Episodes

  • WHAT ABOUT PLASTICS? A lifesaving innovation or a threat to our planet and health?

    WHAT ABOUT PLASTICS? A lifesaving innovation or a threat to our planet and health?
    Dec 3 2024
    Plastics have revolutionized modern life with their versatility and usefulness, but their overwhelming abundance has led to a mounting crisis. Plastic waste is everywhere: in the air we breathe, the ice on Mount Everest, the water we drink, the fish we eat, and even in human placentas. This pollution is not only devastating ecosystems but also harming our health. Adding to the problem, plastics are intrinsically tied to climate change, as most are derived from fossil fuels. In this episode, James and Daisy are joined by Aidan Charron from EARTHDAY.ORG to unpack the plastics problem. What exactly are plastics? Why are they so bad for the planet, and for us? What is the Plastics Treaty, and why does it matter? SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:EARTHDAY.ORG – EARTHDAY.ORG’s founders created and organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, Earth Day Network also known as EARTHDAY.ORG has been mobilizing over 1 billion people annually on Earth Day, and every other day, to protect the planet.Babies vs. Plastics Report – Evidence is mounting that plastics, microplastics and their additive chemicals pose potentially serious health risks to humans, with babies and infants being especially vulnerable.Pets vs. Plastics Report – This report is a meta-analysis of some of the available research to date studying the impact of plastics, microplastics and their additive chemicals on the health of our pets. Plastics Treaty – In March 2022, the United Nations Environment Programme instated an International Negotiating Committee (INC) tasked with creating a global, legally binding memorandum tackling the pressing problem of plastics pollution. OTHER ADVOCATES, FACTS, AND RESOURCES:Silent Spring by Rachel Carson – published on September 27, 1962, this book documented the environmental harm caused by the widespread use of pesticides and is recognizes as one of the most influential books of the twentieth century. SYSTEMIQ (2020) – “Breaking the Plastic Wave” is a global analysis using first-of-its kind modelling, showing that we can cut annual flows of plastic into the ocean by about 80% in the next 20 years by applying existing solutions and technologies. Ellen MacArthur Foundation – a charity committed to creating a circular economy, which is designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature.Notpla – advanced packaging solutions made from seaweed and other natural materials as an alternative to single-use plastic. The Blue Planet – a wildlife documentary series, presented and narrated by David Attenborough, exploring the planet's oceans.UNDP (2023) – “Scientists estimate that only around 9 percent of all the plastic waste generated globally is recycled.”EARTHDAY.ORG – “More than 500 billion plastic bags – one million bags per minute – were produced worldwide last year.” World Economic Forum (2022) – “Saying no to single-use plastics is the most common sustainable lifestyle change among UK consumers. More than 60% have reduced their use of throwaway plastics.”BBC (2019) – A cotton bag needs to be reused at least 131 times to make it more environmentally friendly than a plastic bag. Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokMusic: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3Producer: Podshop StudiosHuge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • WHAT ABOUT COP? A complex, outdated process or an important platform for vulnerable countries?

    WHAT ABOUT COP? A complex, outdated process or an important platform for vulnerable countries?
    Nov 5 2024
    The COP, or ‘Conference of the Parties,’ is the main decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), meeting annually to assess progress in dealing with climate change. This year, COP29 will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan. In this episode, James and Daisy talk about the COPs. How did they begin? Is the process effective? What might we expect from this year’s conference? SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:The Carbon War by Jeremy Leggett – this book is an eyewitness account of the climate talks, and the way the fossil-fuel vested-interests (the “carbon club”) tried to derail them.Landing the Paris Agreement by Todd Stern – from the U.S. lead negotiator on climate change, this book is an inside account of the seven-year negotiation that culminated in the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015OTHER ADVOCATES, FACTS, AND RESOURCES:COP29 Presidency Action Agenda Letter – outlines the fourteen COP29 Presidency Initiatives. Agenda 21 (adopted in 1992) – a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment.What are the UN ‘COP’ climate change conferences? – this overview from The Grantham Institute highlights some of the important milestones from past UN climate change conferences. James was part of the Global Agenda Council of the WEF – here are some of the pieces he has contributed to: https://www.weforum.org/stories/authors/jamescameron/ James highlighted some inspiring individuals in this episode who have played key roles in the COP journey:Philippe Sands is a specialist in international law who James worked with in New York prior to the Rio Summit. Durwood Zaelke is an American environmental litigator, professor, author, and advocate, who founded the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development (IGSD).Farhana Yamin is a British lawyer, public speaker and climate activist.Robert Van Lierop is a ni-Vanuatu-American lawyer, diplomat, political activist, filmmaker, writer and photojournalist.Brindusa Burrows was formerly Associate Director with the World Economic Forum and is now at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and is a visual artist. Morgan Bazilian is Professor of Public Policy at the Colorado School of Mines.Philippe, Durwood, and Farhana were at some stage all part of the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).If you want to dig deeper, there is plenty of academic writing on the climate negotiations. We’d recommend the names below: Professor Dan Bodansky at Arizona State UniversityProfessor Scott Barratt at Columbia UniversityProfessor David Victor at the University of California San DiegoProfessor Lavania Rajamani at the University of OxfordDr Joanna Depledge at the University of CambridgeThank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokMusic: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3Producer: Podshop StudiosHuge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
    Show More Show Less
    47 mins
  • WHAT ABOUT NATURE? A separate issue to solve or critical to tackling climate change?

    WHAT ABOUT NATURE? A separate issue to solve or critical to tackling climate change?
    Oct 22 2024
    Nature is essential to our survival and wellbeing, yet we are rapidly destroying it. Human activities like urbanisation, pollution, deforestation and commercial fishing are all degrading Earth’s biodiversity at an alarming rate. While they have historically been treated as two separate issues, climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply connected. In this episode, James and Daisy discuss nature. Why is protecting nature important? What exactly is natural capital? What emerging incentives are there to prevent biodiversity loss? SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:The Dasgupta Review – an independent, global review of the Economics of Biodiversity led by Prof. Sir Partha Dasgupta, commissioned in 2019 by HM Treasury. It looks at how we think, act, and measure economic success to protect and enhance the natural world. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) has developed a set of disclosure recommendations and guidance that encourage and enable business and finance to assess, report and act on their nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities.Radical Realist – the weekly newsletter from The Conduit, that “brings you the biggest impact stories from across the globe.” OTHER ADVOCATES, FACTS, AND RESOURCES:Living Planet Report (WWF) – a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet. Over the past 50 years (1970–2020), the average size of monitored wildlife populations has shrunk by 73%, as measured by the Living Planet Index (LPI). Stop Ecocide International – Polly Higgins was a British barrister who fought for ‘ecocide’ to be recognised as a crime, just as genocide is. Philippe Sands KC helped draw up the definition of ecocide. Climate Asset Management – formed in 2020 as a joint venture of HSBC Asset Management and Pollination, with the ambition to grow the world’s largest asset management company dedicated to natural capital.Nattergal is a company with a mission to deliver nature recovery at scale, to provide vital benefits for society and sustainable financial returns.Highlands Rewilding seeks to help rewild and re-people the Scottish Highlands by increasing carbon sequestration, growing biodiversity, creating green new jobs and generating sustainable profit for purpose.Faith In Nature – this beauty company has appointed a director to represent nature on its board. Ingka Young Leaders Forum – a global youth advisory council where Ingka Group's senior decision-makers and the Young Leaders Forum members co-create actionable and transformational strategies together. Ingka Group is the largest IKEA franchisee. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – the framework agreed at COP15 consisting of global targets to be achieved by 2030 and beyond to safeguard and sustainably use biodiversity. It includes the “30x30” conservation target, that calls for 30% of the earth’s land and sea to be conserved through the establishment of protected areas (PAs) and other area-based conservation measures (OECMs).Thames Tideway Tunnel (or super sewer) – a £4.5 billion project to increase the capacity of the sewage system. It is a 25km tunnel running from west to east London which will help protect the River Thames from sewage pollution.Earth Overshoot Day – this year’s date was Thursday, 1 August 2024.The Joni Mitchell song James mentioned is called Big Yellow Taxi. It’s one our favourites!Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokMusic: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3Huge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • WHAT ABOUT OFFSETS? An effective incentive or a distraction from meaningful decarbonization?

    WHAT ABOUT OFFSETS? An effective incentive or a distraction from meaningful decarbonization?
    Sep 24 2024
    Carbon offsetting is a carbon trading mechanism that allows entities to compensate for their residual carbon emissions by investing in projects that reduce, avoid, or remove emissions elsewhere. While this approach can contribute to climate goals, it often faces criticism for potentially allowing companies to sidestep substantial decarbonization efforts. Additionally, verifying the benefits of offsets is a significant challenge and some projects may promise more than they can deliver. In this episode, James and Daisy chat about the complexities of carbon offsets and carbon markets. What are the differences between the voluntary and compliance carbon markets? Is offsetting better than doing nothing? Is the word “offset” inherently problematic?SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:Five Times Faster – a book by Simon Sharpe, where he argues that “in our fight to avoid dangerous climate change, science is pulling its punches, diplomacy is picking the wrong battles, and economics has been fighting for the other side.”ISSD (2023) – We loved this article by Scott Vaughan and Charles Di Leva on international carbon markets.International Journal of Sustainable Energy (2023) – James contributed to this methodology alongside Daniel Morrell and Felix Dodds. It presents the “Balance” approach to sustainable development and describes two novel measures: a carbon calculator for commercial entities, and a new metric, the Balance Unit, combining biodiversity creation with carbon credits. OTHER ADVOCATES, FACTS, AND RESOURCES:SBTi (2024): If you’re interested in joining the debate on offsets, it is worth reading this synthesis report on carbon credits and following updates from the SBTi. BloombergNEF (2022): “…[compliance] markets reached a value of more than $850 billion in 2021 and cover close to a fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions.” “Despite the hype of voluntary carbon markets, they are still very small compared to compliance markets, valued at around $1 billion to $2 billion in 2021.”Deloitte (2023): “There are now 36 “compliance carbon markets” that offer cap-and-trade programs for heavy polluters.”Bioregional (2024): Read this blog to understand a bit more about carbon insetting – “…carbon insetting supports emissions reductions within an organisation’s own value chain.”World Bank Group (2022): This article provides a clear explanation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement – “Article 6 of the Paris Agreement allows countries to voluntarily cooperate with each other to achieve emission reduction targets set out in their NDCs.”Pollination (2023): Delta Blue Carbon is a project in Pakistan that is restoring critical mangrove habitat, creating a large carbon market that is genuinely nature-positive, and offering the local community tangible benefits and a starring role in the restoration and stewardship of their environment.Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokMusic: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3Producer: Podshop StudiosHuge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • WHAT ABOUT THE FINANCIAL COST? A burdensome expense or a worthwhile investment?

    WHAT ABOUT THE FINANCIAL COST? A burdensome expense or a worthwhile investment?
    Sep 10 2024

    It’s too expensive to make the change, isn’t it? The financial cost of addressing climate change is often used as a reason not to act. However, while estimates for how much the green transition will cost are indeed high, these numbers are dwarfed by the increased social and economic costs that we will incur if we continue with business as usual.


    In this episode, James and Daisy explore the financial “cost” of climate action. What are the costs of acting on climate change? What are the costs of not acting? Is it detrimental for us to delay taking action?


    SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:

    • The Oxford Martin Programme on the Post-Carbon Transition – James contributed to this programme that was seeking to find out how we identify, model, and trigger sensitive intervention points to rapidly transition to a post-carbon society.
    • RMI have some great resources on the costs of transition and the exponential change we’re already seeing. In June 2024, they published this informative paper on The Cleantech Revolution.


    OTHER ADVOCATES, FACTS, AND RESOURCES:

    • Climate Policy Initiative (2023): In 2021/2022, CPI tracked USD 1.3 trillion per year in global climate finance.
    • Climate Policy Initiative (2024): “CPI estimates that climate finance needs to ensure global temperatures do not rise above 1.5°C range from USD 5.4 trillion to USD 11.7 trillion per year until 2030, and between USD 9.3 trillion and USD 12.2 trillion per year over the following two decades. These needs are dwarfed by the increased social and economic costs that will be incurred under business-as-usual (BAU) warming scenarios (which CPI estimates to be at least USD 1,266 trillion) and will only worsen the longer action is delayed.”
    • RMI: “Financing the energy transition is a story of capital reallocation. Over the next seven years, renewable capex will roughly double and fossil fuel capex will roughly halve under core IEA scenarios. Falling fossil fuel capex will therefore provide half of the growth in renewable capex.”
    • Samsung have developed a solid-state battery that boasts a 600-mile range, 9-minute charging time, and 20-year lifespan.
    • Our World in Data (2020): Why did renewables become so cheap so fast? Renewable energy technologies follow leaning curves, which means it makes sense to invest in and scale these technologies now.


    Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation:

    LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok


    Music: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3


    Producer: Podshop Studios


    Huge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.


    Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • WHAT ABOUT NUCLEAR? A low-carbon energy source or a threat to our safety?

    WHAT ABOUT NUCLEAR? A low-carbon energy source or a threat to our safety?
    Aug 27 2024

    Nuclear energy holds great potential to contribute to power sector decarbonisation. It is a carbon-free and extremely energy dense resource that produces no air pollution. However, it comes with significant drawbacks: not only is nuclear energy very expensive, but the byproduct is radioactive material that can be extremely toxic and is long-lasting, leading to safety fears.


    In this episode, James and Daisy discuss the benefits and challenges of nuclear energy, one of the most contentious topics within the environmental movement. What exactly is nuclear energy? What role should nuclear power play in the transition to cleaner energy? And how do the risks of nuclear energy compare to the risks posed by climate change?


    SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:

    • Gaia: A New Look at Life on Earth – a book by James Lovelock that puts forward the idea that life on earth functions as a single organism.
    • Our World in Data (2020): What are the safest and cleanest sources of energy? Fossil fuels are the dirtiest and most dangerous, while nuclear and modern renewable energy sources are vastly safer and cleaner. This article is also a useful resource to explore global data on nuclear energy production: Nuclear Energy.


    OTHER ADVOCATES, FACTS, AND RESOURCES:

    • IEA: Nuclear power accounts for about 10% of electricity generation globally, rising to almost 20% in advanced economies.
    • Terrestrial Energy is a Canadian nuclear technology company working on Generation IV nuclear technology.
    • Verv is an AI-based smart home product that sits next to your electricity or smart meter and analyses your home energy data at its source. In 2018, a Government-backed trial in Hackney used Verv’s renewable energy trading platform to enable customers with renewable energy supplies and battery storage to sell surplus power directly to neighbours.
    • The Guardian (2024): The cost of completing Hinkley Point C (a nuclear plant in Somerset) will be between £31bn and £34bn, although if completion is delayed to 2031 costs would rise to £35bn.


    Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation:

    LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok


    Music: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3


    Producer: Podshop Studios


    Huge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.


    Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
    Show More Show Less
    39 mins
  • WHAT ABOUT CRITICAL MINERALS? A necessity for clean energy technologies or a harmful new dependency?

    WHAT ABOUT CRITICAL MINERALS? A necessity for clean energy technologies or a harmful new dependency?
    Aug 13 2024
    Nearly every aspect of our lives depends on minerals. From mobile phones and cars to medical devices and laptops, these essential elements are everywhere. The transition from fossil fuels to clean energy hinges on critical minerals. However, their mining and processing can lead to significant environmental and social challenges.In this episode, James and Daisy explore the complex issues surrounding the supply of critical minerals. Can we bridge the gap between supply and demand? How can we navigate the escalating geopolitical tensions? Can we trust the mining companies? SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:Toxic Cost of Going Green: a 23-minute documentary from Unreported World investigating cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Material World: A Substantial Story of Our Past and Future by Ed Conway: Read this book to learn more about the six most crucial substances in human history: sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium.Morgan Bazilian: As the Director of the Payne Institute and a Professor of public policy at the Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Bazilian offers compelling insights into mining and energy security.Cleaning Up: Leadership in an Age of Climate Change: Listen to this podcast by Michael Liebreich and Bryony Worthington where each week they have a conversation with a leader in clean energy, mobility, climate finance or sustainable development. They have recent episodes on topics related to critical minerals, including battery recycling. Simon Evans: Follow Simon on social media for more insights on the energy transition, including critical minerals. Simon covers climate and energy policy for Carbon Brief, a UK-based website covering the latest developments in climate science, climate policy and energy policy.OTHER ADVOCATES, FACTS, AND RESOURCES:IEA: “To hit net-zero globally by 2050, would require six times more mineral inputs in 2040 than today.”IEA: “A typical electric car requires six times the mineral inputs of a conventional car.”SUN Mobility aims to accelerate the adoption of electric mobility with their battery swapping technology. This technology enables users to purchase their electric vehicles without a fixed battery pack and subscribe to a battery swapping service that allows them to simply swap a depleted battery for a fully charged, temperature-controlled battery pack.The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) is a European Community Directive that, together with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive became law in February 2003. The WEEE Directive set collection, recycling and recovery targets for all types of electrical goods. MIT Climate: “In 2021, over 7.5 billion tons of coal were extracted from the ground, while the IEA projects that the total amount of minerals needed for clean energy technology by 2040 will be under 30 million tons.”McKinsey: Mining is not seen as an attractive industry for young talent in Canada – 42% of respondents, aged 15 to 30, definitely would not consider working in mining, and 28% probably would not. Pollination commissioned a new independent legal opinion, which concludes that directors subject to the law of England and Wales should have regard to relevant nature-related risks.National Grid: In the UK, power provided from coal was responsible for only 1% of electricity generation in 2023, compared to 2018 when coal represented 5.1% and 2013 when 39.6% was generated by coal. Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokMusic: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3Producer: Podshop StudiosHuge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins