Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change

Join biologist and author Merlin Sheldrake as he dives into the fascinating realm of fungi, revealing their critical role in carbon sequestration and ecosystem health. Discover how mycorrhizal networks connect trees, fostering communication and resource sharing. Sheldrake discusses fungi's intelligence and their potential as sustainable materials, tackling climate challenges. He also explores their historical significance in medicine and culture, advocating for a reevaluation of our relationship with these remarkable organisms in order to better understand our interconnected world.

Daniel Calderon, Founder and Managing Partner of Alcazar Energy Partners, dives into the world of renewable energy investments in emerging markets. He shares compelling insights about countries like Jordan and Montenegro that are embracing wind and solar, contrasting them with regions hesitant to invest. Calderon highlights successful projects that turned local potential into profit while dispelling myths about risks in underserved areas. He emphasizes the economic benefits of renewable projects and the significant role of strategic partnerships and local regulations in unlocking these opportunities.

Josh Parker, Head of Sustainability at NVIDIA, discusses the intersection of artificial intelligence and climate change. He delves into AI's potential to enhance sustainability while raising concerns about energy consumption. Parker highlights NVIDIA's role in the AI boom and the importance of energy-efficient practices in tech development. He also emphasizes the need for collaboration between tech companies and regulators to ensure AI benefits society. Additionally, he shares insights on the innovative Earth 2 project aimed at improving climate modeling through AI.

In a compelling conversation, Ben van Beurden, former CEO of Shell and current senior advisor on climate initiatives, delves into the realities of the energy transition. He discusses the dual role of oil and gas companies in combating climate change while emphasizing the importance of diverse solutions. Van Beurden highlights urgent actions required, such as reducing methane emissions and improving energy access globally. He also explores the challenges of transforming business models towards sustainability amid rising scrutiny and the need for innovative thinking in energy production.

Thelma Krug, a Brazilian scientist and former IPCC vice chair, shares her insights on the crucial shift of the Amazon rainforest from a carbon sink to a potential carbon source. She discusses the challenges of balancing environmental preservation with economic growth in Brazil, especially as the country prepares for COP30. The conversation also delves into complex international climate negotiations, innovative solutions like biofuels, and the controversial area of geoengineering, highlighting the urgent need for global collaboration to combat climate change.

Dan Jørgensen, EU Energy and Housing Commissioner, discusses Europe's shift away from Russian energy dependence and the urgent need for renewable solutions. He dives into the economics of hydrogen subsidies, drawing parallels to past offshore wind challenges. Jørgensen also tackles the debate around nuclear energy versus renewables, highlighting Denmark's evolving stance. Additionally, he addresses the recent Spain-Portugal blackout, emphasizing the need for better European connectivity and effective political leadership in driving the green transition.

Antonio Cammisecra, CEO of ContourGlobal and a leader in renewable energy, discusses the crucial shift from coal to renewables. He highlights how today's electricity systems are integrating more variable renewables while demand continues to rise across all sectors, including AI and transportation. Antonio shares insights on building resilience in renewable grids, the role of battery storage for solar energy, and the challenges of decarbonizing the grid, emphasizing the need for modern infrastructure and regulatory support.

In this engaging discussion, Andrew Forrest—Executive Chairman of Fortescue Metals Group and climate advocate—explores the potential of hydrogen in decarbonizing heavy industry and shipping. He shares insights from his transformative journey into climate action, emphasizing innovative hydrogen technologies. Forrest critiques current policies on emissions while highlighting the urgency of tackling lethal humidity and other climate concerns. He argues for diverse energy solutions and the importance of robust regulatory frameworks in moving away from fossil fuels.

Mohamed El-Erian, a world-renowned economist and former advisor to President Obama, shares his insights on the intertwined realms of global finance, politics, and climate change. He discusses how bond markets might be evolving into a new form of governance and the implications of shifting U.S. economic leadership. El-Erian highlights the importance of international cooperation in combatting climate change and critiques the U.S. response to global trade dynamics, particularly in light of China's ascendant green technology sector.

Anders Lindberg, President of Energy at Wärtsilä, discusses the feasibility of running power grids on 100% renewable energy. He highlights the €65 trillion cost by 2050 if we choose this path. The conversation delves into the importance of maintaining some flexible generation, especially gas, to ensure grid reliability. Lindberg also covers Finland's energy challenges, the link between renewables and grid resilience, and the need for innovative technologies to stabilize power systems as renewable integration increases.