The podcast delves into the political and physical challenges of the energy transition, highlighting the psychological vulnerabilities hindering progress. It explores the intersection of various global crises, the risks of unchecked resource accumulation, and the need for collective well-being over individual success. Additionally, it discusses eco-fascism concerns, the notion of evil in society, and the importance of behavioral change and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing climate change.
The tension between physical and political possibility in energy transition highlights the challenge society faces in addressing climate change.
The psychological transition is hindered by knowledge gaps and blind spots in industry, policy, and business, impeding necessary changes.
Shifting focus towards mitigation strategies over recovery in crisis management is essential for addressing escalating risks and vulnerabilities.
Deep dives
The Need for Massive International Agreement to Address Climate Crisis
Despite the physical possibility of achieving the target of 1.5 degrees Celsius, a critical view reveals significant challenges in reality, highlighting the urgent need for a global agreement to tackle the environmental crisis effectively.
Importance of Psychological Transition in Energy and Economic Transformations
The conversation with Jonathan delves into the psychological transformation intertwined with energy and economic transitions. It emphasizes the necessity to shift narratives that perpetuate current systems hindering impactful action.
Challenges in Crisis Management and Prevention Strategies
The discussion touches on the limitations of crisis management strategies that focus on recovery rather than prevention. It emphasizes the need to shift towards mitigation strategies to address escalating risks and vulnerabilities.
Global Interconnectedness and Vulnerability in Supply Chains
The recognition of systemic risks highlights the interconnected and interdependent nature of global systems, underscoring the vulnerability posed by disruptions in supply chains. Addressing these dynamics is key to building resilience.
Fostering Collaboration and Bridging Perspectives for Sustainable Solutions
The narrative promotes collaboration and bridging differing perspectives to address societal challenges effectively. It advocates for understanding diverse viewpoints, emphasizing the importance of behavioral changes to drive positive beliefs and actions towards sustainable outcomes.
A few months ago, I was sitting on a train bashing out a furious article about the British government’s climate incompetence. The man next to me was in a zoom call on climate change, vigorously shaking his head. I couldn’t help but ask.
That’s how I met today’s guest, Jonathan Mille, a researcher at University College London’s Climate Action Unit, where he studies systemic risk and the impact of our interdependent global systems on climate change response. Jonathan focuses much of his attention on the physical and political possibility of the energy transition, and in today’s episode we discuss that exact tension between what is physically possible and what is politically possible. We explore the narrative challenge we face as a society, along with the distinct knowledge gaps found in industry, policy circles and business which create blind spots of psychological vulnerabilities, impeding the necessary psychological transition.