A show about climate and climate tech: the intersection of technology and capital, people and politics, that will shape the future, and whether you'd want to live in it.
Host Richard Delevan is normally trapped in the UK, but with a global view - featuring guests from VC/PE, startups, scaleups, corporates, media, and beyond.
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In this episode of Wicked Problems, host Richard Delevan interviews author Stephen Markley about his book 'The Deluge,' which explores the impacts of the climate crisis on society and politics through a narrative spanning 30 years. The conversation delves into Markley's experiences and challenges while writing the novel, including its eerie real-world parallels and feedback loops in human behavior driven by climate change. They discuss how Markley uses literary fiction to depict complex human responses and radicalism's role in both social movements and reactionary politics. Key elements of 'The Deluge' include ideas like a progressive carbon tax and managed retreat, providing a platform for innovative policy discussions. The conversation also touches on climate-related technology and the importance of addressing unintended consequences, all while maintaining the book's realism. Markley shares insights from his interactions with influential climate figures, inspirational resources, and the critical task of mobilizing for effective climate action.
In this episode of Wicked Problems, a guest contributor - chief demon Screwtape - praises Senator JD Vance's climate responses in a recent vice-presidential debate, Screwtape elaborates on how Vance used emotional appeals, subtle racism, and misdirection to deflect from critical issues.
00:00 Introduction to Wicked Problems
00:08 Climate Change in the Vice-Presidential Debate
00:44 JD Vance's Response and Misdirection
01:32 Screwtape's Analysis of Misdirection
02:26 Emotional Appeal as a Shield
03:38 Subtle Racism and Division
04:47 Clean vs. Dirty Economy
06:10 Creating an Illusion of Agreement
07:18 Replacing Complex Truths with Simple Half-Truths
08:14 Reframing the Debate with Economic Patriotism
09:13 Casting Doubt Through Opponent's Inconsistency
Attempted Assassination at Trump Rally: A Reporter’s Eyewitness Account
This video script details a harrowing recount of the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania. The narrative follows Greg Walton, a foreign correspondent for Agence France-Presse, providing a firsthand account of the chaotic and tragic event. Walton describes the moment shots were fired, the crowd's reaction, and the subsequent confusion and blame directed toward the media. The script also touches on broader political implications, climate tech discussions overshadowed by the incident, and Walton's perspective on covering such events as a foreign correspondent.
00:00 Introduction and Initial Setup
00:44 Breaking News: Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump
01:35 On the Scene: Greg Walton's Eyewitness Account
07:37 The Crowd's Reaction and Media's Role
18:46 Security Concerns and Secret Service Response
22:01 Suspect Profile and Investigation
24:24 Implications for the Election and Climate Policy
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In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan sits down with Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, to delve into the transformative potential and current challenges of solar power in Europe. The conversation spans the explosive growth of solar installations, the strategic goals of SolarPower Europe, and the imperative need for a flexibility revolution in energy systems.
Solar Power Growth and Impact: The discussion begins with an exploration of the remarkable growth in solar installations in Europe, with over 100 gigawatts added in the last two years alone. Walburga explains the multifaceted factors driving this growth, including plummeting costs of solar modules and the versatile applications of solar technology, from large-scale plants to residential rooftops and even agricultural settings.
Manufacturing and Innovation: Richard and Walburga address the challenges and opportunities in solar manufacturing. While Europe has lost its leadership in manufacturing to Asia, there is a concerted effort to regain this position through innovation and strategic investments. Walburga discusses the importance of scaling up manufacturing and the need for supportive policies and financing to achieve this goal.
Flexibility Revolution: A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the need for a flexibility revolution in the energy system. Walburga stresses the importance of integrating demand-side and supply-side flexibility to manage the intermittency of solar power and prevent energy waste. This includes electrification of various sectors, enhanced grid connectivity, and substantial investments in storage solutions like batteries and hydrogen.
Policy and Regulation: The discussion also touches on the critical role of policy and regulation in facilitating the growth of solar power. Walburga highlights the need for targeted incentives, digitalization of processes, and harmonized standards across Europe. She emphasizes the importance of eliminating barriers such as double grid charges and enabling co-location of different renewable technologies to maximize efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Can Chris Stark be the Gareth Southgate of UK Climate Tech?
Season 2 · Episode 43
Friday, July 12, 2024 • Duration 01:15:55
Guests:
Adam Bell, Director of Policy at Stonehaven
Megan Kenyon, Policy Correspondent at The New Statesman
Sugandha Srivastav, British Academy Fellow and Lecturer in Environmental Economics at the Smith School, Oxford University
One week after Labour’s sweeping victory, we ask three of the smartest observers of UK climate and climate tech policy about early moves like the hiring of Chris Stark, the removal of the offshore wind ban, and picking a fight with NIMBYs - some of whom may turn out to be people who otherwise argue for faster climate action in the Greens and Lib Dems. Can they keep up the pace?
UK's New Climate Policies:
Adam Bell discusses the recent swift actions by the new UK government, such as lifting the ban on onshore wind. He highlights the necessity of equitable climate policies to avoid creating "low carbon haves and have-nots" and the potential for backlash if climate benefits are not widely shared
Challenges and Strategies in Climate Communication:
Adam Bell emphasizes the importance of innovative communication strategies to garner local support for climate projects. He suggests that community-specific benefits, such as cash payments or co-ownership, might be necessary to gain broader acceptance of renewable infrastructure projects like pylons and wind turbines(Meeting with Richard De…).
Policy Insights and Green Economy Reporting:
Megan Kenyon shares insights from her reporting on the green economy, including the rapid policy shifts following the UK election. She mentions the importance of engaging the community in the planning and implementation of climate projects to ensure their success and sustainability
Global Climate Action and Economic Implications:
Sugandha Srivastav discusses the broader global context, focusing on emerging markets like India and their significant impact on global emissions.
Tau Carbon Founders: What's Next for CDR?
Season 2 · Episode 42
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 • Duration 48:12
As Running Tide folds and Microsoft and Google scramble to figure out how to make up for rising emissions from AI and data centres, what’s next for the carbon removals market?
Recovering lawyer John Lin and Dr. Amber Janda, co-founders of Tau Carbon, join us to discuss. They discuss their journey from academics and different career paths to establishing a company focused on carbon removal using innovative biomass storage solutions. The conversation explores the inspiration behind their venture, the technical and logistical challenges they faced, and the implications of carbon market dynamics. Highlighting the importance of low-cost, scalable solutions, Tau Carbon aims to preserve biomass in an above-ground system to efficiently capture and retain CO2. The co-founders also reflect on the competitive landscape, referencing similar startups like Graphyte, and discuss policy needs to support broader adoption of carbon removal technologies.
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00:00 Introduction to Wicked Problems
00:14 Inspiration and Challenges in Climate Tech
01:24 UK Climate Politics and Global Tech Reactions
03:18 Introduction to Tau Carbon
04:34 John's Journey from Law to Climate Tech
06:48 Amber's Path in Chemical Engineering
09:58 The Genesis of Tau Carbon
14:37 Challenges and Evolution in Carbon Removal
20:00 Business Viability and Market Challenges
25:11 Reacting to Running Tide's Unexpected Exit
25:57 Challenges in Carbon Credit Market
27:23 Measurability and MRV in Carbon Removal
28:04 Technical Aspects of Carbon Storage
31:39 Comparing Approaches: Tau vs. Graphyte
About Last Night - Climate and the UK Election Result
Season 2 · Episode 41
Friday, July 5, 2024 • Duration 01:59:06
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In this Election Night special, we delve into the UK's political landscape surrounding the recent general election and its implications for climate action. The discussion highlights David Cameron's earlier attempts to position the Conservative Party as leaders in climate action, the feasibility of the UK's 2050 net zero emissions target, and Labour's policy proposals including GB Energy and potential carbon taxes. Featuring perspectives on regional economic disparities, business innovation, and public sentiment, the conversation includes reactions from our friends in Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and climate activists to the exit polls. The Labour Party's strong performance sparks varied opinions on their environmental policies, the potential right-wing populist backlash, and Labour's capacity to meet climate promises. Additionally, the role of comedy in political discourse and anticipated shifts in climate policy under new governance are discussed, culminating in a musical guest performance.
0:00 How Did David Cameron's Polar Pledges Pan Out-
00:05 David Cameron's Green Vision
00:42 Announcing Net Zero by 2050
01:55 Debating the Net Zero Target
02:27 Conservative Party's Climate Stance
03:11 Public and Personal Perspectives on Climate
03:29 Controversies and Policy Shifts
05:12 Technical Difficulties and Guest Introductions
05:49 Election Day Insights
06:02 Campaign Reflections and Future Policies
07:12 Dissonance Between Narrative and Reality
08:41 Climate Politics and Election Predictions
24:10 Regional Impacts and Industrial Policy
25:44 Northern Ireland's Climate Challenges
Can Climate Litigation Save Us?
Season 2 · Episode 40
Wednesday, July 3, 2024 • Duration 34:13
In this episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations, host Richard Delevan discusses global climate litigation trends with Kate Higham, Policy Fellow at the Grantham Institute and head of the Climate Laws of the World Project.
Get Global trends in climate change litigation: 2024 snapshot - Grantham Institute.
They explore the efficacy and future of climate litigation against governments and corporations, the justice concerns between the Global North and South, and potential legislative solutions like Vermont’s recent Climate Superfund Act. Higham also addresses the complexities of climate and biodiversity cases, the influence of rising populist governments on climate rulings, and the potential parallels to the tobacco litigation era. The episode closes with reflections on current political climates worldwide and key events influencing future climate policies.
And to be part of the Q&A for tomorrow night’s livestream looking at the UK election results through our climate and climatetech lens, you have to register here!
You’ll be able to see the chat in other places. But we hope you bring some questions and comments to share with quickfire panels with our absolutely stellar speakers
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Here’s this episode’s lineup.
00:00 Introduction to Climate Justice and Global South Concerns
Part 1: Hal Hodson, Americas Editor of The Economist
Hal Hodson discusses his recent deep dive into solar energy, exploring the rapid advancements and exponential growth in the sector. He emphasises the importance of solar energy in the global energy transition and shares insights into the positive feedback loops driving solar's expansion.
Key Points:
The role of solar energy in the energy transition
Positive feedback loops in solar energy adoption
The challenges and future potential of solar energy
Sarah Mackintosh provides an analysis of the different party manifestos in the UK, focusing on their support for innovation and the growth of the climate tech sector. Sarah also discusses the importance of cross-party collaboration and the potential for the UK to regain its leadership in climate tech.
This episode of Wicked Problems features a profound discussion featuring Dr. Tadzio Müller - an influential German climate activist who writes at Peaceful Sabotage - on recent elections, the failure of previous climate activism strategies, the psychological dynamics of society's rejection of climate action, and the need to reinvent activism to empower communities amidst impending climate disasters.
Tadzio and Richard Delevan cover a range of topics from the hunger strikes of climate activists in Germany, the emotional and practical aspects of activism, to the rise of right-wing populism in Europe and its implications. They compare current activism challenges to historical contexts, discuss the legitimacy and critique of electric capitalism with Tesla as a case example, and explore the importance of collective action and neighbourhood-level organisation in times of crisis. The conversation underscores the necessity for pragmatic and hopeful actions aligned with harsh realities to achieve meaningful change.
00:00 Introduction: The Struggle Against History's Most Powerful System
00:53 Guest Introduction and Previous Conversations
01:23 Heat and Climate Activism
02:56 The Chessboard Analogy and Climate Movement Challenges
03:17 The Hunger Strike and Its Implications
10:21 Empowerment in Climate Activism
14:13 Climate Justice and Social Cooling
21:02 Election Analysis and Youth Voting Trends
29:44 Exploring the Capital Stack for Climate Solutions
30:07 The Nightmare Scenario: Grid Failure and Heatwaves
31:03 Book Recommendations and Activism Insights
31:43 Reflecting on Climate Probabilities and Activism
Challenges and Misinformation: Richard and Walburga address common misconceptions and misinformation about solar power, such as concerns about land use for solar farms. Walburga provides data to counter these arguments, demonstrating the minimal land impact of solar installations compared to other uses like golf courses. They also discuss the broader societal benefits of solar power, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and increased competitiveness for European industries.
Future Outlook: Looking ahead, Walburga expresses optimism about the future of solar power in Europe, provided that the necessary investments and regulatory frameworks are put in place. She underscores the urgency of accelerating electrification and flexibility to meet climate goals and ensure energy security.
Conclusion: The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the critical role solar power plays in the energy transition. Richard thanks Walburga for her insights and encourages listeners to engage with the SolarPower Europe’s Solar Mission 2040 report, which outlines the path to a sustainable and resilient energy future.
Sugandha highlights the importance of using the latest and most efficient technologies in the energy transition and the economic advantages of renewable energy over fossil fuels. She underscores the need for public investment in areas that provide significant societal benefits, drawing parallels with the rapid development of the COVID-19 vaccine
Resources Mentioned:
Adam Bell's Upcoming Paper: Adam mentions an upcoming paper that outlines strategies for achieving the UK's 2030 climate goals. Keep an eye out for this report for detailed policy recommendations at Stonehaven
Megan Kenyon's Green Economy Reporting: Subscribe to The New Statesman's "Green Transition" newsletter for in-depth analysis and updates on the green economy.
Sugandha Srivastav's Work on Renewable Energy: Check out Sugandha's TEDx talk and her article in The Conversation about the potential of renewable energy and the economic implications of transitioning from fossil fuels.
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* Greta Thunberg - John was deeply inspired by Greta Thunberg’s activism, which galvanized people worldwide to take action on climate change. Her ability to mobilize masses highlighted the power of collective action.
* "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore - Both John and Amber cited this seminal documentary as a major influence. It played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the urgency of climate change and inspired them to pursue solutions in this field.
* "Good Night, and Good Luck" (2005) - Amber mentioned this film about Edward R. Murrow's battle against Senator McCarthy as influential. It underscored the importance of using one's skills and platforms for the greater good.
14:28 Polluter Pays Cases and Global Tax Proposals
22:23 Political Implications of Climate Litigation
29:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Because we really hope tomorrow night offers some good news for the climate, we also thought it was important to just nod to the global context. Michael E. Mann fretting that a Trump 2.0 means “game over” for climate. The meltdown over whether Joe Biden, the best US president on climate since Theodore Roosevelt, can continue his candidacy. James Murray’s welcome optimism tempered by realism in responding to Ed Miliband’s promise to restore UK global climate leadership. Seeing things as they are is not easy. But necessary.
Science Fiction Classics - Authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke, whose imaginative works have inspired Hal's thinking about technological unlocks and future possibilities.
James Gleick - Nonfiction author known for his precise and holistic approach to fundamental issues. Notable works:
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