Sometimes you just have to disrupt the system!

Christiana Figueres is a renowned leader in global climate change, known for her role as Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC from 2010-2016. She successfully led international climate negotiations in Cancun, Durban, Doha, Warsaw, and Lima, culminating in the historic Paris Agreement of 2015. She's credited with pioneering collaborative diplomacy. Today, she co-founded Global Optimism, co-hosts the podcast ‘Outrage & Optimism’, and co-authored ‘The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis’.

Luisa Neubauer is a youth climate activist and lead organizer of the German “Fridays for Future“ movement. Luisa was named one of the TIME100 Next of 2022. In 2021, Luisa and others won the landmark constitutional court ruling “Neubauer vs. Germany“ against the German government in a struggle for political climate action. Through her activism she’s met with president Macron, Angela Merkel and Barack Obama and has published three best-selling books on the climate crisis. 

In the final episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover sits down with Christiana Figueres and Luisa Neubauer to explore how to bring about system change to the structures that created and continue to worsen the climate crisis. Firstly, Clover and Christiana explore the importance of finding common ground and creating spaces that foster genuine dialogue and understanding. Then, Clover speaks with Luisa to dive into her experience as a climate justice activist. Stick around to hear Christiana and Luisa spill their climate confessions.

“We don't share our views on the science… But do we share humanity? Are we both a member of the human family? and at least to that question we can always answer a resounding yes” - Christiana Figueres

“It’s not about providing the facts to a head of state, but about providing the facts and the culture and the hope to people everywhere to then be empowered to change, to rise, to build power that challenges the status quo.” - Luisa Neubauer

Follow Christiana:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cfigueres/

Website: http://christianafigueres.com/#/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luisaneubauer/

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Why has burnout culture been normalised in activism and how can we change it?

Arifa Nasim founded Educate2Eradicate, a non-profit organisation committed to spreading knowledge to prevent the hundreds of thousands of individuals at risk from experiencing forced marriage, genital mutilation and honour-based abuse. Arifa has educated more than 5,000 individuals and plans to grow Educate2Eradicate into a holistic program, training larger organisations and offering counseling and legal advice to victims. Arifa was an official UK delegate to the Sustainable Development Goals Summit.

In the penultimate episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover sits down with Arifa Nasim to explore why burnout culture has become normalised within activism and what we can do to actively change it. Finally, Arifa spills her climate confession!

Content Warning: This episode contains conversations about female genital mutilation, suicide and forced marriage. So please listen with care.

“There is a reason I’m much happier now; there is time for spiritual rest, and creative rest and physical rest. Now that I know better, I don’t know that I’d ever go back” -Arifa Nasim

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LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/arifa-nasim-44a764b3

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We want to thank Greenhouse Communications for their incredible support of season 3 of the Force of Nature podcast. As well as our production partners over at OneFinePlay.

How does the climate crisis make you feel?

Mitzi Jonelle Tan is a full-time climate justice activist based in Metro Manila, Philippines. She is the convenor and international spokesperson of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, the Fridays For Future of the Philippines. A strong voice on anti-imperialism, anti-colonization, and the intersectionality of the climate crisis, she is committed to changing the system and building a world that prioritizes people and planet, not profit, through collective action.

In the 7th episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover sits down with Mitzi Jonelle Tan to explore the difference between eco-anxiety and eco-trauma, and how to understand our emotions. They discuss how to keep showing up and the power of community in cultivating mindset shifts from anxiety to agency. Finally, Mitzi spills her climate confession!

“Knowing that you’re not alone in it really helps. Knowing that the collective action aspect of activism is so crucial. Even if you don’t see anyone else who is anxious, there are people who are fighting alongside you fighting.” - Mitzi Jonelle Tan

Follow Mitzi:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitzijonelle/

Finally, if you haven't heard the word 'senti' before, it means 'sensitive' - IYDKGTK ;)

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We want to thank Greenhouse Communications for their incredible support of season 3 of the Force of Nature podcast. As well as our production partners over at OneFinePlay.

Why is it so difficult to chat with family and friends about causes you care about?

Jamie Windust is a an author, content creator and Contributing Editor at GAY TIMES. They made headlines in 2018 for calling out the staff of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald for "Misogyny, homophobia, transphobia everywhere", and in 2019 for petitioning the UK Parliament for gender-neutral passport options. In 2020, they published their book, ‘In Their Shoes: Navigating Non-Binary Life’ and continues to write for publications such as Metro UK, The Independent and GAY TIMES to compassionately share LGBTQ+ stories with the world.

Fehinti Balogun is an actor, creator, and activist. He has worked in theatre, film and television, with recent performances including Dune, I May Destroy You, ITV's Viewpoint, Netflix's The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself and Juliet Naked. Alongside his acting career, he delivers talks on climate change aimed at more rounded inclusion in the climate conversation.

In the sixth episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover sits down with Jamie Windust and Fehinti Balogun to explore how to ruin Christmas! First up, Clover and Jamie discuss the expectations placed on individuals to be and oftentimes represent someone they aren’t. Then, Clover speaks with Fehinti about the difficulties of waking up to the climate crisis while navigating our day-to-day lives. To wrap up, both Jamie and Fehinti spill their juiciest climate confessions.

“Take your time finding out who you are first and not existing as someone who you think other people want you to be.” - Jamie Windust

"Climate change isn’t the problem. Climate change is a symptom of the problem. Climate change wouldn’t exist if it didn’t make someone money.” - Fehinti Balogun

Follow Jamie:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamie_windust/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fehintibalogun/

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Sometimes we have to remind ourselves who or what the true enemy is…

Sophia Kianni is an Iranian-American social entrepreneur and activist. She studied at Stanford University and is the founder of Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate nonprofit, with 10,000 volunteers in 80+ countries. She is the youngest United Nations advisor in US history. She was most recently appointed to serve on the EPA’s National Youth Advisory Council.

In the fifth episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover chats with Sophia Kianni to explore how cancel culture impedes activism and how to redirect our energies to keep pressure on institutions with power. Stay tuned to hear Sophia spilling her climate confession.

“We’re all just a series of contradictions. Nobody is perfect. The eco-influencers aren’t perfect.” - Sophia Kianni

Follow Sophia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiakianni/

Website: https://www.sophiakianni.com/

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We want to thank Greenhouse Communications for their incredible support of season 3 of the Force of Nature podcast. As well as our production partners over at OneFinePlay.

Wait, you’re getting paid to be here?!

Isaias Hernandez (he/they) is an educator and creative from Los Angeles. He’s more commonly known by his moniker, Queer Brown Vegan: the independent media platform he started to bring intersectional environmental education to all. They’ve been featured in Vogue, New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Yale Climate Communications. His social media advocacy earned him recognition as a top climate creator by Harvard C-CHANGE.

Being overworked and underpaid is a reality in many activist spaces. In the fourth episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover chats with Isaias Hernandez about unpaid labour in activism and the difficulties of building his career whilst receiving scrutiny for his own choices in climate spaces. Stick around to hear Isaias spill their climate confession.

“I was invited to do a speaking engagement and I asked, ‘how much are you paying?’ — I was gaslighted and told that it should be an honor and privilege that I talk in this space because they don’t usually give out opportunities like that.” - Isaias Hernandez

Follow Isaias:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queerbrownvegan/

Website: https://queerbrownvegan.com/

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We want to thank Greenhouse Communications for their incredible support of season 3 of the Force of Nature podcast. As well as our production partners over at OneFinePlay.

Have you ever felt imposter syndrome because of your age?

Ziad Ahmed (he/him) is an American-Muslim-Bangladeshi entrepreneur and speaker. He's the CEO/Co-Founder of JUV Consulting, a Generation Z consultancy that has collaborated with over 20 Fortune 500 companies, gaining recognition from the New York Times and earning him a spot on Forbes' 2019 #30Under30 list at the age of 19.

Severn Cullis-Suzuki gained international attention at the age of 12 when she delivered her famous speech at the UN Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The speech earned her the moniker "The Girl Who Silenced the World for 5 Minutes." and she received recognition in the United Nations Environment Programme's Global 500 Roll of Honour. Severn has continued to speak to audiences around the world about the necessity of keeping the future in mind for environmental sustainability and has published several books including, ‘The Day You Will Change the World’.

In the third episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover sits down with Ziad Ahmed and Severn Cullis-Suzuki to explore how it feels to wear the label of a 'youth activist' and the messiness and nuance that comes with it. The episode ends with a juicy climate confession from both Ziad and Severn!

”I believe that so many more of us deserve a seat at the table.” - Ziad Ahmed

“There’s something really powerful about young people standing up for future generations.” - Severn Cullis-Suzuki

Follow Ziad:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ziadahmed/

Website: https://www.ziadahmed.me/

Follow Severn:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/severncullissuzuki/

Website: severncullissuzuki.com

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How can we encourage more people to get involved in activism?

Jaiden Corfield is an activist turned social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in the social impact sector ranging from building radical schools that nurture learning to pioneering bold and disruptive funds that re-invent philanthropy. Jaiden has worked alongside some of the world’s largest organisations and institutions to create and sustain positive change across education, philanthropy and policy. 

Ben Hurst (he/him) is an activist, educator, host, presenter, podcaster, model, public speaker and the Head of Facilitation and Training at Beyond Equality (formerly The Good Lad Initiative). He is the co-host of TED x London’s Climate Curious podcast and has an inspiring TEDx Talk on rethinking masculinities called ‘Boys won’t be boys. Boys will be what we teach them to be’. He’s featured in Stylist magazine, Postscript, Positive News and many more.

Imposter syndrome in climate activism is so real and in the second episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover sits down with Jaiden Corfield and Ben Hurst to explore what it’s like to feel like an outsider, and addresses the causes behind imposter syndrome in the activist space, from economic privilege and classism, to gender equality and racial justice. Wait til the end to hear a juicy climate confession from both Jaiden and Ben.

“When I feel imposter syndrome kicking in, I'm like ok, this is a sign I need to be in the room.” - Jaiden Corfield

“What prevented me from engaging earlier in climate? I think first of all, I'm black.” - Ben Hurst

Follow Jaiden:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jaiden_Corfield

Follow Ben:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealbenhurst/

Website: https://www.acalltomen.org/about/trainers/ben-hurst/

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What even is a ‘perfect’ activist?

Tori Tsui (she/they) is a Bristol-based climate activist, speaker, writer and consultant from Hong Kong. She is the co-founder of the space, Bad Activist Collective, and a member of the climate coalition, Unite For Climate Action. In 2023, they released their debut book 'It's Not Just You', which explores the intersections between mental health and the climate crisis.

To kick off the first episode of season 3, Confessions of a Climate Activist, Clover sits down with Tori Tsui to explore how to be a bad activist. In this conversation, Clover and Tori discuss the pressure they've felt to be perfect activists, explore how the fear of being a ‘bad activist’ has dissuaded people from joining the climate movement, and, finally, Tori spills their juiciest climate confession!

“We’ve got to broaden this view of what activism entails, and recognise that direct action is one part of the puzzle.” -Tori Tsui

You can purchase Tori’s book here.

Follow Tori:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toritsui_/

Website: https://www.toritsui.com/

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We want to thank Greenhouse Communications for their incredible support of season 3 of the Force of Nature podcast. As well as our production partners over at OneFinePlay.

This season, we’re diving into “Confessions of a Climate Activist”. What comes to mind when you picture an activist? Is it a person glued to the road? Someone with a reusable coffee cup? Maybe, a teenager holding a microphone? Whatever it is, I want you to let it go — because I’m about to invite you behind the scenes. You’re going to hear from activists on the stuff that doesn’t get talked about. Burnout; getting cancelled; the ethical compromises of making money; imposter syndrome, and even what it’s like to alienate friends and family.

See this as your how-to guide when understanding and navigating the nuances of activism and barriers to action in the climate space. Over the season, we hope to find some answers: namely, what activism can look like when it's more open, honest and human. Make sure to stick around to the end of each episode when our guests spill their climate confessions.

After all, we don't need a hundred perfect activists - but millions of imperfect ones.

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We want to thank Greenhouse Communications for their incredible support of season 3 of the Force of Nature podcast. As well as our production partners over at OneFinePlay.