Outrage + Optimism

Welcome to the third episode in our How to Live a Good Life in a Climate Crisis series, where our hosts grapple with some of the fiercest climate conundrums we face.  This week, Tom, Paul and Christiana look at the issue of careers and ask - would you move jobs in response to the climate crisis? Is changing your job your most effective form of climate action? They explore what to look for if you’re attempting to use your career to scale up climate solutions. And they pose the biggie: is there even such a thing as a climate change job and a non-climate change job? Taking a moment to discuss their own careers, the hosts share what they’ve learnt about innovation, interns, and how chair-making can pave the way to the UN! We’d love to hear what your experiences are… Please do get in touch.  NOTES AND RESOURCES ‘Thuto ya Batho’ Teachings from the People: Women Adapt to Climate Change by Maite Nkoana -Mashabane Outrage + Optimism: BP’s Road to Rebuilding Trust with CEO Bernard Looney Cardiff Freight Company Wins NatWest Cymru’s ‘Green Business of the Year Award’ Gen Z seek ethical workplaces as environ-mental health burden bites (Bupa, 2021) 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey: Living and working with purpose in a transforming world (Deloitte, 2024) The Undercover Activist Creatives for Climate Learn more about the Paris Agreement. It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective Please follow us on social media!Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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Is it OK to Fly in a Climate Crisis?

In episode 2 of our How To Live A Good Life in a Climate Crisis series, the hosts grapple with one of most divisive issues for those concerned with climate change - is it ok to fly, when flying is responsible for the bulk of our personal carbon footprints, and when 80% of the world never sets foot on a plane?

Tom, Paul and Christiana dive into this thorny issue from three different perspectives. Putting forward the case for and against flying, the hosts touch on the miracle of flying, the potential of sustainable aviation fuels and offsets, and the joys of train travel! They hope that these tricky conversations will be a springboard for further and deeper conversations for listeners.

 

NOTES AND RESOURCES

 

How much does aviation contribute to climate change? How will this change in the future?

Why do aircraft leave contrails in the sky?

Europe Talks Flying: navigating public opinion on aviation and climate

 

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

 

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

 

Please follow us on social media!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 1 of our How To Live A Good Life in a Climate Crisis series, the Outrage + Optimism hosts introduce you to their new mini series and discuss how they define a good life.

For the next few weeks, Tom, Paul and Christiana will explore questions that you, the listeners, have asked us to address, around what it means to live a good life at this pivotal moment, facing uncertainty and judgments. They’ll talk about whether we should fly, what we eat, how to enjoy a meaningful career and whether or not we should have children.

This free ranging discussion attempts to shine a light on the interplay between the largest issue facing humanity - the climate crisis - and the difference each of us can make.

Although this series concerns itself with individual action, part of our role is to call on governments and other institutions to precipitate systemic change.

Please don’t expect any right or wrong answers! Tom, Paul and Christiana will not prescribe you the ingredients for the perfect life! They will share their own insights, stories and struggles. And after listening there’s a good chance you might feel more confused - we only hope you’ll be confused at a deeper level.  

 

We’d love to hear what you think. 

NOTES AND RESOURCES

 

Understanding Ireland Citizen Visions of a Good Life 2030

Fifty Ways to Start a Climate Conversation

Climate Week NYC: Love is the Answer

 

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

 

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

 

Please follow us on social media!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since Dr Stephan Harding passed away in September 2024, he has been deeply mourned by the climate community,  many of whom have been touched and inspired by his life and work. In honour of his extraordinary contributions to our understanding of this beautiful planet, we’re re-releasing the Deep Time Walk, narrated by Stephan, and which has already been downloaded over a million times.

This re-release includes an introduction by hosts Paul and Tom, and Tom’s eulogy, which he shared at Stephan’s memorial service on 30th September.

Stephan Harding was a founding member of Schumacher College where he was a Deep Ecology Research Fellow, celebrated teacher and author.

As a celebration of this remarkable and beloved man, we hope you enjoy his history of Gaia, told through immersive sound. We encourage you to set aside time to sit comfortably, relax, and learn to “walk well into the life of Gaia” as Stephan puts it. Stephan has had a massive influence on the climate movement, inspiring global leaders to shift their world view towards a Gaian view. We have the privilege of sharing an exercise of that shift with all of you.

 

Enjoy and RIP Dr Stephan Harding.

 

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Christiana + Tom’s book ‘The Future We Choose’ is available now!

 

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Mentioned links from the episode:

 

DOWNLOAD: The Deep Time Walk App

CHECK OUT: The Deep Time Walk Field Kit

LEARN MORE: Deep Time Walk Project

 

Dr. Stephan Harding

Deep Ecology Research Fellow | Senior Lecturer in Holistic Science 

Author of Animate Earth and Gaia Alchemy

 

LINKS:

 

Schumacher College

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

 

Deep Time Walk

Website

 

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

Instagram | Twitter

 

Tom Rivett-Carnac:

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn

 

Paul Dickinson:

LinkedIn | Twitter

 

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Follow @GlobalOptimism on social media and send us a message!

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How to Live a Good Life in a Climate Crisis

The Outrage + Optimism team are excited to bring you a series that confronts the big questions we ask ourselves whilst living in a climate crisis.

Join hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett Carnac and Paul Dickinson as they grapple with issues like what we should eat, whether we should fly, and how to live with purpose and joy in these uncertain and overwhelming times.

First and second episodes released on 3 October.

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In this special weekend edition of the podcast, hosts Tom, Christiana, and Paul catch up with The Rt Hon David Lammy, the UK’s new Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Office. In a fascinating conversation, they delve into his decision to place climate change at the heart of his first major speech as Foreign Secretary and discuss why he sees the climate emergency as a national security issue.  The Foreign Secretary expresses his outrage at recent trends which have seen climate change used as a political ping pong issue and shares insights into how we might build consensus across parties on the climate and nature agenda.

The hosts also take a moment to congratulate him on the appointment of friend of the podcast, Rachel Kyte, as the UK’s new Climate Envoy.

Tune in to hear the full conversation and discover why the Foreign Secretary’s answers convince the hosts that the UK is once again a global leader in climate action.Make sure to tune in Thursday October 3rd to our brand new five-part series called How To Live a Good Life in a Climate Crisis.  Exploring dilemmas around issues like flying, food and parenting, the hosts explore how we might still have meaningful and good lives amidst the overwhelm and turmoil of the climate crisis.

 

NOTES AND RESOURCES

 

Rachel Kyte Appointed as the UK’s Special Representative for Climate 

The Kew Lecture: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s speech on the climate crisis

David Lammy’s TED Talk: Climate Justice can’t happen without racial justice

The Sophia Point Rainforest Research Centre

GUEST

The Rt Hon David Lammy, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) 

 

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

 

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

 

Please follow us on social media!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, our hosts are live at Climate Week New York, joined onstage by a stellar line-up of influential voices from government, the private sector, science, civil society and academia.

This flagship event highlights how transformative climate strategies can be supercharged. The conversation centers on the push for ‘positive tipping points’ across three key themes: energy, nature & food, and finance. Supported by Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund, and Systems Change Lab – alongside the Climate Group, the event showcases leaders from various sectors driving impactful change.

Mission 2025 is a coalition of bold leaders, including mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians, and everyday citizens, all rallying governments to strengthen their national climate commitments (Nationally Determined Contributions) in alignment with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

Known as the 'Defenders of Paris,' Mission 2025 Partners arrived at Climate Week NYC with exciting updates. New organizations are stepping up to support governments in setting more ambitious climate plans, accelerating action that can unlock trillions in private investment, boost renewable energy, help industries thrive in a low-carbon economy, and ensure equitable living standards for all.

Tune in to hear the latest from Climate Week NYC and how global leaders are working together to shape a sustainable future!

NOTES AND RESOURCES

 

GUESTS

 

Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of UN Climate Change

LinkedIn | Twitter (X)

Jennifer Morgan, Special Envoy for International Climate Action

LinkedIn | Twitter (X)

Tim Lenton, Professor of Earth System Science at University of Exeter

LinkedIn

Veena Balakrishnan, Political Scientist, Intersectional Environmentalist. Co - Founder, Youth Negotiators Academy

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X)

Renata Koch Alvarenga, Disaster Risk Financing Specialist, World Bank I Master of Public Policy, Harvard University I Founder and Executive Director, EmpoderaClima

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X)

Vaishali Nigam Sinha, Co-Founder of ReNew and Chairperson Sustainability

LinkedIn | Twitter (X)

Günther Thallinger, Member of the Board of Management of Allianz SE, Investment Management, Sustainability

LinkedIn

Peter Bakker, President & CEO at World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

LinkedIn | Twitter (X)

Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer at Climate Group

LinkedIn | Twitter (X)

Nigar Arpadarai, Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP29

LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X)

HE Ana Toni, National Secretary for Climate Change at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, from Brazil as COP30 Presidency

LinkedIn | Twitter (X)

 

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

 

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

 

Please follow us on social media!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, The Climate Pledge turns five and Tom and Christiana talk to Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, to reflect on the journey of this initiative co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism.

At the top of the episode, Tom and Christiana anticipate the frantic and sometimes frustrating weeks ahead in this hectic period for those working in climate, and as wild weather continues to wreak havoc, Christiana and Tom invite us to pause for a moment. How can we listen and better contribute? How can we roll up our sleeves -  with hope - and get to work on having a positive impact and building momentum?

In their thoughtful interview with Kara, the hosts reflect on how The Climate Pledge has grown over the last five years to over 500 signatories - companies who share an ambition to innovate, accelerate joint action and collaborate across sectors to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years earlier than the Paris Agreement.

Kara, Tom and Christiana discuss the specific challenges companies face and the solutions and strategies they’re adopting to meet targets. Sharing failures has been just as valuable as sharing successes because, as Tom points out, none of us have decarbonised the global economy before. Unafraid to go deep, they question how we would reduce emissions and redesign society if we kept in mind the earth’s atmosphere.

 

NOTES AND RESOURCES

 

Outrage + Optimism, Live at Climate Week NYC

Event Title: It’s Time To Unite For Mission 2025

Event Details: Tuesday 24th September, 12:00 - 13:00 ET, Glasshouse (NYC)

Event Description: Mission 2025 is a coalition of courageous leaders - mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians and citizens - who are inviting governments to ratchet upcoming national climate plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions) in line with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5C.

Described as ‘Defenders of Paris’, Mission 2025 Partners arrive at Climate Week New York with a major update of new organizations who are ready to embolden governments to set more ambitious plans and accelerate implementation because they know this can unlock trillions in private investment, scale cheap renewable energy, support industries to compete in a low carbon economy, and safeguard living standards equitably for our people.

As a live recorded Outrage + Optimism podcast, this flagship event will demonstrate how these plans can be upgraded by showcasing government and real economy leaders who are driving towards ‘positive tipping points’ across the three themes of energy, nature & food, and finance.

The event is supported by the Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund and Systems Change Lab – together with the Climate Group.

Registering: Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in joining this event

 

The Climate Pledge

The Climate Pledge and C40 Cities Launch Laneshift

 

GUEST

Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon

LinkedIn | Twitter (X) 

 

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

 

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

 

Please follow us on social media!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Christiana shares her awe and admiration for the athletes at Paris’ Paralympics after being lucky enough to experience some of the games first-hand. Can these incredible athletes inspire us to think and act differently on climate change?

As global barometers measure the hottest August ever recorded, the hosts talk about extreme heat and its impact on children - affecting their health, their education and even placing them at increased risk of child marriage.

Tom quizzes Paul and Christiana about the events of 12th January 1882 (hint: coal-fired power stations) and celebrates the news that the UK will close its last coal-fired power station later this month. Paul meanwhile is emphatic that nations and businesses need A Plan to Decarbonise.

This week, Christiana is in conversation with Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, a marine biologist, policy expert and writer. Ayana co-founded the non-profit think tank Urban Ocean Lab, co-edited the bestselling climate anthology All We Can Save, and was the co-host of the How to Save a Planet podcast. Her upcoming anthology is What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures. Christiana and Ayana discuss the ocean’s bounty of climate solutions; renewable offshore energy, carbon-absorbing wetlands and mangroves, and seaweeds and shellfish to feed people.

 

GUEST

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, Marine Biologist, Policy Expert, and Writer LinkedIn | Instagram | X  | Website

You can preorder the book, What If We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures

For more information, subscribe to the What If We Get It Right? Newsletter where the new podcast will be launching!

 

NOTES AND RESOURCES

Outrage + Optimism launches its new Listening Journeys

Recycled bottle tops and tables made from shuttlecocks - the greenest Olympics? BBC, July 2024

World’s warmest August completes hottest boreal summer on record, Copernicus Climate Change Service, September 2024

Summer 2024 is the hottest on record making it likely this will be the hottest year ever, Euronews, September 2024

Almost half a billion children live in areas experiencing at least twice as many extremely hot days as their grandparents, UNICEF report, August 2024

Bangladesh: IRC study reveals a staggering 39% surge in child marriage due to climate change, December 2023

Britain’s Reliance on coal-fired power set to end after 140 years, FT, September 2024

Chris Stark to lead Mission Control to deliver clean power by 2030 

 

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

 

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

 

Please follow us on social media!

X | Instagram | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Season 10! With the hosts together again following our break, Tom, Paul and Christiana are bursting with news and analysis. 

Up for discussion this week, the hosts try to understand why the Democrats haven’t been talking much about climate change and what drives Kamala Harris’ outrage and optimism. They delve deeper into the UK’s new Labour Government’s plans around energy, nature and climate change.  

Plus the hosts scan the horizon for the consequential moments in climate policy, with UNGA, Climate Week NYC and two COPs hurtling towards us. 

 

NOTES AND RESOURCES

 

Outrage + Optimism, Live at Climate Week NYC

Event Title: It’s Time To Unite For Mission 2025

Event Details: Tuesday 24th September, 12:00 - 13:00 ET, Glasshouse (NYC)

Event Description: Mission 2025 is a coalition of courageous leaders - mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians and citizens - who are inviting governments to ratchet upcoming national climate plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions) in line with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5C.

Described as ‘Defenders of Paris’, Mission 2025 Partners arrive at Climate Week New York with a major update of new organizations who are ready to embolden governments to set more ambitious plans and accelerate implementation because they know this can unlock trillions in private investment, scale cheap renewable energy, support industries to compete in a low carbon economy, and safeguard living standards equitably for our people.

As a live recorded Outrage+Optimism podcast, this flagship event will demonstrate how these plans can be upgraded by showcasing government and real economy leaders who are driving towards ‘positive tipping points’ across the three themes of energy, nature & food, and finance. 

The event is supported by the Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund and Systems Change Lab – together with the Climate Group.

Registering: Please reach out to [email protected] if you are interested in joining this event

 

Fact check: Sea levels are already rising faster per year than Trump claims they might rise over ‘next 497 years’ CNN, June 2024

Trump’s chat with Musk on X fact-checked BBC, August 2024

Climate Concerns Dip - Monmouth University Poll, May 2024

Labour Government’s In-Tray for Climate Change, Energy and Nature Carbon Brief

Summit of the Future

Watch Sherman Guity win Costa Rica a Gold Medal in the Paralympics 100m

 

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

 

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

 

Please follow us on social media!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.