In the final episode of our How to Live a Good Life series, Tom, Paul and Christiana discuss the personal quandary of whether or not to have children in the midst of what appears to be significant climate breakdown.

The questions they ponder are complex and philosophical: should we bring children into a world that is, some might say, collapsing? Would you consider having children is immoral, since more people living on the planet leads to greater consumption and emissions, thus exacerbating the problem? Or is having a child the greatest act of hope for the future that anyone can choose to make?

The hosts approach this issue from different perspectives, opening up about their personal lives and addressing questions and comments sent in by listeners. We hope to offer you some clarity on this topic, or at least some comfort that even the greatest minds in the climate space sometimes have to take leaps of faith.

This is the final episode in the series. We really hope you have enjoyed these episodes. As always, we would love to hear from you so please get in touch.

 

NOTES AND RESOURCES

 

• Your Kids are Not Doomed by Ezra Klein, NY Times, June 2022

• Four in 10 young people fear having children due to climate crisis The Guardian, September 2021 

• ‘I am starting to panic about my child’s future’: climate scientists wary of starting families, The Guardian, May 2024

• Masters of War - Bob Dylan

• Resources and Consumption: Data from Population Matters

• The Whirligig by Paul Fleishman

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Newsflash: In this urgent episode recorded on Friday, October 11th, Tom, Paul, and Christiana come together to discuss the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The hosts express their frustration with the conspiracy theories circulating in the wake of the latest hurricane Milton - at a time when solidarity is needed most. They also dive into the harsh reality that the fossil fuel industry lies at the heart of the destruction. In This Episode:

• The hosts break down the undeniable science linking man-made global warming to the increasing intensity of hurricanes around the world.

• As private insurers withdraw from Florida, leaving homeowners and businesses without coverage, the hosts examine the crisis' wide-reaching effects, particularly on the most vulnerable populations.

• A deep dive into the dangerous disinformation spread by key Republican figures, tracing the real cause of man-made extreme weather back to the fossil fuel industry.

• The episode closes with sincere condolences for those across the globe who have lost lives and livelihoods due to extreme weather events.

Join us for an insightful conversation on climate accountability, disinformation, and the forces fueling these devastating changes to our environment.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

Weather Catastrophes and Climate Change: Is There Still Hope for Us? The People of the State of California vs. Big Oil 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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SHOW NOTES: 

In the penultimate episode of our How to Live a Good Life in a Climate Crisis, our hosts talk about food and food systems. How can we enjoy meals while eating responsibly? 

Tom, Paul and Christiana find it difficult to digest our lopsided relationship with food, in which more than two billion people face food insecurity and a third of all food goes to waste. 

The conversation is free-range - the hosts reveal what shaped their own rituals around eating. They look at how humanity’s relationship with food went from trust to anxiety, from abundance to scarcity. They argue the merits of different veggie burgers.

About a third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions is linked to food. To limit global warming while feeding a growing population, every part of the food system - from farming to refrigeration - must become cleaner and more efficient.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

 

Global Nutrition Report

More than a billion people obese worldwide, research suggests

Outrage + Optimism: Our Story of Nature, From Rupture to Reconnection

Outrage + Optimism: Yuval Noah Harari on the History of Our Future

Outrage + Optimism: 2% for 1.5 with Yuval Noah Harari

Drivers of Deforestation

Outrage + Optimism: Going Beyond Meat with Ethan Brown

Outrage + Optimism: Hungry for Alternatives?

How to Grow Your Own Food

Environmental Impacts of Food Production

42% of consumers worldwide think most people will likely be eating plant-based food instead of meat in the next ten years

Implementing land-based mitigation to achieve the Paris Agreement in Europe requires food system transformation

The carbon footprint of foods

How to reduce the carbon footprint of your food

Hope Farm Statement

Fishing boat caught with Illegal 18-mile-long nets

Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

 

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

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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!

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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.

 

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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

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Deep Time Walk

Website

 

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Keep up with Christiana Figueres here:

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Tom Rivett-Carnac:

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Paul Dickinson:

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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) 

 

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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.

 

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