The Future of Sustainability

How do you talk about climate change in a way that opens minds instead of shutting down conversations?In this episode of the Future of Sustainability podcast, host Michael Hanf speaks with Kathleen Biggins, President and Founder of C-Change Conversations, a nonprofit dedicated to creating science-based, nonpartisan dialogue about climate change.Since founding C-Change in 2014, Kathleen has led the development of the C-Change Primer, a widely acclaimed multimedia presentation that has reached more than 23,000 people in 33 states and abroad. Rather than presenting climate change as a partisan or abstract environmental issue, the Primer reframes it as a risk management challenge with tangible implications for our health, economy, and national security.In their conversation, Kathleen shares why she founded C-Change Conversations after realizing that even friends, family, and colleagues lacked a clear understanding of climate risks. She explains how the organization developed strategies to "wake people up without turning them off" by grounding discussions in credible science, relatable examples, and the universal language of risk assessment.Listeners will learn:Why climate change is best understood not as politics, but as physics, chemistry, and riskHow different audiences respond to different entry points, from family safety and health to economic competitiveness and national securityThe evolution of the climate conversation in the United States, from denial to reluctant acceptance to concerns about costHow respectful engagement can transform skepticism into curiosity and open space for dialogueWhy personal actions, when visible and shared, can be contagious and help build momentum for systemic changeKathleen also discusses the challenges of working in polarized environments and highlights the importance of local action, personal agency, and community leadership. She argues that while global momentum toward clean energy is strong, the United States faces unique cultural and political headwinds that must be addressed through trust-building and consensus.Throughout the episode, one theme stands out: nobody wants to sacrifice their children's future. By framing climate change as a matter of stewardship, risk, and opportunity, C-Change Conversations is helping to create the social will that can unlock the political will for meaningful action.This episode is for anyone who has ever struggled to talk about climate change with colleagues, friends, or family, and for leaders looking to understand how to engage diverse audiences in one of the most important conversations of our time.Tune in to hear how Kathleen Biggins and C-Change Conversations are building a wave of consensus for climate action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Future of Sustainability, host Michael Hanf speaks with Vidar Helgesen, IOC Executive Secretary of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and former Norwegian Minister of Climate and Environment. Helgesen shares his journey from politics and diplomacy to leading the UN’s central body for ocean science, and why safeguarding our oceans is one of the defining challenges of our time.The ocean is more than a vast expanse of water. It is Earth’s life-support system. It produces half the oxygen we breathe, regulates climate and weather, and sustains biodiversity and livelihoods worldwide. Yet it remains the least understood and least protected part of our planet. Only 27 percent of the seafloor has been mapped, and vast regions of marine life remain undiscovered. As Helgesen warns, “We need to learn more and faster about the ocean.”Together, Michael and Vidar explore:The role of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in coordinating global ocean science and turning knowledge into policyWhy investing in ocean observation such as satellites, buoys, tide gauges, and data sharing is critical for disaster preparedness, agriculture, fisheries, and climate actionThe growing importance of international agreements like the High Seas Treaty and the 30x30 biodiversity pledgeHow businesses and industries can support sustainable ocean economies and why innovation will be key to unlocking opportunities in food, health, and technologyThe challenges of public awareness, including why plastics have captured attention while issues like nutrient pollution, dead zones, and destructive fishing remain under the radarPractical steps individuals can take as consumers, from choosing sustainable seafood to supporting better ocean policiesHelgesen calls the ocean “the beating blue heart of our planet,” reminding us that all societies depend on its health, whether we live by the coast or thousands of kilometers inland. From rainfall patterns and food production to weather extremes and marine biodiversity, our futures are tied to the ocean’s fate.Looking ahead to 2030 and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, Helgesen envisions a world where ocean knowledge is not just generated by scientists but widely shared, owned, and acted upon by governments, industries, and citizens alike. Building this collective awareness, he argues, is the essential first step toward safeguarding the ocean for future generations.Tune in to hear why the ocean must move to the center of the sustainability agenda and what we can all do to keep our planet’s blue heart beating strong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Future of Sustainability podcast, Michael Hanf speaks with Dr. Debbie Saunders, Co-Founder and CEO of NatureHelm and Founder and former CEO of Wildlife Drones. Debbie’s career spans more than 25 years as a conservation ecologist, moving from hands-on fieldwork with endangered migratory birds to building groundbreaking technologies that help businesses and researchers better understand and protect biodiversity.Debbie shares her personal journey from tracking parrots in Australia to founding two deep-tech ventures that are transforming how society engages with nature. With Wildlife Drones, she pioneered a radio-telemetry system that allows researchers to track dozens of animals simultaneously across challenging landscapes. Today, that technology supports conservation projects worldwide, from pangolins in Vietnam to finches in the Galápagos Islands. But her story didn’t stop there. Recognizing that biodiversity data was fragmented and underutilized, Debbie launched NatureHelm to bring clarity, intelligence, and actionable insights to corporations and supply chains.The discussion explores the intersection of science, technology, and entrepreneurship, and how these can work together to scale solutions for the planet. Debbie explains how NatureHelm aggregates data from diverse sources, integrates ecological knowledge, and leverages AI to identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities for businesses. Whether it’s understanding the role of pollinators in supply chains, visualizing global migratory patterns from a single urban site, or mapping the ecosystem services behind water use, NatureHelm helps companies move beyond reporting into meaningful action.Throughout the conversation, Debbie highlights the challenges and opportunities of building biodiversity intelligence:Why businesses often underestimate their biodiversity footprint and how to change that mindset.How regulatory frameworks like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) are driving corporate engagement.Why technology alone is not enough, and why user-centric design and storytelling are essential to building impact.The critical role of resilience, from regenerative cotton production in India to sustainable asset managers advancing industry standards.Debbie also offers candid insights into her entrepreneurial path: the importance of validating ideas, securing funding, and surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision. Her advice to young researchers and aspiring change-makers is simple yet powerful, be passionate, create value, and keep going despite the sceptics.This episode is both a call to action and a source of hope. It shows that with the right blend of ecological expertise, innovative technology, and business leadership, companies can contribute to a nature-positive future while strengthening their own resilience. From parrots to platforms, Debbie Saunders’ journey illustrates how personal passion can grow into global impact.Tune in to hear how biodiversity intelligence is reshaping the future of sustainability and why every business, whether in fashion, food, technology, or finance, has a role to play in protecting the ecosystems that sustain us all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Howard Yu, the LEGO Professor of Management and Innovation, and Peter Hinssen, an entrepreneur and author, explore navigating disruption in a rapidly changing world. Yu emphasizes that future-ready companies excel at both short-term performance and long-term transformation, highlighting the crucial role of software in the automotive industry. Hinssen introduces the concept of the 'never normal,' advocating for adaptability and continuous foresight. Both guests stress the need to eliminate outdated practices, urging leaders to foster innovation and embrace change.

Can motorsport help fast-track the hydrogen economy? And what does it take to build the world’s first hydrogen-powered off-road racing series from the ground up?In this episode of The Future of Sustainability podcast, host Michael Hanf speaks with Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme H, the world’s first hydrogen-powered motorsport championship, launching in 2025. Building on the success of Extreme E and Formula E, Extreme H is more than a race. It is a testbed for innovation, a global media platform, and a bold experiment in sustainable mobility.Together, we explore how motorsport can become a powerful engine of change in the energy transition, accelerating innovation in hydrogen fuel cells, logistics, and storage systems. Russell, a pioneer at the intersection of sport and purpose, shares how Extreme H is designed to deliver real-world impact far beyond the racetrack.In this episode, we discuss:🔹 Why hydrogen is a critical component in the clean mobility mix🔹 How Extreme H is built to validate hydrogen at every level, from fuel cells and safety to infrastructure and public perception🔹 The technical challenges of racing hydrogen vehicles in extreme environments🔹 How collaboration with automakers, energy companies, and regulators enables innovation🔹 Why equality, inclusion, and storytelling are integral to the championship’s broader sustainability agenda🔹 How Extreme H uses media and short-format racing to engage new generations and global audiences🔹 The long-term vision for hydrogen adoption in sectors beyond cars, including aviation and shippingRussell also discusses the unique role of motorsport in compressing innovation cycles and explains why the series is structured to allow OEMs like Toyota, Hyundai, and General Motors to test and showcase their hydrogen technologies. By creating an open but focused platform centred on hydrogen innovation, Extreme H aims to deliver both return on investment for manufacturers and inspiration for millions of fans.This is not just about sport. It is about creating the conditions for systemic change in how we think about performance, energy, and the future of transportation.🎧 Tune in to hear how Extreme H is reimagining racing as a tool for sustainable transformation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Future of Sustainability, we dive into a conversation that challenges how we think about innovation, technology, and impact. Host Michael Hanf is joined by Serish Gandikota, internationally recognised expert in Frugal Innovation and Frugal AI. Serish is the co-founder of InnoFrugal and co-leads the Frugal AI Hub at Cambridge Judge Business School. His work spans continents and sectors, pushing forward a bold but practical vision: innovation should be inclusive, efficient, and sustainable; not just powerful.We live in a time where AI is developing at breakneck speed. But while large language models and high-performance computing are gaining ground, the gap between those who can access these technologies and those who cannot is also growing. The mainstream AI narrative focuses on scale, speed, and raw power but what about the communities, organisations, and governments with limited infrastructure, budgets, or bandwidth?Enter Frugal AI: an approach that asks not how big or complex a system is, but whether it truly serves its purpose with minimal waste and maximum value. In this episode, Serish breaks down what Frugal AI means in practice. We explore five core principles behind it: compute efficiency, climate-aware design, cultural and linguistic inclusion, affordability, and local relevance.Throughout the episode, Serish shares stories from across the globe, from rural India to African cities and European municipalities, highlighting how innovation looks radically different depending on context. Whether it’s developing voice-based AI for illiterate populations, or deploying mobile-first tools in low-connectivity environments, Frugal Innovation is about making technology work for the realities people live in, not the other way around.We also unpack the importance of rethinking total cost of ownership in AI deployments. Serish explains why many public and private sector organisations underestimate the long-term energy, financial, and operational costs of AI systems and how frameworks developed at Cambridge aim to address that.A central theme of the conversation is mindset. Serish draws a clear line between short-term tech enthusiasm and long-term systemic change. He emphasises the importance of shifting away from a one-size-fits-all model of innovation toward a more context-aware and partnership-driven approach. Impact, he argues, doesn’t come from a single product or platform. It comes from trust, uptake, and working closely with local communities to develop and scale solutions that last.Listeners will also hear about the work of the Frugal AI Hub and its Adoption Labs, which match local challenges with startups using Frugal AI techniques to create meaningful, scalable outcomes.Key topics include:What is Frugal AI and why it mattersThe global innovation gap and why context is everythingPractical examples from India, Africa, and EuropeThe hidden costs of AI and how to plan for long-term sustainabilityThe role of mindset, policy sandboxes, and inclusive procurementHow to get involved in the Frugal AI ecosystemTo learn more, visit frugalai.org or join the Frugal AI Initiative on LinkedIn and WhatsApp.If you enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review. Your support helps us bring more voices, insights, and stories to The Future of Sustainability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This short preview introduces the Waves Gathering, taking place 11–13 September in Finland. Host Michael Hanf is joined by organizers Thomas Holm and Sara Lindeman to share what makes Waves unique, the themes of unlearning, collaboration, and finding new pathways, and why this gathering matters now.Learn more: www.wavesgathering.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can climate journalism cut through the noise, overcome climate fatigue, and help us make sense of a rapidly changing world?In this episode of The Future of Sustainability podcast, host Michael Hanf is joined by Graihagh Jackson, Senior Broadcast Journalist at the BBC and the voice behind The Climate Question, the BBC’s flagship programme on climate change.With a background in science communication and a passion for storytelling, Graihagh shares how she and her team bring complex climate topics to life. From covering electric mobility in Delhi to the emotional realities of child marriage in Bangladesh, The Climate Question blends rigorous reporting with human-centered narratives to make climate issues tangible, relevant, and accessible.Together, we explore: 🔹 The BBC’s commitment to informing rather than influencing 🔹 What works (and what doesn’t) when engaging audiences who are overwhelmed or disengaged 🔹 How storytelling, solutions, and surprise are key to connecting with listeners 🔹 The global diversity of questions and perspectives Graihagh receives from the show’s audience 🔹 The role of climate journalism in countering disinformation and holding institutions accountableGraihagh also shares standout episodes, including stories from Malawi, India, and Bangladesh, and explains how The Climate Question is creating space for constructive conversations in a world that too often feels divided.Whether you are a long-time listener of climate content or new to the space, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how trusted journalism can play a transformative role in the sustainability transition.🎧 Listen now to discover why The Climate Question has become a global reference point for climate storytelling done right. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Future of Sustainability, Michael is joined by Aino Försti-Smith, Head of Communications at Bayer Finland and Board Member at UN Women Finland, for a powerful conversation on the strategic importance of women’s health and reproductive rights in shaping more equitable, resilient societies.Drawing from her dual role in corporate leadership and global advocacy, Aino shares personal insights into what drives her commitment to advancing access to contraception and reproductive health services, especially for women and girls in low- and middle-income countries. She discusses Bayer’s century-long role in women’s health, its goal to reach 100 million women with access to modern contraceptives by 2030, and the deep community engagement required to create lasting impact.We explore:How Bayer’s purpose-driven approach aligns commercial success with global health equityThe transformational impact of contraception on education, economic opportunity, and gender equalityThe role of local partnerships, education, and destigmatization in driving true accessLessons from on-the-ground engagement in Kenya, Egypt, and IndiaWhy male involvement and cross-sector collaboration are essential for systemic changeWhat other companies can do to support women’s health through innovation, investment, and partnershipsThis episode is both a call to action and a reminder that behind every statistic is a human life. Aino’s perspective highlights the power of purpose-led communication, long-term commitment, and authentic partnerships to move the needle on one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.If you’re interested in sustainable development, social innovation, or purpose-driven business, this conversation will leave you inspired and informed.Listen now to discover how empowering women can transform entire communities and why the future of sustainability must be inclusive, intersectional, and deeply human. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can capitalism become a force for good? In this episode, Fair Trade USA founder Paul Rice shares the story behind one of the most impactful ethical sourcing movements of our time and why every purchase we make can drive systemic change. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.