Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

It’s been a long night. But I thought worth turning this morning’s note into a bit more of a rough and ready talk.If you want the full thing with all the notes :In Defeat: DefianceRICHARD DELEVAN·11:22 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With COP29 in a few days, all eyes turn to Baku, a city with a complex relationship to fossil fuels, where 125 years ago, nearly half the world’s oil was produced. Today, Azerbaijan finds itself hosting the world’s largest climate summit, a moment that exposes both the country's potential as a climate leader and the contradictions of its role as a petrostate. In this episode of Wicked Problems – Climate Tech Conversations, I sat down with Ruth Townend, Senior Research Fellow in Climate Diplomacy and Risk at Chatham House and host of their Climate Briefing podcast, who is also the lead author of Azerbaijan’s Climate Leadership Challenge – a timely report for your reading list before COP29 that examines Azerbaijan’s climate policy ambitions and the hurdles it faces as host.Get more at wickedproblems.earth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this haunted Wicked Problems – Climate Tech Conversations, Richard Delevan is joined by celebrated author Manda Scott, known for historical fiction, thrilling plots, and a gift for exploring deep-seated mythologies that shape human struggles.In this Halloween/Samhain episode, Scott takes us through her latest novel, Any Human Power, a genre-bending work that interweaves climate, technology, politics, and mythology to probe our existential crises. Halloween, or Samhain in Celtic tradition, is when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest—a fitting setting for a discussion blending the metaphysical with the political. We dive into how stories, myths, and beliefs profoundly shape our understanding of climate change—and our responses to it.Utopia, Dystopia… or Thrutopia?Scott argues that we face more than climate change; we’re in a polycrisis—a web of interlinked existential threats that defy isolated solutions. Climate breakdown, economic disparity, and political polarization are all interwoven. Rather than focusing on dystopia, Scott introduces us to “Thrutopia,” stories that offer not only escape or survival but paths to reimagining governance, social structures, and our relationship with nature. In her view, we don’t need heroes; we need collective transformation.The Role of Myth in Modern CrisesMythologies shape how we interpret reality and help us frame complex issues in ways that feel tangible. Scott’s storytelling bridges the familiar with the visionary, drawing on Irish and Scottish influences that explore the liminal “between” spaces, echoing Samhain’s themes. As she explains, this space “between” worlds encourages us to imagine beyond the typical bounds of existence—a lens through which we can more fully grasp the challenges before us.Changing Our Relationship with Power and TechnologyScott explores a key theme: the gap between technology’s potential and its often-destructive application. Drawing on Taiwan's Audrey Tang’s vision for tech as a unifying tool, Scott reimagines social media as something that builds communities, not conflict— essential for a sustainable future. Using insights from neuropsychology, she explains how power structures hijack our fears through “limbic system manipulation.” This, she argues, is not inevitable; it is simply a reflection of our system’s structural failures. Her work calls us to confront these flaws and envision a fundamentally different world.Dive DeeperHer two podcasts, Accidental Gods and Dreaming Awake, explore regenerative futures, mythology, and spiritual aspects of climate action. Her courses offer ways to reconnect with the “web of life” and sustainable change.Among her influences are Ursula Le Guin’s ideas on human power, Kim Stanley Robinson’s climate fiction, and The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber and David Wengrow, which reimagines human history and societal structures.Manda Scott’s novel, Any Human PowerPodcasts: Accidental Gods and Dreaming AwakeCourses: Thrutopia - Writing Our Way to a Future Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Adam Bell, Director at Stonehaven UK, and Chris Slater, CEO of carbon insurance startup Oka, as they dissect the latest shifts in UK energy policies under new political landscapes. They explore the tensions between state-led central planning and market-driven models, particularly in the context of renewable energy investments. The duo also tackles the intricate connections between innovative insurance frameworks and carbon markets, emphasizing the importance of risk management for effective climate action and potential newfound stability in carbon trading.

Host Richard Delevan is joined by Loes van Dijk, founder of Climate Court, to delve into the latest updates in climate litigation worldwide. This episode covers pivotal cases, such as the major complaint against BlackRock in France for misleading sustainability claims, lawsuits over misleading environmental impact ads, historic youth climate activism in Ontario, and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's renewed legal battle against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Additionally, it explores global legal battles from Australia to Guam, illustrating how transparency and accountability are shaping the future of environmental law and climate justice.00:00 Introduction to Climate Justice00:46 Welcome to Wicked Problems01:13 Introducing Loes van Dijk and Climate Court02:22 BlackRock's Controversial Investments07:55 Greenwashing in the Airline Industry09:12 Youth Activism in Ontario11:28 Global Climate Litigation Trends12:31 Environmental Law Cases Beyond Climate14:06 Environmental Justice and the DoD Lawsuit15:10 Climate Vulnerability and Legal Responsibility17:28 OECD Complaint in the Netherlands18:51 North Macedonia's Environmental Law Victory20:05 Norway's Oil Field Controversy22:32 Standing Rock and the Sioux Tribe's New Lawsuit24:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s the second half of our series on Texas. If you missed the first one, it might be handy to go back listen first.If you’d like to receive these episodes ahead of others and help grow this platform with unique angles on climate and climate tech, now is a great time to become a material supporter.Until November 5, get an annual membership at a 20% discount. Regardless of any election outcome, independent media is crucial to understanding the world as it is—not as someone wants you to believe. If you agree, we’d love your support.Get 20% off for 1 yearPart 2: "Trading Places"Quentin “Q” Scrimshire (MODO Energy)Q discusses why Texas, particularly Austin, is becoming a major hub for energy storage and renewables. Modo Energy is a B2B SaaS platform helping battery storage owners maximize returns through benchmarking and revenue forecasting.Why Texas?Leading the U.S. in battery storage, Texas was the logical choice for Modo’s U.S. expansion. Austin's tech-friendly culture, lower living costs, and grid under ERCOT played key roles.Challenges Ahead:Despite fast renewable growth, Texas' energy market faces political challenges, with anti-net-zero rhetoric clashing against renewable energy's economic reality.Hailey Eustace (Commplicated)Hailey shares her experience working with the Texas governor’s office, spotlighting Texas’ strategic deep tech and climate tech investments that have made it a leading climate hub.The Role of Policy:Public-private partnerships have been crucial to driving innovation, with early SpaceX investments laying the groundwork for Texas’ tech boom.Global Appeal:As an angel investor, Hailey continues to back companies looking at Texas for their U.S. base, highlighting Austin’s central location, ecosystem, and talent.Q’s Catalysts:Ray Dalio’s Principles: Quentin uses Dalio’s systematic approach to decision-making to ensure his company’s success.Jim Rickards: His insights into monetary economics help Q navigate investment and energy markets.The Smiths (Morrissey): Morrissey’s music gives Quentin inspiration and calm amid startup chaos.Listen now and subscribe to Wicked Problems for more climate tech conversations at WickedProblems.earth.Links:MODO EnergyHailey Eustace (Commplicated, LinkedIn) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If Texas, oil and gas capital of America, doesn’t come to mind as a climate tech and clean energy hub, you need to get right. Thankfully we’re here for you. Texas has been a magnet for European climate tech startups and scaleups looking to set up shop in the US. Not just for decent music and food, but because (despite Elon Musk’s relocation there) it’s putting innovation on steroids.With the US election looming in less than three weeks, if you’re feeling glum about the prospects for continued progress on climate solutions in the US if things go…a certain way, take heart. Texas didn’t become the US leader in wind, solar, battery, and energy market design because hyper conservatives like Ted Cruz want to save the sky. It’s the all-American motive of making that bag. So there are plenty of things that founders, regulators, policymakers, and people framing narratives around climate could learn a lot from.In this episode - which subscribers at wickedproblems.earth received first, so sign up! - we look at Texas's remarkable shift into a leader in renewable energy and a magnet for technology companies. The discussion covers the surprising rise of wind and solar projects in the state, which has led to significant economic growth, despite its conservative political backdrop. The migration trend from San Francisco to Austin, driven by favorable tax policies and a pro-business environment, is also explored. Journalist Kelly Eisen and Michael Lee, CEO of Octopus Energy U.S., share insights on the complexities of Austin's tech culture, and Texas's energy market dilemmas.Highlighting innovations in energy efficiency, load flexibility, and future expansion plans, the conversation underscores Texas's pioneering role in transitioning to a decentralized and resilient energy grid. The episode emphasizes the challenges and opportunities within Texas's ambitious energy landscape and concludes with a preview of upcoming industry voices.In Part 2, coming out soon, we bring you Quentin 'Q' Scrimshire, co-founder and CEO of battery storage software Modo Energy who moved from the UK to Austin, TX to spearhead his company's US expansion. And former Austinite Hailey Eustace, now in the UK, co-founder of the advisory firm Commplicated and with a history of helping fund early-stage companies in Texas like SpaceX, shares insights on the big chasm in startup culture between the UK and US.But if you sign up at wickedproblems.earth you don't have to wait, and can hear all episodes ad-free as well as our whole 85-episode back catalogue of shows.00:00 That's Right You're Not from Texas (Ep 1)01:27 Intro08:15 Kelsey Eisen, journalist24:01 Michael Lee, CEO Octopus Energy USA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rupert Read, co-director of the Climate Majority Project and Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at University of East Anglia.We mentioned his role in amplifying a piece by Jonathan Leake in the Telegraph, which quoted IPCC jefeJim Skea, and the headline of which piece said he was calling time of death on the Paris Agreement goal of limiting warming to 1.5C.Skea actually said, "1.5°C is slipping away"— a phrase he notes is usually associated with moment when a person is slipping away from life.Rupert argues that it's time to admit this failure, embrace the psychological impact, and use it to build momentum for the next phase of the climate struggle. This isn't about giving up; it's about moving beyond the impossible and starting to take adaptation, loss, and damage seriously. Together, we dive into the implications of this hard truth, the resistance from within the climate community, and what happens once we stop pretending we can hold the line at 1.5°C.Some key points from our conversation include:* 1.5°C as the Maginot Line: Read compares the climate community’s adherence to the 1.5°C target to France’s ill-fated defense strategy during World War II. Like the Maginot Line, holding on to 1.5°C when it has already been breached does more harm than good by distracting from more realistic and necessary action.* Admitting Failure, Unlocking Power: Read emphasizes the need to acknowledge failure as a turning point. He references his viral 2018 talk, This Civilization is Finished, which resonated because it wasn't about false hope—it was about truth, grief, and the courage to move forward together. Facing the reality of 1.5°C's loss could catalyze a powerful shift in climate action.* Why Not Everyone Wants to Let Go: Throughout our conversation, we explore the reluctance from key figures in the climate establishment to publicly admit that 1.5°C is gone. Fear of triggering widespread despair or "doomerism" keeps many leaders in line with the 1.5°C goal, but Read counters that the real danger lies in continued denial, not in accepting reality.* The Moral Case for Honesty: In addressing what Read calls the "noble lie" stratagem, he argues that the climate establishment’s reluctance to tell the truth may be well-intentioned, but ultimately, it's misguided. Instead, he advocates for a new narrative—one rooted in courage, collective responsibility, and shared resilience.* Minutes to Midnight: As we edge closer to climate disaster, Read likens our current moment to the final minutes before midnight, where decisions made now will determine the fate of future generations. He believes that accepting we’ve passed the point of no return on 1.5°C is the wake-up call humanity needs to mobilize on adaptation and loss and damage at scale.As always, we aim to spark difficult conversations, and this episode is no exception. It’s an honest, sometimes uncomfortable, but necessary discussion about where we are in the climate fight—and where we need to go next. Rupert’s insights are invaluable for anyone grappling with the reality of our climate crisis and looking for a path forward that doesn’t rely on false hope, but on actionable truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special post-New York Climate Week episode, we dive deep into the takeaways from one of the most significant global gatherings on climate action. Joined by two thought leaders in the climate tech space—Colin Mahoney, communications strategist and founder at Mahoney Communications, and Ted Dillon, COO at Clean Energy Ventures—we reflect on how the week unfolded and what it means for the future of climate innovation and policy.Key Highlights:New York Climate Week 2024 Vibe: Ted and Colin share their experiences hosting major events, engaging with industry insiders, and observing key shifts in climate tech discourse. They reflect on how adaptation and the complexities of funding climate solutions dominated discussions this year.Adaptation Takes Center Stage: Colin highlights a noticeable rise in conversations about climate adaptation—preparing for the climate impacts we can no longer avoid. This marks a significant shift from previous years where mitigation took precedence.Financing Challenges and Opportunities: Ted discusses the ever-present issue of scaling climate solutions, focusing on the missing middle of financing between early-stage investment and full-scale commercialization. What needs to change for groundbreaking technologies to get the capital they need to cross the “valley of death”?Tackling the ESG Backlash: The guests explore how the political rhetoric against ESG investments is impacting climate tech fundraising. Despite the pushback, Ted and Colin argue that ESG and impact investment principles are more crucial than ever in driving capital to the right places.Real Talk on Toxic Positivity: Colin responds to critics like Amy Westervelt who argue that New York Climate Week has a tendency to overlook the grim realities of climate change. He offers a candid take on how positivity is sometimes necessary to stay motivated in the face of overwhelming climate challenges Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, host Richard Delevan dives into the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton and why it’s time for North Carolina to sue Big Oil for damages. Joined by Richard Wiles from the Center for Climate Integrity, we explore how oil majors fueled the climate crisis and intensified storms like Helene. We argue that to win in court—and in public opinion—North Carolina must shift the narrative, hold Big Oil accountable, and move beyond cautious rhetoric around 1.5°C - which we discuss with Joe Lo from Climate Home News. The stakes couldn’t be higher: the future of climate action depends on it.00:00 Helene, Milton, and the End01:27 Intro08:39 Interview with Richard Wiles, Center for Climate Integrity34:42 World Weather Attribution Presser39:00 W hy is 1.5 hard to talk about?01:00:44 EarthSet event with Semafor's Prashant Rao, CCC's Sophie Vipond, Oxford Net Zero's Matilda Becker & Carbon Tracker's Mark Campanale01:05:54 OutroLinks to some guests and things discussed in this episode:Center for Climate IntegrityJoe Lo at Climate Home News | BlueSky | TwitterWorld Weather Attribution projectEarth SetPrashant Rao, SemaforCarbon TrackerOxford Net ZeroClimate Change Committee Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.