Zero: The Climate Race
Bloomberg
Zero is about the tactics and technologies taking us to a world of zero emissions. Each week Bloomberg’s award-winning reporter Akshat Rathi talks to the people tackling climate change – a venture capitalist hunting for the best cleantech investment, scientists starting companies, politicians who have successfully created climate laws, and CEOs who have completely transformed their businesses. The road to zero emissions has many paths and everyone’s got an opinion about the best route. Listen in.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 18, 2024 • 28min
The climate activist trying to change banks from the inside
Climate activist Lucie Pinson discusses pressuring banks to divest from fossil fuels. She emphasizes the importance of holding financial institutions accountable for harmful investments. The podcast explores the impact of banks' coal policies on financing fossil fuels and contrasts approaches to climate change in EU and US financial institutions.
Jul 12, 2024 • 29min
Stacey Abrams on how kitchen-table decisions can cut emissions
Stacey Abrams and Ari Matusiak discuss making electrification affordable for middle and low-income families, the impact of household emissions on climate change, and whether Joe Biden is the right Democratic candidate for 2024.
Jul 9, 2024 • 26min
An oil lobbyist gets the Shakespearean treatment in ‘Kyoto’
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.
4 snips
Jul 2, 2024 • 32min
There are now 800 carbon removal startups. How many is too many?
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.
9 snips
Jun 25, 2024 • 26min
Why Bill Gates is investing big in nuclear power
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.
Jun 20, 2024 • 21min
Making sense of “compound” climate impacts in a time of global weirding
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.
6 snips
Jun 13, 2024 • 31min
The 21st century will be shaped by fire
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.
Jun 10, 2024 • 17min
Big Take Asia: Will the world's biggest nuclear power plant get a restart?
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.
Jun 6, 2024 • 28min
Is Tesla on the road to irrelevance?
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.
11 snips
May 30, 2024 • 30min
Searching for climate solutions amid the AI hype
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.
