Climate quitting: the people leaving their fossil fuel jobs because of climate change

As the climate crisis gets ever more severe, the fossil fuel industry is struggling to recruit new talent. And now a number of existing employees are deciding to leave their jobs, some quietly, some very publicly, because of concerns over climate change. In this episode we speak to a researcher about this phenomenon of climate quitting.

Featuring Grace Augustine, associate professor in business and society at the University of Bath in the UK, and Sam Phelps, commissioning editor for international affairs at The Conversation in the UK.

This episode was written and produced by Katie Flood with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Full credits available here. A transcript will be available shortly. Subscribe to a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.

Further reading and listening:

• Why young workers are leaving fossil fuel jobs – and what to do if you feel like ‘climate quitting’
• Quarter Life: a series about issues affecting those in their twenties and thirties
• Fossil fuel workers have the skills to succeed in green jobs, but location is a major barrier to a just transition
• Listen: The fossil fuel era must end – so what happens to the communities it built? Climate Fight podcast part 3