Political Heat

How can our climate show up in fiction, and what does that tell us about its place in our lives? How does time travel as a narrative device show us what we might owe to future generations - as well as to each other, in our own time? And how can fiction help us to imagine, and navigate, the space we inhabit - somewhere between inevitability and possibility?Amy talks with Roisin Dunnett, author of the novel “A Line You Have Traced”, which is published by Oneworld.Produced and presented by Amy Mount. Edited by Sarah Eldridge. For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

What do the UK’s party-political shifts in the past few years tell us about the prospects for future climate action? Have the electoral conditions that created Britain's climate progress now fallen apart? And, if climate policy only works when it survives the next election, what would make it politically durable - not just for one parliament, but for a generation?Amy talks with Caroline Lucas, a writer, campaigner, and the first ever Green Party MP. Caroline was leader of the Green Party of England and Wales for many years, and, before taking her seat in Westminster, she had been a local councillor and then a Member of the European Parliament. She is currently Professor of Practice in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Sussex.Produced and presented by Amy Mount. Edited by Sarah Eldridge. For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

Why has the very idea of “energy security” become politicised? What does it really mean for the UK, in the interconnected world we live in? And does the transition to net zero emissions weaken our energy security, or strengthen it?Amy talks with Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK, a trade association for the energy industry. Energy UK’s members together deliver nearly 80% of the UK’s power generation and supply 95% of UK homes and businesses.Produced and presented by Amy Mount. Edited by Sarah Eldridge. For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

Now that extreme weather events are happening with increasing frequency and intensity, what impact is that having on climate politics? Is it making politicians sit up and pay more attention? Or is the climate crisis becoming yet another blight on parts of the country that are too often overlooked? Amy talks with Sofie Jenkinson, Founding Director at Round Our Way: a non-profit that exists to share stories about the impact climate change has on communities - and about the local people quietly doing something about it.Produced and presented by Amy Mount. Edited by Sarah Eldridge. For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

As the term “net zero” comes under political attack, should supporters of climate action discard it in favour of something else? Or should we fight for it? And how can research into public opinion, and people’s deeply-held values, help to make that judgement call? Amy talks with Jessie Nicholls, an expert in strategic communications and public engagement.Produced and presented by Amy Mount. Edited by Sarah Eldridge. For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

How does the end of cross-party consensus shape how an MP engages with climate? How does climate fit alongside the hundreds of other issues that cross an MP’s desk? And why do MPs tend to underestimate public support for climate action?Amy talks with the Rt Hon Louise Haigh, the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Heeley, and formerly Secretary of State for Transport.Produced and presented by Amy Mount.Edited by Sarah Eldridge.For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

Chaitanya Kumar, Head of Economic and Environmental Policy at the New Economics Foundation, offers deep insights into the intersection of energy prices and climate policy. He discusses how the push for net-zero targets could impact household bills, especially for vulnerable populations. The conversation highlights the rising energy costs linked to geopolitical events and the burden on consumers. Kumar emphasizes the need for effective government interventions to alleviate financial strain while ensuring inclusivity in the transition to renewable energy.

Where can the UK look for international allies on climate? What strategic questions must the government grapple with? And where is there most risk?Amy talks with Laura Chappell, Associate Director for International Policy at progressive think tank IPPR, the Institute for Public Policy Research.Produced and presented by Amy Mount. Edited by Sarah Eldridge. For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

How did the environment fare during the Conservative Party’s recent time in power? What does the UK’s experience tell us about the opportunities to make progress on climate under a right-wing government? And what are the limitations of conservative politics, when it comes to addressing the environmental crisis?Amy talks with Meg Trethewey, a former Special Adviser in 10 Downing St and Defra, and Sam Hall, Director of the Conservative Environment Network.Produced and presented by Amy Mount. Edited by Sarah Eldridge. For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/

What role do protests play in climate activism? How have tactics changed over time? And when is controversy constructive?Amy talks with Hannah Martin, Co Executive Director at Green New Deal Rising, which is a movement of young people fighting to stop climate change. Produced and presented by Amy Mount. Edited by Sarah Eldridge. For more insights, read the Political Heat newsletter at https://politicalheat.substack.com/