Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast

On Friday, The United States will officially be back in the Paris Climate Agreement! *cue appropriate volume of fanfare* And while in a week where Dallas, Texas is colder than Anchorage, Alaska - our co-host Paul Dickinson takes us on a short list of topics discussing the social cost of carbon recently updated by Joseph Stiglitz and Lord Nicholas Stern to match the severity of the climate crisis, as well as a listener question regarding the unregulated growth and steadily growing emissions of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. But all of this in context, with the US “still in” as it’s being promoted - We anxiously await the United States’ Nationally Determined Contribution which should be announced anytime between now and late April. Once that number comes through, the race to COP 26 will be at full speed where the very first 5 year check in of global accountability and ambition towards a net-zero 2050 and beyond will happen.  So with the world’s largest economy on track to boost the global coalition of nations dedicated to this collective goal, will we be able to achieve emission reductions fast enough to avoid catastrophe? This week our guest is legendary science fiction writer, Kim Stanley Robinson, whose prolific career includes the international bestselling Mars trilogy, and more recently Red Moon, New York 2140, Aurora, Shaman, Green Earth, and 2312. Stan joins us for an exclusive look into the themes of his latest book: The Ministry for the Future, which offers an unflinching look at what our future may hold even in 2025 if we do not address runaway climate change. Optimistically he says, “We are all living in a science fiction novel we are coauthoring together.” So, what future will we write? Sci-Fi Pop Music this week from French duo, Toukan Toukän! — Thank you to our guest this week, Kim Stanley Robinson. Grab a copy of his latest book - ‘The Ministry For The Future’ Facebook | Twitter (Unofficial) — Our musical guest this week is Toukan Toukän! Music video for ‘Konowoulen’ Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Website — Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter — Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn — Paul Dickinson is on LinkedIn! LinkedIn — Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

According to new research by a team of U.S. and U.K. scientists published in Environmental Research, Fossil fuels alone are responsible for more than 8 million premature deaths annually. That’s 1 out of 5 deaths. Let that sink in for a moment. 1 out of 5. This figure underscores a fact absent from much public debate and discussion about climate change. While the fight to stop greenhouse gas pollution by curtailing fossil fuel use is framed in terms of how it would improve the future, it’s also true that fossil fuels are killing millions of people right now. And right now is the time to change our thinking. But when Climate scientists and activists are continuously imploring us to ‘look at the bigger picture’ to address climate change right now, what does this mean? How do we do it? These are questions that our Outrage + Optimism guest, Oliver Jeffers tackles in this week’s interview with Christiana, Tom and Paul, as he delves into how he performs this perspective shift by ‘simple optics’ in his award winning picture books and visual art. Whether brought on by an experience of art, science, religious practice, grief, love or parenthood, there is a need for us all to undergo a change in perspective and see beyond our day to day concerns and routines to grow an awareness of ourselves as a human family with a shared duty to protect our Earth, our home, from growing climate catastrophe. Art like Oliver’s, provides the perfect vehicle for this transformational and necessary journey which we hope you will all join us on. Music this week from the incredible Presidio. Listen in! — Thank you to our guest this week, Oliver Jeffers. Instagram | Facebook | Twitter   Oliver delivered a series of free art classes for children (and adults) in partnership with Harrods in which he demonstrates how to draw some of his best loved characters from his books.   His website also includes more free activities for children and their families. An Ode to Living on the Earth is Oliver’s fantastic Ted Talk. The Moon, The Earth and Us is Oliver Jeffers 2019 art installation. This Way Up is the upside down map that Oliver Jeffers referenced in the interview.  More of Oliver Jeffers’ art work is available here. These are the temporary tattoos that Clay wants. Here is the Dipped Painting Project. — Our musical guest this week is Presidio! Stream their latest EP - ‘Telepathy’ - Listen to “Unwind” Facebook | Instagram — Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter — Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn — Paul Dickinson is on LinkedIn! LinkedIn — Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is our fourth and final episode of an Outrage + Optimism investigative series on The Future of Transport. In 2019, UN Secretary General stated that “cities are where the climate battle will largely be won or lost” and he couldn’t be more right. With seven out of ten people expected to live in urban areas by 2050, and cities currently consuming ⅔ of the world’s energy, the need to transition off of fossil fuel based urban transport has never been more urgent. But how do we solve deadly air pollution, traffic congestion, overcrowding while securing racial justice and a just transition for marginalized communities? The answer might surprise you. From flying taxis and high speed pods, to better bus routes and bike lanes, the urban transport solutions of the future look as unique and varied as the cities they might one day serve. The future of sustainable cities will mean that billions of citizens can safely get around and enjoy healthy, equitable lives in our urban spaces. From Sao Paulo to London, Montreal to Kampala, Our hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson  speak to transport planners, pioneers and professors, all rising to the challenge of creating more sustainable cities.    —   Listen to the previous episodes of our miniseries here - The Future of Transport   This series is sponsored by NESTE Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram   —   Guests this week:   Kevin Manaugh: Associate professor in the Department of Geography and The Bieler School of Environment at McGill University Twitter | LinkedIn | Twitter (McGill)   Pia Heidenmark Cook: Chief Sustainability Officer, Ingka Group Twitter | LinkedIn | Twitter (IKEA)   Robin Chase: Co-founder of Zipcar, Veniam, NUMO Twitter | LinkedIn | Twitter (NUMO)   Claire Birungi: Institute for Transportation & Development Policy, Country Manager, Uganda Twitter (ITDPA) | Facebook (ITDPA) | Instagram (ITDPA)   Sergio Avelleda: Urban Mobility Director at the World Resources Institute Ross Center For Sustainable Cities LinkedIn | Twitter (WRI) | Facebook (WRI) | LinkedIn (WRI)   Jay Walder: CEO Virgin Hyperloop LinkedIn | Twitter (VH) | Facebook (VH) | LinkedIn (VH) | Instagram (VH) | YouTube (VH)   Florian Reuter: CEO Volocopter LinkedIn | Facebook (Volo) | Instagram (Volo) | Twitter (Volo) | LinkedIn (Volo)   Shirley Rodrigues: London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Twitter | Twitter (LDN) | LinkedIn   —   Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter    —   Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn   —   Paul Dickinson is on LinkedIn! LinkedIn   —   Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Season 3! With a renewed sense of optimism felt around the world with the inauguration of President Joe Biden in the United States this month, our collective sigh of relief is quickly met with the sobering reality of the moment - Nature’s systems are collapsing and we are running out of time to stop irreversible changes to our planet. The science is clear. If we do not rapidly cut global greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% in 2030, we will push our Earth beyond the ‘planetary boundaries’ that have sustained life for millions upon millions of years. So what exactly are these ‘planetary boundaries’ we are dangerously approaching, and what are the science-based solutions to achieve our 2030 emissions target? Is there hope for our future? Our guest this week, Johan Rockström, is here to present the sobering, scientific case for why science demands a united global commitment for the race to zero. Johan Rockström is an internationally recognised scientist and director of the Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research. He is best known for his influential work on the ‘planetary boundaries’ framework on which he has delivered two outstanding Ted Talks, the most recent as part of the Ted Countdown series. Stick around for an unbelievable music performance from Ayoni! — Help us shape Season 3 of Outrage + Optimism by filling out our short listener survey!  – Thank you! — Thank you to our guest this week, Johan Rockström. Twitter | Twitter (PIK) | Facebook (PIK) | LinkedIn (PIK)   Watch two of his TED Talks mentioned in the episode here: 10 Years to Transform The Future of Humanity - or Destabilize The Planet 5 Transformational Policies For a Prosperous and Sustainable World — Our musical guest this week is Ayoni! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Spotify | YouTube — Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter — Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn — Paul Dickinson is on LinkedIn! LinkedIn — Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism!   0:59 (5:45) [15.22] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we witness history, the 59th United States Presidential Inauguration. And a long time coming, right? It’s been 4 years of destructive and incompetent leadership on climate from the United States federal government, but today the U.S. is BACK. Not only formally back in the Paris Climate Agreement, but back at the table with leadership and new positions in the White House creating the policy, action, and messaging around climate action. So who better to talk to on this historic day than the incoming National Climate Policy Chief, and a beloved friend of this podcast, Gina McCarthy. Most recently President and CEO of NRDC, she was also the 13th administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama, where she ushered in a paradigm shift in national environmental policy, which expressly linked it to global public health. Literally on her way to receive her COVID vaccine in DC so she can work at the White House, Gina pulled over to talk about what we can expect from this new office, new administration, and new moment. — Help us shape Season 3 of Outrage + Optimism by filling out our short listener survey!  – Thank you! — Thank you to our guest this week, Gina McCarthy! Follow Gina McCarthy on Twitter Click Here to listen to our previous episode with Gina. — Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook — Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn — Paul Dickinson is on LinkedIn! LinkedIn — Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is our third episode of an Outrage + Optimism investigative series on The Future of Transport. With 2020 barely in the rearview mirror, the pandemic rages on across the globe, new variants bringing concern and unified collective action to the forefront as a rapidly developed vaccine begins being administered as we speed into 2021. That same resolve needs to be applied to climate change and the sectors in most urgent need of decarbonisation. And this week, we dive into the future of sustainable shipping. We rarely ever think about the things we buy as being transported by sea, but shipping has been the backbone of global economies for thousands of years and today accounts for 90% of world trade. It is responsible for 2-3% of global emissions which if it were a country, would put it on a par with Germany - the world’s sixth biggest emitter. The challenge to decarbonise shipping is huge. With around 60,000 vessels currently in operation emissions are expected to be 50% higher in 2050 than in 2018. So how to turn this ship around? Our hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson speak to scientists, CEOs, politicians and pioneers committed to charting a course to a more sustainable shipping future. — Help us shape Season 3 of Outrage + Optimism by filling out our short listener survey!  – Thank you! Listen to the previous episodes of our miniseries here - The Future of Transport   This series is sponsored by NESTE Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram   —   Guests this week   Jutta Paulus, MEP, Greens/EFA Twitter | Facebook | Instagram   Erik Lewenhaupt, Head of Sustainability, Stena Line Twitter | Stena Line   Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO, Port of Antwerp LinkedIn | Twitter   Peter Hinchliffe, Former Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping Twitter   Louis-Noel Vivies, Managing Director, Energy Observer  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Website   Diane Gilpin, CEO and founder, Smart Green Shipping Twitter | LinkedIn | Website   Simon Bullock, Researcher, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester  Twitter | Twitter (Tyndall Manchester)   James Mason, Researcher, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester  Twitter | Twitter (Tyndall Centre)   Nishan Degnarain, Chair, Ocean Finance Initiative, London School of Economics Twitter   Søren Skou, CEO of A.P. Møller - Mærsk Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Søren’s LinkedIn   Jules Kortenhorst, CEO of Rocky Mountain Institute  Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Jules’ LinkedIn   —   Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook   —   Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn   —   Paul Dickinson is on LinkedIn! LinkedIn   —   Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special bonus episode for a little inspiration as 2021 begins! Christiana Figueres and the Outrage + Optimism gang chat with Andrew Higham, Chief Executive of Mission 2020 as its mission comes to a close. Mission 2020 was born out of the Paris Agreement to harness the momentum it brought about to ensure the urgency of the global climate conversation would be followed up by ambitious and daring action. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, 2020 did mark a turning point in tackling the climate crisis, with unprecedented commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest, from governments, countries, regions, companies, investors and citizens. Now that 2020 has come and gone, what needs to happen next?  Through consultation with hundreds of climate leaders from the grassroots to the highest levels and from all around the world, we chat with M2020 about the underlying principles of the “Prelude to A Great Regeneration” which sets a vision for the remaining nine years of this Decisive Decade. By 2030 we have to cut greenhouse gas emissions globally by at least 50% and actively restore our natural world. Woven through the rich visions, it is our hopes and dreams for the future, and a common desire for something altogether new to emerge from this moment: a world that is kinder, braver, more equal and more just.   —   Click the link below to read along.   ‘Prelude to a Great Regeneration’   —   Help us shape Season 3 of Outrage + Optimism by filling out our short listener survey!  – Thank you!   —   Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook   —   Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn   —   Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   —   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the first year in the most decisive decade in history coming to a close, we wrap up Season 2 of Outrage and Optimism by being visited by 3 Christmas Ghos...ahem...Scientists. ...That’s a Charles Dickens joke. But all joking aside, you are in for a real treat this episode. The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures have taken place every Christmas since 1825 in the UK. Started as a way to educate the public about science, it has become an annual tradition loved by families across the globe, both adults and children alike. So in this episode, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson sit down with the three Christmas Lecturers this year, Dr. Helen Czerski, Professor Chris Jackson, and Dr. Tara Shine, all expert scientists from different fields who will be addressing the unique challenge of climate change by unravelling our astonishing global systems and remarkable natural wonders that combine to keep life on Earth alive. This year the program is titled, “Planet Earth: A User’s Guide And don’t be fooled. “Lecture” might be a bit dull of a term to describe what happens at this annual event. Explosions, experiments, and demonstrations abound in this exciting and engaging program. So grab your popcorn and hot chocolate, and listen in as we are visited by 3 different scientists this Christmas - Each guiding us to see a perspective on how we can each protect our climate from changing and create a more equitable and sustainable world.   —   Please fill out our listener survey! - Thank you!   Don’t forget to join ‘Count Us In’ with your practical steps towards protecting our planet against climate change!   —   The 2020 Christmas Lecturers:   Dr. Helen Czerski Twitter | Website   Professor Chris Jackson Twitter   Dr. Tara Shine Twitter | Instagram | Website   —   Read More about this year’s Christmas Lectures   Learn more about how you can support The Royal Institution HERE   Check out our previous episode with Dr. Tara Shine! —   Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook   —   Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn   —   Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   —   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Climate Ambition Summit this week announced some of the most ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions we have seen to date. And so with the European Commission announcing it’s target of 55% GHG reductions by 2030, the world has optimistically moved even closer to limiting warming to only 1.5C. So, what set of actual policies, financing, social protections and market incentives will guide the EU towards achieving this ambitious target? The European Green Deal. It’s a set of bold policies guaranteeing “economic growth decoupled from resource use” as well as ensuring “no place and no person is left behind.” Our guest this week is a major champion for The Green Deal, First Vice President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans. Frans shares his deeply emotional family connection to our responsibility in this historic moment, and we discuss his passion for climate when it comes to radical shifts in energy that bring about redistribution of wealth and justice to the inequality crisis.   And stick around for a performance from Rhys Lewis!   —   Please fill out our listener survey! - Thank you!   Don’t forget to join ‘Count Us In’ with your practical steps towards protecting our planet against climate change!   —   Rhys Lewis Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube   —   Frans Timmermans Twitter | Instagram | Facebook   EU Climate Action Twitter | Instagram   —   Nigel Topping Twitter | LinkedIn Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook   —   Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn   —   Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   —   Don't forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show notes: The Paris Effect   On December 12th, 2015 the landmark Paris Agreement was adopted by 195 countries as the first unanimously agreed climate change treaty. It has become a symbol of collaboration, a spirit of shared interest merging harmoniously with enlightened self-interest. This weekend is the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement’s adoption and, as we near the end of an extremely challenging 2020, it’s time to celebrate the phenomenal changes that have happened and are happening in the real economy. We have not one, but two phenomenal guests this week.   France's former Climate Change Ambassador and Special Representative for the 2015 COP21 Climate Change Conference in Paris, Laurence Tubiana, joins us to discuss the nail-biting process with our hosts, Christiana Figueres, who oversaw the delivery of the Paris Agreement as the former UN Climate Chief at the time, Tom Rivett-Carnac (former chief political strategist for Figueres) and Paul Dickinson, Executive Chair of CDP. This is a no holding back chat about how history was made, their outrage about what has not happened yet, and the extraordinary achievements that have already taken place – now known as the Paris Effect.    Also, we have an Outrage + Optimism SURPRISE conversation with New York City based band, AJR plus an exclusive performance of their global hit, Burn the House Down (figuratively, not literally!).   --- Please answer our listener survey   Think-tank Systemiq offers this excellent report, The Paris Effect.   World leaders gather on December 12th 2020 for a Climate Ambition Summit.   ---   AJR Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Facebook   ---   Laurence Tubiana   Twitter  |  LinkedIn   ---   Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook   —   Tom Rivett-Carnac: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn   —   Follow @GlobalOptimism  Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn   —   Don’t forget to hit SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss another episode of Outrage + Optimism! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.