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Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations
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Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

Author: Richard Delevan

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A show about climate and climate tech: the intersection of technology and capital, people and politics, that will shape the future, and whether you'd want to live in it.


Host Richard Delevan is normally trapped in the UK, but with a global view - featuring guests from VC/PE, startups, scaleups, corporates, media, and beyond.


Subscribe at wickedproblems.earth for an ad-free version, our newsletter, and member-only goodies.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

173 Episodes
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Former British diplomat Arthur Snell is about to publish a book that explains how climate is rapidly changing the geographic assumptions on which geopolitics is built. Buy it now — Elemental: The New Geography of Climate Change and How We Survive It. But first, check out this Wickedproblems.earth conversation with Arthur Snell about his new book, the first comprehensive account of the geopolitics of climate change.In this conversation:00:00 Arctic Ice Wake Up00:45 War Crowds Out Climate02:32 Chokepoints Aren’t Fixed04:08 Meet Arthur Snell04:22 Why Climate Is Geopolitics08:05 Alps Collapse Story11:01 Skiing Lobbies And Emissions12:40 Geopolitics Map Gets Redrawn14:59 Arctic Shipping Routes Open18:37 Trump Greenland And Minerals22:46 Panama Canal China Leverage24:20 Panama Canal Leverage25:56 Who Shapes Strategy28:24 Migration as Hard Reality34:55 Greenland Plans Accelerate39:27 Russia China North Shift42:28 Wine and Adaptation44:36 Book Plug and Farewell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For ad-free listening, articles, and newsletter go to wickedproblems.earth and sign up.On Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan interviews Svitlana Romko, founder of Razom We Stand, at the Laudato Si “Raising Hope” conference about linking Ukraine’s war to global fossil fuel dependence. Romko says We Stand formed in early 2022 to coordinate a coalition of 900 organizations from 60 countries urging bans on Russian fossil fuels and investment, and rebuilding Ukraine with renewables to cut financial flows fueling wars. She argues “all gas is bad,” criticizes replacing Russian gas with US LNG, and urges Europe to accelerate renewables for peace, energy security, climate, and human rights. She describes vast destruction, displacement, population decline to about 20 million, and energy capacity collapsing from 54 GW to 9 GW, while 17–18 GW is needed for winter. She highlights faith-led divestment successes, distributed renewables powering communities, and Ukraine’s renewable potential of 653 GW as a basis for rebuilding and hope.00:00 Ukraine in Ruins00:21 I ntro00:21 Confrontation and Repression00:59 Intro01:40 Podcast Intro and Guest03:20 Meet Svitlana at Conference03:50 We Stand Mission05:42 No Such Thing as Clean Gas07:58 Faith Groups and Divestment10:46 Populism and Fossil Money15:50 Ukraine Power Grid Under Attack22:13 Panel Clip Fossil Fuels and Dictators34:40 Hope Resilience and Closing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
“Wicked Problems,” hosted by Richard Delevan, returns after a long hiatus and links escalating repression - newly including climate activists - with a high-stakes by-election in Greater Manchester. It opens with concerns about confrontational protest being met with violence and political repression, alongside Nigel Farage's Reform proposing a “UK deportation command,” expanding detention with “no chance of bail,” and “detention will mean deportation.” Devin cites New York Times reporting that the FBI has begun targeting climate activists, including people who have not protested in years, and frames this as part of a broader effort to quash dissent.Professor Dana R. Fisher of American University discusses what she describes as a “perfect storm” in the US: federal occupations of cities (highlighting Minneapolis), the murder of two American citizens while they were bearing witness to ICE actions, the president getting rid of the endangerment finding underlying US climate policy, and FBI investigations focusing on the "radical fringe" of the climate movement. Fisher argues these groups are “low hanging fruit” because their confrontational tactics (e.g., throwing paint, smearing food, blocking traffic, bird-dogging elected officials) are widely unpopular, making it easier for authorities to target them first as part of a broader slide toward autocracy that also threatens media freedoms. She says repression and violence against peaceful activists historically mobilize larger protests, even as it can lead to persecution, jail, and martyrdom. She also describes survey results from a Women’s March–coordinated “Free America walkout” showing over 75% support for a movement becoming more confrontational and 65% willingness to personally engage in confrontational activism; she notes the participants were largely white, female, older, and highly educated.Prof. Fisher's Apocalyptic Optimist podcast.Britain has already jailed nonviolent climate protestors and restricted defenses in court, with ongoing debates about protest trials and labeling Palestine Action a terror group. The Gorton and Denton by-election seems to be between Reform, seeking to import Trump’s climate and migration agenda, and the surging Green Party, treating climate, inequality, and migration as realities to face without losing humanity. The show notes a single constituency poll with Green candidate Hannah Spencer ahead of Reform’s Matt Goodwin, with Labour (which has held the seat for a century) behind; as Labour is consumed by Epstein-linked arrests and scandal involving Peter Mandelson and former Prince Andrew.In an interview recorded late in 2025, Harriet Lamb, CEO of the Green Party of England and Wales, describes rapid growth following Zach Polanski’s leadership, with membership doubling to over 150,000. Lamb connects her background in international development and environmental and social justice to party politics, argues the UK has shifted into a multi-party system creating both dangers and opportunities, and emphasizes a “people and planet” platform focused on the cost-of-living crisis, inequality, wealth taxes, and strong public support for climate action. She discusses candidate development through a “Greens to Parliament” program aimed at building a diverse slate for 2029, and says coalition politics must protect Green principles and public trust, citing German coalition negotiations and the Scottish Greens’ Bute House agreement as examples.00:00 Confrontation and Repression01:35 Wicked Problems Returns04:11 FBI Targets Climate Activists07:42 Low Hanging Fruit and Autocracy19:18 UK By-Election and Green Surge29:32 Hope Surge and Outreach31:28 Broad Coalition and Core Values36:28 Vetting New Recruits38:39 Road to Parliament and Coalitions45:24 Milestones and Closing Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Discussing the Irish contingent at the Raising Hope conference and the future of faith and climate action -Bishop Martin Hayes of Kilmore; former Irish environment minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan; and campaigner Jane Mellett, church manager at Irish Catholic overseas development agency Trocaire. More information at climatepilgrim.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who is my neighbour? 1.5°C is about neighbours, not numbers. Climate Minister Maina Talia of Tuvalu speaks to Richard Delevan about moral clarity in climate and denies the Australian 'climate visa' is about relocating his population. More information at climatepilgrim.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Should Pope Leo endorse a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty at COP30? Climate Pilgrim Episode 2: Dr. Kumi Naidoo 'cautiously optimistic' the Vatican and others will add up to 44 countries endorsing Treaty initiative by landmark April conference in Colombia. More detail at climatepilgrim.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Did Pope Leo double down on climate for the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si'? Or change the relationship between faith and climate action? Colleen Dulle, Vatican Correspondent for America Magazine and author of Struck Down, Not Destroyed, joins Richard Delevan to discuss reactions. More info and episodes at ClimatePilgrim.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Full show notes, transcripts, and more at wickedproblems.earth Welcome to Belém, where the world (with some notable exceptions) has gathered to talk about saving the Amazon as if it weren’t already on fire. Cataloguing the chaos leading up to COP30 Ben Cooke of The Times. His team’s reporting makes clear why the mood isn’t exactly jubilant: the clean-power alliance with zero members, the rainforest pledges with little progress, and the renewed swagger of fossil petrostates. Even potential bright spots, like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility announced last week, were somewhat dimmed by the spectacle of UK prime minister Keir Starmer reversing an earlier decision not to go to COP, only to make the trip to then announce his government wouldn’t be part of the hoped-for signature initiative out of this event.We chat with Ben about all of that and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Full show notes and ad-free listening at wickedproblems.earthShipping is one of those things that’s just supposed to work. Post-Titanic, we created a set of rules that currently are looked after by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which successfully removed much of the drama from shipping — so successful that Britain’s “Shipping Forecast” is now soothing ASMR for bedtime listening. But last month at the IMO in London, what should have been a procedural meeting on decarbonising shipping turned into something far messier. According to a Financial Times investigation, U.S. officials didn’t just lobby against a global carbon levy on shipping — they allegedly threatened, intimidated and black-mailed delegates from smaller nations. Developing-country delegates said they were warned their ships would face higher U.S. port fees, their officials denied visas, and their trade punished if they didn’t abandon support for the Net Zero Framework the IMO had endorsed only six months earlier. “It was like dealing with the Mob,” one diplomat told the FT.  In the end, it worked. The deal — the world’s first carbon-pricing mechanism for global shipping — was postponed for a year. The IMO, normally the most technocratic of international bodies, was left “in a state of complete shock.” For the uninitiated this may sound arcane. But shipping matters. Roughly 90 % of global trade moves by sea; the sector accounts for about 3 % of global CO₂ emissions — more than Germany — and until now has been largely outside the reach of meaningful climate regulation.  The Net Zero Framework was meant to change that. It had already been provisionally agreed by a majority of countries in April. But by October, something changed. Countries like China, India, Panama, Liberia — and even Greece and Cyprus, who broke with the EU line — suddenly voted to adjourn. news.wickedproblems.ukAnd the shift didn’t come from nowhere: it came from pressure. From a U.S. administration that now treats climate policy as an existential threat to American interests.🎧 Who we spoke toCarly Hicks (Chief Strategy & Impact Officer, Opportunity Green) explains how the IMO had once seemed one of the last genuinely global forums where climate ambition could meet technical reality — until the process was capsized by politics. Ariane Morrissey (Senior Editor, Ship.Energy) was in the building as the talks imploded, describing a surreal scene where delegates who came to discuss fuel standards found themselves under threats of sanctions and visa bans. Professor Tristan Smith (University College London) gave the longer-view: this is less a failure of climate tech than a warning shot about the fragility of multilateralism itself. He argues the US may have bought time — but may also have triggered the rise of regional regulation. The EU’s carbon-trading scheme now covers shipping; Singapore and Japan are exploring carbon levies. The patchwork world is arriving faster than the ships can adjust.  🎵 Outro music: “Sailing By” (1963) layered with a long-wave “Shipping Forecast” transmission — that calm voice reading “Viking, North Utsire, South Utsire…” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus content at wickedproblems.earth Overshoot, a new four-part documentary series from climate strategist and Wicked Problems alum Laurie Laybourn—goes further than nearly anyone has before. And he came back to unpack some of the key ideas in Overshoot and what he hopes people will do with it.In Overshoot the story starts with the fact that we can no longer avoid the storm, we’ve enetered it. How to survive and steer through it—generation after generation—is the conversation we urgently need to have now. Drawing on interviews with diplomats, scientists, and communities on the frontlines, Laybourn dismantles the win/lose logic that has dominated climate politics since Paris and asks what it means to live in an age of overlapping crises and hard adaptation choices.Our conversation ranges from the myth of Easter Island to the politics of “carbon sucking,” from managed retreat in Wales to the legal aftershocks of 1.5°C’s failure. It’s a clear-eyed look at what comes next—and why, even at the moment of “net zero,” we’ll be living in the most dangerous period in human history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For full show notes, bonus content, and ad-free listening, check out wickedproblems.earthIn this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan welcomes Dave Jones and Kostantsa Rangelova from the energy think tank, EMBER. They've spent the past year spreading the good news about the impressive advancements in solar and battery technology, particularly focusing on global trends and potential game-changers in regions such as Africa and Mexico. Despite solar only contributing to 6.6% of Mexico’s electricity, EMBER simulations indicate it could rise to 90% with optimal efficiency. In some spots like Muscat, Las Vegas, or Mexico City, almost all their power, day and night, can now be generated from just solar + battery.The discussion covers the rapid progress and cost reductions in battery technology, the promising shift towards 24/7 solar power, the surge of solar adoption in Africa, and the significant untapped potential in Mexico. The episode highlights the transformative impact of solar and battery technologies on global energy landscapes and emphasizes the urgent need for effective policies to accelerate this transition.00:00 Introduction to Mexico's Solar Potential00:00 Global Governance Breakdown00:36 Welcome to Wicked Problems00:39 Introducing the Guests: Dave Jones and Constanza Rva01:05 The Rise of Solar and Battery Technology01:33 24/7 Solar Power: A Game Changer01:54 Advancements in Battery Technology02:51 Economic Competitiveness of Solar and Battery04:38 Challenges and Innovations in Battery Production08:17 Global Adoption and Market Dynamics15:20 Grid vs. Battery: The Trade-Offs21:05 Solar and Battery in Different Climates24:27 Implications for Policy and Future Outlook26:09 Evolution of Battery Storage27:29 Africa's Solar Boom27:59 Chinese Solar Exports to Africa28:52 Utility Scale Solar in Africa37:50 Challenges and Opportunities in Mexico's Solar Sector47:26 Global Solar Trends and Future Outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get bonus content at wickedproblems.earth Dr. Lorna Gold is the executive director of the Laudato Sì Movement, which was inspired by the late Pope Francis’ 2015 letter. That document, considered pretty radical for the leader of the Catholic Church to issue at the time, was credited by former Irish president Mary Robinson and others with influencing the Paris Agreement - and you can hear echoes of it as recently as the advisory opinion issued this summer by the International Court of Justice. On its 10th anniversary, Francis’ successor Pope Leo will lead the Raising Hope Conference, 1-3 October in Rome - but also available via livestream - talking about the relevance of its ideas for the situation we’re in now. More than a “Catholic” thing, it will feature people as diverse as Brazil’s climate minister Marina Silva (in the runup to COP30), climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Bill McKibben, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tuvalu climate minister Dr Maina Talia, Bianca Pitt of SHE Changes Climate, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty president Kumi Naidoo, and more. Somehow, Lorna was able to take a break from organising the event to speak to us. Lorna earned a PhD in economic geography from Glasgow University and author of Climate Generation: Awakening to our Childrens’ Future.It’s a great chat and we think you’ll enjoy it. In This Conversation01:22 Introduction to Dr. Lorna Gold 02:21 Personal Tragedy and Resilience 05:29 Hope vs. Optimism 09:17 Relevance of Laudato Si' 13:01 International Court of Justice Ruling 15:21 Economic Systems and Climate Action 21:51 Pope Francis, Pope Leo and COP 30 22:31 Upcoming Conference and Call to Action 24:25 Personal Reflection on Climate Impact 27:56 Discussing Future Conversations 28:40 Mother's Role in Climate Action 29:39 Women of Faith for Climate Justice 31:37 The Raging Grannies and Activism 33:12 The Sharing Economy and Climate Generation 34:42 Sufficiency and Economic Inequality 41:17 The Role of Storytelling in Climate Education 44:34 Hope and Action in Climate Movements 47:31 Pope or Nope Quiz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get full ad-free episodes, full show notes, bonus material, and more at wickedproblems.earthIn this episode of 'Wicked Problems,' host Richard Delevan speaks with Dr. Hannah E. Morris, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and author of 'Apocalyptic Authoritarianism.' They discuss the use of apocalyptic language in politics, the resurgence of Cold War-era narratives, and how these tropes are being weaponized to block climate action and shore up existing power structures. The conversation delves into the intersections of media, politics, and climate crisis, featuring insights on the impact of journalism on these global issues. ‌00:00 Trump's Apocalyptic Obsession01:19 Introduction to Wicked Problems01:32 Guest Introduction: Dr. Hannah E. Morris01:57 Weaponizing Apocalyptic Language02:45 Defining Apocalyptic Authoritarianism03:06 Trump's Influence and Climate Movement05:13 Nostalgia and Climate Journalism06:30 The Green New Deal and Media Narratives11:47 Challenges in Climate Journalism24:28 Covering Climate Now Initiative30:02 Senator Eric Schmidt's Speech Analysis32:59 Nationalism and American Identity34:27 Fascist Ideologies and Historical Context37:26 Media's Role in Shaping Nationalism39:30 Climate Change and Political Narratives47:26 Global Perspectives on Climate Journalism51:37 Apocalyptic Imagery in Modern Politics54:09 Influences and Future Directions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get all the bonus material, show notes and more - and go ad-free - at wickedproblems.earth! Unraveling the Impact of Climate Change on Zurich: Analyzing 50 Years of Data | Wicked ProblemsIn this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan explores a groundbreaking study from researchers at Oxford Smith School's Sustainable Law Program and beyond. Joined by Dr. Rupert Stuart-Smith, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow, they dive into the first-of-its-kind research examining climate change's impact on heat-related mortality in Zurich from 1969 to 2018. Discover how attribution science links global warming to nearly 1700 deaths in Zurich, the role of adaptation measures, and the growing importance of climate attribution in legal contexts. This sobering analysis offers a stark look at the real human costs of climate change and the urgent need for action.00:00 Introduction: Zurich and Climate Change00:31 Welcome to Wicked Problems00:35 The Impact of Climate Change on Zurich01:34 Introducing Dr. Rupert Stuart Smith02:11 Study Findings: Heat-Related Mortality in Zurich02:25 Methodology and Data Analysis05:33 Surprising Results and Implications14:16 Adaptation Measures and Their Effectiveness16:31 Legal and Political Implications18:22 The Role of Attribution Science in Courts23:17 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAlso find us now at Patreon to support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus content and show notes at wickedproblems.earthUnderstanding Climate Tipping Points With Stephen Smith | Wicked Problems Climate Tech ConversationsIn this episode of Wicked Problems Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan dives into the pivotal and pressing subject of climate tipping points with guest Stephen Smith. They discuss the warnings from the recent Global Tipping Points Conference in Exeter, where nearly 200 scientists urged immediate action to prevent irreversible climate changes. The conversation explores both negative and positive climate tipping points, the challenges policymakers face in addressing them, and the importance of storytelling in climate advocacy. Stephen Smith also highlights the potential of renewable energy and the steps needed to accelerate the global transition to a low-carbon economy. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the critical actions required to address the climate crisis and the hopeful pathways forward.00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:26 Urgent Climate Crisis Call01:29 Understanding Tipping Points03:44 Negative Tipping Points04:18 Positive Tipping Points05:12 Policy Makers and Tipping Points06:02 Interruption and Resumption07:03 Immediate Action Required11:20 Real-World Example: Tuvalu14:16 Challenges in Policy Making17:21 Positive Social Tipping Points18:54 Renewable Energy Revolution22:12 Barriers to Change27:54 Accelerating Positive Change35:10 Hope and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Will Nigel Farage's Reform party succeed in demonising climate action? Or will adaptation change the conversation? Are the Tories cooked? And does Gaza create an opening big enough for Jeremy Corbyn's new party to cut into Labour support? Richard Delevan talks to More in Common's Ed Hodgson about Shattered Britain, how Britain's "Tribes" will shape the future - and why you need to understand them if effective climate communicators are going to win. Get all the bonus content and ad-free listening at wickedproblems.earth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get other content and the newsletter at wickedproblems.earth.Climate Justice: ICJ's Historic Ruling and Its Global ImpactIn this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delavan is joined by Professor Elizabeth Holland from Brown University to discuss a historic advisory opinion handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ruling, initiated by Pacific Island students, declares climate science as a binding element under customary international law, obligating states to take stronger climate action. Elizabeth shares insights from her role as a science negotiator for Palau and the significance of the court's ruling for vulnerable nations and future generations. This episode also features voices from those who played pivotal roles in making this judgment a reality, emphasizing the binding nature of climate obligations and the need for continuous global cooperation.00:00 Introduction: Climate Science as Law00:16 The Court's Advisory Opinion00:54 Human Impact and Cultural Struggles01:14 End of Impunity and Legal Obligations02:03 Interview with Professor Elizabeth Holland02:43 Reactions to the ICJ Ruling05:22 The Role of Small Island States05:50 Challenges in Climate Negotiations08:01 Legal Frameworks and Obligations09:43 Implications for the United States12:33 Personal Reflections and Contributions14:34 Celebrating the Youth Movement18:17 Art and Culture in Climate Advocacy21:21 Generational Promises and Songs26:38 Conclusion and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
For full show notes, bonus content, and ad-free experience go to wickedproblems.earth! The Intersection of Climate Change and National Security with Rear Admiral Neil: A Deep DiveIn this episode of 'Wicked Problems,' host Richard Delevan speaks with Rear Admiral Neil, former Royal Navy officer and current Professor of Climate and Resource Security at UCL, about the growing recognition that climate change is a strategic challenge impacting national security. They discuss the expanded definition of national security to include climate adaptation, various international and interdisciplinary efforts to mitigate climate impact, and how the military is adapting its strategies. The conversation covers past and present policies, the importance of societal involvement, and the role of technological advancements. Rear Admiral Neil emphasizes the need for strategic, long-term solutions, cooperation across sectors, and raises concerns about the potential for a significant crisis to wake global leadership from complacency.00:00 Introduction to Climate Change and Security00:26 Guest Introduction: Rear Admiral Neil00:57 National Security and Climate Change02:06 Impact of Climate Change on Society03:49 Military's Role and Adaptation04:44 Evolving Conversations on Climate Policy09:48 Technological Innovations in the Military19:02 International Cooperation and Policy24:49 Challenges and Future Prospects31:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get full shownotes and bonus content and go ad-free at wickedproblems.earth!In this episode, two parts: Jenny Chase, a solar market analyst at BNF, about the dramatic rise of solar power in Pakistan. Despite scant government support, Pakistan has rapidly adopted solar energy, moving from importing a few gigawatts of solar modules in 2022 to becoming one of the largest markets. This development has led to economic and infrastructural challenges, such as grid reliability and pricing issues, and raises important questions about the future of energy systems globally. The episode also features a conversation with Australia-based climate journalist Royce Kurmelovs, who writes for Drilled and Reneweconomy as well as many others, about a recent significant legal ruling in Australia where indigenous Torres Strait Islanders sued the government over climate change threats to their homeland. While the court recognized climate change as an existential threat, it ruled against the plaintiffs due to current legal limitations, highlighting the ongoing legal and moral challenges in climate responsibility.00:00 Introduction to Pakistan's Solar Energy Surge00:09 Global Perspectives and Future Trends00:33 Australia's Energy Ambitions vs. Reality02:24 Unreported Solar Installations in Pakistan03:37 Economic Implications of Solar Adoption04:49 Government Contracts and Energy Prices16:07 Global Perspectives and Future Trends19:39 Discussion on Pakistan's Progress19:44 Jenny Chase's Upcoming Leave20:41 Introduction to Climate Cases in Australia21:42 Details of the Torres Strait Case23:29 Impacts on Torres Strait Islands25:14 Legal and Cultural Implications28:37 Global Context and Comparisons40:42 Australia's Climate Policy and PoliticsFollow Jenny:🔗 solarchase.bsky.social🔗 Jenny Chase on LinkedIn🌐 Follow Royce:“Court agrees climate change is real, but throws out Torres Strait Islanders’ claim anyway” (RenewEconomy)Also check out his most recent book: Slick: Australia’s Toxic Relationship with Big Oil🔗 roycerk2.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Get bonus content & full show notes at wickedproblems.earthThick ice caps topping some dormant volcanoes may be acting like a champagne cork. Research released earlier this month suggests that by speeding up the melt of those ice caps through human-caused climate change, we’re removing the foil and the little wire cage on some trapped liquid that will taste a bit more acidic than champagne when it gets out as the cork tries to free itself.Bob Berwyn has reported for a decade for Inside Climate News - the OG climate outlet that in 2015 broke the story of the biggest corporate scandal in history: a nine-part investigative series demonstrating how much #ExxonKnew about the effects that burning oil and other fossil fuels would have on the future climate, and then doing everything in its power to prevent anyone from stopping it.Bob’s piece on the volcano research stopped me in my tracks. As he said in this conversation:“the most profound thing about a study like this volcano study … is how profoundly we're changing fundamental parts of the global Earth system. I mean, we're sitting here talking about things like, ‘wow, could our activities actually cause more volcanoes?’ I mean, just the fact that we're asking this question is, ‘wow, what have we done?’ You know?”In This Conversation01:33 Scientific Insights on Volcanic Activity05:20 Challenges in Climate Research12:09 Global Climate Negotiations20:12 Heatwaves and Public Health23:54 Legal and Ethical Responsibilities24:36 The Reality of Heat Waves and Their Deadly Impact26:13 The Political Project Against Climate Science27:07 Social Science and Climate Action28:58 The Anti-Autocracy Handbook for Scientists31:02 Free Speech and Authoritarianism34:25 The Role of Legal Obligations in Climate Justice37:05 Public Perception and Managed Retreat40:37 Final Thoughts and Upcoming StoriesKeep Up With BobBob is an essential follow on BlueSky, and his journalism for Inside Climate News does not quit. Here are links to just some of the stories we touched on:Melting Ice Caps Could Bring Dormant Volcanoes to LifeHuman-Caused Global Warming Spiked the Death Toll of Europe’s Early Summer HeatwaveNew Handbook Aims to Protect Scientists From Autocratic ThreatsBonn Climate Talks Rife With Roadblocks and Dead EndsIf you think these conversations are worth listening to, share them with a friend or make an offering to the volcano gods to spare your town. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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