

Climate Curious
TEDxLondon
Are you Climate Curious? If you care about the world, but find the current conversation about climate change confusing, scary or boring – then this might be the podcast for you. Join TEDxLondon and co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst as we lift the lid on the climate emergency by speaking to the world’s leading and most relatable climate pioneers. Find out why cities are key to the climate fight, why we need to tackle systemic problems (and not just plastic straws), and why we’re all a bit crap at sustainability. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 9, 2025 • 9min
What do we do with environmental criminals? With Dr. Julia Shaw
When climate criminals are caught – what does justice look like? Criminal psychologist Dr. Julia Shaw joins Climate Curious co-hosts Ben Hurst and Maryam Pasha to explore the psychology of impunity, weigh up punishment versus rehabilitation, and the effectiveness of high penalties.Listen to episode 1/4 of ‘Climate Curious on Crime: Ep.1 Dieselgate and the psychology of corporate green con men’ now: https://tedxlondon.com/podcasts/climate-curious-on-crime-ep-1-dieselgate-and-the-psychology-of-corporate-green-con-men-with-dr-julia-shawLearn more in Julia’s new book, ‘Green Crime’, https://linktr.ee/drjuliashaw Buy your ticket to join TEDxLondon Global Idea Search, November 24th: https://tedxlondon.com/tedx-global-idea-search/Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondonWebsite: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 7min
Climate Curious on Crime: Ep.1 Dieselgate and the psychology of corporate green con men, with Dr. Julia Shaw
Epistemic malevolence, eco-anger, whistleblowing, greenwashing: tune in to hear the story of Volkswagen’s emissions scandal ‘Dieselgate’ like you’ve never heard it before – through the lens of criminal psychology. In conversation with Climate Curious co-hosts Ben Hurst and Maryam Pasha, join criminal psychologist Dr. Julia Shaw to delve inside the minds of the executives and engineers perpetrating these emissions crimes, and the whistleblowers and regulators that helped catch them. Featuring excerpts from capable guardian Alberto Ayala, the deputy executive director of the California Air Resources Board. Learn more in Julia’s new book, ‘Green Crime’, https://linktr.ee/drjuliashawBuy your ticket to join TEDxLondon Global Idea Search, November 24th: https://tedxlondon.com/tedx-global-idea-search/Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondonWebsite: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 2, 2025 • 6min
What is a green crime? With Dr. Julia Shaw
What is the role of psychology in fighting environmental crime? Criminal psychologist Dr. Julia Shaw joins Climate Curious co-hosts Ben Hurst and Maryam Pasha to explain what a green crime is, and why she spent three years writing a book on the topic. This conversation kicks off our new four-part mini-series ‘Climate Curious on Crime’ launching October 6th 2025, exclusively on the ‘Climate Curious’ podcast.Learn more in Julia’s new book, ‘Green Crime’, https://linktr.ee/drjuliashaw Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondon Website: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/ All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 25, 2025 • 11min
How biochar is turning waste into wealth, with James Mwangi
Africa’s young workforce is already turning waste biomass and sunshine into jobs, food security and scalable carbon removal, says James Mwangi, the founder and CEO of Africa Climate Ventures on the latest Climate Curious. In conversation with host Ben Hurst, James shares how biochar solutions are proving climate action can pay today and supercharge growth tomorrow. Recorded live at TED Countdown 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondon Website: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/ All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 18, 2025 • 10min
How climate resilience can help end poverty, with Esther Duflo
“The poorest people in the world contribute exactly nothing to climate change,” says Nobel Prize-winning economist Esther Duflo. For decades, she has worked to tackle the so-called “wicked problem” of poverty. In this conversation with Climate Curious co-host Ben Hurst, Esther connects the dots between poverty and climate change. Esther shares how she’s removing the capital “P” in poverty, instead focussing on actionable and effective solutions for adapting to changing environments, through her work with the Poverty Action Lab. Recorded live at TED Countdown 2025.Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondon Website: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/ All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 15, 2025 • 32min
LIVE | How a 20,000km life-sized animal puppet stampede makes climate impacts urgent, with The Herds’ David Lan
With his life-sized animal puppets stampeding their way across the globe representing nature’s struggle in the face of the climate crisis, Climate Curious’ co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst caught up with playwright, producer, and director, David Lan on how public art and street theatre is a powerful tool to engage mass audiences on climate action. David also shares stories from 18 year tenure as Artistic Director at The Young Vic, to his role with the 12-foot puppet art project of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl ‘Little Amal’. Recorded live at Ladbroke Hall in London.Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondon Website: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/ All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 10, 2025 • 14min
How Kenya is harnessing the heat from under its feet (geothermal energy!), with Dr. Anna Mwangi
Kenya has become a global leader in geothermal energy over the past 13 years, with 42% of all energy used by the country produced in geothermal plants, says geothermal scientist Dr. Anna Mwangi on Climate Curious. In conversation with co-host Ben Hurst, Anna shares why the geology of the Great Rift Valley makes geothermal a great energy solution for Kenyans. Recorded live at TED Countdown in Nairobi.Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondon Website: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/ All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 8, 2025 • 52min
LIVE | Big Oil: What can we do to reclaim the story?
What are the tactics and propaganda playbook of Big Oil, and what role can artists and popular culture take in reclaiming the narrative? From the flaws of the Paris Agreement to why the net zero narrative is a political football, tune in to hear insights from investigative journalists, climate advocates and lawyers as they pinpoint solutions at this Climate Curious Live, recorded at EarthPercent x Climate Spring’s collaboration at Ladbroke Hall, London, moderated by Tori Tsui.Featuring:Amy Westervelt, investigative journalist, Founder, Critical FrequencyTessa Khan, Founder & Director, UpliftNathan Thanki, Head of Moments, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation TreatyPeter Geoghegan, Journalist, Democracy For SaleTori Tsui, Author, Activist, Senior Advisor, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation TreatyJoin the Climate Curious conversation on socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondonWebsite: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 4, 2025 • 13min
Meet the women farmers adapting to climate change, with Alison Ward, Noha Ali, and Samah Salah
Female small-holder farmers in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are adapting to climate change using both new and old farming techniques. From intercropping to help balance nitrogen in the soil, to nurturing a composting side hustle for increased agricultural income, women are gaining the knowledge and skills needed to become more resilient to the advances of climate change impacts being felt in their communities. Climate Curious spoke to Alison Ward, the CEO of CottonConnect, and farmers Noha Ali and Samah Salah to learn more about how community-based initiatives can play a vital role in building resilience among women farmers.Join the Climate Curious conversation on socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondonWebsite: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 1, 2025 • 36min
The story behind climate’s most powerful movement to date, with Xiye Bastida
“The youth climate movement was effective at raising attention to levels that it had never been at before,” says Mexican-Chilean climate activist and member of the indigenous Mexican Otomi-Toltec nation, Xiye Bastida, on the Climate Curious podcast. Growing up in Mexico and experiencing a climate disaster for the first time at age 13, Xiye was determined to raise awareness of climate change; but with a difference. Her focus would be on justice for countries already experiencing climate impacts in the Global South, highlighting indigenous and immigrant wisdom. Enter her breakout moment, speaking at a UN conference aged just 15, organising a protest for school-kids in New York City, and setting up a foundation to fund climate solutions in the Global South from young people, The Re-Earth Initiative. Recorded live at TED Countdown 2025 in conversation with co-host Ben Hurst.Watch Xiye’s TED Talk, ‘Your inner fire is your greatest strength’.Check out Xiye’s foundation, The Re-Earth Initiative.Continue the Climate Curious conversation on socials:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climatecuriouspod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@climatecuriouspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtF6xzNkVIczlDmVcH8FCMA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/10996041/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLondon Website: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/ All other links: https://linktr.ee/climatecuriouspod Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey Gladston Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


