: White Gold Rush. Chatham House’s The World Today, 2022 https://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/the-world-today/2022-06/chile-white-gold-rushShifting Mining from the Global South Misses the Point of Climate Justice. Foreign Policy, 2022 https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/02/07/renewable-energy-transition-critical-minerals-mining-onshoring-lithium-evs-climate-justice/?tpcc=recirc_latest062921ShoutoutFriend of the show Asad Rahman of War on Want, for his stirring speech at COP 28 on Palestine. Support the show
The worlds biggest climate negotiations are happening as you read this, in Dubai at COP28. The President of COP has just said "There is no scientific basis for climate change"...... I think its time to take a breather, go outside and hangout with nature, and think a little locally. This week Ad's is joined by Paul Handrick aka "The Bee Guy". Paul runs the worlds first native wild  Bee sanctuary, based in the republic of Ireland.  They discuss how Paul transitioned from gigging musician to  running the only organic vegan farm in Ireland,   the problem with the profit motive, frustrations working with the environment movement and how everyone can support Bees, Insects and other wildlife in their own gardens.  LinksFollow the link below for more info on the Bee sanctuary. https://savingbees.ie/Shout outCEO responsible futures Sam CandeSupport the show
The world’s attention right now is focused on the desperate situation in Gaza. This human catastrophe has major ramifications for the wider Arab region encompassing North Africa and the Gulf States, an area that is also at the heart of fossil capitalism and thus an important region when it comes to turning the planet away from hydrocarbons and climate catastrophe.  While being the generator of 35% of the all the hydrocarbons in the world, it is also the site of potentially immense green energy.  So how might a just transition take place here? And how do the political and environmental conditions of the region shape this transition?This week Alex is joined by Hamza Hamouchene ( @BenToumert) and Katie Sandwell ( @KatieSandwell) the editors of a new collection of essays called "Dismantling Green Colonialism, Energy and Climate Justice in the Arab Region"Hamza and Katie both work for the Transitional Institute, an international research and advocacy institute committed to building a just, democratic and sustainable planet. They discuss with Alex how Fossil Capitalism is already scooping up land for renewables and carbon offsets in the Arab region, how the World Bank and the IMF along with local elites push the Arab region toward extractive industries instead of focusing on climate adaption. How Green Colonialism has developed in the region and what a Just Transition would look like, that does not put North Africa at the service of Europe. LinksPick up a copy of Hamza and Katie's book from Pluto Press Herehttps://www.plutobooks.com/9780745349213/dismantling-green-colonialism/#:~:text='A%20brave%20and%20timely%20bookShout outsPalestinians in Gaza and the Diaspora Social justice and environmental justice activist in Arab region. Mohad Gasmi: currently in prison in Algeria for criticizing the current government. You can learn more about what has happened to Mohad Herehttps://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/case/human-rights-defender-sentenced-3-years-prisonSupport the show
We all know that the Green New Deal is bold and ambitious in its vision, providing the solutions to the climate crisis that go hand in hand with solutions for social justice – a prosperous future where everyone can thrive.Tune into this recording of our Lucy speaking at a panel event, hosted by Green New Deal Groupon 26 October, exploring further how a Green New Deal gives us reason to hope not only for the climate emergency, but also economic, social and racial justice.Featuring Caroline Lucas, Ellen Fearon of GND Rising and Tyronne Scott of War on Want. Support the show
This week we are organising for power, in more ways than one.Andrew is joined by Lawrence Wang (@ltothewang), a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (@DemSocialists), and on the Eco-socialist working group  for the New York City Chapter (@Nycdsa). Lawrence explains how the DSA in New York State organised and passed a bill that means the state has to develop publicly owned renewable energy generation. We discuss the DSA's mission and how it approaches politics in the USA, the tactics and strategy that got their legalisation passed and how they ended up running AGAINST one of the sponsors of the bill they were pushing through the congress!Cheat sheet for the episodeDSA: Democratic Socialist of AmericaBPRA : Build Public Renewables ActNYA : New York Power AuthorityIRA: Inflation Reduction ActLinksDemocratic Socialists of AmericaDSA New York ChapterNYC DSA Eco-socialistsLawrence's recent article in Jacobin about the BPRAhttps://jacobin.com/2023/07/new-york-bpra-green-new-deal-public-renewable-energyShout OutsStop Cop CityPine Tree Power Our Power coalition Maine DSASupport the show
If you were to wander lonely as a cloud in England, chances are that you would find yourself on privately owned lands and committing a civil offence. if you were to do the same in Scotland however, you would be totally within your right to do so.  So what gives? Why don't the English have access to the nature and countryside of God's green earth?‍This week we are joined by land access campaigner  and orgnaniser at Right to Roam, Jon Moses. Ads and Jon discuss the history of land being taken into private ownership, the difference between land access rights in England and Scotland, what actually might happen if you illegally trespass (spoiler not as much as you might think!) and Jon updates us on the access rights saga of Dartmoor national park. LINKSRight to Roam campaign website Shout out Daniel Grimstom, and congrats on the your play Corpse light. Support the show
We're back! And not a moment too soon.  After a summer of international extreme weather and political inaction, we're kicking things off combining science and activism.  This week we are joined by the co-founder of Scientists for XR Dr Aaron Thierry.  We discuss why July this year was so hot globally, how climate scientist are portrayed in the media and whether their expertise gives them more standing in the media. Ad also digs into what revolution means to scientists, and if we can find hope in science.  LinksKevin Anderson's talk that inspired Aaron. https://www.lse.ac.uk/lse-player?id=1208Scientists for XR https://www.scientistsforxr.earth/ Shout outsDr. Rose Abramoff Support the show
It's been said on this podcast many times that the working class will be the ones who make sure we have a just transition. For the last few years deciding who the working class are has been up for debate. Are graduates in minimum wage jobs the working class? Are plumbers on £80k a year the working class? How will climate change affect these categories?This week on the show we are joined by writer and activist Keir Milburn. Keir is the author of “Generation Left” and is a co-host of ACFM on Novara Media. Keir is also a founding member of the think tank Abundance.We discuss who the working class in 21st century Britain are, how climate and class politics have expressed themselves in the past, the horrendous spycops saga and how it affected climate activists in the 2000's, what current climate activist have forgotten from previous movements, how to discuss the realities of planetary boundaries in politics without having a reductive vision for the future and whether climate organisers should use moral arguments in their campaigning.P.S WE'RE ALL LEEDS ARNT WE?!LINKS Check out Working Class Voices HERE https://www.gndmedia.co.uk/working-class-voicesCheck out Keir's work at Abundance HEREhttps://www.in-abundance.org/You can listen to ACFM HEREhttps://novaramedia.com/category/audio/acfm/You can buy Keir's book Generation Left HERE https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/Generation+Left-p-9781509532247 Listen to our episode with Jason Hickel HERE https://www.gndmedia.co.uk/podcast-episodes/degrowth-jason-hickelShout out Issac Rose and Manchester Housing Action.  Check out Issac's work at Greater Manchester Housing Action HEREhttp://www.gmhousingaction.com/Support the show
We've always said that environmentalism needs to understand class if it wants to protect the world from climate catastrophe. Degrowth has been accused by some on the Left as green austerity or just a terrible political message. To debunk degrowth myths and to discuss why class is at the heart of any just transition and a degrowth economy we are join by Jason Hickel. Jason is the author of"Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World"  and a world-leading scientist and scholar on degrowth. We discuss how class politics and environmentalism should work in tandem, why capitalism can't stop the climate crisis, why Universal Basic Services (UBS) is at the heart of a degrowth economy, how trade unions need to remember their radical past and how the EU conference on beyond growth is opening the doors for more radical policy in Europe. LinksRead Jason's book "Less is More: How Degrowth with Save the World"  HERE Read "The Conquest of Bread" by Pëtr Kropotkin  HEREShout outs Prabhat Patnaik & Utsa Patnaik, authors of "Capital and Imperialism", which you can buy HEREMax Ajl, Check out our episode with him back in 2021 HERESenegalese economist Ndongo Samba Sylla Mark Burton for introducing Ads to Degrowth. Support the show
It is, we promise, worse than you think.  Or maybe it was?  For all the fear and genuine suffering covering the globe from actual happening climate change, maybe, just maybe,  we are on a path that isn't all out destruction of the Earth?  This week on the show we are joined by climate writer and columnist  David Wallace-Wells. David writes for New York Magazine, The New York Times and is author of best selling book The Uninhabitable Earth. We discuss how David got into climate journalism and how writing The Uninhabitable Earth made him more hopeful about the future, the paradox of Republican politicians and climate investment, and how we persuade people about the benefits of the green energy transition. LinksRead Davids' original article HEREGet a copy of Davids' book "The Uninhabitable Earth" HEREShout outsVarshini Prakash - co founder of the Sunrise MovementSupport the show
In 1950, world shipping was roughly half a million tonnes of cargo. As of 2019 it's now 11 billion tonnes. A mind blogging increase in 70 years.  Shipping  is one of the most resistant and slow sectors to clean up its climate act, with only a commitment to reduce emissions by 50% from the International Maritime Organisation at 2050.  So what can we do to green maritime trade? And has the answer been blowing in the wind all this time? This week Ads and Andrew are joined by Dr Christiaan De Beukelaer to discuss his new book "Trade Winds: a voyage to a sustainable future of shipping".  We discuss how a couple of weeks of research at sea  turned into half a year due to COVID-19, How global shipping made capitalism even more extractive,  the realities of going back to sail powered shipping and  why the IMO might be more effective compared to other U.N institutions. LinksYou can pick up Christiaan's book  Trade Winds: a voyage to a sustainable future of shipping" HERE Read the International Maritime Organisations Carbon targets HERELearn more about the sail cargo organisations like Timbercoast HEREShout outsAlson Kelen and the  Waan Aelõñ in Majel (WAM) team.  Check out their great work HERE Support the show
If you're living in a house that was built in the last 20 years, chances are the bricks it's made from travelled 18,000 miles to build your front door. The question is, why? As ever, the pursuit of profit has the economy doing mad things and bad things for the climate. Turns out carbon emissions don't cross borders when you write them down.  This week we are joined by Laurie Parsons,  Senior Lecturer in Human Geography at Royal Holloway, to discuss his new book "Carbon Colonialism: How rich countries export climate breakdown".  We discuss the "Global Factory" and how rich nations export their emissions to the global South, and how the logic of colonialism has informed international development and aid programs. We also get into how, by accepting framing from elite universities on climate change, we miss different visions of value and society.Links Pick up Carbon Colonialism HEREShout outEnvironmental defenders in CambodiaSupport the show
It's time for our regular update from the climate movement in the USA. This week we are joined by fossil fuel and climate journalist Dharna Noor. Dharna has just started a new role as a climate reporter for the Guardian US, with previous work at the Boston Globe and Gizmo.  We discuss how the "biggest climate legislation" in the US  is still supporting the fossil fuel barons, how Joe Biden has backtracked on oil drilling in the Arctic Circle, recent developments in the US climate movement and the tragic murder of a climate activist at the hands of the police. LinksAlex's piece in the Bristol Cable about the sorry state of Bristol's housing stock. David Griscom's piece for GND Media on the IRAShout outsAnthropologist  Nicole Fabricant Journalist  Lucas BattAny new climate conscious councillors. We need you now more than ever. Support the show
 The IPCC report always comes as a splash for those in the climate movement, ringing the alarm bells ever more about our planet's awful condition. But who writes it? And who gets to write it? how do these influential documents and frameworks come about and how do those who write it, affect the narrative around climate breakdown?This week we are delighted to be joined by one of the leader authors for the latest IPCC report Yamina Saheb. We discussed how the IPCC reports get made and who gets to make it, the working conditions of the people writing it,  how those most affected by current climate breakdown are cut out of the decision making processes. Yamina also updates us on the protests in France and how the Gilet Jaune and the climate movement are linked together. LinksThe Energy Charter Treaty Why the The Energy Charter Treaty is a threat to climate action- article by War on WantYamina's piece on Sufficiency in Buildings and CitesShout outs Friend of the show Julia Steinberger  @JKSteinberger Support the show
Dangerous Assumptions

Dangerous Assumptions

2023-04-1055:38

What's that old line? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different outcomes is a sign of madness. There is plenty of consensus around what we should be doing to mitigate the worst affects of climate breakdown, but if all the methods we are using the ones that got us in this predicament in the first place, chances are they're not going to work. Is the dominant climate strategy built on a series of dangerous assumptions?  This week on the show we are joined by Ben See. Ben is a  high school teacher and  climate activist based in Paris . We discuss the potential underlaying assumptions that could be scuppering radical change to save the planet.  Is an economic system built on assumed rationality putting the brakes on necessary  change?  Are hopes of technological fixes wasting time? How do we communicate our situation to the children who will grow up in ecosystem collapse?Links Andrew's  piece on climate grief IPCC AR 6th synthesis report IPBES report on global biodiversity  and eco systems. Environmental Audit committee report Shout outsThe climate justice movement Innes Fitzgerald- UK under 20s cross country runner who won't fly to take part in competitions due to its climate implications.  Read about Innes hereSupport the show
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