Adrienne Buller

Adrienne Buller is the Director of Research at Common Wealth, an organization focused on promoting democratic ownership to transform how the economy operates and for whom. Adrienne has recently published ‘The Value of a Whale: On the Illusions of Green Capitalism’ (2022), offering a deep dive into the fatal biases that have shaped the response of our governing institutions to climate and environmental breakdown. Tracing the intricate connections between financial power, economic injustice and ecological crisis, she exposes the myopic economism and market-centric thinking presently undermining a future where all life can flourish. Adrienne also has significant experience at the coalface of climate policy advocacy, having served as the Co-Director of the campaign group Labour for a Green New Deal through 2017 and 2018. Adrienne holds an MSc in Global Governance and Ethics from our very own University College London and a Bachelor of Science from McGill University. We discussed ‘The Value of a Whale,’ the flaws in mainstream climate and environmental governance, corporate ‘green growth’ mindsets, the commodification of nature. and much, much more. Adrienne tweets @adribuller: https://twitter.com/adribuller Publications: The Value of a Whale: On the Illusions of Green Capitalism (Manchester University Press, 2022): https://manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/9781526162632/ Owning the Future: Power and Property in an Age of Crisis (with Matthew Laurence) (Verso Books, 2022): https://www.versobooks.com/books/3981-owning-the-future

Armando Iannucci hosts a compelling discussion with Dominic Watters, a social worker and food insecurity activist, and Adrienne Buller, a progressive think tank director. They tackle the alarming rise in income inequality in the UK, with food bank usage doubling and many low-income families unable to heat their homes. The trio critiques trickle-down economics while exploring systemic biases in the welfare system. They advocate for serious reforms, including considering a minister for income inequality, to address the urgent crises of food and energy access.

Climate policy experts Ann Pettifor and environmental advocate Adrienne Buller discuss the absence of climate action in the UK election campaign. They analyze the Labour Party's shift on the Green New Deal, the Conservatives' abandonment of climate commitments, and the need for political leadership on environmental policy. The conversation delves into challenges in implementing effective climate policies, considerations in Labour's climate policy, and the role of international cooperation in addressing the climate crisis.

Exploring the illusions of green capitalism, the reliance on carbon offsets, challenges of renewable energy, and the role of asset managers in the climate crisis. Guests discuss economic valuation of nature, profit motives in sustainability, and why wind and solar energy aren't embraced. Join the conversation on whether capitalism can truly save the planet!

In a thought-provoking discussion, Simon Brewer, former Chief Investment Officer and Money Maze podcast host, Adrienne Buller, political economist and author, and Lucy Kellaway, ex-FT columnist turned educator, redefine value in today's world. They tackle how the financial landscape shifts with ESG considerations and the influence of private equity. The panel emphasizes prioritizing community and well-being over mere profit, arguing for a societal shift that values sustainability, health, and personal fulfillment over traditional monetary metrics.