Zero: The Climate Race

A fossil fuel lobbyist gets the spotlight in a new play about climate negotiations. Actor Stephen Kunken discusses the character of Don Pearlman and the lessons Kyoto can teach about reaching agreements. The power of belief and hope in driving change is also emphasized in the podcast.

Nan Ransohoff, head of a major carbon removal startup, discusses the saturated market of carbon removal startups and the failure of Running Tide. They explore innovative solutions like biomass removal and direct air capture. The podcast also touches on challenges faced by companies in the industry and the importance of government support.

Tech billionaire Bill Gates discusses his investment in a new sodium-cooled nuclear plant in Wyoming, emphasizing energy security and bipartisan innovation. He also touches on the role of AI in emissions and climate solutions, highlighting the importance of aligning business goals with climate objectives.

The podcast delves into the concept of 'global weirding' and how extreme weather events are becoming more severe due to human-induced climate change. It explores compound climate impacts and the interconnectedness of weather events, highlighting the need for emission reductions and local resilience-building. The episode also discusses the evolving language in UN climate reports and the importance of addressing climate change challenges.

Author John Vaillant discusses Canada's fossil fuel industry, the Fort McMurray fire disaster, and the future impact of mankind's obsession with fire. The podcast explores the history of bitumen extraction, financial benefits of climate goals, unique fire phenomena, and the transformation of humanity into a fire-centric species.

Reporter Shoko Oda discusses the challenges of restarting the world's largest nuclear plant in Japan. Topics include the plant's security measures, Japan's energy journey post-Fukushima, and the obstacles faced in restarting nuclear reactors in Niigata amidst safety concerns.

Delve into Tesla's recent challenges and shifts, from missed sales goals to Musk's radical decisions. Explore the impact on the global transition to EVs and Tesla's evolving strategy. Discover the implications of Tesla's Model 2 cancellation and its dominance in the U.S. market.

Priya Donti, Professor of electrical engineering and AI at MIT, discusses using AI to tackle climate change with Climate Change AI. She explores AI's potential to optimize power grids, predict weather events, and improve crop output. Donti shares projects the group funds globally and envisions democratizing AI for climate solutions.

Microsoft's AI ambitions have caused a 30% rise in emissions, hindering its carbon-negative pledge. Brad Smith discusses the balancing act between AI advancements and sustainability. The podcast explores Microsoft's investments in green technologies to combat climate change.

Former UK Conservative Party member of Parliament, Chris Skidmore, criticizes his party for neglecting climate issues, leading to missed opportunities for economic growth. Skidmore discusses his Net Zero Review, the urgency of climate action, and the need for cross-party collaboration. He highlights the risks of backtracking on climate commitments and emphasizes the economic benefits of transitioning to a net zero economy.