Outrage + Optimism

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.

This week, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson interrupt their previously scheduled programming一the launch of the O+O miniseries discussed last week一to celebrate International Women’s Day (recognized annually on March 8) with CEO & Leadership Activist Fabian Dattner. The team also covers big news about our oceans’ future and closes with music from Child Seat.

Tom starts with the news that after nearly 20 years, members of the United Nations have finally agreed on the United Nations High Seas Treaty, an international framework to protect biodiversity in international waters. It’s a massive achievement that protects the migratory routes of some of our most iconic species and demonstrates significant multilateral cooperation. 

Oh, and negotiations were led by Rena Lee, Singapore’s Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues and Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs一another great reason to celebrate International Women’s Day.

On a related note, Christiana references a disturbing statistic from a report prepared by GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion, an advocacy group of 62 current and former senior women leaders, that women have held just 12% of top positions at 33 of the largest multilateral institutions since 1945. Clearly, we still have a ways to go in the pursuit of gender equality.

Next, the trio welcomes CEO & Leadership Activist and the founder of the global leadership consultancy the Dattner Group, Fabian Dattner. The group discusses Dattner’s work at the nexus of leadership, support for women, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). While it may sound like an unconventional combination, Dattner explains how it all came together一initially in a dream一and later in her Homeward Bound initiative. It is, our co-hosts agree, an unassailable mix of what our world desperately needs and could use more of.  

Later, Dattner brings up her trip to Antarctica and how the concept of success is as dangerous as the concept of failure. For many women, Dattner explains, success can be framed as an elusive ideal. She counsels that if you aren’t willing to fail, there’s nothing you can achieve because success is mostly a string of failures. These are just some of the topics from the group’s lively exchange!

Finally, the episode closes with the track “Burning” from indie rock powerhouse Child Seat.

You won’t want to miss this one!

NOTES AND RESOURCES 

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

Find out more about the United Nations High Seas Treaty.

Download the report from GWL, Numbers Matter: To Fix the multilateral system start by including women.

Fabian Dattner

LinkedIn

Learn More about the Dattner Group, the Compass Leadership Program for Women, and Homeward Bound.

Here’s the 20023 Edelman Annual Trust Barometer referenced in the episode.

MUSIC

Child Seat

Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

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.

Welcome listeners as as we start the week with a special bonus episode from the wonderful folks at  Conscious Coliving who recently hosted Tom Rivett-Carnac on their brilliant podcast  Coliving Conversations, a show that shines light on the people, projects, and places of the blossoming coliving movement!

In this episode, join co-hosts Naima Ritter Figueres and Dr Penny Clark for an insightful conversation with Tom Rivett-Carnac where together they explore the role of communities in addressing the climate emergency. Enjoy!

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

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.

This week, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss the amazing reviews they’ve received on the podcast and take the opportunity to thank listeners for participating with us in trying to save our planet. The team also announces an upcoming special project they’ve been working on and chats about the nomination of Ajay Banga as World Bank President. A frightening new study on the accelerating rates of extinction is also discussed, and there’s music from Bailen.

Paul starts with highlights from the results of a listener feedback survey. First, a whopping 87% of respondents said they’d taken action on climate change since listening to the podcast, which includes sharing the podcast一a key part of our mission一and for which we’re deeply grateful. Plus, only 43% of those listening work in the climate space. That means we’re breaking out of the climate bubble and bringing people outside of climate into the conversation. “Astonishing!” declares Christiana. Wait until you hear the rest! 

Next, Tom introduces a fresh theme on O+O related to personal projects each of the co-hosts will work on individually and bring to the podcast. Over the next few weeks, Tom will begin the series on different approaches to change一momentum and perfection. He’ll explore whether they can work together, and if so, how? Exciting stuff is on the way!

In the following segment, our co-hosts weigh in on the World Bank presidential nomination of Ajay Banga, previously President and CEO of MasterCard. They agree he’s a hopeful choice for, among many other things, bringing climate issues back to the World Bank, which stands in contrast to the positions held by outgoing president David Malpass, a climate denier. 

Finally, the trio discusses the alarming new study by lead author Dr. Yuangeng Huang of the China University of Geosciences on the steady destruction of biodiversity and how it’s likely to suddenly tip over into total ecosystem collapse. All agree the study didn’t get the coverage it should have, and that it’s critical we’re focused now on strategies and capital allocations to protect and reverse habitat destruction. Climate won’t matter if this doesn’t get done.

Again, thank you for taking the time to respond so thoughtfully to our listeners’ survey and to help us improve the podcast.

And before you leave please don’t miss the beautiful three-part family harmonies of Bailen on their moving ballad “Eyelashes.”

 Correction: We would like to apologise for the mispronunciation of Dr Yuangeng Huang's name during the episode.

NOTES AND RESOURCES 

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

Find out more about Ajay Banga, the U.S. nomination to lead the World Bank.

Here is The Guardian’s coverage of Dr. Yuangeng Huang’s study on ecosystem collapse. 

Here is Dr. Yuangeng Huang’s study itself.

More on Elizabeth Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History referenced in the episode.

GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE on FRIDAY MARCH 3 - Click here to find a strike near you. #TomorrowIsTooLate

MUSIC

Bailen

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Spotify | TikTok

Click here to Pre-add/Pre-Save ‘Tired Hearts’ coming out May 5th!

See Bailen on Tour

Check out Clay’s Picks this week:

‘Call It Like It Is’

‘Something Tells Me’

-

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.

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.

In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson interview climate leaders Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of global issues think tank the Club of Rome (the Club), and Johan Rockström, Joint Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (Potsdam).

Our esteemed guests discuss the 50th anniversary of the Club’s groundbreaking report on the implications of continued worldwide expansion, “Limits to Growth” (Limits), and their recently published collaborative report “Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity (Earth For All).”

Serving as both a sort of update to “Limits,” and a new solutions manual, “Earth For All” goes deep into the interrelationships between global stress points, the consequential scenarios that could lay ahead of us, and the policy recommendations we need to save our future.

It’s a fascinating conversation that covers planetary boundary science, dynamic systems modeling, the social tension index, and whether we can reach aspirational and equitable goals for humanity within our environmental boundaries. Importantly, we explore whether a planetary solution is possible without addressing systemic inequity.

Of course, be sure to stick around for music this week from brand new father/son duo Emrys + Clay.

Don’t miss a minute of this compelling episode! 

NOTES AND RESOURCES 

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome

LinkedIn | Twitter

Explore The Club of Rome and the original landmark report (including a free download), “Limits to Growth.” An updated version is available here.

Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Twitter 

Listen to a previous episode featuring Rockström about the race to zero. 

Learn about the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Twitter

Read more or get your own copy of “Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity.”

MUSIC

Emrys + Clay

You can find more of Clay and Emrys on Clay’s Patreon.

Clay has played in bands before. They are:

Claslan | Flint Eastwood

Clay Carnill

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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 in a surprise move, the First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, announced her resignation. So in light of this profoundly ego-less moment of leadership, we revisit a stirring conversation we had with her in 2021 when we visited the First Minister at her residence in Edinburgh during the TED Countdown Conference.

Our conversation surrounded this new vision she had brought forth into the world for small countries collaborating on climate action, detailed in the instantly-popular TED Talk she had just delivered earlier that day (immediately followed by a standing ovation). Tom said, “it was one of the best I’ve ever seen.”

This interview is part of a longer episode we published in 2021 titled, ‘Small Countries, Big Vision with Nicola Sturgeon’. You can listen to that full episode and more by visiting the Outrage + Optimism website or by finding us wherever you get your podcasts.

Enjoy the Rewind.

—

NOTES AND RESOURCES

Nicola Sturgeon | First Minister of Scotland

Twitter

Watch Nicola Sturgeon’s TED Talk referenced in the episode, followed by a short Q+A.

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.

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.

In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss the monstrous profits made by Big Oil last year, how at least one fossil fuel firm plans to invest its gains, and what it all means for the climate agenda going forward. They also speak to Avinash Persaud (Avi), Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados on Investment and Financial Services and creator of the 2022 Bridgetown Initiative, and we have music from gifted musician Scotty Grand.

The team opens with the astounding report that BP, Chevron, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies together made more than $200 billion in profits in 2022. What’s even more shocking? BP followed with an announcement that in the interests of “energy security,” it’s scaling back its 2030 emissions reductions targets from 40% to 25%. Let’s just say the trio doesn’t mince words in response. Outrage indeed!

Next, Avi Persaud outlines his work on the 2022 Bridgetown Initiative with Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. While climate change impacts us all, it does so unevenly. Those who suffer disproportionately have the narrowest access to capital support. Can our current economic system address this problem? Persaud leads a fascinating discussion on the power of global financeーwhen deployed creativelyーto drive extraordinary changemaking. Find out how callable capital, international reserve currency, and other key levers could meet the significant systemic challenges in front of us today.

Finally, we have music from the one and only Scotty Grand. He’s served as Creative Director, Keyboardist, and MC for Grammy-nominated artists Jordin Sparks, the Jonas Brothers, and fellow pianist Alicia Keys, among many other A-listers. He’s also the great-nephew of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jacksonーand Christiana’s neighbor!

You won’t want to miss a minute of this substantive and thrilling episode! 

NOTES AND RESOURCES 

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

Avinash Persaud, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados on Investment and Financial Services

LinkedIn |Twitter | Facebook

Learn more about the Bridgetown Initiative.

Scotty Grand

Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram  

Watch Scotty Grand’s inspiring video for “Change Everything.”

Also, be sure to give a listen to ‘All I Know’ and ‘Alchemy’

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

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

Please follow us online!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.

In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss US President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address, a possible green race to the top across the G7 nations, and how to identify positive economic tipping points with Kelly Levin, Co-Director of the Systems Change Lab and Chief of Science, Data and Systems Change for the Bezos Earth Fund, which provides grants to support the climate and nature. 

The team agrees that United States politics, as witnessed through the lens of the annual State of the Union speech, seems like a slugfest, with jabs from both sides but no winner. Still, they admire Biden’s multiple references to climate change as a global security issue affecting vulnerable people一rather than more political drama. Also worth discussing: Could Biden have a chance at winning reelection in 2024? The trio weighs in.

Next, Kelly Levin discusses the Breakthrough Effect, a groundbreaking report on how to trigger a cascade of tipping points to accelerate the net zero transition. She outlines the three super leverage points that could prompt the “tipping of the tipping points” to bring about planet-saving climate action. Electric vehicles (EVs), green ammonia, and alternative proteins play a role.

The co-hosts contend this is a welcome concept一that if we can trigger the right leverage points, we can cause a global cascade of positive climate change. From there, we can go from a linear to exponential transformation. It’s almost a relief to think it’s possible, especially in the face of grinding, slow change that seemingly won’t be fast enough to save the planet. You won’t want to miss this fascinating conversation!

Finally, alt-pop singer-songwriter Panteon closes the episode with the beautiful acoustic track “Archipelago.”

See you next week!

NOTES AND RESOURCES 

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

Kelly Levin, Co-Director Systems Change Lab

LinkedIn |Twitter 

Bezos Earth Fund

Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Find out more about The Breakthrough Effect report

Explore more about the Systems Change Lab

To find out more about the Climate Party, visit their website. Or contact them on: [email protected]  Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

MUSIC

Panteon

Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

Check out Panteon’s new single - ‘Anyone Someone’

Yvonne from Panteon is in Encanto!

We were a finalist for the AICA Award (International Association for Environmental Communication)! Check out the work they are doing here on their website.

Be sure to check out and follow our sister podcast, ‘The Way Out Is In’

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

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

Please follow us!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

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

Happy New Year!

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.

After a well-spent hiatus, the team returns with the first episode of what we hope to be an amazing year documenting climate progress! We know from previous years that many people discover the podcast over our break, so If you're a new listener, we're thrilled you’re here!

In today’s episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson catch up on what’s been happening in climate over the last few weeksーand what’s to come in 2023.

First up, the team chats about their break and the importance of taking time to reflect and cultivate equanimity, self-care, and inner strength. And speaking of inner strength, what about the brave decision of New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, to leave office after five remarkable years? Our co-hosts weigh in with some thought-provoking insights.

There’s talk of Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the controversial pick to be the president of COP28—this year’s UN climate conference, which is set to be held in Dubai. Al Jaber is the Minister for Industry and Advanced Technology and Managing Director and Group CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). Check out Christiana’s Op-Ed on Al Jaber in The New Statesman. 

This year will also mark the first global stocktake (GST), the process designed to assess the world’s progress toward achieving the purpose behind the landmark Paris Agreement. 

Oh, and Paul’s “friend” wrote a poem about Christianaーyou’ll have to listen to find out what rhymes with “emissions.”

Finally, we leave you this week with the beautifully haunting track “Oh Mother” from Sive.

Bye for now!

NOTES AND RESOURCES 

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

Tom recommends Stolen Focus by Johann Hari.

Learn more about ChatGPT.

Read Christiana’s Op-Ed about Dr. Sultan Al Japer in The New Statesman.

Learn more about COP28.

MUSIC

Sive

Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Spotify | Bandcamp

Check out Sive’s album ‘We Begin In Darkness’

Check out our sister-podcast, ‘The Way Out Is In’

Did you know we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast? - Check it out!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

Please follow us!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

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

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.

In the final episode of 2022, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson look back at what transpired this year, what went well, what didn't, and what to expect in 2023. Plus, they have a conversation with spiritual leader Roshi Joan Halifax and highlight music from Windser.

Reflecting on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the team addresses the profound tragedy of the war but also how it proved to be a watershed moment for exposing the vulnerability of fossil fuel markets. It appears the weaponization of energy has driven the world closer toward decarbonization.

While 2022 was undoubtedly marked by tragedy, there was some good news, including three landmark legislative wins from the United States that contain meaningful provisions to address climate change. They also hailed the recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy about an unexpected breakthrough: Scientists at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California for the first time successfully generated more energy from a fusion reaction than what was required to produce it. And in another positive note, biodiversity is also getting a much-needed boost from the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). 

Next, guest Roshi Joan Halifax provides a nourishing dose of inspiration with her thoughts on her lifelong spiritual journey, social and environmental engagement, and cultivating resilience in the face of increased uncertainty. 

It’s the type of motivational close to the year we needed. As we all take stock, we’re reminded that we couldn’t do this without your support, and we thank you from the depths of our hearts for joining us on this journey to better understand our ability to come together to affect transformation in the world.

Also, we wish environmental activist, Buddhist scholar, and dear friend Joanna Macy, a swift recovery as she recuperates from pneumonia in the hospital. You can find more about Macy and her work in the show notes below.

Finally, we’ll leave you with the dazzling sounds of California singer/songwriter Windser.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and we’ll see you in January 2023.

NOTES AND RESOURCES 

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

Roshi Joan Halifax

Instagram| Twitter | Facebook | flickr

Upaya Institute and Zen Center

Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

Here’s more on the Inflation Reduction Act 2022, the 2022 Budget Resolution And Reconciliation: How We Will Build Back Better, and the CHIPS Act of 2022.

Read more about the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15). 

Find out more about fusion energy from the National Ignition Facility (NIF).

Listen to environmental activist, Buddhist scholar, and deep ecologist Joanna Macy on Outrage! + Optimism. Explore her celebrated book Active Hope.

MUSIC

Windser

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube 

Watch the video for “Drift Away”

Stream the new EP - “Where The Redwoods Meet The Sea”

Watch Windser perform with Macklemore on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Also - Check out Windser’s AudioTree Live Session

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

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

Please follow us!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

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

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.

Who are our heroes? How do we select them? In addition to parents, families, partners, friends, comic book characters, or others on your list, you might want to add today’s guests. In this episode, co-host Christiana Figueres speaks with climate activists Mauricio Porras and Anuna De Wever about HERO一a climate tech startup on a mission to empower people to accelerate change in the world.

Co-founder Porras and advisory board member De Wever share the inspiring story behind this extraordinary organization and platform一which enables subscribers to provide critical financial support to those on the frontlines of climate action. Links on how to subscribe are below!

As climate activists, they are all too familiar with how draining such work can be. Most activists, in fact, must hold down other jobs to support themselves. This often becomes exhausting, and untenable一which can negatively impact the campaign’s momentum. 

Find out how HERO creatively addresses this very real need for financial support while sharing highlights of activist journeys and connecting climate “mobilizers” (their term) with broader communities worldwide. It’s an uplifting conversation that touches on tech, finance, innovation, communication, climate, and some of the true heroes of the climate movement.

You won’t want to miss it!  As the holiday season approaches please consider supporting the activist community by subscribing to a policy circle of your choice.

NOTES AND RESOURCES 

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

HERO

Hero Circle | Podcast | Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Mauricio Porras

Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn 

Anuna De Wever

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn 

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

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

Please follow us!

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

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