Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations

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In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan welcomes Dave Jones and Kostantsa Rangelova from the energy think tank, EMBER. They've spent the past year spreading the good news about the impressive advancements in solar and battery technology, particularly focusing on global trends and potential game-changers in regions such as Africa and Mexico. Despite solar only contributing to 6.6% of Mexico’s electricity, EMBER simulations indicate it could rise to 90% with optimal efficiency. In some spots like Muscat, Las Vegas, or Mexico City, almost all their power, day and night, can now be generated from just solar + battery.

The discussion covers the rapid progress and cost reductions in battery technology, the promising shift towards 24/7 solar power, the surge of solar adoption in Africa, and the significant untapped potential in Mexico. The episode highlights the transformative impact of solar and battery technologies on global energy landscapes and emphasizes the urgent need for effective policies to accelerate this transition.

00:00 Introduction to Mexico's Solar Potential

00:00 Global Governance Breakdown

00:36 Welcome to Wicked Problems

00:39 Introducing the Guests: Dave Jones and Constanza Rva

01:05 The Rise of Solar and Battery Technology

01:33 24/7 Solar Power: A Game Changer

01:54 Advancements in Battery Technology

02:51 Economic Competitiveness of Solar and Battery

04:38 Challenges and Innovations in Battery Production

08:17 Global Adoption and Market Dynamics

15:20 Grid vs. Battery: The Trade-Offs

21:05 Solar and Battery in Different Climates

24:27 Implications for Policy and Future Outlook

26:09 Evolution of Battery Storage

27:29 Africa's Solar Boom

27:59 Chinese Solar Exports to Africa

28:52 Utility Scale Solar in Africa

37:50 Challenges and Opportunities in Mexico's Solar Sector

47:26 Global Solar Trends and Future Outlook

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 Dr. Lorna Gold is the executive director of the Laudato Sì Movement, which was inspired by the late Pope Francis’ 2015 letter. That document, considered pretty radical for the leader of the Catholic Church to issue at the time, was credited by former Irish president Mary Robinson and others with influencing the Paris Agreement - and you can hear echoes of it as recently as the advisory opinion issued this summer by the International Court of Justice. 

On its 10th anniversary, Francis’ successor Pope Leo will lead the Raising Hope Conference, 1-3 October in Rome - but also available via livestream - talking about the relevance of its ideas for the situation we’re in now. More than a “Catholic” thing, it will feature people as diverse as Brazil’s climate minister Marina Silva (in the runup to COP30), climate scientist Dr. 

Katharine Hayhoe, Bill McKibben, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tuvalu climate minister Dr Maina Talia, Bianca Pitt of SHE Changes Climate, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty president Kumi Naidoo, and more. Somehow, Lorna was able to take a break from organising the event to speak to us. 

Lorna earned a PhD in economic geography from Glasgow University and author of Climate Generation: Awakening to our Childrens’ Future.

It’s a great chat and we think you’ll enjoy it.

01:22 Introduction to Dr. Lorna Gold 

02:21 Personal Tragedy and Resilience 

05:29 Hope vs. Optimism 

09:17 Relevance of Laudato Si' 

13:01 International Court of Justice Ruling 

15:21 Economic Systems and Climate Action 

21:51 Pope Francis, Pope Leo and COP 30 

22:31 Upcoming Conference and Call to Action 

24:25 Personal Reflection on Climate Impact 

27:56 Discussing Future Conversations 

28:40 Mother's Role in Climate Action 

29:39 Women of Faith for Climate Justice 

31:37 The Raging Grannies and Activism 

33:12 The Sharing Economy and Climate Generation 

34:42 Sufficiency and Economic Inequality 

41:17 The Role of Storytelling in Climate Education 

44:34 Hope and Action in Climate Movements 

47:31 Pope or Nope Quiz

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In this episode of 'Wicked Problems,' host Richard Delevan speaks with Dr. Hannah E. Morris, Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto and author of 'Apocalyptic Authoritarianism.' They discuss the use of apocalyptic language in politics, the resurgence of Cold War-era narratives, and how these tropes are being weaponized to block climate action and shore up existing power structures. The conversation delves into the intersections of media, politics, and climate crisis, featuring insights on the impact of journalism on these global issues.

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00:00 Trump's Apocalyptic Obsession

01:19 Introduction to Wicked Problems

01:32 Guest Introduction: Dr. Hannah E. Morris

01:57 Weaponizing Apocalyptic Language

02:45 Defining Apocalyptic Authoritarianism

03:06 Trump's Influence and Climate Movement

05:13 Nostalgia and Climate Journalism

06:30 The Green New Deal and Media Narratives

11:47 Challenges in Climate Journalism

24:28 Covering Climate Now Initiative

30:02 Senator Eric Schmidt's Speech Analysis

32:59 Nationalism and American Identity

34:27 Fascist Ideologies and Historical Context

37:26 Media's Role in Shaping Nationalism

39:30 Climate Change and Political Narratives

47:26 Global Perspectives on Climate Journalism

51:37 Apocalyptic Imagery in Modern Politics

54:09 Influences and Future Directions

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Unraveling the Impact of Climate Change on Zurich: Analyzing 50 Years of Data | Wicked Problems

In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan explores a groundbreaking study from researchers at Oxford Smith School's Sustainable Law Program and beyond. Joined by Dr. Rupert Stuart-Smith, Deputy Director and Senior Research Fellow, they dive into the first-of-its-kind research examining climate change's impact on heat-related mortality in Zurich from 1969 to 2018. Discover how attribution science links global warming to nearly 1700 deaths in Zurich, the role of adaptation measures, and the growing importance of climate attribution in legal contexts. This sobering analysis offers a stark look at the real human costs of climate change and the urgent need for action.

00:00 Introduction: Zurich and Climate Change

00:31 Welcome to Wicked Problems

00:35 The Impact of Climate Change on Zurich

01:34 Introducing Dr. Rupert Stuart Smith

02:11 Study Findings: Heat-Related Mortality in Zurich

02:25 Methodology and Data Analysis

05:33 Surprising Results and Implications

14:16 Adaptation Measures and Their Effectiveness

16:31 Legal and Political Implications

18:22 The Role of Attribution Science in Courts

23:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Understanding Climate Tipping Points With Stephen Smith | Wicked Problems Climate Tech Conversations

In this episode of Wicked Problems Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan dives into the pivotal and pressing subject of climate tipping points with guest Stephen Smith. They discuss the warnings from the recent Global Tipping Points Conference in Exeter, where nearly 200 scientists urged immediate action to prevent irreversible climate changes. The conversation explores both negative and positive climate tipping points, the challenges policymakers face in addressing them, and the importance of storytelling in climate advocacy. Stephen Smith also highlights the potential of renewable energy and the steps needed to accelerate the global transition to a low-carbon economy. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the critical actions required to address the climate crisis and the hopeful pathways forward.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks

00:26 Urgent Climate Crisis Call

01:29 Understanding Tipping Points

03:44 Negative Tipping Points

04:18 Positive Tipping Points

05:12 Policy Makers and Tipping Points

06:02 Interruption and Resumption

07:03 Immediate Action Required

11:20 Real-World Example: Tuvalu

14:16 Challenges in Policy Making

17:21 Positive Social Tipping Points

18:54 Renewable Energy Revolution

22:12 Barriers to Change

27:54 Accelerating Positive Change

35:10 Hope and Final Thoughts

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Will Nigel Farage's Reform party succeed in demonising climate action? Or will adaptation change the conversation? Are the Tories cooked? And does Gaza create an opening big enough for Jeremy Corbyn's new party to cut into Labour support?

Richard Delevan talks to More in Common's Ed Hodgson about Shattered Britain, how Britain's "Tribes" will shape the future - and why you need to understand them if effective climate communicators are going to win.

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Climate Justice: ICJ's Historic Ruling and Its Global Impact

In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delavan is joined by Professor Elizabeth Holland from Brown University to discuss a historic advisory opinion handed down by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ruling, initiated by Pacific Island students, declares climate science as a binding element under customary international law, obligating states to take stronger climate action. Elizabeth shares insights from her role as a science negotiator for Palau and the significance of the court's ruling for vulnerable nations and future generations. This episode also features voices from those who played pivotal roles in making this judgment a reality, emphasizing the binding nature of climate obligations and the need for continuous global cooperation.

00:00 Introduction: Climate Science as Law

00:16 The Court's Advisory Opinion

00:54 Human Impact and Cultural Struggles

01:14 End of Impunity and Legal Obligations

02:03 Interview with Professor Elizabeth Holland

02:43 Reactions to the ICJ Ruling

05:22 The Role of Small Island States

05:50 Challenges in Climate Negotiations

08:01 Legal Frameworks and Obligations

09:43 Implications for the United States

12:33 Personal Reflections and Contributions

14:34 Celebrating the Youth Movement

18:17 Art and Culture in Climate Advocacy

21:21 Generational Promises and Songs

26:38 Conclusion and Call to Action

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The Intersection of Climate Change and National Security with Rear Admiral Neil: A Deep Dive

In this episode of 'Wicked Problems,' host Richard Delevan speaks with Rear Admiral Neil, former Royal Navy officer and current Professor of Climate and Resource Security at UCL, about the growing recognition that climate change is a strategic challenge impacting national security. They discuss the expanded definition of national security to include climate adaptation, various international and interdisciplinary efforts to mitigate climate impact, and how the military is adapting its strategies. The conversation covers past and present policies, the importance of societal involvement, and the role of technological advancements. Rear Admiral Neil emphasizes the need for strategic, long-term solutions, cooperation across sectors, and raises concerns about the potential for a significant crisis to wake global leadership from complacency.

00:00 Introduction to Climate Change and Security

00:26 Guest Introduction: Rear Admiral Neil

00:57 National Security and Climate Change

02:06 Impact of Climate Change on Society

03:49 Military's Role and Adaptation

04:44 Evolving Conversations on Climate Policy

09:48 Technological Innovations in the Military

19:02 International Cooperation and Policy

24:49 Challenges and Future Prospects

31:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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In this episode, two parts:

Jenny Chase, a solar market analyst at BNF, about the dramatic rise of solar power in Pakistan. Despite scant government support, Pakistan has rapidly adopted solar energy, moving from importing a few gigawatts of solar modules in 2022 to becoming one of the largest markets. This development has led to economic and infrastructural challenges, such as grid reliability and pricing issues, and raises important questions about the future of energy systems globally.

The episode also features a conversation with Australia-based climate journalist Royce Kurmelovs, who writes for Drilled and Reneweconomy as well as many others, about a recent significant legal ruling in Australia where indigenous Torres Strait Islanders sued the government over climate change threats to their homeland. While the court recognized climate change as an existential threat, it ruled against the plaintiffs due to current legal limitations, highlighting the ongoing legal and moral challenges in climate responsibility.

00:00 Introduction to Pakistan's Solar Energy Surge

00:09 Global Perspectives and Future Trends

00:33 Australia's Energy Ambitions vs. Reality

02:24 Unreported Solar Installations in Pakistan

03:37 Economic Implications of Solar Adoption

04:49 Government Contracts and Energy Prices

16:07 Global Perspectives and Future Trends

19:39 Discussion on Pakistan's Progress

19:44 Jenny Chase's Upcoming Leave

20:41 Introduction to Climate Cases in Australia

21:42 Details of the Torres Strait Case

23:29 Impacts on Torres Strait Islands

25:14 Legal and Cultural Implications

28:37 Global Context and Comparisons

40:42 Australia's Climate Policy and Politics

Follow Jenny:

🔗 solarchase.bsky.social

🔗 Jenny Chase on LinkedIn

🌐 Follow Royce:

“Court agrees climate change is real, but throws out Torres Strait Islanders’ claim anyway” (RenewEconomy)

Also check out his most recent book: Slick: Australia’s Toxic Relationship with Big Oil

🔗 roycerk2.bsky.social

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