Podcasts about global optimism

How far would you go to protect your home?In this week's special episode, Christiana Figueres brings us a deeply personal and political dispatch from Vanuatu - a country on the frontlines of the climate crisis and at the heart of one of the most significant climate justice initiatives of our time.In conversations with voices from government (Minister Ralph Regenvanu), climate diplomacy (Christopher Bartlett), youth leadership and advocacy (Litiana Kalsrap), and the arts (Jean-Pascal Wahe), Christiana explores the legacy of colonisation, the meaning of land and sovereignty, and the moral power of a nation that is doing everything it can to protect its people and its planet.Alongside Paul Dickinson, she also considers Vanuatu's history as a climate leader and the decades-long struggle for loss and damage. Plus, they begin to unpack the landmark ICJ case that Vanuatu has initiated, and which we will be exploring further in future episodes.How is this island nation persevering in the face of rising seas and extreme weather? And what does the world owe to those who have done the least to cause our current crisis?This episode features songs recorded by Christiana in the village of Imaki, on Tanna island, and additional wildlife recordings from Vanuatu by Dominik M. Ramík.Learn more

As the US federal government drifts further into anti-climate rhetoric and abandons its national and international commitments, can non-state actors hold the line?With Christiana Figueres away in Vanuatu, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson take the reins to explore how climate progress is increasingly being driven by - or being left to - businesses and non-profits. They unpack the mounting challenges facing climate-aligned companies, the promise and complexity of existing voluntary initiatives, and the role that the private sector can play in driving innovation, accountability, and ambition in the absence of strong national leadership.Later, they speak with Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group, about the shifting reality for businesses trying to lead on climate in the US and beyond. And they ask her to address some of the rumours surrounding Climate Week NYC: Is it happening? Will it definitely be held in New York? And how can it become a beacon of action in an age of political uncertainty?Plus: Tom and Paul consider the upcoming ruling in a ground-breaking climate liability case with potentially seismic impacts.Learn more ⚖️ Details and documents on the Luciano Lliusya v. RWE EG legal case

On April 28th, millions of people across Spain, Portugal and beyond were plunged into darkness in one of Europe's most severe blackouts in decades. Was it a cyberattack? A renewables failure? Or might things be a little more complex?This week, Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres, and Paul Dickinson dig into what we know, what we don't, and ask what this blackout really tells us about the transition to renewables. They speak with energy strategist Kingsmill Bond of Ember and hear an on-the-ground account from José Manuel Entrecanales, CEO of global renewables leader Acciona, to build a picture of how our grids function – and how they fail.Plus: what can we say when friends or colleagues claim that ‘renewables aren't reliable'? And, after our recent conversations reflecting on the legacy of Pope Francis, what might Pope Leo XIV mean for future climate leadership?Learn more

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair says that net zero is politically unachievable without radical rethinking: a shift away from reducing consumption and toward technologies that can remove carbon both at the source and from the atmosphere. So, are carbon capture and carbon removal really viable - and more palatable - alternatives to a rapid fossil fuel phaseout? And is our net zero strategy failing, or simply failing to be explained?Hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson dive into the heart of these questions and explore what Blair's comments mean for the wider net zero debate. At a time when climate action is becoming increasingly politicised and weaponised, they consider how we might frame net zero as something that improves people's lives, rather than threatening them. And how we can ensure that every credible climate solution stays on the table.With timely and provocative contributions from listeners and friends of the podcast - including former BBC News Science Editor David Shukman and Senior Policy Advisor at Carbonfuture Sebastian Manhart - the hosts ask: can we rescue the net zero brand before it's written off?Learn more

Australia heads to the polls this weekend - with climate firmly on the ballot. Is the country ready to lose its reputation as the battleground of the climate wars? And are we about to see a lasting shift in a nation that has for years been torn between its sunlight and its coal?As a pivotal election looms, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson examine what's at stake for one of the world's highest per-capita emitters. After months of polling ahead, the opposition Coalition now faces a late surge from the governing Labor Party, with the Greens, Teals and independents all likely to play a crucial role. The result could reinforce, roll-back or reshape domestic climate policy, and determine whether Australia emerges as a global climate leader at a time when others are stepping away from the stage.To understand what's going on, the team calls up friend of the show Dean Bialek, Founder and Managing Director of The Pacific Project. Together, they explore the opportunities for Australia in the energy transition, the narratives and dynamics driving this election, and the country's potential role as a regional leader as it hopes to host 2026's COP31 with other Pacific nations.So, does Australia have a role to play in reigniting regional and global climate momentum? And how will this election shape the climate fight - both within and beyond its borders.Learn more

Are we witnessing the beginning of the end for fossil fuels?This Earth Day, Outrage + Optimism explores a seismic shift in global energy: the possibility that major oil and gas companies are entering a self-managed decline. Have fossil fuel companies been overvalued for decades? And are they now quietly winding themselves down? For years, analysts and campaigners have questioned why these companies are valued as if they'll pump oil forever. With rising climate risks, tightening regulation, and growing investor scrutiny, the foundations of their business model have looked increasingly shaky.Now, something remarkable is happening. From Exxon to Shell, oil majors are cutting back on capital investment, failing to replace their reserves, and instead handing profits back to shareholders. Could this be the beginning of an industry in managed decline?In this Earth Day special, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson sit down with Mark Campanale, founder of Carbon Tracker and the originator of the ‘stranded assets' concept that helped launch the global divestment movement.Is this truly the start of fossil fuel's final chapter? Or is it a strategic pivot - away from fuels and toward petrochemicals, plastics, and a long tail of influence?Learn more

In the wake of this morning's sad announcement about the death of Pope Francis, Christiana Figueres reflects on his important legacy as a champion for environmental and justice causes, and shares some of the late Pope's own words, reflecting on the landmark Paris Agreement.Learn more

As the US retreats from international climate leadership and looks increasingly inwards, can China step up and steer the global energy transition? And if it can, what shape will that transition take?In the latest of our country deep-dives, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore China's pivotal and complex role in decarbonising our world. At home, the nation is a technology superpower, the driver behind the renewables and EV revolutions, and dominates the world in solar panels, batteries and green hydrogen. But it's also a coal-powered polluter, with a history of taking a backseat in traditional climate diplomacy on the international stage. So, with global geopolitics and trade realigning, is it about to pick a lane?To unpack all this, the team is joined by Li Shuo, Director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. At a time of flux, he outlines the complex forces shaping China's strategy, and considers what we might expect to see from it in the years ahead.Above all, one thing is clear: China's role will be a defining force in the next decade of climate progress. And the impact of its action - or inaction - will be felt around the world.Learn more

What happens when the US tears up the rulebook on global trade? And what does that mean for the planet? Plus: what on earth is happening in Greenland? And does it really signal an unlikely MAGA embrace of climate science?In this urgent and wide-ranging episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore the fallout from Trump's new global tariffs, reflect on the environmental movement's complex relationship with free trade, and ask what this moment tells us about democracy, power and inequality.Later, Christiana shares highlights from a timely conversation she recently had in Paris, with former US Vice President Al Gore and France's Special Representative for COP21 Laurence Tubiana. Together, they consider the impact of money in politics, the poly-solutions to our state of polycrisis, and the importance of staying (stubbornly) optimistic.Learn more ⚖️ The New Civil Liberties Alliance Complaint for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief

What role have fossil fuel lobbyists really played in climate negotiations over the past three decades? And what impact do they continue to have on climate progress today?In this episode, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson explore the history of this often unseen influence, ask why fossil fuel lobbyists have become so embedded in the COP system, and consider what levers are emerging to disrupt their involvement in domestic and international politics.This episode also features another panel from our live event at The Conduit, inspired by the RSC's Olivier-nominated production of Kyoto, and hosted by the Financial Times' Pilita Clark. She's joined by climate lawyer Tessa Khan, climate finance and energy expert Kirsty Hamilton, and historian of climate change negotiations and former UNFCCC secretariat Joanna Depledge, to unpack how industry lobbyists - from oil majors to car manufacturers - used misinformation, procedural manipulation, and political influence to undermine progress in Kyoto and beyond.So, how have fossil fuel lobby tactics changed in the years since Kyoto? Have they achieved everything they set out to? And what might the world look like if the industry had never sought to delay and derail climate negotiations - or, better yet, had taken responsibility for its role in the green transition?Learn more

What did it take to get nearly 200 nations to agree on tackling climate change in 1997? And what have we learned in the decades since?In this episode, we reflect on the drama, the impact and the legacy of the Kyoto Protocol, and go behind the scenes of the Royal Shakespeare Company's powerful and acclaimed production of Kyoto, currently playing in London's West End.After watching a performance of the play this week, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson introduced a live event at The Conduit, bringing together those who were in the room at COP3 in Kyoto with those now shaping the path to COP30 in Belém and beyond.First, we hear from a panel of seasoned voices from the world of international climate diplomacy, moderated by climate journalist Ed King. Farhana Yamin, longtime negotiator for small island states, speaks of how Kyoto helped amplify the voices of vulnerable nations for the first time. Nick Mabey, co-founder of E3G, reflects on Kyoto's economic impact, arguing that it sparked a global clean tech revolution by making climate action economically viable. And Richard Kinley, former Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, offered rare insights into the diplomacy that shaped Kyoto. Together, they paint a vivid picture of Kyoto's legacy and what it still offers to today's climate movement.Later, we hear from the playwrights behind Kyoto, Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson, about how they turned bureaucratic negotiations into riveting on-stage drama.So, what's changed since 1997? Are we in a better place thanks to Kyoto? And is multilateralism still fit for purpose in today's world?Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos:Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimismOr get in touch with us via this form.Producer: Ben Weaver-HincksVideo Producer: Caitlin HanrahanExec Producers: Ellie Clifford and Dino SofosCommissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kishore Mahbubani is widely regarded as one of Asia's most well-known diplomats, commentators, and strategic analysts. Having grown up in poverty in Singapore in the 1950s, however, there was nothing preordained about Mahbubani's success.But over the course of the second half of the twentieth century, he would go on to become one of the most recognizable and revered diplomats of his generation.Mahbubani served in Cambodia, Malaysia, and the United States. He was Permanent Secretary at the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and twice served as the country's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He later served as founding dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.Mahbubani chronicles his life journey in a new memoir titled, Living the Asian Century: An Undiplomatic Memoir.Mahbubani's journey mirrors Singapore's own metamorphosis and the book sheds equal light on Mahbubani's life as it does the Asian country's own improbable evolution.To talk more about the book, Kishore Mahbubani joins Milan on the podcast this week. They discuss Kishore's childhood poverty, his “Indian soul,” and his lifelong interactions with former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Plus, Milan and Kishore discuss the explosion of cultural self-confidence in Asia and what this means for the emerging world order.Episode notes:1. [open access] Kishore Mahbubani, The Asian 21st Century (Springer, 2022).2. Kishore Mahbubani, “It's Time for Europe to Do the Unthinkable,” Foreign Policy, February 18, 2025.3. Tony Chan et al., “America Can't Stop China's Rise,” Foreign Policy, September 19, 2023.4. Kishore Mahbubani and Lawrence H. Summers, “The Fusion of Civilizations: The Case for Global Optimism,” Foreign Affairs (May/June 2016).

Is Canada a climate leader or a fossil-fueled dinosaur? And what will the recent ascension of Mark Carney as Prime Minister mean for the country's climate agenda - both domestically and on the world stage?In the second of our country deep-dives, Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac speak with Catherine McKenna, Canada's former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, to discuss the mixed history, uncertain present and possible futures of the nation's climate record.As Canada's representative at the COP 21 negotiations in Paris, Catherine set the tone for the decade that has followed, during which time the country has increasingly engaged in international climate leadership. Back home, she also spearheaded an innovative carbon pricing system, which, though not always popular, attempted to shift the nation away from its fossil fuel dependency while delivering an economic net benefit for most Canadians.While former Bank of England and Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney has become widely known as a climate progressive, his first act in office was to end this carbon tax, leading many to question how his climate ideals will fare in the face of political reality. Catherine reflects on why the tax was scrapped, and the lessons that must be learned if we are to defend climate action.Along with Paul Dickinson, Christiana and Tom consider the challenges facing former Outrage + Optimism guest Carney as he takes the helm of one of the G20's highest emitters, and ask if we're witnessing a wider backlash against corporate net zero commitments.Learn more

How can the law be used to champion human rights, drive progress and fight for climate justice? Paul Dickinson is joined by Laura Clarke, CEO of ClientEarth, the non-profit lawyers for the planet working to protect life on Earth. Laura shares how ClientEarth has successfully challenged corporate greenwashing, from the Dutch courts ruling against airline KLM for misleading customers, to forcing a Polish company to change the misleading name of its ‘eco-pea coal'. And beyond corporate accountability, how they take on national governments to ensure they uphold their environmental commitments. In this latest in our series on the new levers of change, co-presenters Tom Rivett-Carnac and Christiana Figueres join Paul to reflect on the ways in which law, climate and justice intersects. Christiana shares her excitement on the new ways in which the ‘web of jurisprudence' is being woven in a field with little legal precedent. Plus, each share their take on the news that former Outrage + Optimism guest Mark Carney will become the next Prime Minister of Canada. How will he deal with President Trump amid the ongoing US-Canada trade war?Learn more

Are women the key to solving the climate crisis? Why are they - and children - so disproportionately affected by the issue? And how can men step up to support change? To mark International Women's Day, Christiana Figueres is joined by top climate scientist Dr Katharine Hayhoe. As well as being Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair at Texas Tech University, Katharine is an influential voice in communicating science at the ‘kitchen table' level. She and Christiana reflect on the barriers women face in STEM roles, Katharine's work with Science Moms highlights the impact of the crisis on children and the power of women in conversations about the climate. Women make up just over a third of STEM professionals in the United States and only a quarter of earth science professors globally. In an era where diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are being rolled back by President Donald Trump's government, there's never been a more urgent need for diverse voices in science. Leading data scientist Hannah Ritchie asks how we communicate in this new landscape. Plus, Katharine shares how her Evangelical Christian faith fuels—rather than conflicts with—her climate work, as she and Christiana they celebrate how love can be the driving force for all genders to unite for climate justice. Together with Christiana, co-hosts Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson reflect on why diverse perspectives lead to better solutions and ask how men can support greater gender equality in STEM. Throughout, we hear from incredible women worldwide with inspiring messages for International Women's Day. From Pat Mitchell and her work on Project Dandelion to Natalie Isaacs of 1 Million Women - plus a rallying cry from Fabian Dattner of Homeward Bound. Learn more

Development programmes across the world are still reeling from the swingeing cuts to USAID, whilst other western nations such as the UK and Germany have announced plans to scale back their own aid commitments.With Mike Bloomberg agreeing to fill the gap in climate funding left by the US's withdrawal from Paris, is it up to wealthy philanthropists to fill the hole of state funding? Is it realistic or appropriate for them to do so? And do competing interests from funders compromise work on the ground? Tom Rivett-Carnac, Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson examine the potential for a slippery slope in which governments increasingly abdicate their responsibilities for minimising problems for people and the planet. To delve into the topic more broadly, Christiana speaks to Helen Mountford, president and CEO of ClimateWorks Foundation, a global platform of researchers, strategists and grantmakers aiming to end the climate crisis by amplifying the power of philanthropy. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $2 billion to more than 850 grantees in over 50 countries. Whether electric vehicles or clean cooling for air conditioning units, Helen cites examples of philanthropic programmes that not only tackle climate destruction but also improve standard of living for people. And after expressing some much justified outrage, Christiana and Helen agree on a moment of optimism for bottom-up community coordination. Learn more:

How does a nation transform its forest coverage from 21% to 60% in half a century? What are the policies that can place nature at the very heart of political thinking? And why does Christiana Figueres see a picture of her dad when she visits an ATM? Christiana is joined in her home country by co-hosts Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson as they explore Costa Rica's remarkable history and constitutionally guaranteed environmental safeguards. Our resident expert explains her very deep personal bond to her country's politics as her father, former President José Figueres Ferrer, was also the father of the Second Republic, most famous for abolishing the country's army. It is perhaps Costa Rica's policies towards nature that truly elevates this nation above its peers, from its drive on rewilding to carbon taxes. But this incredible progress is now under threat: Christiana and former President Luis Guillermo Solís reflect on the populist Trump-like measures implemented by the current administration, including plans for a regressive return to fossil fuels. Will the government go through with it?———————————Learn more:

What is the future of climate action? Having previously interrogated the failures of multilateralism in the years since the Paris Agreement was signed, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson look to the future and the alternative ‘levers of change' that will tackle the climate crisis. These avenues are needed now more than ever after a whirlwind of executive orders and policies passed by President Donald Trump's administration. These have placed climate action firmly in its crosshairs, whilst conflating it with other conservative talking points such as transgender rights and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programmes.So what other levers can be pulled? Whether it's the utilisation of technology; our interaction with the worlds of business and finance; mass engagement with the public at large; climate litigation that moves the debate into the courtroom; and the role of young people – not just as campaigners, but also as corporate advisors. Will these approaches help bypass increasing obstructionism in the fight for climate justice?——————

Christiana Figueres, the driving force behind the groundbreaking Paris Climate Agreement, reflects on the high-stakes negotiations that reshaped the global fight against climate change in the year that marks its ten-year anniversary. With the fate of the planet hanging in the balance, she reveals the relentless pushback from the fossil fuel lobby, and the ever-shifting geopolitical tensions that threaten progress. Will the world stay on course, or are we teetering on the edge of climate catastrophe?Co-hosts Paul Dickinson and Tom Rivett-Carnac recall the final hours of the deal being adopted, the extraordinary feeling of seeing the world come together in unanimous support of climate action and make their predictions for how the business and political worlds will move forward in a new era of leadership. As Donald Trump kicks off his second term with a raft of immigration policies, the hosts discuss how the number of people set to be displaced due to climate is set to exceed a billion by 2050. Plus, whether 2025 is the year the insurance industry reaches an existential crisis as climate-related weather events, like the LA fires, become uninsurable. ********************************************Want to share your views on how the Paris Climate Agreement changed the course of history? Send us a voice note!Or understand more about today's episode: Read about the state of California's lawsuit against big oil.Dive into the 25-page Paris Climate Agreement, or read the preamble for all the crucial context as recommended by Christiana Figueres. Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos:Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimismOr get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Nina PullmanVideo Producer: Caitlin HanrahanExec Producer: Ellie CliffordCommissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's an NDC? What does El Niño tell us about global temperatures this year? And why could a landmark ICJ ruling unlock a wave of climate legal cases? Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson break down the climate acronyms and buzzwords you need to know in 2025.With a crucial year ahead for climate action, this podcast is your essential guide to the key terms shaping global discussions. From breaking down BRICS to how President Donald Trump's return to the White House will change the climate conversation. Plus, Paul finally decodes the ultimate acronym soup of climate finance jargon and the hosts discuss whether scrapping acronyms altogether could make the climate conversation more accessible. ********************************************Are there any major climate acronyms you think we missed? Send us a voice note!Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos:Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimismOr get in touch with us via this form. Producer: Nina PullmanVideo Producer: Caitlin HanrahanExec Producer: Ellie CliffordCommissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What will a Trump presidency mean for the climate movement? Hours after Trump takes office for the second time, Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson regroup to take stock and share their reactions to the US withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. Guest Greg Bertelsen, chief executive of the Climate Leadership Council, offers his perspective on positive ways in which to engage with the Trump presidency on climate and Paul Dickinson shares what business leaders will be discussing at this week's World Economic Forum in Davos. ********************************************Do you have any views on how the climate community could move forward under a Trump presidency? Send us a voice note!Follow us on social media for behind the scenes and video clips:Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimismYou can also contact us via this form. Producer: Nina PullmanVideo Producer: Caitlin HanrahanExec Producer: Ellie CliffordCommissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Culture, Society, News, Science - Persephonica and Global Optimism

The devastating fires in LA have dominated the headlines in a dramatic start to 2025. Christiana Figueres,Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson discuss their link with climate, as the newly-released Copernicus report confirms the world has exceeded 1.5 degrees of warming. And, in the year that marks halfway in the decisive decade for world emissions, our hosts are here with your definitive guide to the biggest climate moments coming up in 2025.What solutions will technology, AI and business people bring forward this year? What are the key meeting points and dates for the climate community? And just how did Tom and Christiana go from watching Costa Rica in the football World Cup in a pub in New York to delivering the history-making Paris climate talks?********************************************Did we miss any major climate dates in your diary? Send us a voice note!Follow us on social media for behind the scenes and video clips:Instagram @outrageoptimism LinkedIn @outrageoptimismOr contact us via this formProducer: Nina PullmanVideo Producer: Caitlin HanrahanExec Producer: Ellie CliffordCommissioning Editor: Sarah Thomas This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Outrage + Optimism is for anyone who is not ready to give up on making the world a better place. Feeling exhausted at the thought of keeping up with climate news ahead of this pivotal year? Join Christiana, Tom and Paul in their weekly conversations to make sense of it all, bringing you expert insight, analysis and inspiring conversations with some of the world's most visionary thinkers and influential decision makers. Subscribe to Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast. Follow us on LinkedIn, on Instagram and X.This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scott Jagow joins Hancock and Kelly to discuss the troubling shooting of United Healthcare CEO John and its implications for heightened security in healthcare. They delve into societal violence, potential motives such as frustration with healthcare insurance, and cultural acceptance of aggression. The conversation transitions to Missouri's legislative session under new Governor Mike Kehoe, exploring prospects for progress despite GOP divisions and potential abortion restrictions. They also share hopes for Ukraine's efforts against Russia and economic prosperity in the U.S.

This week, our hosts talk about what's been happening - and not happening - in Rio and Baku. Christiana clarifies the mandate of COPs  and advocates for COP processes and presidencies to be separate from national positions and interests while robustly defending multi-lateralism. The hosts discuss how world leaders meeting in Rio for the G20 meeting have sent a powerful political signal to those meeting in COP29 in Baku: a need for "rapidly and substantially scaling up climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources". The hosts are joined by Sue Reid, Climate Finance Advisor at Global Optimism who is on the ground in Baku. Together, they discuss what outcomes to expect as negotiators race towards the finish line in the second and final week of COP29. Sue Reid shares her optimism at leading investors at the pinnacle of the finance food chain calling for the same commitments in climate and nature as leading civil society advocates and developing countries. The hosts and Sue talk about the critical importance of innovative mechanisms to achieve the climate financing needed and the outsized impact of public finance to leverage and enable private finance.   NOTES AND RESOURCES   G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders Declaration COP29 gets boost from Rio as G20 leaders back scaling up climate finance from ‘billions to trillions'   GUEST Sue Reid, Climate Finance Advisor to Christiana Figueres at Global Optimism Global Optimism Website | LinkedIn   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

This week, Christiana has a fascinating window into the Biodiversity COP negotiations underway in Colombia. From Cali, she's joined by Freya Newman and Irene Suarez Perez from the Global Optimism team who give us the lowdown into what's going on inside and outside the negotiating rooms. They tell what's unique about Colombia hosting, how it's given a platform to indigenous and local community voices; and why business is talking about love as well as finance. Also joining Christiana from Cali is Monica Medina, a fellow with Conservation International and the US' first Special Envoy for Biodiversity. They have an animated chat about the essential interdependence of climate and biodiversity, and Medina shares her optimism about a new oceans fund. And they take a deep (and refreshingly nerdy!) dive into DSI - digital sequencing information - and how we can ensure lucrative genetic codes, often found in the Global South, are fairly compensated and reimbursed.   NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUESTS Monica Medina, Arnhold Distinguished Fellow at Conservation International, former Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment and Science and the first US Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter (X)   Irene Suarez Perez, Senior Advisor - Nature & Food System Transformation - Groundswell at Global Optimism LinkedIn   Freya Newman, Advisor, Groundswell at Global Optimism LinkedIn   Please fill out our Annual Listener Survey!   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

Brianna Treat is the director of sustainability at climate pledge arena. Climate Pledge Arena is a transformational project. It is the most significant private investment ever made in Pacific Northwest sports and entertainment history. In partnership, Oak View Group, the Seattle Kraken, and the City of Seattle set out to reimagine and redevelop an arena constructed under an historic landmarked roof originally built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Opening on October 19, 2021, Climate Pledge Arena, located at Seattle Center, and is home to the NHL Seattle Kraken, the WNBA Seattle Storm and the world's biggest performers of live music and events. Climate Pledge Arena serves as a long-lasting and regular reminder for the urgent need for climate action. The Climate Pledge, which was founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019, is a commitment from companies globally to be net zero carbon by 2040. Links: Climate Pledge Arena: https://www.climatepledgearena.com/arena-info/ Green Sports Day Canada 2024 Summit registration: https://www.greensportsverts.ca/green-sports-day ----  Please subscribe to the Sports for Social Impact Podcast wherever you get your podcast! Leave us a review and a 5 star rating to help bring others in the world of sports into the conversation! The Sports for Social Impact podcast was nominated for a Sports Podcast Award and Canadian Podcast Award. Send us an email at ⁠sportsforsocialimpact@gmail.com⁠  Linktree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/sportsforsocialimpact⁠ Linkedin: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-for-social-impact⁠ Follow us on Instagram (@SportsSocImpact)  Visit our website at https://www.sportsforsocialimpact.com/

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 | Facebook | 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) Dr. 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.   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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Morning Nifty 50 view Prepare your trading day in the market with this daily market pitch report on Nifty 50 with a strategy to trade including stop loss and target.

Morning Nifty 50 view Prepare your trading day in the market with this daily market pitch report on Nifty 50 with a strategy to trade including stop loss and target.

This week, The Climate Pledge turns five and Tom and Christiana talk to Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon, to reflect on the journey of this initiative co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism. At the top of the episode, Tom and Christiana anticipate the frantic and sometimes frustrating weeks ahead in this hectic period for those working in climate, and as wild weather continues to wreak havoc, Christiana and Tom invite us to pause for a moment. How can we listen and better contribute? How can we roll up our sleeves -  with hope - and get to work on having a positive impact and building momentum? In their thoughtful interview with Kara, the hosts reflect on how The Climate Pledge has grown over the last five years to over 500 signatories - companies who share an ambition to innovate, accelerate joint action and collaborate across sectors to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2040, ten years earlier than the Paris Agreement. Kara, Tom and Christiana discuss the specific challenges companies face and the solutions and strategies they're adopting to meet targets. Sharing failures has been just as valuable as sharing successes because, as Tom points out, none of us have decarbonised the global economy before. Unafraid to go deep, they question how we would reduce emissions and redesign society if we kept in mind the earth's atmosphere.   NOTES AND RESOURCES   Outrage + Optimism, Live at Climate Week NYC Event Title: It's Time To Unite For Mission 2025 Event Details: Tuesday 24th September, 12:00 - 13:00 ET, Glasshouse (NYC) Event Description: Mission 2025 is a coalition of courageous leaders - mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians and citizens - who are inviting governments to ratchet upcoming national climate plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions) in line with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Described as ‘Defenders of Paris', Mission 2025 Partners arrive at Climate Week New York with a major update of new organizations who are ready to embolden governments to set more ambitious plans and accelerate implementation because they know this can unlock trillions in private investment, scale cheap renewable energy, support industries to compete in a low carbon economy, and safeguard living standards equitably for our people. As a live recorded Outrage + Optimism podcast, this flagship event will demonstrate how these plans can be upgraded by showcasing government and real economy leaders who are driving towards ‘positive tipping points' across the three themes of energy, nature & food, and finance. The event is supported by the Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund and Systems Change Lab – together with the Climate Group. Registering: Please reach out to groundswell@globaloptimism.com if you are interested in joining this event   The Climate Pledge The Climate Pledge and C40 Cities Launch Laneshift   GUEST Kara Hurst, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amazon LinkedIn | Twitter (X)    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

Welcome back to Season 10! With the hosts together again following our break, Tom, Paul and Christiana are bursting with news and analysis.  Up for discussion this week, the hosts try to understand why the Democrats haven't been talking much about climate change and what drives Kamala Harris' outrage and optimism. They delve deeper into the UK's new Labour Party's plans around energy, nature and climate change.   Plus the hosts scan the horizon for the consequential moments in climate policy, with UNGA, Climate Week NYC and two COPs hurtling towards us.    NOTES AND RESOURCES   Outrage + Optimism, Live at Climate Week NYC Event Title: It's Time To Unite For Mission 2025 Event Details: Tuesday 24th September, 12:00 - 13:00 ET, Glasshouse (NYC) Event Description: Mission 2025 is a coalition of courageous leaders - mayors, governors, CEOs, investors, athletes, musicians and citizens - who are inviting governments to ratchet upcoming national climate plans (known as Nationally Determined Contributions) in line with the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5C. Described as ‘Defenders of Paris', Mission 2025 Partners arrive at Climate Week New York with a major update of new organizations who are ready to embolden governments to set more ambitious plans and accelerate implementation because they know this can unlock trillions in private investment, scale cheap renewable energy, support industries to compete in a low carbon economy, and safeguard living standards equitably for our people. As a live recorded Outrage+Optimism podcast, this flagship event will demonstrate how these plans can be upgraded by showcasing government and real economy leaders who are driving towards ‘positive tipping points' across the three themes of energy, nature & food, and finance.  The event is supported by the Mission 2025 Partners and convened by Groundswell – a collaboration between Global Optimism, Bezos Earth Fund and Systems Change Lab – together with the Climate Group. Registering: Please reach out to groundswell@globaloptimism.com if you are interested in joining this event   Fact check: Sea levels are already rising faster per year than Trump claims they might rise over ‘next 497 years' CNN, June 2024 Trump's chat with Musk on X fact-checked BBC, August 2024 Climate Concerns Dip - Monmouth University Poll, May 2024 Labour Government's In-Tray for Climate Change, Energy and Nature Carbon Brief Summit of the Future Watch Sherman Guity win Costa Rica a Gold Medal in the Paralympics 100m   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

On this episode of Point of Relation, Thomas is joined by Christiana Figueres, an internationally recognized leader on global climate change. They discuss her extensive work in helping to create global regulatory frameworks around climate change, and how we can apply the power of our agency as a collective to work towards regeneration instead of creating more destruction. Christiana and Thomas observe how our individual healing processes mirror the social transformation humanity must undergo to address the climate crisis. They explore how we can fertilize the ground of possibility and see climate change not as an inevitable disaster, but as a portal for change and an opportunity to heal global injustices.  ✨ Join Thomas and couples therapy expert Terry Real for a free, LIVE event: Daring to Embrace Intimacy in a Fractured World On July 18, Thomas and Terry will come together to explore how trauma in our world creates a pressure cooker for our day-to-day relationships, and share tools and practices to help you shift from conflict to connection to heal your relationships—with yourself, your partner, and the world at large. Sign up for free here:

Welcome to episode 70 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. We're delighted to be able to share with you this special two-part installment, recorded in June 2024 at the recent Plum Village retreat, Ancient Path for Modern Times. This is the first recording of a panel discussion based loosely around the 14 mindfulness trainings – Thich Nhat Hanh’s ethical guidelines for living, a modern distillation of the traditional Bodhisattva precepts of Mahayana Buddhism. The trainings are followed by monastics and lay friends who have made a a formal vow to receive, study, and observe them. In the panel, you will hear two of our frequent guests, Sister True Dedication (Sister Hien Nghiem) and Christiana Figueres, as well as Dharma teacher Shantum Seth. These three panelists explore how the Buddha faced war and violence in his own time; the principle of ahimsa and Gandhian nonviolence; handling anger, despair, and burnout as activists; practicing in times of polarization and division; insights around the victim-perpetrator dynamic; sanghas as sanctuaries, and their role in activism; different aspects of engaged Buddhism and its evolution over time; the spiritual dimension of change; and much more. And does anger help? Christiana Figueres, one of the architects of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, was a student of Thich Nhat Hanh and is a valued member of the Plum Village Sangha. Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 2010 to 2016, she is also the co-founder of Global Optimism, co-host of the Outrage + Optimism podcast, and co-author of the bestselling The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis.  Shantum Seth, an ordained Dharmacharya (Dharma teacher) in the Buddhist Mindfulness lineage of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, teaches in India and across the world. A co-founder of Ahimsa Trust, he has been a student of Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings for the past 35 years. Since 1988, he has led pilgrimages and other multi-faith, educational, cultural, spiritual, and transformative journeys across diverse regions of India and Asia. He is actively involved in educational, social, and ecological programmes, including work on cultivating mindfulness in society, including with educators, the Indian Central Reserve Police Force, and the corporate sector. Across various Indian sanghas, Dharmacharya Shantum is the primary teacher of different practices of mindfulness from Thich Nhat Hanh's tradition.Thank you for listening, and enjoy! Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/   And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources Interbeinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbeing The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainingshttps://plumvillage.org/mindfulness/the-14-mindfulness-trainings Mahayanahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahayana Bodhisattva vowhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva_vow Magadhahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magadha Kosalahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosala Ahimsahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AhimsaMahavirahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MahaviraPatanjalihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patanjali Mahatma Gandhihttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi Jan Smutshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Smuts Sister Chan Duchttps://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/sr-chan-duc Sister Chan Khonghttps://plumvillage.org/about/sister-chan-khong Paris Peace Accordshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_Peace_Accords The European Institute of Applied Buddhism (EIAB)https://plumvillage.org/practice-centre/eiab Quotes “I need to find a way of being peace, not just fighting for peace.” “There’s no teaching as clear as ‘no mud, no lotus', because that is the kernel of transformation. And if we can all give that to ourselves every day, then we can make space for the despair and the anger and maybe even the hatred. And, at the same time, be able to make space for the reconciliation and for the growth in our shared humanity.” “What has always been important for me, as a guidance, is to understand that, because of the truth of interbeing, we all play a role. We all have our different positions, our different opinions, our different interests, and they’re all necessary.” “I wake up, honestly, most mornings, despairing at what I’m seeing. The question for me, then, is: do I let that control my day? Do I let that control my thought, my word, and my action? Or do I use the despair as the very rich mud to transform into the lotus?” “I know the reasons for anger. And if anger is directed at me it’s probably a good direction, because it means that it won't be reflected back.” “Whatever is in me, I mirror out there in the world. Whatever I do has an effect on the world. The other option is to let the world determine what goes on inside me. I did that for many years, and it doesn’t lead to good results. So the invitation is to actually take responsibility. What is the world in here doing, and how do I reflect that onto the outside world?” “If you can still see that the flowers are smiling, you’re okay.” “True mindfulness or right mindfulness always contains ethics within it. And if it doesn’t have ethics in it, like, for example, using mindfulness to hold a gun and pull the trigger, then, actually, that’s not mindfulness. That would just be concentration or focus. Mindfulness is your whole being, including the ethical values that are there in the present moment.” “You could send all the bombs to the moon, but the roots of war would still be in our hearts and minds.” “The way we show up, the quality of our presence – whether it’s teachers or leaders in politics, the climate movement, our own organizations, or in our families – that quality of applied mindfulness in our presence is our engagement, and that’s what the world needs most.” “Don’t underestimate the power of our applied mindfulness, the quality of our presence in the most simple moments. That is how we can take our civilization in the right direction.”

Climate change has led many states and countries to set targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from power systems. Oregon, for example, has set targets for all power sold to retail customers in the state to have GHG emissions cut by 80% by 2030, 90% by 2035, and 100% by 2040. It's a challenging task, but Portland General Electric (PGE), a fully integrated energy company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to roughly half of Oregon's population, and for about 75% of its commercial and industrial activity, is working hard to achieve those objectives. As the first utility in the U.S. to sign The Climate Pledge, an initiative co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism in 2019, which has since had 464 signatories join, committing to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, PGE is leading the way toward a cleaner energy future. Kristen Sheeran, senior director of sustainability, strategy, and resources planning at PGE, said the process is pretty straightforward in some ways. “In order to reduce carbon on our system, we have to back out fossil fuels that we currently rely on to generate power for our customers, and we have to replace that with non-emitting alternatives,” she said as a guest on The POWER Podcast. Up to this point in time, that has primarily been done with wind, solar, and batteries, and it's not a new thing for PGE. The company's first wind farm—the Biglow Canyon site—began operation in 2007. Meanwhile, in 2012, PGE opened the Camino del Sol Solar Station, an interstate highway solar project. Since then, the company has partnered with schools, government agencies, and corporations to grow solar energy throughout Oregon. In partnership with NextEra Energy Resources, it also opened North America's first major renewable energy facility to combine wind, solar, and battery storage in one location—the Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility in Morrow County. Today, PGE boasts having more than 1 GW of wind power capacity in service in the Northwest, and it aims to procure between 3.5 GW and 4.5 GW of new non-emitting resources and storage between now and 2030. Perhaps more difficult than decarbonizing the system, however, is doing so while also maintaining reliability, affordability, and an equitable system for all its customers. “It's a very interesting point in time—an inflection point for the industry,” Sheeran said. “How do you balance affordability? How do you balance reliability with emissions reduction?” she asked. PGE closed its last Oregon-based coal-fired power plant in October 2020, 20 years ahead of schedule, as part of an agreement with stakeholders, customer groups, and regulators to significantly reduce air emissions from power production in Oregon. PGE still receives a small amount of coal-fired power from the Colstrip plant, which is located near Billings, Montana. The company has an ownership stake in the facility, but it plans to exit its ownership in Colstrip no later than 2029. Brett Greene, PGE's senior director of clean energy origination and structuring, suggested striking the right energy balance will take more than just wind and solar, however. “We are supportive of all technology. We really think it takes a lot of innovation and creativity to hit that net-zero goal in 2040,” he said. Greene noted that resources such as hydro, pumped storage, offshore wind, and even nuclear, hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies may ultimately be needed to fully decarbonize PGE's power mix.

Successfully addressing the climate crisis requires significant progress by 2030. Will we get there? Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate leader who led the process securing the Paris Climate Agreement, offers expert perspective, defining the current state of the problem and how we can grow our ability to rapidly put solutions into action. Prepare to be uplifted about what's possible and to learn about critical climate priorities slated for the UN climate conference COP28. Christiana is a Founding Partner of Global Optimism, co-presenter of climate podcast Outrage + Optimism, and co-author of "The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist's Guide to the Climate Crisis." Show notes: Christiana's TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/christiana_figueres_the_inside_story_of_the_paris_climate_agreement?language=en Outrage + Optimism: https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/ Accelerating carbon reduction: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/sustainability.html      

Can we alter the course of climate change? One woman who can answer with authority is the internationally recognised leader on global climate change, Christiana Figueres. An absolutely remarkable woman, Ms Figueres was formerly the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Demonstrating immense diplomacy, resilience and determination, she successfully orchestrated negotiations with 196 countries to reach the historical Paris Agreement of 2015. Now hugely decorated, she is the co-founder of an organisation called Global Optimism, co-host of the podcast “Outrage & Optimism” and the co-author of the recently published book, “The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis".As the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) approaches next week, Ms. Figueres sits down with Annie to explain where the world is right now - what has been agreed, what needs to be done and importantly, what YOU can do. As well as discussing climate change, she explores her own changes, reveals her greatest obstacles and shares the influence of her father in making her the woman she is today; one who, with stubborn optimism makes the impossible possible. This is an important episode for anyone who wants a better future for our planet.You can buy a copy of The Future We Choose here: https://www.globaloptimism.com/the-future-we-choose Find out more about Christiana Figueres here: https://christianafigueres.com/#/Changes is a deaf friendly podcast, transcripts can be accessed here: https://www.anniemacmanus.com/changes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The ecological crisis we are standing before is at once civilizational and personal — intimately close to each of us in the places we love and inhabit, and unfolding at a species level. And as much as anyone alive on the planet now, Christiana Figueres has felt the overwhelm of this and stepped into service. She gives voice so eloquently to the grief that we feel and must allow to bind us to each other — and what she sees as a spiritual evolution the natural world is calling us to. If you have wondered how to keep hope alive amidst a thousand reasons to despair, if you are ready to take your despair as fuel — intrigued by the idea of stepping into love and immediate realities of abundance and regeneration — this conversation is for you.Christiana Figueres was Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 2010-2016, and is known as the powerhouse who made the 2015 Paris Agreement possible — in which 195 nations worked with their wildly diverse conditions and points of view on the what and the when and the why, and yet made commitments in service of our hurting planet and the future of humanity. Her book, written together with Tom Rivett-Carnac, is The Future We Choose. She is founding partner of the organization Global Optimism and co-hosts the podcast Outrage + Optimism.Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.______Sign up for The Pause — a Saturday morning companion to the podcast season.

This week, the team talk positive tipping points, grapple with the comms coming out of the pre-COP meets and send our tributes to dearly loved colleagues who have recently passed.  With pre COP 28 meetings currently taking place, the host team discuss the mixed messaging that is currently making headlines and anticipate what this might mean for how the future of fossil fuels will appear in the final text at COP 28.  Tim Lenton, the founding Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science is our guest this week, and with Tom unable to make the interview, our brilliant colleague from Global Optimism, Freya Newman, joins Christiana and Paul to interview her former professor. With negative tipping points racing along their own ‘S curve', the team ask Tim Lenton whether there are signs that the positive tipping points can win this race and avert the worst impacts of the climate crisis (pssst, the answer is it looks very, very possible).  Music this week comes from Jemima Coulter with their beautiful song ‘[flowers]'. NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUEST Professor Tim Lenton, Founding Director of the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter and Chair in Climate Change and Earth System Science Website | LinkedIn   Here is the website on Global Tipping points where you can find resources and info on all that Tim and the team discuss. Spread the word!   FREYA NEWMAN LinkedIn   PETE BETTS We are all very saddened by the news of the death of Pete Betts, a former guest on Outrage + Optimism and an all round incredible human being. Please check out the episode here, to hear the man himself and his lifetime dedication to working for a better, fairer sustainable future.    DAVID ATTENBOROUGH As mentioned by Tom here is one of the first O+O episodes recorded and it is one worth revisiting to hear the exchange between Christiana and David as they talk about the Garden of Eden and Garden of Intention. Truly worth a revisit.    MUSICAL GUEST Jemima Coulter Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Bandcamp | Spotify | YouTube   Go buy/stream ‘Grace After A Party'   PLUM VILLAGE ‘An Invitation to Sit Together For Peace' 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

War in Ukraine. Global poverty on the rise. Hunger, too. Not to mention a persistent pandemic. It doesn't feel like a particularly good time to be alive. And yet, Harvard psychologist Stephen Pinker argues that things are getting better today than ever across the world, based on the metrics that matter. Like laundry.   In 1920, the average American spent 11.5 hours a week doing laundry (and that average American was almost always a woman, dudes just wore dirty clothes). By 2014, the number had dropped to 1.5 hours a week, thanks to what renowned public health scholar Hans Rosling called "greatest invention of the Industrial Revolution”: the washing machine. By freeing people of washing laundry by hand, this new technology allowed parents to devote more time to educating their children, and it allowed women to cultivate a life beyond the washboard.   The automation of laundry is just one of many metrics that Pinker, uses to measure human progress. But how does his optimistic view of the state of the world stack up against the brutality of the modern world? Ian Bremmers asks this "relentlessly optimistic macro thinker" to share his view of the world on the GZERO World podcast.

War in Ukraine. Global poverty on the rise. Hunger, too. Not to mention a persistent pandemic. It doesn't feel like a particularly good time to be alive. And yet, Harvard psychologist Stephen Pinker argues that things are getting better today than ever across the world, based on the metrics that matter. Like laundry.   In 1920, the average American spent 11.5 hours a week doing laundry (and that average American was almost always a woman, dudes just wore dirty clothes). By 2014, the number had dropped to 1.5 hours a week, thanks to what renowned public health scholar Hans Rosling called "greatest invention of the Industrial Revolution”: the washing machine. By freeing people of washing laundry by hand, this new technology allowed parents to devote more time to educating their children, and it allowed women to cultivate a life beyond the washboard.   The automation of laundry is just one of many metrics that Pinker, uses to measure human progress. But how does his optimistic view of the state of the world stack up against the brutality of the modern world? Ian Bremmers asks this "relentlessly optimistic macro thinker" to share his view of the world on the GZERO World podcast. Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

TCD. Best of: Climate Champ--Felipe Calderon, plus ClimateSustainability.Org, and Global Optimism. Meet America's Conservative Climate Caucus!

Welcome to episode 54 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. This week, we bring you a very special joint episode of The Way Out Is In and fellow podcast Outrage + Optimism, which explores the stories behind climate change headlines. From the peace and tranquility of the International Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and leadership coach and journalist Jo Confino speak with Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac. Christiana Figueres, a student of Thich Nhat Hanh, was one of the architects of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, and is a valued member of the Plum Village Sangha. Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 2010 to 2016, she is also the co-founder of Global Optimism, co-host of Outrage + Optimism, and co-author of the bestselling The Future We Choose: Surviving the Climate Crisis. Tom Rivett-Carnac is a political strategist, author, and podcaster who has spent more than 20 years working to address the climate and ecological crises. He is also a Founding Partner of Global Optimism, co-host of the podcast Outrage + Optimism, and co-author of The Future We Choose. Listeners of both podcasts are invited to join an intimate and deep conversation which covers the spiritual elements missing from the climate movement; moving beyond linear timelines into exponential transformation; how to develop the power within ourselves to drive change; non-attachment to views; listening without judgment; what happens when we all stop; and much more. Plus, what is spiritual power and how can it support us? So bring your tea to the table and let the radical collaboration begin. Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resourcesChristiana Figuereshttp://christianafigueres.com/#/ Tom Rivett-Carnachttps://www.globaloptimism.com/tom-rivett-carnac The Art of Powerhttps://www.parallax.org/product/art-of-power/ Brother Phap Linh (Brother Spirit)https://plumvillage.org/people/dharma-teachers/brother-phap-linh The Four Dharma Seals of Plum Villagehttps://plumvillage.org/articles/the-four-dharma-seals-of-plum-village The B Teamhttps://bteam.org/ The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)https://unfccc.int/Zen and the Art of Saving the Planethttps://www.harpercollins.com/products/zen-and-the-art-of-saving-the-planet-thich-nhat-hanh Music for Difficult Times: Awakening the Heart of Compassion by Brother Phap Linhhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YarhXTDs8Z4 The Way Out Is In: ‘Being the Change We Want to See in the World: A Conversation with Christiana Figueres (Episode #21)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/being-the-change-we-want-to-see-in-the-world-a-conversation-with-christiana-figueres-episode-21 The Way Out Is In: ‘Benefitting from a Spiritual Practice: In Conversation with Tom Rivett-Carnac (Episode #37)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/benefitting-from-a-spiritual-practice-in-conversation-with-tom-rivett-carnac-episode-37 The Way Out Is In: ‘Bringing the Ultimate Dimension Down to Earth (Episode #40)'https://plumvillage.org/podcast/bringing-the-ultimate-dimension-down-to-earth-episode-40 Aeschylushttps://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Aeschylus Quotes “Recognizing our own presence is already a power.” “The linearity of time is something that those of us who work on climate change live with on a daily basis. We have an alarm clock that is with us all the time because we have very clear timelines. We know that by 2100, we absolutely must have guaranteed that we do not go over 1.5 degrees [Celsius]. We know that in order to get there, we have to be at net zero by 2050. We know that in order to get to net zero by 2050, we have to be at one half of global emissions by 2030. And we know that to be at half emissions by 2030, we have to reduce yearly by 7%. So we take time and we pull it into our current experience and we derive mathematically, we derive then the implications of time upon our work. And so it is not surprising that those of us who work on climate change have a huge anxiety about time.” “Time and space, we have to be attentive and mindful of them, but we can also be free from them, because this present moment that we’re living deeply is the seed that we need to plant for the future.” “Some of our transformation and actions of today, we may not see them until two, three, or five generations later – but nothing is lost. And that is the insight. And I believe it’s the truth of karma. The word karma, for us, is not what you hear in music: ‘What comes around, goes around,' ‘Do better'… Yes, do better, but karma is much more profound than that. The actions of today, we don’t see them. Some of it, we will experience right away; we experience the transformation right away. But there are deeper transformations that need time for ripening.” “Love has no frontier, it goes on forever.” “There’s no way to find common ground without respecting and understanding the differences, because then you don’t see what’s common.” “You can be a different person in how you show up.” “When you are able to live in the present moment, the right action emerges out of that space, out of that ultimate dimension that you are able to inhabit. If you can stay there and can trust that the best way to prepare for the future is to be in the present moment when it comes – rather than spend all of your time in your head trying to plan it out and think it through, which I think a lot of people get stuck in. Then, when that moment comes, what’s needed is there.” “Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God” – Aeschylus.

Hello! Every day, remarkable acts of diplomacy are happening around the world to bring us one step closer to cooperation on our biggest conflicts and challenges. But how much do we really know about what goes on behind closed doors? And what are the ingredients of a successful negotiation? We speak to climate diplomacy legend and friend of the pod, Christiana Figueres, about her leadership on one of the most extraordinary diplomatic feats: the 2015 Paris Agreement. Gabrielle Rifkind, a specialist in conflict resolution, tells us about the importance of finding the ‘human face' of conflict. Finally, the EU's former top diplomat Catherine Ashton talks to us about the highs and lows of her time on the job, and why all of us are diplomats without even knowing it.Plus: We've talked sandwiches, we've talked toasters. Have a guess at which gadget has Ed bought for himself this week...GuestsChristiana Figueres, co-founder of Global Optimism and former Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC 2010-2016 (@CFigueres / @OutrageOptimism) Gabrielle Rifkind, Specialist in conflict resolution and Director of the Oxford Process (@OxfordProcess)Catherine Ashton, Former High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and author of And then what? Inside stories of 21st century diplomacy More informationBuy a copy of Catherine's bookListen to Outrage and Optimism, Christiana and Tom Rivett-Carnac's podcastLearn more about the Oxford Process'We need to rethink how we do diplomacy,' Guardian Article, Catherine AshtonLearn more about the Paris Agreement, the legally binding treaty on climate change Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to this week's episode - It's a packed agenda. Our hosts cover everything from nature breakdown in the UK, the threat of nuclear war in Europe, the downfall of a World Bank President and plenty in-between. We also hear from the incredible Helen Clarkson and Catherine McKenna on everything to do with greenwashing, carbon tax and the power of straight-talking on climate. For those of you working in the corporate world and grappling with climate action, this is an episode you do not want to miss. Helen Clarkson, CEO of the Climate Group which convenies Climate Week NYC, shares a fascinating insight at the disconnect happening within companies on the road to net zero, who are now having to turn their commitments into real action. And that brings us to the fascinating conversation on greenwashing with Catherine McKenna, Chair of something with an extraordinarily long and very difficult to say without reading your notes name: the UN's High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities. We talk about how, while we're all outraged - rightly - by greenwashing, we still need to lift up the folks who are doing the real work and not lump everyone in the same group. And there's more: on the balance between integrity and momentum, supply chain efficiencies, understanding risk, a price on carbon, disclosure and what blockchain has to do with all of that. We wrap up with a gorgeous song from Finnegan Tui. Your ears will thank you for staying on to listen.   Notes and Resources    Thank you to our guests this week:    Helen Clarkson | Chief Executive Office at the Climate Group  Twitter   Climate Group Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram Catch all of last week's Climate Week NYC On Demand   Catherine McKenna | Chair of H-LEG - the UN's High-Level Expert Group on the Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities. Twitter - Thank you to our musical guest this week, Finnegan Tui! Finnegan Tui Spotify | Apple Music | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Website Patreon | Bandcamp Watch the ‘ZEPHYR' Audio-Visual Journey on YouTube - Congratulations to Global Optimism's very own Freya Newman on her Masters Resarch being published in Nature Communications! - For more on WBG President David Malpass's controversial remarks, start here. -  @OutrageOptimism is where we are online! Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn

Welcome to episode 37 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. This time, the presenters, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and journalist Jo Confino, are joined in conversation by Tom Rivett-Carnac. Together, they discuss the power that deep spiritual grounding has to support change in the world, as well as how to bring presence and insight into our daily lives and the global challenges we face; how to cultivate inner peace; and taking steps to make mindfulness a tool for individual and collective awakening.  Tom Rivett-Carnac is a political strategist, author, and podcaster who has spent more than 20 years working to address the climate and ecological crises. He is also a Founding Partner of Global Optimism, co-presenter of the well-known climate podcast Outrage + Optimism, and co-author of bestselling book The Future We Choose. Tom also talks about his early-life experience as a Buddhist monk; spiritual development; coming together without egoic attachment to find collective solutions; and integrating practice and activism.   Brother Phap Huu talks about practices for collective awakening and how to not lose track of mindfulness in society's busyness; training for the hard times; communities as support for the practice; touching enlightenment in daily life; finding peace in silence; being the change we want to see; and how Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings can serve people in times of crises.  Jo delves into the power of presence; letting go of views; and why ‘showing up fully at work' may not work. The episode ends with a short meditation guided by Brother Phap Huu. Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources Tom Rivett-Carnachttps://www.globaloptimism.com/tom-rivett-carnac The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisishttps://www.globaloptimism.com/the-future-we-choose  S.N. Goenkahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._N._Goenka Sagaing, Myanmar/Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagaing Christiana Figuereshttp://christianafigueres.com/#/ The Way Out Is In: ‘The Three Doors of Liberation' (episode 18)https://plumvillage.org/podcast/the-three-doors-of-liberation-episode-18/ The Way Out Is In: ‘Free from Views in a Polarized World' (episode 36)https://plumvillage.org/podcast/free-from-views-in-a-polarized-world-episode-36/ The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OECD Ajahn Chahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chah Quotes “I’ve done things in the last two days that I haven’t done for 20 years. Like just sit on a log and watch the wind in the poplars for 15 minutes. And how deeply satisfying that present moment can be. I feel very grateful to find that again. And the strange thing, of course, is it was always there. I was allowing myself to develop this sense of melancholy and regret, like it was this difficult thing that I’d achieved and forgotten. And then, coming back here, it actually seemed simple.” “Spirituality, for us, is the refuge within that needs to always be cultivated.” “When we speak about coming back to oneself in Buddhism, it’s not about taking care of the ego but finding all of the beautiful conditions that we want to cultivate outside, inside of us. Then we will have the ingredients to offer to the world, to the workplace, to our families, to our loved ones.” “The necessary step that we all need to take is moving mindfulness away from being something that happens in isolation from the world, to something that happens while we are in the world and that the world can become a tool for.” “The only way in which we have a sense of collective purpose is in the unity of how we direct our attention towards the present moment, towards the world that we’re living in, that we’re all working to protect, but which the busyness of that activity is preventing us from seeing.” “I feel like I’ve spent half my adult life focusing primarily on presence and spiritual development, and the other half on raising a family, the problems of the world, and climate change – and now I feel like the interesting work is at the intersection of those two. I don’t feel like we can really advance unless we’re able to bring those two different elements together in ourselves, in our work, because we’re not really doing it at the moment.”“The systems and the institutions that we have relied upon to see us through this great crisis don’t look capable of delivering what we want. So where’s the edge that we need to dwell with in order to move forward? I believe it’s the integration of how we’re living our lives, how we’re bringing presence and insight to our moment, to the moments of our life and the great challenges of our generation.” “What we need is a collective awakening. Our teacher has said, ‘One Buddha is not enough anymore for our times, for our suffering, for the situations that we are facing. We need multitudes of bodhisattvas, of those who are selfless, those who know how to see the benefit of others as their own benefits, the well-being of the planet as their well-being.'” “Even though what is being shared is so painful, instead of drowning and being overwhelmed by the sorrow, my breathing becomes my foundation. I’m still present with the suffering, but I can guide the suffering. And this inner work, we believe [it] is so necessary for everyone today, because what we are facing will bring up a lot of emotions and feelings and even a sense of despair. And we all need a place of refuge and we need communities. I truly believe that community is the way forward; we cannot do it by ourselves. There’s no superman that can change the situation. We really need a collective movement, a collective awakening, a collective practice.” “It would be very easy to say, ‘I’ve spent ten years following my spiritual pursuits and 15 years working in the climate movement. Now I want to integrate them, I need to go away and think up a plan and come up with an ideology and a view that is one of integration.' But all we will have done is add to the number of ideologies and views out there. So it has to be about creating an intentionality and a presence and a space from which something can emerge. And that process can probably neither be hurried nor slowed down, but [it also] can’t be born unless it has space to breathe.” “The first thing that I feel will be important for me in returning to my life is the acceptance that normal life is different, and that I can’t expect perfection from myself. That in itself creates a relaxation. The best that we can do is bring more presence and more intentionality, and move in a direction that has that infused in it, and be able to let go of the things that distract us, the ideas that trap us – but that’s going to be a process.”

Welcome to episode 37 of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives. This time, the presenters, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and journalist Jo Confino, are joined in conversation by Tom Rivett-Carnac. Together, they discuss the power that deep spiritual grounding has to support change in the world, as well as how to bring presence and insight into our daily lives and the global challenges we face; how to cultivate inner peace; and taking steps to make mindfulness a tool for individual and collective awakening.  Tom Rivett-Carnac is a political strategist, author, and podcaster who has spent more than 20 years working to address the climate and ecological crises. He is also a Founding Partner of Global Optimism, co-presenter of the well-known climate podcast Outrage + Optimism, and co-author of bestselling book The Future We Choose. Tom also talks about his early-life experience as a Buddhist monk; spiritual development; coming together without egoic attachment to find collective solutions; and integrating practice and activism.   Brother Phap Huu talks about practices for collective awakening and how to not lose track of mindfulness in society's busyness; training for the hard times; communities as support for the practice; touching enlightenment in daily life; finding peace in silence; being the change we want to see; and how Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings can serve people in times of crises.  Jo delves into the power of presence; letting go of views; and why ‘showing up fully at work' may not work. The episode ends with a short meditation guided by Brother Phap Huu. Co-produced by the Plum Village App:https://plumvillage.app/ And Global Optimism:https://globaloptimism.com/ With support from the Thich Nhat Hanh Foundation:https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/ List of resources Tom Rivett-Carnachttps://www.globaloptimism.com/tom-rivett-carnac The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisishttps://www.globaloptimism.com/the-future-we-choose  S.N. Goenkahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._N._Goenka Sagaing, Myanmar/Burmahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagaing Christiana Figuereshttp://christianafigueres.com/#/ The Way Out Is In: ‘The Three Doors of Liberation' (episode 18)https://plumvillage.org/podcast/the-three-doors-of-liberation-episode-18/ The Way Out Is In: ‘Free from Views in a Polarized World' (episode 36)https://plumvillage.org/podcast/free-from-views-in-a-polarized-world-episode-36/ The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OECD Ajahn Chahhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Chah Quotes “I’ve done things in the last two days that I haven’t done for 20 years. Like just sit on a log and watch the wind in the poplars for 15 minutes. And how deeply satisfying that present moment can be. I feel very grateful to find that again. And the strange thing, of course, is it was always there. I was allowing myself to develop this sense of melancholy and regret, like it was this difficult thing that I’d achieved and forgotten. And then, coming back here, it actually seemed simple.” “Spirituality, for us, is the refuge within that needs to always be cultivated.” “When we speak about coming back to oneself in Buddhism, it’s not about taking care of the ego but finding all of the beautiful conditions that we want to cultivate outside, inside of us. Then we will have the ingredients to offer to the world, to the workplace, to our families, to our loved ones.” “The necessary step that we all need to take is moving mindfulness away from being something that happens in isolation from the world, to something that happens while we are in the world and that the world can become a tool for.” “The only way in which we have a sense of collective purpose is in the unity of how we direct our attention towards the present moment, towards the world that we’re living in, that we’re all working to protect, but which the busyness of that activity is preventing us from seeing.” “I feel like I’ve spent half my adult life focusing primarily on presence and spiritual development, and the other half on raising a family, the problems of the world, and climate change – and now I feel like the interesting work is at the intersection of those two. I don’t feel like we can really advance unless we’re able to bring those two different elements together in ourselves, in our work, because we’re not really doing it at the moment.”“The systems and the institutions that we have relied upon to see us through this great crisis don’t look capable of delivering what we want. So where’s the edge that we need to dwell with in order to move forward? I believe it’s the integration of how we’re living our lives, how we’re bringing presence and insight to our moment, to the moments of our life and the great challenges of our generation.” “What we need is a collective awakening. Our teacher has said, ‘One Buddha is not enough anymore for our times, for our suffering, for the situations that we are facing. We need multitudes of bodhisattvas, of those who are selfless, those who know how to see the benefit of others as their own benefits, the well-being of the planet as their well-being.'” “Even though what is being shared is so painful, instead of drowning and being overwhelmed by the sorrow, my breathing becomes my foundation. I’m still present with the suffering, but I can guide the suffering. And this inner work, we believe [it] is so necessary for everyone today, because what we are facing will bring up a lot of emotions and feelings and even a sense of despair. And we all need a place of refuge and we need communities. I truly believe that community is the way forward; we cannot do it by ourselves. There’s no superman that can change the situation. We really need a collective movement, a collective awakening, a collective practice.” “It would be very easy to say, ‘I’ve spent ten years following my spiritual pursuits and 15 years working in the climate movement. Now I want to integrate them, I need to go away and think up a plan and come up with an ideology and a view that is one of integration.' But all we will have done is add to the number of ideologies and views out there. So it has to be about creating an intentionality and a presence and a space from which something can emerge. And that process can probably neither be hurried nor slowed down, but [it also] can’t be born unless it has space to breathe.” “The first thing that I feel will be important for me in returning to my life is the acceptance that normal life is different, and that I can’t expect perfection from myself. That in itself creates a relaxation. The best that we can do is bring more presence and more intentionality, and move in a direction that has that infused in it, and be able to let go of the things that distract us, the ideas that trap us – but that’s going to be a process.”