The mischievous use of words and language stands between humanity and the slim chance of working our way toward a useful position in avoiding the worst of the climate crisis.

Politicians, of all stripes, are adept at avoiding question, obfuscation to the point the most of us are confused, frequently upset and almost screaming at the radio or TV set saying "Answer the damn question".

Such frustration is understood by the Professor of International Politics from the University of Western Australia, Mark Beeson, who last year published the wonderful book, "Environmental Populism: the politics of survival in the Anthropocene".

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.