Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan welcomes Tim McDonnell, the Climate and Energy Editor at Semafor, speaking from Kyiv, Ukraine. Tim shares his experiences and insights on covering a global beat, covering critical issues of climate and energy, amidst the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

1 Reporting from Kyiv:

• Tim discusses the challenges and realities of reporting on energy and climate issues from Kyiv, highlighting the severe power outages and the impact of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
• He emphasises the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the strategic importance of energy in the conflict.

2 Tim’s Journalism Journey:

• Tim shares his journey from studying environmental science to becoming a prominent climate and energy reporter. He talks about his early career at Mother Jones, his work in Sub-Saharan Africa as a Fulbright fellow, and his freelancing experiences in Nigeria.
• He explains how his perspective on covering environmental issues evolved, shifting from a science-focused approach to incorporating business and market dynamics.

3 Energy Transition and Global Perspectives:

• Tim reflects on the global energy transition, the role of traditional oil and gas industries, and the emerging importance of renewable energy sources.
• He discusses his attendance at industry conferences, such as Baker Hughes’ annual meeting, and the evolving narratives within the energy sector, including the growing focus on hydrogen as a potential future fuel.

4 Climate Finance and Legal Accountability:

• The conversation covers the upcoming COP 29 summit, emphasising the critical need for increased climate finance from wealthy nations to support poorer countries in their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
• Tim touches on the rising legal pressures on oil and gas companies to be held financially accountable for climate-related damages, a trend that could significantly impact the industry.

5 US Election and Its Implications:

• The episode also touches on the potential implications of the upcoming US elections on climate policy and global climate action, highlighting the stakes involved in political leadership changes.

Call to Action:

• Subscribe: Stay updated with Semafor’s Net Zero newsletter, where Tim McDonnell shares his latest insights and stories on climate and energy, published every Wednesday and Friday.

Connect with Us:

• Website: wickedproblems.earth
• Twitter | LinkedIn | BlueSky
• Email: [email protected]

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In this insightful episode of Wicked Problems, Richard Delevan interviews David Shukman, a seasoned journalist with a 38-year career at the BBC. They talk climate reporting, the challenges faced by the media in covering climate, and the changes in public perception and policy over. David shares personal anecdotes from his career, reflects on climate techn, and his transition to new roles in climate communication.

Key Topics Discussed

Career Reflections:

• David’s early journalism days at Coventry Evening Telegraph.
• Transition from typewriters and smoking in newsrooms to modern-day digital media.
• The evolution of climate reporting and the media’s struggle with recognizing trends.

Changes in Climate Reporting:

• The shift from giving equal weight to climate change deniers to emphasizing peer-reviewed science.
• The impact of the BBC’s move towards "due impartiality."
• Challenges in maintaining impartiality while conveying the scientific consensus on climate issues.

Personal Experiences and Stories:

• David’s transition from BBC to new endeavors.
• His work with business leaders and moderating events like Innovation Zero.
• Reflections on covering climate stories globally, including frontline reporting from Bangladesh.

Climate Technology and Solutions:

• Advances in renewable energy: solar power, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.
• The importance of government policies and incentives in driving technological change.

Future of Climate Communication:

• David’s new book project focusing on climate adaptation and the human impact of climate change.
• The need to bring new voices, like firefighters and first responders, into the climate conversation.

Notable Quotes:

• "The implausible becomes not only plausible but actually kind of normal in society."
• "We had some ludicrous and damaging situations where our coverage didn't reflect where the evidence lay."

Catalysts:

Adaptation in Bangladesh

• Ingenious local solutions like replacing chickens with ducks in flood-prone areas.

Energy Efficiency Insights

• Amory Lovins' perspective on the impact of efficient design in industrial processes.

Historical Inspiration

• David’s great-great-grandfather's embrace of technological transitions, from sail to steam, paralleling today’s shift to renewable energy.

Call to Action: If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it and leave us a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Consider becoming a paid subscriber at wickedproblems.earth for ad-free episodes, exclusive content, and to support climate tech storytelling.

Production Credits: Written and edited by Richard Delevan. Production assistance by Thedore Delevan. Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations is a production of Wicked Problems Limited. BBC footage from a documentary produced in Nov 2021 by Kate Stephens. Innovation Zero footage via @solutionshouse

Connect with Us:

• Website: wickedproblems.earth
• Twitter: @rdelevan
• David Shukman

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A little over a week ago, Vermont enacted the first law requiring carbon polluters to pay to clean up the damage caused by climate change, putting the money into a fund for adaptation and resilience measures. We bring back Dana Drugmand of One Earth Now and Loes van Dijk of Climate Court to talk about the implications the law might have globally, its prospects for surviving the attacks on the attribution science underlying it - which we detailed last week, and other climate litigation around the world - including a French prosecutor being asked to charge the board and management of Total with criminal charges including manslaughter.

Segment 1: Interview with Dana Drugmand

03:47 Dana Drugmand discusses Vermont's new law

04:22 how the law passed

07:48 first of its kind globally and its potential impact

12:29 expected legal challenges.

Segment 2: Broader Implications and Reactions

19:34  could such a law have passed without recent severe flooding in Vermont?

20:33 broader trend of climate accountability laws

Segment 3: Interview with Loes van Dijk

23:48 Introduction to Loes van Dijk and her work with Climate Court

24:09  importance of climate litigation for addressing climate change

24:45 Urgenda case in the Netherlands

25:40 the Peruvian farmer vs. RWE.

Segment 4: Legal Strategies and Future Outlook

26:58 power of tort law in climate litigation,

30:38 the Republican attorneys generals' attempt to block state-level climate litigation in the U.S. Supreme Court.

32:06 role of attribution science in proving climate change causality

33:50 Loes's reaction to Vermont's law, focusing on the need for a global legal mechanism to address climate change.

Segment 5: Broader Legal and Political Context

44:29 Exploration of the potential for criminal charges against corporate executives for climate-related damages, focusing on a case against Total in France.

* Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

* Consider becoming a paid subscriber at wickedproblems.earth

Credits:

* Host: Richard Delevan

* Guests: Dana Drugmand, Loes van Dijk

* Production Assistance: Theodore Delevan

* Music: Suncharmer and check out our playlist for other tunes

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In this World Oceans Day special edition of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan dives deep into the pervasive issue of ocean plastic pollution. Joined by Will Pearson, founder of Ocean Bottle, they discuss the alarming increase in plastic production, the environmental and health impacts of microplastics, and the innovative solutions that Ocean Bottle is pioneering to tackle this global crisis.

Key Topics Covered:

* Interview with Will Pearson:

* Background on Will Pearson and the founding of Ocean Bottle in 2018.

* Discussion on the impact of microplastics on ocean ecosystems, particularly the reproduction of plankton.

* Will Pearson's personal experiences that led him to tackle ocean plastic, including his time spent at sea and witnessing plastic pollution firsthand.

Ocean Bottle's Mission and Achievements:

* Ocean Bottle's innovative model: funding the collection of 1000 plastic bottles for each product sold.

* Achievements: Reaching the milestone of collecting one billion plastic bottles.

* Expansion of collection projects in coastal communities worldwide.

Challenges and Future Goals:

* Discussion on the challenges of creating a profitable business model that also delivers positive environmental impact.

* The company's growth from a Kickstarter campaign to raising $9 million in funding.

* Future goals: Expanding the product range and digital technology to further the mission of reducing ocean plastic.

The Plastics Treaty and Recycling Issues:

* Insight into the ongoing negotiations for a global plastics treaty.

* The complexities and inefficiencies of current recycling systems.

* Potential policy changes, such as extended producer responsibility, to incentivize better plastic management.

Will Pearson's Catalysts:

* Influences that shaped Will’s approach to tackling ocean plastic, including the book "Net Positive" by Paul Polman.

* The importance of understanding the problem and the power of innovation in creating solutions.

Final Thoughts:

* Optimistic outlook on the potential to address ocean plastic pollution through collective effort and innovation.

* Encouragement for listeners to engage with and support initiatives that aim to protect the environment.

Additional Resources:

* Ocean Bottle: Website

Credits:

* Hosted by Richard Delevan

* Guest: Will Pearson

* Production Assistance and Additional VO: Theo Delevan

* Music by Suncharmer and in our Playlist:

Support the Show: please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And wickedproblems.earth

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In this milestone 50th episode, Richard Delevan interviews Akshat Rathi about his book "Climate Capitalism," discussing the intersections of technology, policy, and systemic change needed to combat climate change. Akshat shares personal stories, insights from his research, and his views on the future of capitalism in addressing environmental issues. This episode combines deep analysis with light-hearted moments, offering listeners both education and entertainment.

Key Topics:

• Theories of change and the necessity of systemic reform
• Economic rationale behind addressing climate change
• Role of businesses and governments in fostering sustainable practices
• Personal anecdotes from Akshat's life and career
• Challenges and opportunities in climate action
• Insights on technological innovations and their impact on the environment

Highlights:

• [02:21] Theories of Change and Climate Capitalism
• [07:29] Economic Rationale and Systemic Levers
• [13:35] Personal Anecdotes and Inspirations
• [18:47] The Role of Businesses and Governments
• [23:45] Challenges and Opportunities in Climate Action
• [29:22] Insights on Technological Innovations
• [34:17] Audience Q&A and Funniest Moments
• [40:00] Final Thoughts and What's Next for Akshat

Akshat's Catalysts:

The Great Derangement by Amitav Ghosh

Purchase on Amazon

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times by Paul Behrens

• Purchase on Amazon

The Current War (Movie)

• Watch on Amazon Prime Video

Additional Resources:

• Buy Akshat Rathi's book "Climate Capitalism"
• Listen to Zero

Follow Us:

• Twitter and LinkedIn
• WickedProblems.earth

Music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2AWvHdqqNAUCJcByQEokut?si=51e8e2a837da4591

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In our 49th episode, Richard Delevan is back with a stellar lineup featuring our long-awaited interview with solar analyst Jenny Chase from Bloomberg NEF, about the second edition of Solar Power Finance without the Jargon, as well as her views on geese, grids, and scifi.

And with European Parliament elections just days away, we speak to two climate tech journalists in Ireland for insights about how events might play out for industries seeking some policy certainty. John Reynolds, a freelance journalist whose work you can find in The Currency, and Paul O'Donoghue, the Ireland reporter for Renews.biz. We discuss the current state of climate issues, renewable energy developments, and the challenges and opportunities in the climate tech sector. Jenny Chase shares her journey in solar finance, her views on virtual power plants, and the potential of solar energy in Africa. John and Paul provide updates on Ireland's renewable energy landscape and the impact of European elections on climate policies.

Jenny Chase's Book:

* Solar Power Finance without the Jargon: The Second Edition by Jenny Chase Amazon

Jenny Chase's Catalysts:

* China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh Amazon

* The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson Amazon

* The Expanse Series by James S.A. Corey Amazon

* For All Mankind on Apple TV+ Apple TV+

Publications Mentioned:

* The Currency

* The Irish Independent

* Renews.biz

Follow Our Guests:

Jenny Chase:

Twitter: @solar_chase

LinkedIn: Jenny Chase

John Reynolds:

LinkedIn: John Reynolds

Twitter: @johnreynlds

Paul O'Donoghue:

LinkedIn: Paul O'Donoghue

Twitter: @paulodonoghue93

Subscribe & Support:

* Join our member feed at wickedproblems.earth for an ad-free experience and exclusive content.

* Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter: @rdelevan,

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In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, Richard Delevan interviews Wil Burns, Co-Director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University. They delve into the critical role of carbon removal technologies, exploring their evolution from fringe concepts to mainstream climate strategy. The discussion covers the science, ethics, and policies essential for implementing these technologies responsibly.

Timestamps:

02:46 - Wil Burns discusses his journey into carbon removal research and the importance of addressing carbon removal alongside decarbonization.

05:19 - Urgency and Scale of Carbon Removal

• The necessity of large-scale carbon removal to meet Paris Agreement goals and the increasing urgency as emissions continue to rise.

07:08 - Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal

• Wil explains the mission of the institute and the significance of the term "responsible" in carbon removal practices.

10:05 - Criteria for Responsible Carbon Removal

• The importance of avoiding mitigation deterrence, ensuring real commitments, and focusing on equity and justice.

13:56 - Challenges in Carbon Removal Implementation

• Discussing storage issues, pipeline expansions, and resistance from various communities.

16:27 - Ocean-Based Carbon Removal Approaches

• The potential and challenges of ocean alkalinity enhancement and other ocean-based carbon removal methods.

22:50 - Voluntary Carbon Markets and Compliance

• The future of voluntary carbon markets, the need for compliance markets, and the challenges in establishing robust methodologies under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

29:31 - Geoengineering and Solar Radiation Modification

• The potential future conversations around geoengineering and solar radiation modification as climate impacts worsen.

Resources and Links:

• Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal
• Plan Sea Podcast
• Carbon 180
• Carbon Plan

Subscribe & Support:

• Enjoyed the episode? Please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
• For ad-free episodes and exclusive content, consider becoming a subscriber at Wicked Problems - 30% off annual membership this week.

Stay Connected:

• Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn
• Subscribe to our newsletter at Wicked Problems.

Credits:

• Written and edited by Richard Delevan
• Production assistance by Theo Delevan
• Music by First Aid Kit - "Silver Lining" (check our playlist)

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In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan interviews Ernest Scheider, author of 'The War Below' and senior correspondent at Reuters. They explore the challenges and dilemmas related to obtaining critical minerals necessary for the energy transition. Topics include the ethical trade-offs between mining and biodiversity, the role of critical minerals in electronics and electric vehicles, and the geopolitical implications of mineral sourcing. They also examine the approaches of the U.S. and China towards critical mineral supply chains, and discuss the potential impact of the upcoming U.S. election on the industry. Will Trump 2.0 open up the floodgates of mining projects in unexpected places?

For full show notes and links to Ernest Scheyder’s Catalysts, go to wickedproblems.earth. 

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In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, we return to one of our favourite topics: carbon dioxide removals (CDR) and its potential role in combating climate change. Our host, Richard Delevan, interviews two distinguished guests: Ben Cooke, Earth Editor at The Times, and Robert Höglund, manager of the MilkyWire Climate Transformation Fund, founder of CDR.fyi and writer of Marginal Carbon. T

1. Ben Cooke, Earth Editor at The Times, discusses his recent trip to Iceland to visit Climeworks' Mammoth facility, the world's largest direct air capture plant.

Key Discussion Points:

- Overview of Climeworks' Mammoth Facility:

- Ben describes the setting of the Mammoth facility, its reliance on geothermal energy to power its Direct Air Capture technology, and the role of an Icelandic startup - Carbfix - in turning the captured CO2 into rock.

- Technological Details:

- Explanation of how the facility captures carbon dioxide using fans and sticky filters, and then locks it away underground through a process developed by Carbfix.

- Future Goals and Challenges:

- Discussion on Climeworks' ambitious targets of capturing a million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2030 and a billion by 2050, and the challenges they face in scaling up.

- Economic Viability:

- Insights into the cost dynamics of carbon capture technology and the potential for future cost reductions.

2. Robert Höglund, manager of the MilkyWire Climate Transformation Fund, shares his expertise on carbon removal technologies and the voluntary carbon market.

Key Discussion Points:

- Current State of Carbon Removal:

- Overview of the development and cost trajectories of direct air capture (DAC) technologies.

- Market Dynamics:

- Insights into the voluntary carbon market, key players like Microsoft, and the potential for scaling up carbon removal efforts.

- Policy and Regulation:

- The importance of government intervention and the potential impact of policies like the carbon take back obligation.

- Ethical and Practical Considerations:

- Addressing the ethical implications of carbon removal and the need for a balanced approach that includes significant emission reductions.

Links and Resources:

- Follow Ben Cooke on Twitter, LinkedIn

- Subscribe to ’s Substack at

- Learn more about Climeworks and their carbon capture projects

- Follow us on LinkedIn, BlueSky, Threads

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In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan sits down with Layla Sawyer, Secretary General of CurrENT Europe, and Dr. Ryan Williams, Chief Economist at ENODA, to delve into the pressing issues and innovative solutions surrounding our electricity grids. From the challenges of deploying existing technologies to the future potential of superconductors and advanced grid technologies, this episode provides a comprehensive look at how we can build a resilient, efficient, and sustainable grid for 2050 and beyond.

Wicked Problems is member-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Key Topics:

1. Current Challenges in Grid Technology:

- The importance of grid innovation for a decarbonised future.

- The role of policy in encouraging technological deployment.

- Layla discusses the barriers to meaningful mass deployment of existing technologies.

2. Technological Innovations and Solutions:

- Dynamic line rating and advanced power flow control.

- The potential of superconductors and advanced conductors.

- Ryan explains how ENODA’s technology replaces outdated transformers with a modern solution to enhance grid efficiency.

3. Policy and Public Perception:

- The need for anticipatory planning and overcoming public opposition.

- Layla and Ryan discuss the necessity of policy adjustments and public awareness for future grid development.

4. Future Outlook and Upcoming Projects:

- CurrENT Europe’s upcoming study on innovative grid technologies.

- ENODA’s expansion plans and their role in balancing renewable energy sources.

- Layla and Ryan’s perspectives on what’s needed for future grid success.

5. Personal Insights and Motivations:

- Layla’s journey from social sciences to sustainable business and grid technology.

- Ryan’s career evolution from computer programming to financial economics and energy regulation.

Catalysts:

- Layla shares how a project on peer-to-peer energy trading sparked her interest in grid technology.

- Ryan talks about the excitement and challenges of working in a dynamic startup environment.

Resources and Links:

- CurrENT Europe

- ENODA

- “A Grid to Decarbonize Europe”

-2021 CurrENT study on GETs

- RMI: Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs) Can Increase the Speed and Scale of New Entry

Wicked Problems is member-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

- Follow us on LinkedIn, BlueSky, Threads

Music from the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4bqRlNSQQE

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