Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast

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.

Around the world In 2020, we saw an unprecedented rise in activism surrounding Black Lives Matter and the call for racial and social justice. But if there’s one enormous takeaway for those marching for the climate, it is that our fight for climate justice is inextricably linked to our fight for racial justice. BIPOC have suffered, are suffering, and will continue to disproportionately suffer the harshest effects of climate change. Unacceptable. So what clear actions can organizations, individuals, and institutions take to rectify this massive injustice? Taking us to the heart of the matter this week is our guest, British MP David Lammy. David Lammy was the first black Briton to study at Harvard Law School and practised as a barrister before entering politics. He has served as the MP for Tottenham since 2000 and as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet since 2020. David is one of Parliament’s most prominent and successful campaigners for social justice. His recent TED Talk titled “Climate Justice Can’t Happen Without Racial Justice” has amassed millions of views and has become required viewing for anyone involved in climate action. Stick around to the end for a special musical performance from Blackout Problems!   —   David Lammy TED Talk | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook   —   Blackout Problems Music | “Dark Days Episode 3” | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Pre-Order Their Upcoming Album ‘DARK’ - Releasing Jan 15th   —   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.

This is our second episode of an Outrage + Optimism investigative series on The Future of Transport. There’s no denying that for over a century, fossil fuels have played a key role in humanity’s progress. But at a cost. They account for two-thirds of global greenhouse-gas emissions, and the pollution from burning them kills more than 4 million people a year. So in a year where cars sat unused, and oil prices crashed...what is the future of fuels? We know that in order to meet the Paris Agreement, we need to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2030. Because even though COVID-19 is expected to reduce energy-related CO2 emissions by 7% this year, we need massive changes in how we move people and things. So will we see the end of the internal combustion engine? How will the world go electric? Can hydrogen scale to meet our energy demands? Our hosts Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson pull out the roadmap to a zero-emission future, hit the road looking for answers to a decarbonized transport sector with experts who are in the driver's seat. Read Tom’s blog to find out more from behind the scenes. Watch David Lammy’s TED Talk before listening next week! — This series is sponsored by NESTE  Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram — Guests this week:   Ramez Naam, Singularity University Twitter | LinkedIn   Monica Araya, Climate Champion Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | Ted Talk   Mary Nichols, CA Air and Resources Board Twitter | CARB   Martin Daum, Daimler Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram   Alejandro Agag, Formula E Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube   Craig Knight, Hyzon Motors Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Craig LinkedIn   Sara Forni, CERES Twitter | CERES   Robert Llewellyn, Fully Charged Twitter | FC Twitter | Fully Charged YouTube   —   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.

After 4 intolerable years of you-know-who in the US, this week there seems to be a brief moment of calm. But while many of us are catching our breath, the world is transforming how it will conduct business as usual by pressing the proverbial ‘reset’ button on what appears to be “everything we do and how we do it.” - to quote Lindsay Levin. And this is the perfect moment to reset everything, right? We’ve seen economic inequality grow exponentially, we’ve seen the gender gap resist closing, and we’ve watched the climate crisis reveal itself not just on television, but in our own backyards. And, not to mention, COVID. But in 2020, there’s one person who believes everything is possible. Sanda Ojiambo is Executive Director and CEO of the United Nations Global Compact, the first African citizen to be appointed to the post, and second woman! We meet her on this episode in week 5 of her life in New York City after relocating from Nairobi for the job. Sanda brings her brilliant mind and stubborn optimism to leading the business world on accomplishing the SDGs in this historic and unprecedented time.   Stick around to the end to hear an intimate live performance with Gaeya!   ---   Click Here to Vote for ‘The Future We Choose’ Goodreads Choice Awards!   ---   Gaeya Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | ‘Contact’ Live Music Video   ---   Sanda Ojiambo Twitter | Read About Sanda | UN Global Compact   --- Keep up with Christiana Figueres here: Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook   MyGridGB on Twitter   —   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 young voter turnout in the US election the highest it has been in 40 years, President-Elect Joe Biden is heading to the White House with a mandate to address the climate crisis head on, following on his promises he made during his campaign. So along with the shock of having a President that acknowledges the climate crisis poses some absolutely crucial questions: What do we do with someone in power who is listening to climate activists? What do we focus on achieving first? How do we work with someone who will inevitably not go as far as we want them to go on climate? Who wins, and in what order in a multi-polar political world? Our special guest this week has an incredible perspective on the intersectionality of climate and social justice, and is mobilizing and energizing tens of thousands of people to raise their voices and bring about a world where things like food sovereignty is law, and we don’t see trees and oceans as natural resources but sacred elements. Xiye Bastida is a Mexican-Chilean climate activist and member of the indigenous Mexican Otomi-Toltec nation. She is one of the major organizers of Fridays for Future New York City and has been a leading voice for indigenous and immigrant visibility in climate activism. She is on the administration committee of the People's Climate Movement and a member of Sunrise Movement and Extinction Rebellion. She is co-founder of Re-Earth Initiative, an international not for profit organization that is inclusive and intersectional “just as the climate movement should be.” Stick around for a live performance from musical artist, Millie Turner!   ---   Millie Turner Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | ‘Underwater’ Music Video   ---   Xiye Bastida TED Talk | TED Countdown Session 3 | Re-Earth Initiative   ---   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 US election winner has all but been formally declared, with Joe Biden on the cusp of electoral victory. But after all the votes are counted, we see that there was record turnout for both Democrats and Republicans. What mandate does a Biden administration have to lead again globally on climate action? This week we talk with two experts with first hand experience in US climate policy. Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Advisor for President Obama, and Todd Stern, who was the United States Special Envoy for Climate Change leading up to the Paris Agreement. Stick around to the end for a special music performance by MF Tomlinson! ---   MF Tomlinson Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Sum of Nothing Music Video Check out FEAT, the world-first initiative for artists to take ownership over accelerating our clean energy future at a critical time in human history.   ---   Ben Rhodes Twitter | Missing America   ---   Todd Stern Twitter   --- 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.

Election Day is next Tuesday, November 3rd. It cannot be ignored - How the US will vote next week will have global consequences. What does the outcome look like as we see it just before Election Day, and how on Earth did we get here to this one single decision that will shape what feels like everything for generations to come? In our search for understanding (and peace of mind) we pose all of our concerns, worries, and questions to one of the leading experts in US politics and US climate policy, John Podesta. John Podesta served as White House Chief of Staff to President Bill Clinton, served as an advisor to President Barack Obama, and was Chair of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. With 52 years in presidential politics, and with the experience of running a campaign against Republican candidate Donald Trump, we sit down for an insightful view on what chances Democratic candidate Joe Biden has of winning the presidency this time around, as well as a forecast of what we should expect next week on Election Day. Stick around after the conversation to hear a musical performance from the band OK Go!   ---   Climate Power 2020 Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube   ---   OK Go YouTube | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook   ---   Check out OK Go's music video for "All Together Now" Here. There's a really powerful story behind the song. Read Damian's letter to learn more behind the meaning of the song. All proceeds from the song go to Partners In Health, an incredible social justice and global health organization.   ---   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.