Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

Bonus content at wickedproblems.earth Overshoot, a new four-part documentary series from climate strategist and Wicked Problems alum Laurie Laybourn—goes further than nearly anyone has before. And he came back to unpack some of the key ideas in Overshoot and what he hopes people will do with it.In Overshoot the story starts with the fact that we can no longer avoid the storm, we’ve enetered it. How to survive and steer through it—generation after generation—is the conversation we urgently need to have now. Drawing on interviews with diplomats, scientists, and communities on the frontlines, Laybourn dismantles the win/lose logic that has dominated climate politics since Paris and asks what it means to live in an age of overlapping crises and hard adaptation choices.Our conversation ranges from the myth of Easter Island to the politics of “carbon sucking,” from managed retreat in Wales to the legal aftershocks of 1.5°C’s failure. It’s a clear-eyed look at what comes next—and why, even at the moment of “net zero,” we’ll be living in the most dangerous period in human history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discussing the Irish contingent at the Raising Hope conference and the future of faith and climate action -Bishop Martin Hayes of Kilmore; former Irish environment minister and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan; and campaigner Jane Mellett, church manager at Irish Catholic overseas development agency Trocaire. More information at climatepilgrim.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who is my neighbour? 1.5°C is about neighbours, not numbers. Climate Minister Maina Talia of Tuvalu speaks to Richard Delevan about moral clarity in climate and denies the Australian 'climate visa' is about relocating his population. More information at climatepilgrim.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should Pope Leo endorse a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty at COP30? Climate Pilgrim Episode 2: Dr. Kumi Naidoo 'cautiously optimistic' the Vatican and others will add up to 44 countries endorsing Treaty initiative by landmark April conference in Colombia. More detail at climatepilgrim.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Pope Leo double down on climate for the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si'? Or change the relationship between faith and climate action? Colleen Dulle, Vatican Correspondent for America Magazine and author of Struck Down, Not Destroyed, joins Richard Delevan to discuss reactions. More info and episodes at ClimatePilgrim.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For full show notes, bonus content, and ad-free listening, check out wickedproblems.earthIn this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan welcomes Dave Jones and Kostantsa Rangelova from the energy think tank, EMBER. They've spent the past year spreading the good news about the impressive advancements in solar and battery technology, particularly focusing on global trends and potential game-changers in regions such as Africa and Mexico. Despite solar only contributing to 6.6% of Mexico’s electricity, EMBER simulations indicate it could rise to 90% with optimal efficiency. In some spots like Muscat, Las Vegas, or Mexico City, almost all their power, day and night, can now be generated from just solar + battery.The discussion covers the rapid progress and cost reductions in battery technology, the promising shift towards 24/7 solar power, the surge of solar adoption in Africa, and the significant untapped potential in Mexico. The episode highlights the transformative impact of solar and battery technologies on global energy landscapes and emphasizes the urgent need for effective policies to accelerate this transition.00:00 Introduction to Mexico's Solar Potential00:00 Global Governance Breakdown00:36 Welcome to Wicked Problems00:39 Introducing the Guests: Dave Jones and Constanza Rva01:05 The Rise of Solar and Battery Technology01:33 24/7 Solar Power: A Game Changer01:54 Advancements in Battery Technology02:51 Economic Competitiveness of Solar and Battery04:38 Challenges and Innovations in Battery Production08:17 Global Adoption and Market Dynamics15:20 Grid vs. Battery: The Trade-Offs21:05 Solar and Battery in Different Climates24:27 Implications for Policy and Future Outlook26:09 Evolution of Battery Storage27:29 Africa's Solar Boom27:59 Chinese Solar Exports to Africa28:52 Utility Scale Solar in Africa37:50 Challenges and Opportunities in Mexico's Solar Sector47:26 Global Solar Trends and Future Outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get bonus content at wickedproblems.earth Dr. Lorna Gold is the executive director of the Laudato Sì Movement, which was inspired by the late Pope Francis’ 2015 letter. That document, considered pretty radical for the leader of the Catholic Church to issue at the time, was credited by former Irish president Mary Robinson and others with influencing the Paris Agreement - and you can hear echoes of it as recently as the advisory opinion issued this summer by the International Court of Justice. On its 10th anniversary, Francis’ successor Pope Leo will lead the Raising Hope Conference, 1-3 October in Rome - but also available via livestream - talking about the relevance of its ideas for the situation we’re in now. More than a “Catholic” thing, it will feature people as diverse as Brazil’s climate minister Marina Silva (in the runup to COP30), climate scientist Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, Bill McKibben, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tuvalu climate minister Dr Maina Talia, Bianca Pitt of SHE Changes Climate, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty president Kumi Naidoo, and more. Somehow, Lorna was able to take a break from organising the event to speak to us. Lorna earned a PhD in economic geography from Glasgow University and author of Climate Generation: Awakening to our Childrens’ Future.It’s a great chat and we think you’ll enjoy it. In This Conversation01:22 Introduction to Dr. Lorna Gold 02:21 Personal Tragedy and Resilience 05:29 Hope vs. Optimism 09:17 Relevance of Laudato Si' 13:01 International Court of Justice Ruling 15:21 Economic Systems and Climate Action 21:51 Pope Francis, Pope Leo and COP 30 22:31 Upcoming Conference and Call to Action 24:25 Personal Reflection on Climate Impact 27:56 Discussing Future Conversations 28:40 Mother's Role in Climate Action 29:39 Women of Faith for Climate Justice 31:37 The Raging Grannies and Activism 33:12 The Sharing Economy and Climate Generation 34:42 Sufficiency and Economic Inequality 41:17 The Role of Storytelling in Climate Education 44:34 Hope and Action in Climate Movements 47:31 Pope or Nope Quiz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get full ad-free episodes, full show notes, bonus material, and more at wickedproblems.earthIn this episode of 'Wicked Problems,' host Richard Delevan speaks with Dr. Hannah E. Morris, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and author of 'Apocalyptic Authoritarianism.' They discuss the use of apocalyptic language in politics, the resurgence of Cold War-era narratives, and how these tropes are being weaponized to block climate action and shore up existing power structures. The conversation delves into the intersections of media, politics, and climate crisis, featuring insights on the impact of journalism on these global issues. ‌00:00 Trump's Apocalyptic Obsession01:19 Introduction to Wicked Problems01:32 Guest Introduction: Dr. Hannah E. Morris01:57 Weaponizing Apocalyptic Language02:45 Defining Apocalyptic Authoritarianism03:06 Trump's Influence and Climate Movement05:13 Nostalgia and Climate Journalism06:30 The Green New Deal and Media Narratives11:47 Challenges in Climate Journalism24:28 Covering Climate Now Initiative30:02 Senator Eric Schmidt's Speech Analysis32:59 Nationalism and American Identity34:27 Fascist Ideologies and Historical Context37:26 Media's Role in Shaping Nationalism39:30 Climate Change and Political Narratives47:26 Global Perspectives on Climate Journalism51:37 Apocalyptic Imagery in Modern Politics54:09 Influences and Future Directions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get all the bonus material, show notes and more - and go ad-free - at wickedproblems.earth! Unraveling the Impact of Climate Change on Zurich: Analyzing 50 Years of Data | Wicked ProblemsIn this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan explores a groundbreaking study from researchers at Oxford Smith School's Sustainable Law Program and beyond. Joined by Dr. Rupert Stuart-Smith, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow, they dive into the first-of-its-kind research examining climate change's impact on heat-related mortality in Zurich from 1969 to 2018. Discover how attribution science links global warming to nearly 1700 deaths in Zurich, the role of adaptation measures, and the growing importance of climate attribution in legal contexts. This sobering analysis offers a stark look at the real human costs of climate change and the urgent need for action.00:00 Introduction: Zurich and Climate Change00:31 Welcome to Wicked Problems00:35 The Impact of Climate Change on Zurich01:34 Introducing Dr. Rupert Stuart Smith02:11 Study Findings: Heat-Related Mortality in Zurich02:25 Methodology and Data Analysis05:33 Surprising Results and Implications14:16 Adaptation Measures and Their Effectiveness16:31 Legal and Political Implications18:22 The Role of Attribution Science in Courts23:17 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsAlso find us now at Patreon to support our work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Smith from Exeter's Global Systems Institute shares his insights on the urgency of climate action following the Global Tipping Points Conference. He highlights both negative and positive climate tipping points, illustrating their implications for policy makers. The discussion emphasizes the need for transformative strategies and storytelling to foster climate advocacy. Smith also reveals how renewable energy advancements can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, showcasing hopeful pathways amidst the pressing challenges.