Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

For full show notes, bonus content, and ad-free experience go to wickedproblems.earth! The Intersection of Climate Change and National Security with Rear Admiral Neil: A Deep DiveIn this episode of 'Wicked Problems,' host Richard Delevan speaks with Rear Admiral Neil, former Royal Navy officer and current Professor of Climate and Resource Security at UCL, about the growing recognition that climate change is a strategic challenge impacting national security. They discuss the expanded definition of national security to include climate adaptation, various international and interdisciplinary efforts to mitigate climate impact, and how the military is adapting its strategies. The conversation covers past and present policies, the importance of societal involvement, and the role of technological advancements. Rear Admiral Neil emphasizes the need for strategic, long-term solutions, cooperation across sectors, and raises concerns about the potential for a significant crisis to wake global leadership from complacency.00:00 Introduction to Climate Change and Security00:26 Guest Introduction: Rear Admiral Neil00:57 National Security and Climate Change02:06 Impact of Climate Change on Society03:49 Military's Role and Adaptation04:44 Evolving Conversations on Climate Policy09:48 Technological Innovations in the Military19:02 International Cooperation and Policy24:49 Challenges and Future Prospects31:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Jenny Chase, a seasoned solar market analyst at BloombergNEF, and Royce Kurmelovs, an Australian climate journalist. They discuss Pakistan's rapid solar energy growth despite limited government support, raising vital questions about grid reliability and energy pricing. Royce shares insights on a pivotal Australian court ruling concerning Torres Strait Islanders' fight against climate change, emphasizing the clash between environmental responsibility and legal limitations. Both guests explore the broader implications of these issues on global energy dynamics and indigenous rights.

Get bonus content & full show notes at wickedproblems.earthThick ice caps topping some dormant volcanoes may be acting like a champagne cork. Research released earlier this month suggests that by speeding up the melt of those ice caps through human-caused climate change, we’re removing the foil and the little wire cage on some trapped liquid that will taste a bit more acidic than champagne when it gets out as the cork tries to free itself.Bob Berwyn has reported for a decade for Inside Climate News - the OG climate outlet that in 2015 broke the story of the biggest corporate scandal in history: a nine-part investigative series demonstrating how much #ExxonKnew about the effects that burning oil and other fossil fuels would have on the future climate, and then doing everything in its power to prevent anyone from stopping it.Bob’s piece on the volcano research stopped me in my tracks. As he said in this conversation:“the most profound thing about a study like this volcano study … is how profoundly we're changing fundamental parts of the global Earth system. I mean, we're sitting here talking about things like, ‘wow, could our activities actually cause more volcanoes?’ I mean, just the fact that we're asking this question is, ‘wow, what have we done?’ You know?”In This Conversation01:33 Scientific Insights on Volcanic Activity05:20 Challenges in Climate Research12:09 Global Climate Negotiations20:12 Heatwaves and Public Health23:54 Legal and Ethical Responsibilities24:36 The Reality of Heat Waves and Their Deadly Impact26:13 The Political Project Against Climate Science27:07 Social Science and Climate Action28:58 The Anti-Autocracy Handbook for Scientists31:02 Free Speech and Authoritarianism34:25 The Role of Legal Obligations in Climate Justice37:05 Public Perception and Managed Retreat40:37 Final Thoughts and Upcoming StoriesKeep Up With BobBob is an essential follow on BlueSky, and his journalism for Inside Climate News does not quit. Here are links to just some of the stories we touched on:Melting Ice Caps Could Bring Dormant Volcanoes to LifeHuman-Caused Global Warming Spiked the Death Toll of Europe’s Early Summer HeatwaveNew Handbook Aims to Protect Scientists From Autocratic ThreatsBonn Climate Talks Rife With Roadblocks and Dead EndsIf you think these conversations are worth listening to, share them with a friend or make an offering to the volcano gods to spare your town. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Wicked Problems – Climate Tech Conversations, we’re joined by Gaia Vince, author of Nomad Century, a landmark work on climate-driven migration. From the existential realities of climate displacement to the politics of denial and adaptation, it’s about what happens when we stop pretending everyone will stay where they are.It BadLast week, a catastrophic flood hit Kerr County, Texas. 30 cm of rain—four months' worth—fell in hours. The Guadalupe River rose 8 metres in under an hour, swamping the area around Camp Mystic. Over 90 are dead, many of them young girls at the camp. Some are still missing.Cue the blame game. Officials who refused to fund early warning systems claimed the event was unpredictable. Trump-era cuts had gutted the National Weather Service, yet some still pointed fingers at the agency. Others called it karmic justice or MAGA-targeted weather warfare. Conspiracy theorists went further, blaming imaginary geoengineering attacks. Marjorie Taylor-Greene tweeted: “We must end the dangerous and deadly practice of weather modification and geoengineering.”Right-wing extremists, already attacking Doppler radar sites, turn tragedy into paranoia. In past hurricanes, conspiracy-fueled threats forced rescue crews to withdraw.Rapid attribution studies confirm what should be obvious: climate change makes these once-rare floods far more likely.OK DoomerIn a now-notorious quote, Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki said “it’s too late.” Critics pounced, accusing him of defeatism. But, as we discuss with Gaia Vince, the real issue isn’t optimism vs pessimism—it’s whether we’re brave enough to face what’s actually happening.After decades in media and PR, I can tell when people are dodging the truth—even for good reasons. In climate comms, there’s a lot of that. But we try something different here: saying what we think is true, even if it’s hard to hear.On the MoveGaia Vince has been writing about climate and migration for over a decade. In Nomad Century, she argues:Migration is a natural response to climate change—always has been.By 2070, up to 3 billion people may need to move as habitable zones shrink.Governments that prepare for this now will fare better than those that deny it.The book isn’t dystopian; it’s clear-eyed and pragmatic. It insists we have a choice: chaos, or planned adaptation.In This Conversation01:54 Climate Change’s Global Reach04:24 The Reality of Climate Migration09:24 Political Responses to Climate Change10:44 Economic Implications and Adaptation21:57 Innovative Solutions and Future Outlook26:10 Australia and Tuvalu27:06 UN, Sovereignty, and Vanishing Nations29:00 Climate Refugees30:05 Early Agreements30:56 Adaptation and Relocation34:21 Facing the Climate Reality46:55 Can Global Governance Step Up?Get the BookNomad Century: How to Survive the Climate Upheaval remains one of the most honest, practical guides to climate adaptation out there. Listen to the conversation—and get the book.Tips, Bribes, and AbuseGuest idea? Want to help us do more of this? Or just dying to tell us how crap we are? Reach out on Bluesky or email us at info@wickedproblems.uk—and maybe stand us a pint. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Michael Spiekermann, co-founder of Fridays for Future in Austria, Yasmine Abdu, founder of the AI startup Carbon Track, and sustainability strategist Charles Perry as they dive into the provocative debate of 'Abundance vs. Limits' in climate discourse. They discuss the moral dilemmas of climate policy, innovative approaches to sustainable shopping, and envision a future powered by renewables and AI. The conversation emphasizes grassroots activism, the need for genuine communication in climate narratives, and the power of collaborative efforts to drive systemic change.

Get all the show notes and bonus content at wickedproblems.earth!How am I gonna be an optimist about this? This conversation’s official exit music is from Bastille. But stick around for a twist. Turns out it’s not just men who think about the Roman Empire.Polymath raconteuse Solitaire Townsend - sustainability consultant, co-founder of Futerra, UN envoy, award-winning author of the non-fiction The Solutionists - wasn’t just thinking about Rome. She’s wondering, ‘what if I combine some Roman Empire stuff with climate fiction in an alt-history universe in a novel featuring a kick-arse heroine?’ And gets herself a two-book deal.Pre-order Godstorm from our Bookshop.org site or wherever you get good books.Wicked Problems is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.As a cli-fi/alt-history nerd with shelves stuffed with riffs on Rome from Gibbon to Mary Beard with stops for Asimov’s Foundation series, I cannot tell you how pleased I am to be the first to introduce Solitaire Townsend as “novelist” on a podcast.We talk about her turn to fiction, why now, why the alt-history genre, kick around ideas about alt-history from Philip K. Dick to Star Trek (with some Ursula le Guin because why not), and how she deploys the form to tell a cautionary tale about a world that could have been a lot worse off in its climate breakdown — where Rome never fell, because of the 2nd-century CE invention of the combustion engine.As Solitaire says, if we started burning oil under Marcus Aurelius, climate change would have started much sooner. The warming and rising seas fuel extreme weather events called “God-storms”, caused - according to the Imperial version of Fox News - by lack of piety.Most of that is in the background only creating the more personal, intimate world in which her characters struggle - including a gladatrix-turned-governess seeking to rescue her charge from nefarious clutches and kicking serious arse along the way.In Conversation00:28 First Podcast as a Novelist00:56 Pitching 'Godstorm'02:18 Background and Career of Solitaire Townsend02:37 Solitaire, Sustainability Caesaris04:01 Nonfiction Writing Journey05:49 Role of Storytelling in Social Change07:22 Transition to Fiction Writing08:14 Discovering a Passion for Writing10:24 Exploring Alternate History14:05 Speculative Fiction and Personal Interests17:26 Themes and Inspirations for 'God Storm'20:14 Character Development and Empathy22:14 Reflections on Ursula Le Guin and Sci-Fi27:21 Conclusion and Book Pre-Order InformationPre-order Godstorm from our Bookshop.org site.Exit Music Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wim Carton, a climate researcher and co-author of 'Overshoot' and 'The Long Heat', dives into the urgent climate crisis and the realities of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies. He critiques the influence of fossil fuel companies and explores the socio-political dynamics hindering meaningful action. The conversation reveals the necessity of political change for effective climate strategies. Carton argues that while CDR may be necessary, it must be separated from existing systems that perpetuate fossil fuel use. Collaboration and inclusivity in climate discussions are emphasized.

Rishika Pardikar, an Indian journalist known for her work on environmental and land rights issues, shares her insights on India's climate challenges. She discusses the impact of mega projects on tribal lands and the cultural complexities of reporting climate issues in India. Rishika highlights the inefficiencies of Indian appliances and forecasting technology, and addresses the intertwining of religion, nationalism, and climate science. She emphasizes the need for localized climate reporting and accountability from powerful entities, showcasing the unique narratives from the Global South.

For nearly a decade, a court in Hamm, Germany has been considering a case brought by a Peruvian farmer, Saul Luciano Lliuya, against the giant German utility RWE. The legal claim was novel: Lliuya said because RWE had caused a percentage of climate change because of its share of past fossil emissions, and that climate change threatened his farm by potentially collapsing a glacial lake, RWE should have to pay a pro rata percentage of the adaptation costs of protecting the farm against potential flood.Judges flew to Peru, took testimony from dozens of experts, heard the defence by RWE. And as their press release noted, the claim in its particulars was dismissed:Climate case against RWE: Hamm Higher Regional Court rejects Peruvian plaintiff’s appeal as unfoundedThe court held there was “no imminent danger” to Saul’s farm.But that’s not the whole story. As an Ancient Greek king supposedly once said: “If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined.” Because in its 25th May ruling the court also held - for the first time, anywhere - that fossil fuel emitters can be held accountable financially for damages, anywhere.Three days later, as if to make a point, the Swiss village of Blatten 500 miles south of Hamm in Germany was destroyed by a glacial collapse. One person was reported missing - but most of the area’s 300 residents had been moved out of danger in time.So is the RWE case a blow to climate litigation or is it a Pyrrhic victory that could set in motion a whole range of new claims that could run to the tens of trillions of dollars, in the kind of law case even Americans can understand: “You broke my fence, you pay to fix the fence.” Or in this case: “You broke my climate.”Dana Drugmand covers climate cases around the world and we talked about the precedent this might set - and we also discuss some of her coverage of plenty of other US climate cases that continue to roll on despite the best efforts of the Trump Administration and oil & gas companies to stop them.Wicked Problems is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this Conversation00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:31 Overview of Climate Litigation01:51 The German Court Ruling: Saul Luciano Lliuya vs. RWE02:39 Significance of the RWE Case06:37 Implications for Global Climate Litigation10:15 US Climate Lawsuits: Boulder, Colorado vs. Exxon and Suncor14:37 Federal Preemption and State Law Claims15:43 Hawaii's Climate Deception Case17:23 Trump Administration's Legal Counterattacks22:14 Youth Climate Lawsuit: Lighthouse Review vs. Trump23:47 Montana's Constitutional Right to a Healthy Environment25:19 Challenges in Federal Court27:14 The Role of Climate Litigation in the US30:17 California's Clean Air Act Battle31:56 Conclusion and Future OutlookIt’s a good listen - and if you’re a subscriber you can find links to get these episodes ad-free at wickedproblems.earth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Full ep notes at wickedproblems.earthI have a confession to make. Even with a self-image as a world-weary cynic, I’m as vulnerable to manipulation as anyone else, especially for stories I grew up with.The Limits to Growth came out the year I was born. I grew up in the US in the 80s. So we heard a lot of things like this:So even though I’m late to it, I was delighted to have come across the work of Katy Shields, who presents (and co-produced with Vegard Beyer) a beautifully executed 3-episode audio documentary series about Limits to Growth, which makes its principal author Danella Meadows the main character.Hearing Katy’s telling of the story of this extraordinary woman who tried to warn us against the future we now inhabit, often in her own words - thanks to an unpublished book outline by Danella to which Katy got exclusive access - made me a bit embarrassed to have previously accepted the bracketing of Limits to Growth in the same category of far more problematic stuff like Malthus, Ehrlich’s The Population Bomb or (the MAGA-right fave) Jean Raspail’s dystopian novel The Camp of the Saints. Many such works seem not so troubled by population growth per se as much as the hue of the babies being produced.While I’m not completely convinced by the arguments Meadows made and Katy Shields/Vegard Beyer excavated and made fresh, Katy does have an excellent series of essays where she takes forward the thinking of Meadows et al as a way to investigate how economics was hijacked by the opponents of Limits to Growth.In this Conversation00:00 Introduction: Questioning Growth00:32 Meet the Guest: Katy Shields02:21 Discovering 'Limits to Growth'04:38 The Impact of Systems Dynamics07:30 Critiques and Misunderstandings09:37 Danella Meadows' Influence11:23 Uncovering Unpublished Diaries14:43 Life on Foundation Farm18:51 Economic Theories and Climate Inaction19:12 The Abundance vs. Scarcity Debate20:08 Historical Influence on Modern Economics21:41 The Chicago School's Dominance23:26 Challenges in Modern Economic Education28:54 Donella Meadows' Legacy31:15 Visioning a Sustainable Future34:34 Future Directions and Final ThoughtsAt the top of the episode we clip a 1994 speech by Danella Meadows that is an extraordinary few minutes that seem to foreshadow the ‘abundance discourse’ currently all the rage on the centre-left.Which is not actually to shame those who, I believe in good faith, believe that ‘perpetual growth’ is the only potential solution to the challenges of the mid-21st century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.