Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

Late last year we started interviewing folk in the business of solar radiation management (SRM) - aka one flavour of “geoengineering”. It’s a taboo subject. It’s sci-fi gold. It’s also something we’re going to be talking about. Particularly after famed climate scientist James Hansen and a platoon of other climate scientists published a new paper declaring not just the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5C to be in the rear-view mirror, but - as Damian Carrington in the Guardian summed it up: “The new analysis said global heating is likely to reach 2C by 2045, unless solar geoengineering is deployed.”The reason for a lot of this acceleration in global heating, say Hansen and colleagues, is (perversely) the result of successful efforts to reduce pollution. Specifically, removing sulfur from maritime fuel. That sulfur has been causing potentially millions of deaths a year due to respiratory diseases. So it’s being phased out. Only one problem - the sulfur was having the under-appreciated consequence of reflecting quite a lot of sunlight back into space. How much? More than the entire energy output of humanity in a given year. And now that it’s been removed, enough to - according to the paper - drive half the acceleration in global heating over the past 5 years or so.Hansen is hardly fringe for picking this up, though people don’t all agree on the significance. Zeke Hausfather, who was not involved in the research, is among climate scientist who has acknowledge this “aerosol forcing” problem. Some data of his turned up in Nat Bullard’s superb annual climate deck:Wicked Problems is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.On the call releasing their findings, Hansen et al discussed SRM. Which (even more perversely) often involves ideas for putting sulfur dioxide back into the atmosphere. But on purpose. To cool things off. To buy time.So here is part one of a series of conversations about SRM, featuring Kelly Wanser - the head of Silver Lining, one of the leading non-batshit-crazy outfits trying to do research on technologies that might make it possible. We’ll put out part two very soon.00:00 Introduction to the Climate Crisis00:28 The Doomsday Clock and Climate Realities01:57 Hansen's Climate Predictions02:55 Aerosol Forcing and Global Warming05:10 Purposeful Global Cooling08:04 Interview with Kelly Wanser11:07 Silver Linings' Mission and Climate Interventions23:19 Challenges and Ethical Questions31:32 Introduction to Luke Eisman and Make Sunsets31:50 Neal Stephenson's Influence and Geoengineering Concept32:45 Luke Eisman's DIY Approach to Geoengineering34:05 Critique of Non-Expert Interventions35:10 Challenges in Atmospheric Science37:51 Responsible Research and Global Perspectives40:10 The Importance of Atmospheric Monitoring47:56 Global South and Climate Risk Research 52:55 The Montreal Protocol and Climate Agreements54:54 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Come to wickedproblems.earth for full show notes.Sophie Hall of ETH Zürich joins Richard Delevan to discuss her research into using game theory to embed more fairness into the algorithms that increasingly control the services we rely upon for our everyday lives.00:00 Introduction to Wicked Problems00:04 The Role of AI in Critical Infrastructure01:01 AI's Impact on Society and Ethics03:19 Trust and AI in Life-or-Death Situations04:57 Personal Anecdotes and AI's Everyday Influence07:23 AI in Energy and Infrastructure08:48 Ethics and Fairness in AI Algorithms11:29 Interview with Sophie Hall: AI and Fairness12:47 Sophie's Research and Its Real-World Applications26:21 Challenges and Future Directions in AI and Policy45:02 Conclusion and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get more at wickedproblems.earthSo much is happening that it’s hard to drink from the firehose of US executive orders on energy and crazy chaos orangutang screeches on presidential letterhead, UK debates about growth versus climate, and parsing the statements of tech broligarchs to the only people left who can hold them accountable – their investors during earnings calls this week.And that’s before we get to Heathrow and a Scottish court ruling that the Rosebank field was unlawfully given permission because it ignored carbon emissions – which I’m sure peaked the interest of lawyers for the 16 Just Stop Oil protestors facing some of the longest sentences ever handed down for non-violent protests.So we’ve got a mega-episode for you this Friday the last day of January. We’ve got climate comedian and UCL academic Matt Winning, along with climate journalist and BlueSky maestro Dave Vetter to help make sense of all of that. And we’ve got Adam Grant Bell of the UK consultancy Stonehaven, who after decades in and out of government has a pretty good sense for these things, setting some odds on what’s going to happen this year in getting enough renewables built to achieve the UK government’s goals of hitting clean power by 2030. And he thinks the UK government might this year finally move away from a national price for electricity and to a system where cheaper electricity from things like wind and solar will be reflected locally, something Octopus’s Greg Jackson and others have been calling for and could radically change decisions about where power gets generated and where you site things like factories that will use it.And because we can’t ignore that chaos orangutang with nuclear weapons, US-based Financial Times journos Amanda Chu and me aul mucker Jamie Smyth of Energy Source join us.00:13 Government's Role in the Chaos 00:18 Trump's Impact on Renewable Energy 00:45 Weekly Recap and Upcoming Topics 01:11 Elon Musk02:31 Climate and Energy Policies04:37 Interview with FT Journalists 05:49 Tracking Executive Orders 09:41 Impact on Renewable Energy Projects 10:29 Texas and Clean Energy Growth 12:48 Energy Policy and Executive Authority 13:49 Challenges in Renewable Energy Development 15:58 Geopolitical Factors and Market Dynamics 20:11 Future of Renewable Energy Auctions 36:55 Enhanced Geothermal and Government Policies 37:31 Small Modular Reactors and Long Duration Storage 38:22 Chancellor's Speech and Planning Reforms 39:30 Environmental and Climate Change Debates 40:37 Rosebank Ruling and Oil and Gas Projects 42:48 Interview with Dave Vedder and Matt Winning 44:34 AI Advancements and Energy Implications 53:46 Heathrow Expansion and Sustainable Aviation Fuel 01:04:43 Closing Thoughts and Upcoming EventsAll the TunesIf you’re enjoying the tunes, check out the whole outro playlist:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2AWvHdqqNAUCJcByQEokut?si=2f56f6d68d2c4bff Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Imagine living in Los Angeles. Imagine that you actually wrote something nearly 10 years ago that pretty much nailed the fire we’re seeing this month. Imagine you put 10 years of your life into writing a novel that cut no corners and tried to make real the stakes and the conflicts those disasters would bring up – as a warning to act sooner. Now imagine the worst person in the world taking credit for your work while using the tragedy – that you forsaw – to turn people against the solutions that would do something to stop more of these disasters happening in future.How Stephen Markley, author of 2023 novel The Deluge, is keeping it together despite all the above I will never know, but I’m grateful he could make time to speak with me this week. And do suggest future guests to me on BlueSky or in the comments below.Share00:19 Predicting the Fire Disaster01:05 Reflecting on the Current Week02:12 Living Through the Fire03:43 The Role of Environmental Regulations04:21 Interview with Stephen Markley06:26 Stephen's Experience During the Fires11:23 The Political Landscape and Climate Policy26:43 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laurent Segalen, co-host of the Redefining Energy podcast and expert in energy trading, discusses his ambitious North Atlantic Transmission One project, aimed at linking North America and Europe with a 6 GW undersea cable. He reflects on how historical events shaped his career and the growing importance of international energy interconnections. The conversation explores technical, financial, and geopolitical challenges while emphasizing the project's security implications amidst rising global tensions. Segalen envisions a future where this venture enhances energy resilience and cooperation.

For full show notes, ad-free listening, and our newsletter, check out wickedproblems.earth.In this episode of Wicked Problems, Richard Delevan talks with Laurie Laybourn of the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative and James Dyke from the University of Exeter. They tackle the stark reality that the preemptive climate strategies have largely failed and emphasize the need to leverage state capacities discovered during crises like COVID-19 to address the climate emergency. They explore concepts such as 'derailment risk' and discuss the potential catastrophic outcomes of the climate crisis, highlighting the vital need for dramatic policy changes and the role of academia, policymakers, and the private sector in combating climate change. The conversation also touches on the moral implications of surpassing the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold and the cynical role of fossil fuel interests. Dyke and Laybourn underscore the urgency for immediate, effective climate action and cooperation at a global scale.00:00 Introduction: Extraordinary Times and Climate Challenges00:20 The Climate Crisis: A Battle Unfought00:59 Real World Conversations: Experts Weigh In02:38 Introducing Laurie Laybourne and James Dyke03:40 The Doom Loop: Climate and Economic Risks11:05 Cascading Risks and National Security13:33 State Capacity and Climate Action24:42 Geoengineering: The Last Resort?30:30 Complacency in Risk Assessments31:45 Geoengineering and Emergency Toolkits32:51 The Urgency of Climate Action34:53 Societal Change and Optimism38:22 Financial Markets and Climate Risk44:39 The Role of Private Capital54:30 The Reality of Climate Protests01:01:26 Concluding Thoughts and Future Outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last few days we’ve been tracking some of the nominees for Donald Trump’s Insane Clown Posse Cabinet. Starting with Chris Wright at Energy (better than expected!) and then Lee Zeldin at EPA (and NGL was fun to watch him get stuffed into a locker by Bernie Sanders, Ed Markey, and Sheldon Whitehouse). But after 9 hours of hearings watched for you, here’s the final Trump energy boss - Interior Sec nominee and potential head of the National Energy Council, North Dakota governor and billionaire Doug Burgum. Burgum is a fan of “clean coal”, “methane capture”, and “energy dominance” - and while he says he acknowledges climate change doesn’t think it matters next to using more coal to build more AI data centres to beat China. But like the LA fires, whether or not you believe in climate change, climate change believes in you. And if Doug Burgum becomes Interior Sec he will be responsible for brokering a deal next year to replace the expiring 100-year-old agreement between the Western US states including 40 million people to divide up the flow of the Colorado River. But in 2026, the Colorado will be in the middle of a 10,000-year-drought and a long-term decline - all due to climate change. Meaning there is a lot less to go around. We would have loved to hear more informed questioning about claims about the track record of carbon capture or rebuttal of nonsense claims that eg 'solar is more expensive than coal'. Even Angus King from Maine, almost certainly the best of the bunch, barely laid a glove on him.Join us at wickedproblems.earth to get these episodes ad-free and to get our newsletter and other content. Starting tomorrow, independent media that will offer insight and analysis without fear or favour will be more important than ever. But together we'll get through this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get full coverage and ad-free content at wickedproblems.earthIn this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan delves into the intense political landscape following Donald Trump's return to the White House and the subsequent Senate confirmation hearings for key nominees responsible for climate and energy policy. This detailed episode features in-depth discussions on climate and energy, examining the roles of various nominees, including former Congressman Lee Zeldin, in shaping future policies. Key highlights include probing questions from Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Ed Markey, who challenge Zeldin on his stance towards climate change and the fossil fuel industry. Additionally, the episode touches on the implications of the Inflation Reduction Act, the significant power wielded by the Department of Energy, and the critical issue of water rights in the context of the Colorado River. This episode promises a rich blend of urgent climate discussions, political dynamics, and the stakes for future U.S. energy policies. For listeners seeking a deeper understanding of these pivotal hearings and their potential impact on climate action, this episode is a must-listen.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:05 Trump's Influence on EPA and Fossil Fuel Politics00:57 Senate Confirmation Hearings Overview01:49 Climate and Energy Policy Debates02:29 Chris Wright's Nomination for Energy Secretary03:45 Lee Zeldin's Hearing and Climate Concerns06:22 Sheldon Whitehouse's Opening Remarks13:55 Senator Whitehouse Questions Lee Zeldin19:18 Senator Ed Markey's Climate Change Concerns31:57 Conclusion and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Get our full coverage at WickedProblems.earth. In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan takes a closer look at the political theater surrounding the Senate confirmation hearings of Chris Wright, the Trump administration’s 2025 nominee for U.S. Energy Secretary. Wright, a vocal advocate for fossil fuels and CEO of Liberty Energy, has sparked controversy with his industry-first approach to energy policy and public comments dismissing the urgency of climate change.We unpack the political, environmental, and cultural implications of Wright’s nomination, asking hard questions about how his potential leadership could shape America’s energy future.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeChris Wright’s Energy Vision: Wright’s track record at Liberty Energy and his public statements on energy policy. How does his vision align—or clash—with the realities of a warming planet?The Confirmation Drama: Key moments from the Senate hearings, including fiery exchanges over Wright’s commitment to renewable energy investments and grid modernization.Fossil Fuels vs. Climate Policy: What Wright’s nomination signals about the Trump administration’s energy priorities in 2025 and the broader implications for global climate efforts.The “Non-Psychopath” Lens: A closer look at the surprisingly candid remarks from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle questioning whether Wright’s policies reflect a balanced, forward-thinking approach—or a dangerous return to fossil fuel dominance.Impacts on Climate Tech: How Wright’s potential confirmation could affect the U.S. energy landscape, from renewable energy incentives to innovation funding for climate tech startups. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

German political scientist, author and climate activist Tadzio Müller is pretty dark. But even he’s having trouble coping with the news. So he’s reading dystopian climate fiction, because it’s less depressing. Most recently, friend-of-the-show Stephen Markley’s The Deluge.Given the week that’s in it we of course had to talk about the wildfires but also the rise of Alice Weidel and Tadzio decoding her “Windmills of Shame” comment, which to a non-German just sounds like Trump with better writing but to this German sounds a lot more purposeful and sinister. Tadzio argues it would be a mistake to ignore the fact that there is a coherent political strategy at work behind those kind of daft-sounding comments that fly in the face of supposedly overwhelming support for climate solutions whether they’re from AfD, Donald Trump, or Nigel Farage.Tadzio has his own book out - available later this spring in English - the rough translation of the title is Between Peaceful Sabotage and Collapse: How I Learned to Love the Future Again. But don’t wait - after you listen or watch this third chat between your friendly neighbourhood neoliberal shill here and this German gay communist being far more articulate in English than the native speaker, subscribe to his “Peaceful Sabotage” newsletter to get a sense. Unlike the grumpier, earnest end of the climate movement, the great thing about Tadzio is that he (despite being as prone to depression as I am) is just so damned funny. But we did our best to keep him honest - despite the fact that when we first spoke a year ago we both made some predictions about 2024. If anything, his dark foreboding low-balled how bad the year would be. In 2025 I think we’re probably more in sync. And careful listeners will hear him trail “Collapse Camp” - a successor to “climate camp” - which will be apparently a mini-festival at the end of August where you can share bushcraft and other survival tips for coming climate catastrophes while also doing the things festivals are generally known for. We’ll keep you informed. In this episode:00:00 Introduction: Shame and Guilt in Politics 01:02 The Rise of Fascism in Germany 03:12 The Collapse of Societies 08:33 Climate Change and Irrationality 23:20 The Politics of Catastrophe 38:34 A Rainbow Family and Right-Wing Politics 39:12 Facing Fears and Political Solidarity 39:42 FEMA and Fascist Militias 41:39 Redefining Progressive Politics 42:22 Personal Anecdotes and Community Engagement 44:24 The Emotional Labor of Acceptance 47:32 Solidarity and Collective Prepping 49:38 Dystopian Futures and Political Realities 55:00 Enemies and Political Negativity 01:07:56 Looking Forward: Collapse Camp and Future Plans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.