ClimateGenn hosted by Nick Breeze

Intro with clips - Prof. Jason Box (Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland), Prof. Kevin Anderson (Tyndall Centre for Climate Research), Prof. Heidi Sevestre (AMAP, Arctic Council), Joshua Aponsem (Green Africa Youth Organization, Ghana), Anni Pokela (Operatatio Arktis, Finland) Lord Rowan Williams (Fmr. Archbishop of Canterbury). I started recording interviews on geoengineering over ten years ago and the thought back then that in the mid 2020’s nothing would have been achieved in global emissions reduction, would have been too depressing to contemplate. Yet here we are. The Paris Agreement was meant to steer the world towards a cleaner brighter future but it has been ignored. Emissions from forest fires and melting permafrost are way beyond their thresholds and extreme weather impacts are testing infrastructure and ecosystems all over the planet.  Climate activists are even being locked up with cruel prison sentences for trying to act for the collective good. I discuss this in my next episode with XR cofounder, Gail Bradbrook. The UN Climate summit, COP29 will be held in one of the most significant cradles of the fossil fuel industry - Baku in Azerbaijan. There is no expressed intention to reduce emissions but instead the the COP29 President-Designate Mukhtar Babayev has a (quote) a ’vision to enhance ambition and enable action.’ - whilst the widespread extraction of fossil fuels continues unabated. With all this in mind, the conversation of engineering interventions to try and delay the most destructive impacts of extreme climate, is moving along. It is controversial and divisive and yet voices from across the world, including in the Global South are saying that we need to take the research seriously.  In this interview with Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, Director of the Centre for Climate Repair at the University of Cambridge, we discuss the controversy and the viability of schemes. The news broke during our recording that the UK government agency, ARIA, have put out a call for proposals, offering £56.8m in grant funding for geoengineering projects. The largest government funding of it’s kind. The failure of the global negotiations is discussed in my book COPOUT - How governments have failed the people on climate that is available worldwide in paperback and audiobook format. Sadly, the failure of the 3 decades of global climate summits means we are getting much deeper into the era of consequences. Central Europe is experiencing deathly storms and flooding while the smoke from Portugal’s forest fires are spreading a toxic blanket over Spain and beyond. From the Amazon to Asia, ecosystems and infrastructure are being pummelled by natures response to carbon pollution. Next week I will be recording a 3 way interview with Dr Paul Davies from the UK Met Office and Dr Hayley Fowler from Newcastle University about their recent research paper titled 'A new conceptual model for understanding and predicting life-threatening rainfall extremes’ - which is both important and fascinating. Thank you to all subscribers - there is extra content being uploaded for Patreon and Youtube subscribers.

Welcome to a new series of ClimateGenn where we aim to speak with a range of global experts to be better able to understand the changes in the global climate system that are rapidly impacting the world in which we live. Although some like to use the term climate chaos - if we dive into the noise, more often than not, there are signals we can learn from. __________________ COP29 in Azerbaijan is now also on the horizon. The world’s largest climate conference is for another consecutive year being hosted in a country with stated aim of increasing production and sales of fossil fuels - the underlying cause of accelerating climate breakdown. If you want to learn more about the UN’s COP process and why it has failed to deliver the structural changes that could have averted much of the destruction we are currently experiencing, then my book, COPOUT, is available worldwide in paperback and audiobook.  Order 'COPOUT' BY NICK BREEZE I will be attending COP29 to report both on the lack of progress being made in the official negotiations, while also speaking with attendees on a wide range of related climate topics. I recently spent 2 weeks in the summer in S. Portugal’s Alentejo region where temperatures regularly surpass 40ºC (104ºF). The climate stripes chart included here, made especially for the project by Climate Stripes creator Professor Ed Hawkins, shows the rising mean temperatures in Evora, in Alentejo, that have become much more pronounced since the 1980’s and will continue to rise. Slight rises in the mean temperature mean increased rises in the mean temperature and increased frequency of extreme temperatures. A signal of testing times ahead. For the second week of this visit I was joined by world renowned glaciologist and climatologist Professor Jason Box, and Anglo-Chinese author and journalist, Janet Wang. With over 25 interviews recorded, I’ll be releasing a special series titled ‘Into the Heat’ looking at how these communities are adapting to the rising extremes and, as Jason Box says, ‘They are winning in sustainability’. We also discuss the thresholds of viability and why the survival of wine and olive oil producing communities in S Portugal connects to the wellbeing of communities in places like the UK and other parts of N. Europe. Subscribers will get access to additional behind the scenes footage. _____ In this interview with Dr Jennifer Francis from the Woodwell Climate Research Centre in the US, we discuss her teams new research into feedbacks from the melting Arctic Ice cap. We also discuss how destructive climate impacts are starting to influence policymaking, albeit with resistance from misinformation campaigns. Finally, we discuss the rise of research into geoengineering and Jennifer’s insights into whether we should deploy risky temporary-techno fixes to buy time, while we wait for structural action at the policy-level to be implemented.

In this first published ClimateGenn episode for a couple of months, I want to thank subscribers for your patience. I have not been sitting idle but much more trying to digest the appalling consequences of climate heating that we are now experiencing. [Order COPOUT By Nick Breeze here] Everyday on social media, climate graphs and charts are posted with varying degrees of deep red and other markers of urgency. Yet, nothing happens except the posts become more shrill and the problem of climate disaster becomes more irreversible. As someone who engages a lot with climate science and scientists, somehow I had fallen into a space whereby the actual meaning of these charts had become abstract. Codified and filed away in my mind to avoid real exposure to true meaning. Then something happened. I arranged to meet with Guillermo Díaz Agras at the marine biology research station in La Grana in Galicia. The research station is a satellite of Santiago University and the team here conduct extensive research along the coast and in the river valley’s, called rias. What I expected to be an introductory overview of the research station turned into a horrifying cerebral experience; an awakening if you like.  Guillermo showed me a long stream of images of dead dolphins, turtles and otters, saying simply: ‘That was just last week!’. He then explained how much of the indigenous shellfish are dying. The mussels no longer forming in this stretch of coast, the seaweed that bound the mussels to the rocks and the floating platforms, no longer there. The ecosystems that were embedded within them, gone. In 2022, 220 dolphins were found dead along this coast. In 2023 that number rose to 667. In 2024 we are already over 315 as of last week.  He then explained that the Atlantic Ocean heatwave that we see in those charts plastered all over the internet is triggering a massive breakdown of marine ecosystems along this coastline. The heated ocean creates more evaporation which is driving the most incredible downpours of rain. This in turn is desalinating the local waters and making life impossible for many species. The northerly winds that are well known here and blow the warmer surface waters out to sea, have stopped. The acidity of the ocean water from constant burning of fossil fuels is stopping shell formation too.  This is what is meant when scientists speak of a cascade of climate impacts. The Atlantic Ocean heatwave is the main driver of this catastrophic cascade. But this ecosystem is deeply connected to the Galician way off life, their cultural identity and local economies. Last week, with Guillermo, I met with the head of the regional fishing group. The impacts that I have mentioned are now creating a zombie-like industry. Fishermen here used to work the whole year through, everyday. Now they work around 15 days per year and receive subsidies from the government. The lack of life in the oceans due to the ocean heating mean that new species are being shipped in from more exotic parts of the world where they can survive the hotter waters. These species take 3 years to mature and then have to be reordered. Aside from the unknown unknowns regarding dumping foreign species into these waters, the shellfish have to be reordered. However, as this happening along the coast in different communities, demand is outstripping supply. The government are funding the 3 yearly purchase of the new stock but not the ability to breed. Guillermo is nervous that the imported, and essentially invasive species, may have unforeseen deleterious consequences for the wider ecosystem. However, everything is dying anyway. When I asked him what he thinks we should do, he shakes his head and says, “it is too late!” These very words are stating very clearly that it is too late to save nature. We are part of nature and intricately connected to its bounty. Just recently The Guardian newspaper blindly published an article praising Galicia for its super healthy seafood diet. There is no reference in the article to the crashing seafood stocks. The article is as blind in its fantasy of long life and abundant seafood as it is perpetuating cliches and myths about the Earth we are destroying. In a moment I will play the interview I recorded with Guillermo giving the overview of the situation along this coast. I am resuming the podcast series and will be publishing more material on this specific issue. There is also a lot of material I have recorded on geoengineering that I will publish in the subscribers areas for Water level members. It will be edited for use at a later point. This has been an intense period of work and there is much more to do. My book COPOUT is available to order in the US and Canada from 21st May. COPOUT explains how we got into this mess. The thirty years of complete political failure to change humanity’s course. I am now working on a second book that is looking at the consequences of failure and although it may sound harrowing, we have to keep in mind that it is just reality and that life will go on, until it doesn’t. We have a collective duty to do what we can to sustain and where possible restore the damages our species has created. Thank you too all subscribers and supporters. Please do get in touch or leave comments. I do try to respond to as much as possible.

In this episode I am speaking with three young people from the Cayman Islands about the existential climate threat they face. They are taking their case to the British Government to ask for assistance in what could eventually lead to an evacuation plan. The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory lying to the south of Cuba and the North East of Honduras. Currently an estimated 85% of the worlds hedge funds are located in these islands.  The irony is that a significant percentage of the funds flowing through the Cayman isles will be invested in or derived from fossil fuels - the very cause of the regional climate destabilisation that is getting much worse. Aleigha, Rickeem and Connor from Sustainable Cayman all have a case to make to the British people that could end up being part of the transformational change we need immediately.  The London meeting at the House of Commons with MPs is in collaboration with OnePlanet in the UK and is the start of a dialogue that aims to encourage the UK to act responsible in the face of existential threats to these islands. Thank you to all subscribers for support. This is a special episode timed for the event I nLondon and more episodes will be forthcoming. Please like and share and continue to subscribe to support this work.  You can also order my book COPOUT from Amazon or any other book store, which highlights the structural failures that are driving the worsening worldwide climate emergency.

This episode with Dana R fisher is the unofficial part 2 of 3 looking at the sociological side of collective action, while we try to slow the sinking of the Titanic, to make homes on the lifeboats. The rub in all this is that Dana’s message is not dissimilar from Roger Hallam’s (unofficial part 1). She agrees that millions will likely die before the so-called Anthroshift kicks in and we get the cascade of structural policies we need to respond en masse to the crisis. The detail in all we discuss is in Dana’s new book, ‘Saving Ourselves - From Climate Shocks To Climate Action’. If you want a close up lens on the structural failures to date, coupled with the determination of those in power to ignore the loud and clear science, then please do consider buying my book COPOUT. I’ve had great feedback from climate luminaries such as Sir David King, Bill McKibben, Alice Hill, Rupert Read, and others. Thank you to all subscribers for your support. It is greatly received as it allows this series to continue. I get so many requests for interviews and it is getting harder to keep up. More supporters means more interviews can bet processed. Thanks again.

In this ClimateGenn Episode I speak with Dr René van Westen about the recent research he published with colleagues looking at what it would take to cause the Atlantic Meridonial Overturning Circulation (AMOC) to pass through it’s tipping point. Interpretations of this research have been published in media around the world and debated across social media. Here René gets a chance to clarify the potential for catastrophic impacts that would indiscriminately devastate Europe as well as many other regions in proximity to the Atlantic and beyond. If you want to read about how governments have consistently lied to get us into this mess then make sure you order my book COPOUT from this link: https://amzn.to/3uzuH7y In the next episode will be Dana R Fisher discussing her new book, Saving Ourselves, and what it will take to create the ‘Antroshift’ or social tipping point to change course for the better. If the collapsing AMOC is the answer - I will pass on that!! Thank you to all subscribers - your support is always welcome. Extra episodes and episode previews will continue to be forthcoming. There is a huge influx of requests for interviews and climate/ecological stories out there to cover and I am totally overwhelmed. Thanks again for interest, feedback and support.

In this ClimateGenn episode I speak with Dr Chris Kettle. Chris is Principal Scientist within the International organization Alliance Bioversity International and CIAT, one of the global CGIAR centers for Agricultural research for development.  Chris leads their work globally on restoration and the role of trees in transitioning food systems.  This is a critically important episode and Chris really dives into the complex interconnectivity between forestry, biodiversity, climate, food systems  security, knowledge and so much more.   Links to additional work & resources related to Dr Chris Kettle: www.myfarmtrees.org www.diversityforrestoration.org You can also look at the institutional webites https://alliancebioversityciat.org/ And the https://www.cgiar.org/ Chris is leading the restoration component of the naturepositive Initiative https://www.cgiar.org/news-events/news/africa-climate-summit-advanced-tree-restoration-pledges-but-a-big-seed-shortage-remains/ This recent FAO publication led by Dr Chris Kettle: https://www.fao.org/3/cc8955en/cc8955en.pdf You can find all Chris's publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8ViBluIAAAAJ&hl=en Actioning the knowledge we already possess in the science and indigenous communities, while taking a global instead of national perspective, has the potential to radically improve our prospects. This is the real challenge that we face today.   Chris offers a wealth of information on both the status quo and the potential for righting the wrongs of the past to fight back and try to conserve and regenerate global forests, while supplying the worlds food at the same time. In the next episode I speak to Honduran youth activist Ricardo Pineda who I heard speaking at COP28. It is a fascinating conversation that touches on justice issues and why he is now calling for research in climate interventions that could possibly save lives in his community.   I am also just about to edit the interview with sociologist Dana R Fisher about her new book, ‘Saving Ourselves, from climate shocks to climate action’. This is an unofficial sequel to the interview with Roger Hallam. There are parallel lines that we all need to comprehend.    Thank you to all supporters and subscribers. I am recording a lots of interviews at the moment and I appreciate all feedback, good and bad.   PREORDER COPOUT:  https://amzn.to/3SqI4ii   If you want to gain more insight into how these issues all connect together and actually fail at the political and structural level, then please do order my book COPOUT. It is available to order on Amazon and from a wide range of bookstores worldwide.

In this ClimateGenn episode I am speaking with Nigerian Climate Activist Dickson Goodness about the ongoing struggle to pressure the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, to clean up it’s colossal toxic mess left behind after nearly seven decades of oil extraction in the Niger Delta. Beyond carbon emission, the damage done has destroyed ecosystems, decimated biodiversity, ruined livelihoods and caused misery and suffering for communities living in the region. PREORDER COPOUT - https://amzn.to/3SflYzg A reminder that you can preorder my book COPOUT about the UN process that has now been taken over by the extractive fossil fuel industry. A broad coalition of the most polluting nations on Earth say they want to reduce emissions while massively expanding fossil fuel production. This contradiction or outright hypocrisy underpins the very core of the human struggle for survival this century and will be discussed across future episodes in the coming weeks. Please do stay tuned. Thank you to all subscribers and supporters. Please do join via Patron or Youtube to support the channel, getting episodes early, plus extra content. Do also comment, share and engage in whatever way possible. Thanks.

In this ClimateGenn episode I speak with Roger Hallam, original cofounder of Extinction Rebellion, Just Stop Oil and other socially focussed organisations. He also hosts the ‘Designing The Revolution’ podcast. Roger’s communication style is often confrontational and very direct. In this interview Roger discusses where he thinks we are now and the complex sociological processes at work that will determine the future. Moving into 2024 we are faced with the reality that the largest fossil fuel producers are expanding production around the world, demonstrating disregard for all the scientific warnings and broken-promises that litter the decades since the 1970’s, regarding over consumption and carbon pollution. PREORDER 'COPOUT - HOW GOVERNMENTS HAVE FAILED THE CLIMATE' By Nick Breeze - https://amzn.to/3U2EwFt The COP process of the last eight years from Paris to Dubai is documented in my book COPOUT which is available to preorder on Amazon now. Endorsements from key people involved in confronting climate & ecological issues are included in the notes. This year I will be focussing on speaking with people who articulate the myriad pathways forward from the social, political, natural and technological options - and their inevitable pitfalls. The objective is to see what we can learn and improve our chances for a better outcome than what we currently face. Thank you for all supporters who make this series possible. Please do subscribe, share the episodes or do whatever you can to be part of the conversation. Praise for COPOUT: ‘COPOUT is required reading for anyone trusting on global action by governments to solve the planet’s climate crisis.’ Dr Alice Hill, former special assistant to President Barack Obama and senior director for resilience policy at the National Security Council. ‘A must-read for all of us who care about and work for a manageable future for humanity and the ecosystems that we depend on’ Sir David King - Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government. 'COPOUT gives a very strong sense of what the stakes are, in the climate struggle and shows the urgent need for other nimbler ways forward as we finally face up to the existential threat now upon us’ Emeritus Professor Rupert Read, author of Why Climate Breakdown Matters and Co-Director of the Climate Majority Project ‘This is just what we need!’ Professor Hugh Hunt, Director of Centre for Climate Repair at University of Cambridge

In this climategenn episode bulletin, I speak with Dr Jennifer Francis about her new work looking at Weather Whiplash Events that she and colleagues have been studying in the N Atlantic and Europe. We also discuss the outlook for 2024 as climate impacts worsen and world leaders from across the world are doubling down on expanding the root cause of the problem: fossil fuels. If you want to find out more about the failing COP process and why we urgently need to hold those delaying structural change directly accountable my book COPOUT is available to preorder on Amazon or another bookstore. Thanks for supporting the podcast. I will be resuming interviews gain next week and fully appreciate your support.