Macrodose

Sabrina Fernandes, a Brazilian economic sociologist and head of research at the Alameda Institute, discusses Lula's complex presidency. She highlights early successes in reducing Amazon deforestation and the challenges posed by powerful agribusiness interests. Sabrina delves into land inequality, the tensions between development and environmental protection, and the impact of policies on family farming. She also critiques Brazil's mixed signals while hosting COP30, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms and a focus on legislative battles ahead of the 2026 elections.

Carys Afoko, a podcast host and political commentator, and Hannah Peaker, Deputy Chief Executive at the New Economics Foundation, join the discussion on fiscal strategies following Rachel Reeves' budget. They delve into the implications of the OBR forecast and the need for immediate tax expenditure to alleviate cost-of-living pressures. The duo critiques Labour's political choices, particularly the missed opportunity to enhance welfare support, and celebrates the abolishment of the two-child benefit cap. They also examine the paradox of low taxation on banks amid soaring corporate profits.

This week on The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Antonia Jennings - chief executive at the centre for London.Together they discuss Rachel Reeves' upcoming budget blunders (1:36). In the full version of the show available exclusively to Patreon supporters, James and Antonia also discuss the series of changes to Britain's asylum system announced this week by home secretary Shabana Mahmood (28:24), and how energy companies have recorded record profits in the UK (42.38)Subscribe to support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/Macrodose⁠.⁠⁠⁠ Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

Delve into the critical discussions surrounding COP30 in Brazil, where global leaders gather to tackle climate change. The importance of multilateral dialogues, despite flaws, is emphasized. Explore the impact of rising temperatures on economic growth and the necessity for equitable adaptation strategies. The conversation also highlights the tension between privatized climate solutions and the need for robust public infrastructure. Lastly, hear about the burgeoning investment opportunities in adaptation technologies as the world strives to adapt to a warming climate.

Join author and journalist Sarah Jaffe as she dives into the thrilling rise of Zohran Mamdani, from activist to a key player in New York politics. She reveals how Mamdani's grassroots listening shaped his campaign and resonated with voters, and discusses the reactions of the Democratic establishment. The conversation touches on the coalition that fueled his victory and the challenges he will face in office. Jaffe also explores the implications of Mamdani's victory for economic populism and the future of left-wing politics.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Richard Jones, a leading expert in materials physics and innovation policy, explores the critical role of semiconductors in today’s tech landscape. He highlights the strategic importance of these materials from consumer electronics to military applications. Jones also discusses the impacts of recent global events on supply chains and evaluates the UK's position in semiconductor technology. He warns of the energy costs associated with AI’s insatiable demand for compute power and reflects on how these dynamics may lead to a new era of geopolitical tensions.

Overshoot affects everything - where do we start?In this bonus episode, a panel of leading climate thinkers and doers discuss the implications of 1.5C overshoot for law, geopolitics, activism, and more. Host Laurie Laybourn is joined by Arlo Brady (Freuds), Olivia Lazard (Berggruen Institute), Harj Narulla (Doughty Street Chambers), and Clover Hogan (Force of Nature). The conversation was recorded in front of a live audience at the Freuds Group HQ in London. It has been edited for conciseness.***OVERSHOOT is a new four-part audio documentary hosted by climate researcher and policy advisor Laurie Laybourn. OVERSHOOT is produced by Planet B Productions and the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative.Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. For essays and bonus content, sign up at overshootpod.com or follow @overshootpod on social media.Writer and presenter: Laurie LaybournResearcher: Ben Shread-HewittProduction coordination: Daniel NormanScript consulting: Daniel TrillingSound design and mix: Ben Heyderman and James FoxOriginal music by HaniellWith special thanks to Freuds for hosting us and Ren Balogun and the team, as well as all those who joined us. Apologies to those whose questions we had to cut from the edit; there just wasn’t enough room! 

Today we are posting a bonus episode recorded by our friends over at Transition Security Project. In this fascinating discussion, former Macrodose guests Laleh Khalili and Thea Riofrancos are joined by Stephen Semler, co-founder of Security Policy Reform Institute, and Ilias Alami, Assistant Professor in the Political Economy of Development at the University of Cambridge, to discuss how Western military industrial complexes are threatening the climate transition.Transition Security Project is a new research centre founded jointly by Common Wealth and the Climate and Community Institute, focused on developing alternative approaches to security and collaborating with trade unions on just transition plans for the military industry.Find their work here: https://transitionsecurity.orgChair:* Laleh Khalili is Director of the Centre for Gulf Studies at the University of Exeter, where she researches empire, extractivism and maritime trade. Her books include Sinews of War and Trade, Extractive Capitalism and Heroes and Martyrs of Palestine. Laleh is a fellow of Transition Security Project.Speakers:* Stephen Semler is the co-founder of Security Policy Reform Institute, a think tank that works to align US foreign policy with working-class interests. He is an expert at Forum on the Arms Trade and writes for the Quincy Institute, Security in Context and his newsletter, Polygraph. Stephen is a fellow of Transition Security Project and the author of a forthcoming essay on the class politics of the military industrial complex.* Thea Riofrancos is Associate Professor of Political Science at Providence College, where she works on resource extraction, climate crisis and the global energy transition. She is the author of Extraction and Resource Radicals. Thea is Strategic Co-Director of Climate and Community Institute, which cohosts Transition Security Project.* Ilias Alami is Assistant Professor in the Political Economy of Development at the University of Cambridge, where he writes about state capitalism, geopolitics, and the green transition. He is the author of The Spectre of State Capitalism and Money, Power and Financial Capital in Emerging Markets. Ilias is a fellow of Transition Security Project and the author of a forthcoming essay on AI, imperialism and resource conflicts.Khem Rogaly, Patrick Bigger and Lorah Steichen from Transition Security Project offer brief responses to each speaker. https://www.common-wealth.org⁠

This week on The Curve, James Meadway is joined by Nicholas Beuret - author of Or Something Worse:Why We Need to Disrupt the Climate Transition⁠.Together, they discuss mounting speculation over the upcoming budget and the longevity of Keir Starmer's premiership.In the extended episode, available to Macrodose members on Patreon, they discuss Nicholas' new book on how the push for net zero has become a new arena for class conflict, and also respond to a listener question on government debt. Subscribe to support the show at ⁠⁠patreon.com/Macrodose.⁠⁠ Your pledge is a donation supporting free public education; perks are thank-you gifts for your support.

How can we be resilient to what comes next?One of Spain’s worst disasters was driven by climate change. But it ended up boosting climate deniers. This episode explores how to avoid this, what it really means to prepare for a world above 1.5°C, and why governments are clinging to fantasy preparation plans. And we hear the stories of how we can stay focused on navigating the growing climate storm. ***OVERSHOOT is a new four-part audio documentary hosted by climate researcher and policy advisor Laurie Laybourn. OVERSHOOT is produced by Planet B Productions and the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative.Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. For essays and bonus content, sign up at overshootpod.com or follow @overshootpod on social media.***Writer and presenter: Laurie LaybournResearcher: Ben Shread-HewittProduction coordination: Daniel NormanScript consulting: Daniel TrillingSound design and mix: Ben Heyderman and James FoxOriginal music by HaniellWith special thanks to Aaron Thierry, Mirte Boot, James Dyke, Henry Throp, Stephen Backhouse, Sophia Lennon