Climate Papa Climate Papa × Volts: Live with David Roberts
11 snips
Mar 31, 2025 
David Roberts, a climate journalist known for his work at Grist and Vox, dives deep into the energy transition and shares his unique journey from philosophy dropout to climate storytelling. He emphasizes the importance of presenting climate solutions with humor and clarity, advocating for a movement defined by abundance rather than austerity. The conversation also touches on the interconnectedness of urban planning, the urgency of community-driven energy systems, and the potential for humanity to creatively tackle ecological challenges.
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Roberts' Unexpected Career Path
- David Roberts shares his personal journey from philosophy PhD dropout to climate journalist in Seattle.
- He describes his family life and how his dogs and kids relate to his work and life balance.
Philosophy Skills Shape Journalism
- Roberts finds philosophy training valuable for learning argument and systems thinking.
- This helps him understand and explain the complex systemic challenge of climate change.
Learning Climate Journalism from Scratch
- Roberts recounts starting at Grist as editorial assistant with no climate background.
- He learned on the job, developing skills and knowledge over time in obscurity.
