Podcast appearances and mentions of nicholas walton

18-year-old Nicholas Walton was found, asleep, in his pickup on a New Hampshire highway early one Saturday morning. He had stopped in the middle of the lane and locked the doors but hadn't put it in Park. Police arrived and handled it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the realm of spooky video games, Poppy Playtime stands out with its blend of puzzles, exploration, and jump-scare frights. Developed by Mob Entertainment, this episodic adventure takes players on a chilling journey through the abandoned Playtime Co. toy factory. The story unfolds ten years after the factory's entire staff vanished under mysterious circumstances. You, a former employee, return to the desolate factory, determined to unearth the truth behind the disappearances and escape with your life. But the once playful factory now harbors monstrous toys, each with a sinister agenda. Armed with the GrabPack, a multi-functional backpack tool, you navigate through decaying corridors and solve intricate puzzles. This unique tool allows you to grab objects from afar, manipulate machinery, and even fend off the nightmarish creatures that lurk within the shadows. Among these twisted toys is the infamous Huggy Wuggy, a towering blue monstrosity with a disturbingly enthusiastic disposition and razor-sharp teeth. He serves as the primary antagonist in the first chapter, but be warned, other equally unsettling characters await in the subsequent chapters, including the long-limbed Mommy Long Legs. While a seemingly helpful red poppy doll named Poppy guides you through the factory, her true intentions remain shrouded in mystery, adding another layer of intrigue to the narrative. Poppy Playtime has captivated a large and dedicated fanbase, particularly young audiences, with its creepy atmosphere, inventive puzzles, and an engrossing story. However, the game's use of jump scares and potentially disturbing imagery has sparked some controversy, making it unsuitable for younger children. Origins and Development Poppy Playtime was developed by the three-person studio Mob Games, founded in 2020 by game designers Zain Šljivo, Tyler McMinn, and Nicholas Walton. The team successfully pitched the concept of an episodic horror puzzle game set in an abandoned toy factory on Kickstarter. They raised over $100,000 to fund initial development and release the first chapter in October 2021. The developers cited childhood favorites like Toy Story as inspiration but aimed to put a sinister twist on living toys coming to life. They also took cues from terrifying game classics like Five Nights at Freddy's in designing the atmosphere and monstrous characters. The result was a unique blend of lighthearted nostalgia turned frightening through mature horror elements. After the runaway success of Chapter 1, Mob Games continued expanding the story and factory map with two additional chapters in 2022. These new episodes introduced expanded areas to explore, challenging new puzzles, and even more disturbing toy adversaries. Given the game's popularity, the studio aims to develop at least 8 total chapters to fully flesh out the mystery narrative. Thanks to a compelling concept and quality execution, Poppy Playtime gained viral fame even before its release. The pre-release trailers alone generated substantial online buzz within horror gaming circles. This grassroots momentum established a built-in audience eagerly awaiting its launch. Gameplay Mechanics and Features Poppy Playtime gameplay balances eerie exploration and atmosphere with challenging puzzles. Key mechanics include: - The GrabPack - This multi-tool backpack enables grabbing objects remotely to solve puzzles and for self-defense. - Environmental Puzzles - Players must unlock doors, restore power, and activate machinery to proceed through the factory. - Item Hunting - Finding tools, electronics, and collectibles is essential for solving puzzles and gaining story clues. - Stealth Sequences - Evading violent toys like Huggy Wuggy creates tense, heart-pounding suspense. - VHS Tapes - Discovering recordings fills in the factory's mysterious backstory and fate. Immersive Setting The richly detailed toy factory environment crafts an immersive, melancholic atmosphere tinged with horror. The decaying industrial playground conveys a creepy contrast between childhood joy and trauma. Sinister touches like damage, graffiti, and screams enhance the environmental storytelling. This unsettling, maze-like setting fuels tension and curiosity. Toy Character Designs The terrifying living toy characters represent a highlight of Poppy Playtime's appeal. Their designs blend nostalgic charm with imaginative horror elements. Huggy Wuggy parodies lovable teddy bears but with disturbing features that toy with players' emotions. Mommy Long Legs leverages uncanny spider-like movement and makeup. Kissy Wissy's cute mermaid look hides a revolting sucker-mouth. As the cheerful narrator, Poppy provides guidance with an aura of mystery and manipulation. These memorable toys showcase how Poppy Playtime merges playtime and horror through expert character design. Impact on Horror Gaming Poppy Playtime entered the horror game scene at an opportune time following the pandemic, capitalizing on renewed interest in the genre. Its viral online fame has sparked a resurgence of horror puzzle games using similar digital marketing strategies. Like predecessors in the genre, Poppy Playtime demonstrates the lucrative appeal of horror IP and episodic distribution models catered towards internet fandoms. While divisive with some critics, its cultural impact on gaming is substantial. Poppy Playtime has cemented itself as a new horror gaming icon. Ongoing Controversy However, Poppy Playtime has attracted controversy over its suitability for minors given its PG-13 rating but young fanbase. Frightening characters like Huggy Wuggy have worried parents. IP disputes also led to the removal of Chapter 2 from some platforms. Critics argue the game over-commercializes horror IP through branded merchandise targeting impressionable audiences. And its music videos have been banned from YouTube Kids for being too scary. While popular, concerns around Poppy Playtime's unsettling content for younger fans persist. The Future of the Franchise Despite controversy, Poppy Playtime's runaway success proves its formula resonates widely. The studio is rapidly expanding the franchise to capitalize on its popularity. Upcoming chapters will advance the mystery narrative and introduce new characters. A live-action web series is also in development to further build out the brand's storytelling. And new games like Floofty's Funhouse demonstrate the creators' expertise in viral horror titles. With each new content drop generating buzz within its loyal community, Poppy Playtime shows no signs of relinquishing its crown as horror gaming's new king. Its continually rising profitability ensures plenty of future resources to expand its dark, engaging universe. Conclusion In summary, Poppy Playtime has carved a unique niche in horror gaming by blending nostalgic toys with unsettling horror elements. Through smart digital marketing and consistent content expansion, it has cultivated a dedicated fanbase drawn to its creepy adventures. However, concerns around its maturity and commercialization warrant consideration. Still, Poppy Playtime's imaginative world has enraptured players, securing its place as a standout horror gaming franchise for the foreseeable future. While not for everyone, it delivers an appropriately chilling experience that both entertains and spooks its audience. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts. And Hey! History buffs, buckle up! Talking Time Machine isn't your dusty textbook lecture. It's where cutting-edge AI throws wild interview parties with history's iconic figures. In the Talking Time Machine podcast: History Gets a High-Tech Twist, Imagine: Napoleon Bonaparte talking French Politics with Louis the 14th! This podcast is futuristically insightful. Our AI host grills historical legends with questions based on real historical context, leading to surprising, thought-provoking, and often mind-blowing answers. Whether you're a history geek, a tech junkie, or just love a good interview, Talking Time Machine has something for you. Talking Time Machine: search, subscribe and (Listen Now!)

Kate Adie presents stories from China, Bolivia, the US and Italy.BBC China correspondent Stephen McDonell arrived in Beijing as a student 20 years ago and jumped straight into the city's buzzing nightlife. But the bohemian club scene he fell in love with was rapidly replaced by shiny new shopping malls, and towering skyscrapers as China's wealth and ambition grew. Along with the economic boom came substantial military expansion and a tightening of control in political and cultural life under Xi Jinping's leadership. Stephen ponders if change is always for the better.The southern US state of Louisiana is on the front-line of climate change. Its famous wetlands are now disappearing at a rate among the fastest in the world, and the state has lost nearly 2000 square miles of land over the past century leaving coastal communities increasingly vulnerable. Beth Timmins has met residents fearful for their future.The invasive Paiche fish is so large and voracious it's been called King of the River by fishermen in Bolivia. It's thought that the breed escaped from fish farms in Peru and swam downstream, to take over the waterways of the Beni region in northern Bolivia. This mighty invader has changed the lives of locals as Jane Chambers learned.And wild boars are on the rampage in Italy in rural areas - and now in cities too. Last year hunting laws were relaxed, to allow for the animals to be captured and killed in urban areas. This move was welcomed by Italy's farming lobby – but has faced considerable criticism from city-dwelling conservationists. Nicholas Walton tells the story of how matters recently came to a head in his local village group-chat.Series Producer: Serena Tarling Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith Production Coordinator: Gemma Ashman

Carbon Dioxide Removal promises to be an important tool in fighting climate change, but how can countries best use it as they reduce their emissions? WRI recently published a working paper on the challenges and questions surrounding carbon dioxide removal, such as equity, its role in mitigation, and how its use can be monitored. In this WRI podcast Nicholas Walton asks the authors - Katie Lebling, Clea Schumer and Danielle Riedl - about their findings and recommendations.

What do climate-vulnerable countries want from the forthcoming COP28 conference? In this podcast Nicholas Walton talks to Mark Bynoe and Maria Laura Rojas, two members of the ACT2025 grouping, a coalition amplifying the voices of vulnerable countries in the climate negotiations. What are they hoping for, what are their concerns, and how optimistic are they ahead of COP28?

We are back with more In the Pits with Justin and this weeks guest, Nicholas Walton from Pirelli. They discuss Next Level Racing, Production Tires vs Specs, and race week prep

What are the big stories to watch for 2023? In this World Resources Institute podcast Ani Dasgupta and Nicholas Walton discuss four: the longer term impact of Russian's invasion of Ukraine on energy; what the re-election of President Lula in Brazil means for tropical forests; why 2023 is a big year for climate finance; and how is the Inflation Reduction Act affecting the US and beyond? You can see Ani's full presentation of Stories To Watch 2023 at https://www.wri.org/events/2023/1/stories-watch-2023

The evidence continues to mount that the climate crisis is urgent, and action needs to be taken now to avert it and to minimise its impacts. Nowhere is this more true than for those vulnerable countries who are most at risk from its impacts. Many of these countries are part of a grouping called ACT2025, which tries to ensure that their voices are heard. So what exactly do they want? In this podcast we hear from Preety Bhandari of WRI, and Maria Laura Rojas of Transforma, an ACT2025 partner in Colombia. The presenter and producer is Nicholas Walton. For more: * https://www.wri.org/initiatives/allied-climate-transformation-act2025/resources/cop27-call-enhanced-implementation * https://www.wri.org/initiatives/allied-climate-transformation-act2025/act2025-podcast * https://www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

Tackling climate change and its impacts is complex and multifaceted, and involves everything from simply reducing the fossil fuel emissions in energy generation through to looking at agricultural land use. And then there's the role of the circular economy in making a decisive impact on tackling climate change. That's the subject of a new report led by the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy, or PACE, titled 'Circular Economy as a Climate Strategy: current knowledge and calls-to-action'. In this podcast we hear from three of the report's authors: Ke Wang of PACE; Patrick Schröder of Chatham House; and Garvin Heath of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in the United States. The presenter and producer is Nicholas Walton of WRI. You can find out more at www.pacecircular.org and @pacecircular.

Why is climate finance such an important issue, and how does it affect the world's most climate-vulnerable countries? In this podcast we look at the Pacific island nation of Fiji, which is on the frontline of climate change-related impacts such as coral bleaching, sea level rises, and extreme weather events. Fiji's attempts to meet this challenge were dealt a severe blow by Cyclone Winston and then - especially - the Covid 19 pandemic, which hit the tourism-dependent economy very hard. In this WRI podcast we hear about the challenges, the solutions that are being found, and the central role that climate finance plays in this. The interviewees are Caitlin Smith and Prashant Chandra of WRI, and Prelish Lal of Fiji's Ministry of Economy. The podcast is presented by Nicholas Walton, who also produced it with significant help from Hayden Higgins from WRI's Finance team.

The World Resources Institute is now 40 years old, but how have the world's climate challenges changed in that time? And how has WRI evolved to meet them? In this podcast, Ani Dasgupta talks about 4 decades of climate action, about technology, growing global awareness of climate change, and the need to make sure climate action is about equity as well as carbon reduction. Former WRI presidents Gus Speth and Jonathan Lash also feature. WRI Big Ideas Into Action podcasts are produced and presented by Nicholas Walton.

Is it possible to predict conflict? That's what the Water, Peace and Security Partnership's machine learning early warning tool sets out to do. Four times a year the predictions are analyzed and turned into a quarterly report. In this third WPS quarterly report podcast we look at the water stresses facing Iraq, from water shortages to water quality, and hear why they're undermining governance in the south of the country. The interviewee is Laura Birkman, head of the Climate and Security Program at the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, and the producer and presenter is Nicholas Walton of WRI. https://waterpeacesecurity.org/ https://hcss.nl/expert/laura-birkman/

The Inflation Reduction Act that has been signed into law by President Biden is seen as good news for US efforts to combat climate change. But what are the international implications of the Act? In this short podcast the President of WRI, Ani Dasgupta, talks about how the Act will add momentum to international climate action with Nicholas Walton. You can find out more here: * 6 benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.wri.org/insights/inflation-reduction-act-benefits * WRI statement about the Inflation Reduction Act: https://www.wri.org/news/statement-us-house-representatives-passes-inflation-reduction-act-historic-climate-measures

How has Africa been affected by the growing food crisis sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine? In this podcast we hear from three experts, their analysis of the situation, and their solutions - both to the immediate challenge and to making Africa's food system more resilient in the face of challenges such as climate change and conflict. The podcast features Lawrence Haddad of GAIN, Ndidi Nwuneli of Sahel Consulting, and Assan Ngombe of AGRA, along with voices from Addis Ababa's food markets (thanks to Kalkidan Wondimu of the Food and Land Use Coalition) and UN Secretary General António Guterres (https://unsdg.un.org/latest/announcements/un-chiefs-remarks-launch-global-crisis-response-group-food-energy-and-finances). The podcast was presented and produced by Nicholas Walton.

Many governments and authorities started to build cycling infrastructure during the Covid-19 lockdowns, but were these developments temporary or the foundation of a permanent shift towards truly cyclable cities? In this WRI Big Ideas Into Action podcast we hear that many of those cities are starting to make things permanent, and - of course - why helping to get more people out of cars and onto bicycles is a good thing for them, for the cities, and for the environment as well. In this podcast we hear from Jill Warren of the European Cyclist's Federation in Brussels, Carlota Pederson Madero, who is the advisor to the subsecretary on mobility planning for Buenos Aires, WRI's Health and Road Safety director Claudia Ariazola-Steil, and from WRI Europe Santiago Londono in The Hague and Sophie Mongalvy in Paris. The podcast was produced and presented by Nicholas Walton.

Is it possible to predict conflict? That's what the Water, Peace and Security Partnership's machine learning early warning tool sets out to do. Four times a year the predictions are analyzed and turned into a quarterly report. In this second WPS quarterly report podcast we'll look at the countries most at risk of conflict thanks to the fall out of the war in Ukraine, which has led to much higher fuel and food prices, along with serious predicted future food supply problems. The guest for this podcast is Susanne Schmeier, Associate Professor in Water Law and Diplomacy at IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, one of the WPS partners, and the producer and presenter is Nicholas Walton of WRI.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has delivered its latest three reports, covering climate science, the impacts of climate change, and the actions necessary to minimise the damage. In this podcast we hear from two WRI experts, Sophia Boehm and Preety Bhandari, on the content of the reports and what they will be watching to see if the world is turning their analysis into effective action. WRI Big Ideas Into Action podcasts are written, produced and presented by Nicholas Walton. This podcast features part of a recording of the IPCC's press conference launching the third of its 2022 reports. For more go to: www.wri.org/climate www.wri.org/insights/ipcc-report-2022-mitigation-climate-change www.ipcc.ch

Beyond the immediate human suffering, what are the wider implications of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on energy and food? This is an edited, public version of a WRI press call examining the issues and the questions that will need to be asked in the coming months and years. The podcast features four WRI experts: Stientje van Veldhoven, Craig Hanson, Jennifer Layke and Dan Lashof. It was produced and presented by Nicholas Walton. For more, go to www.wri.org/podcasts

What is climate justice, and how do we ensure that climate action helps to address rather than exacerbate inequalities in the world? After all, those that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change are often in poorer countries with fewer means to address their worsening situation - and yet they have done less to cause the problem of climate change than those in richer countries. This deeper dive looking at climate justice is the fourth of a short series of WRI podcasts looking at the individual subjects of our Stories To Watch project for 2022, and features Nate Shelter, Wanjira Matthai and Ani Dasgupta. It was produced and presented by Nicholas Walton. For more, go to: www.wri.org/stories-to-watch www.wri.org/multimedia/podcast-stories-watch-2022 www.wri.org/podcasts

How much do air quality and pollution issues affect women and girls, and how much can solutions to those problems be helped by making sure they have a seat at the decision-making table? These are the decisions addressed in this podcast timed to coincide with International Women's Day. The podcast features Gillian Caldwell of USAID, Azra Khan of WRI, and Debby Thalita of the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law. Alice Gottesman helped with the interviews, and it was presented and produced by Nicholas Walton. Useful links: WRI blog on Air Quality: https://www.climatelinks.org/blog/women-transportation-and-air-pollution-india WRI Air Quality work: https://www.wri.org/cities/air-quality Clean Air Catalyst: https://www.cleanaircatalyst.org/ WRI Podcast on Clean Air Catalyst: https://www.wri.org/multimedia/how-clean-air-catalyst-fixing-air-quality-problem WRI Gender work: https://www.wri.org/equitable-development/gender

With the world continuing to struggle with the cost of the Covid 19 pandemic, what are the chances that humanity's continued ill-treatment of nature will lead to the emergence of future diseases? What are the issues and questions behind the link between environmental degradation and disease that we need to be examining? This deeper dive looking at pandemics and biodiversity is the third of a short series of WRI podcasts looking at the individual subjects of our Stories To Watch project for 2022, and features Krista Karch, Chip Barber and Ani Dasgupta. It was produced and presented by Nicholas Walton. For more, go to: www.wri.org/stories-to-watch www.wri.org/multimedia/podcast-stories-watch-2022 www.wri.org/podcasts

One of the biggest challenges of a transition to a low carbon world is to change the way we get around. Electrifying transport is a key element of this, but it's about far more than selling electric cars and installing charging points in the cities of the rich world. But what are the issues and questions that we need to be examining? This deeper dive looking at electric mobility is the second of a short series of WRI podcasts looking at the individual subjects of our Stories To Watch project for 2022, and features Kar Lopez, Claudia Adriazola Steil, and Ani Dasgupta. It was produced and presented by Nicholas Walton. For more, go to: www.wri.org/stories-to-watch www.wri.org/multimedia/podcast-stories-watch-2022 www.wri.org/podcasts

Coal is one of the most potent drivers of climate change. Phasing it out is critical for cutting harmful emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Yet despite rising commitments to do so, many countries seem to want to hang on to coal. Why? This deeper dive looking at coal is the first of a short series of WRI podcasts looking at the individual subjects of our Stories To Watch project for 2022, and features Joel Jaeger, Jennifer Layke and Ani Dasgupta. It was produced and presented by Nicholas Walton. For more, go to: www.wri.org/stories-to-watch www.wri.org/multimedia/podcast-stories-watch-2022 www.wri.org/podcasts

What are the Stories To Watch for 2022? Every year WRI works out what the important ones are for the year ahead and presents them to the world. This podcast - with Ani Dasgupta interviewed by Nicholas Walton - looks at the background and inside story of those Stories, and the big changes in the world that have informed them. To read more about WRI's Stories To Watch 2022 go to www.wri.org/stories-to-watch.

This new series of short WRI podcasts looks at why COP26 matters for different issues. In this episode Nicholas Walton looks at Cities with Rogier Vandenberg. Other episodes look at Oceans, Circular Economy, Energy, Food and Land Use, Clean Air, Business, and an overall look ahead to COP26. For more on #COP26 go to our resource hub: www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

This new series of short WRI podcasts looks at why COP26 matters for different issues. In this episode Nicholas Walton looks at Energy with Jennifer Layke. Other episodes look at Oceans, Cities, Circular Economy, Food and Land Use, Clean Air, Business, and an overall look ahead to COP26. For more on #COP26 go to our resource hub: www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

This new series of short WRI podcasts looks at why COP26 matters for different issues. In this episode Nicholas Walton gets an overview of what to expect from COP from Helen Mountford. Other episodes look at Oceans, Cities, Circular Economy, Energy, Food and Land Use, Clean Air, and Business. For more on #COP26 go to our resource hub: www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

This new series of short WRI podcasts looks at why COP26 matters for different issues. In this episode Nicholas Walton looks at the Business world with Kevin Moss. Other episodes look at Oceans, Cities, Circular Economy, Energy, Food and Land Use, Clean Air, and an overall look ahead to COP26. For more on #COP26 go to our resource hub: www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

This new series of short WRI podcasts looks at why COP26 matters for different issues. In this episode Nicholas Walton looks at the Circular Economy with Stientje van Veldhoven. Other episodes look at Oceans, Cities, Energy, Food and Land Use, Clean Air, Business, and an overall look ahead to COP26. For more on #COP26 go to our resource hub: www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

This new series of short WRI podcasts looks at why COP26 matters for different issues. In this episode Nicholas Walton looks at Food and Land Use with Morgan Gillespy. Other episodes look at Oceans, Cities, Circular Economy, Energy, Clean Air, Business, and an overall look ahead to COP26. For more on #COP26 go to our resource hub: www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

This new series of short WRI podcasts looks at why COP26 matters for different issues. In this episode Nicholas Walton looks at the Ocean with Kristian Teleki. Other episodes look at Cities, Circular Economy, Energy, Food and Land Use, Clean Air, Business, and an overall look ahead to COP26. For more on #COP26 go to our resource hub: www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

This new series of short WRI podcasts looks at why COP26 matters for different issues. In this episode Nicholas Walton looks at Air Quality with Jessica Seddon. Other episodes look at Oceans, Cities, Circular Economy, Energy, Food and Land Use, Business, and an overall look ahead to COP26. For more on #COP26 go to our resource hub: www.wri.org/un-climate-change-conference-resource-hub

Cities are a place of opportunity and inequality, and where more than half the world's population will experience the impacts of climate change. They're also part of the solution. This podcast draws on WRI's major new report, "Towards a more equal city", which uses its six years of research to look at the challenges of the world's cities through the lens of equity. THIS PAPER WILL LAUNCH ON OCTOBER 19th. PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE TO REGISTER FOR THE LAUNCH: https://events.wri.org/world-resources-report-synthesis-launch-seven-transformations-for-more-equitable-and-sustainable-cities/ The podcast guests are Ani Dasgupta, Anjali Mahendra, and Robin King. The presenter is Nicholas Walton.

ACT2025: Ambition - for more go to www.wri.org/ACT2025 This new series of World Resources Institute podcasts looks at what vulnerable countries want from the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Success at COP26 is seen as critical if the world is going to avoid catastrophic climate change. We're increasingly familiar with what many of the world's richer and larger countries are saying ahead of the conference, about their apparent ambitions to make reductions in the amount of carbon they're putting into the atmosphere. But what of smaller, poorer, more vulnerable nations? Many have joined a grouping called ACT2025 to make sure their voices are heard — and this series is about the issues that are important to them. WRI is the secretariat and a core partner of ACT2025. This episode deals with AMBITION, and was put together by Molly Bergen and Nicholas Walton. It features WRI's Yamide Dagnet, Mark Bynoe of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, and Tasneem Essop of Climate Action Network International.

ACT2025: Rules - for more go to www.wri.org/ACT2025 This new series of World Resources Institute podcasts looks at what vulnerable countries want from COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Success at COP26 is seen as critical if the world is going to avoid catastrophic climate change. We're increasingly familiar with what many of the world's richer and larger countries are saying ahead of the conference, about their apparent ambitions to make reductions in the amount of carbon they're putting into the atmosphere. But what of smaller, poorer, more vulnerable nations? Many have joined a grouping called ACT2025 to make sure their voices are heard — and this series is about the issues that are important to them. WRI is the secretariat and a core partner of ACT2025. This first episode deals with RULES, and was put together by Molly Bergen and Nicholas Walton. It features WRI's Yamide Dagnet, Tony La Viña of the Manila Observatory, and Sandra Guzman of the Climate Finance Group for Latin America and the Caribbean.

ACT2025: Finance - for more go to www.wri.org/ACT2025 This new series of World Resources Institute podcasts looks at what vulnerable countries want from the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Success at COP26 are seen as critical if the world is going to avoid catastrophic climate change. We're increasingly familiar with what many of the world's richer and larger countries are saying ahead of the conference, about their apparent ambitions to make reductions in the amount of carbon they're putting into the atmosphere. But what of smaller, poorer, more vulnerable nations? Many have joined a grouping called ACT2025 to make sure their voices are heard — and this series is about the issues that are important to them. WRI is the secretariat and core partner of ACT2025. This episode deals with FINANCE, and was put together by Molly Bergen and Nicholas Walton. It features WRI's Yamide Dagnet, Maria Laura Rojas Vallejo, co-founder and executive director of Transforma, and Sara Jane Ahmed, a finance advisor for the V20 — a grouping of 48 ministers of finance representing many of the most climate-vulnerable economies.

ACT2025: Loss and Damage - for more go to www.wri.org/ACT2025 This new series of World Resources Institute podcasts looks at what vulnerable countries want from the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Success at COP26 is seen as critical if the world is going to avoid catastrophic climate change. We're increasingly familiar with what many of the world's richer and larger countries are saying ahead of the conference, about their apparent ambitions to make reductions in the amount of carbon they're putting into the atmosphere. But what of smaller, poorer, more vulnerable nations? Many have joined a grouping called ACT2025 to make sure their voices are heard — and this series is about the issues that are important to them. WRI is the secretariat and a core partner of ACT2025. This episode deals with LOSS AND DAMAGE, and was put together by Molly Bergen and Nicholas Walton. It features WRI's Yamide Dagnet, Saleemul Huq of the International Centre for Climate Change and Development, and Ineza Grace of The Green Fighter and the Loss and Damage Youth Coalition.

ACT2025: Adaptation - for more go to www.wri.org/ACT2025 This new series of World Resources Institute podcasts looks at what vulnerable countries want from the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow. Success at COP26 is seen as critical if the world is going to avoid catastrophic climate change. We're increasingly familiar with what many of the world's richer and larger countries are saying ahead of the conference, about their apparent ambitions to make reductions in the amount of carbon they're putting into the atmosphere. But what of smaller, poorer, more vulnerable nations? Many have joined a grouping called ACT2025 to make sure their voices are heard — and this series is about the issues that are important to them. WRI is the secretariat and a core partner of ACT2025. This episode deals with ADAPTATION, and was put together by Molly Bergen and Nicholas Walton. It features WRI's Yamide Dagnet and Chuks Okereke, Professor of Environment and Development at AE-Funai University in Nigeria.

The recent IPCC report underlines just how grave and urgent the environmental challenges facing us are. But how should we frame such challenges in a way that helps us to find solutions - not just to climate change, but to the array of other issues, from food and forests to energy, cities, water and oceans. Who better to ask these questions than WRI's new president, Ani Dasgupta? In this podcast he tells Nicholas Walton about how his childhood in Delhi shaped his understanding of the links between the environment, development and equity, and explains the WRI approach to finding solutions that can make a difference to the planet and individual human lives. For much, much more, go to www.wri.org.

If you were a farmer and the climate changed, what would you do about it? At first you might simply try small experiments to adapt – after all, farmers are used to annual variations in the weather. But what about if the changes aren't just annual variations, but are serious shifts in weather patterns associated with climate change? Drier weather, higher temperatures, more frequent storms, prolongued periods of rainfall. These issues are the subject of a new WRI report, "Food systems at risk: transformative adaptation for long term food security". In this podcast two of the authors, Rebecca Carter and Tyler Ferdinand, talk to Nicholas Walton about why transformative adaptation is happening, what the challenges are, and how it can be made more effective.

Cameroon sits just north of the equator, right on the edge of the vast Congo River basin. It has around 20 million hectares of tropical forest, mainly in the south, but according to data on Global Forest Watch it has lost nearly 4 percent of its primary forest since 2002. Knowing this about what's happening to Cameroon's forest is one thing, however, and doing something about it is another. Or is it? This podcast is about how satellite data translates into action to protect the forests on the ground. Nicholas Walton talks to an NGO worker, a journalist and a WRI staff member, all in Cameroon, and a WRI researcher who has analyzed the relationship between forest loss data and action. Useful links: * Learn more about Global Forest Watch's Small Grants Fund and Tech Fellowship programs: www.globalforestwatch.org/grants-and-fellowships/about/ * Learn more about Global Forest Watch's impact assessment: www.globalforestwatch.org/blog/data-and-research/glad-alerts-reduce-deforestation-africa/ * WRI's recent podcast analysing the latest tree cover loss figures: https://soundcloud.com/world-resources-institute/big-ideas-into-action-14-global-tree-loss-data-for-2020 * WRI's podcast page: www.wri.org/podcasts

The Leaders Summit called by President Joe Biden was in effect an opportunity to accelerate the response to the climate crisis - but did it achieve what it set out to? Where does it leave us on the road to Glasgow and COP26? Nicholas Walton spoke to Helen Mountford, our Vice President for Climate and Economics, and David Waskow, the director of the International Climate Initiative at WRI. Further reading: https://www.wri.org/insights/leaders-summit-climate-offers-jolt-momentum-global-action

What are the stories to watch in 2021? Every year the World Resources Institute comes up with the questions to ask, the challenges to face and the opportunities to seize. WRI's president, Andrew Steer, has just given the first public presentation of Stories To Watch 2021, and shortly afterward he spoke to the presenter of Big Ideas Into Action, Nicholas Walton. You can find Andrew's full presentation at https://events.wri.org/c/stories-to-watch-2021

WRI's Frances Seymour takes Nicholas Walton through the latest global tree loss figures from Global Forest Watch. The overall picture is bad, but there are positive signs in Indonesia and West Africa. Will the rest of the world learn from them?

Combining socioeconomic data and WRI's Aqueduct water stress tool with record of conflict, the Water, Peace and Security project attempts to track indicators of resource-fueled conflict as they arise. Nicholas Walton talks to Charlie Iceland, director of national and global water initiatives at WRI, about the tool's development and promise.

Nicholas Walton with WRI Europe speaks with Paul Polman, co-chair of the Food and Land Use Coalition and the former CEO of Unilever, about the potential for land-use change to drive emissions or be part of the climate solution. The conversation is bookended by a few words from Ed Davey with the Food and Land Use Coalition.

Nicholas Walton’s Singapore, Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency (Hurst, 2019) is far more than a portrait of the rise of a resource-poor nation that has become a model of economic development, governance and management of inter-communal relations. Part travelogue, part history, Walton charts the opportunities and pitfalls confronting small states that have become particularly acute in an era of identity politics and civilizational leadership. Potential threats include not only the Singapore’s struggle to insulate itself from global trends as well the impact of the rise of ultra-conservative attitudes in its majority Muslim neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, but also increased difficulty in balancing rival powers China and the United States. If that were not enough, Singapore is juggling multiple issues at a time that it is transiting to a new generational leadership faced with the challenge of ensuring that Singapore remains relevant to its neighbours as well as the international community at large. To do so, Singapore’s leadership will have to upgrade if not reinvent its relevance to its neighbours as well as the international community at large given tectonic geopolitical and technological shifts among which first and foremost artificial intelligence. Walton argues convincingly that complacency may be one of Singapore’s greatest challenges. Generational change involves not only a new generation of leadership but also a generation that was born into a wealthy welfare state, lacks the older generations’ sense of being pioneers and takes things for granted. It is a challenge that is likely to have consequences for a rethink of Singapore’s education system, considered one of the world’s best. In portraying the miracle of Singapore’s success and the challenges it faces, Walton brings a strong sense of history, keen observation and a journalist’s ability to paint with words an incisive picture of a country that has turned its lack of resources into an asset. ________________________________________ James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute.

Nicholas Walton’s Singapore Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency (Hurst, 2019) is far more than a portrait of the rise of a resource-poor nation that has become a model of economic development, governance and management of inter-communal relations. Part travelogue, part history, Walton charts the opportunities and pitfalls confronting small states that have become particularly acute in an era of identity politics and civilizational leadership. Potential threats include not only the Singapore’s struggle to insulate itself from global trends as well the impact of the rise of ultra-conservative attitudes in its majority Muslim neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, but also increased difficulty in balancing rival powers China and the United States. If that were not enough, Singapore is juggling multiple issues at a time that it is transiting to a new generational leadership faced with the challenge of ensuring that Singapore remains relevant to its neighbours as well as the international community at large. To do so, Singapore’s leadership will have to upgrade if not reinvent its relevance to its neighbour as well as the international community at large given tectonic geopolitical and technological shifts among which first and foremost artificial intelligence. Walton argues convincingly that complacency may be one of Singapore’s greatest challenges. Generational change involves not only a new generation of leadership but also a generation that was born into a wealthy welfare state, lacks the older generations’ sense of being pioneers and takes things for granted. It is a challenge that is likely to have consequences for a rethink of Singapore’s education system, considered one of the world’s best. In portraying the miracle of Singapore’s success and the challenges it faces, Walton brings a strong sense of history, keen observation and a journalist’s ability to paint with words an incisive picture of a country that has turned its lack of resources into an asset. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicholas Walton’s Singapore Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency (Hurst, 2019) is far more than a portrait of the rise of a resource-poor nation that has become a model of economic development, governance and management of inter-communal relations. Part travelogue, part history, Walton charts the opportunities and pitfalls confronting small states that have become particularly acute in an era of identity politics and civilizational leadership. Potential threats include not only the Singapore’s struggle to insulate itself from global trends as well the impact of the rise of ultra-conservative attitudes in its majority Muslim neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, but also increased difficulty in balancing rival powers China and the United States. If that were not enough, Singapore is juggling multiple issues at a time that it is transiting to a new generational leadership faced with the challenge of ensuring that Singapore remains relevant to its neighbours as well as the international community at large. To do so, Singapore’s leadership will have to upgrade if not reinvent its relevance to its neighbour as well as the international community at large given tectonic geopolitical and technological shifts among which first and foremost artificial intelligence. Walton argues convincingly that complacency may be one of Singapore’s greatest challenges. Generational change involves not only a new generation of leadership but also a generation that was born into a wealthy welfare state, lacks the older generations’ sense of being pioneers and takes things for granted. It is a challenge that is likely to have consequences for a rethink of Singapore’s education system, considered one of the world’s best. In portraying the miracle of Singapore’s success and the challenges it faces, Walton brings a strong sense of history, keen observation and a journalist’s ability to paint with words an incisive picture of a country that has turned its lack of resources into an asset. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicholas Walton’s Singapore Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency (Hurst, 2019) is far more than a portrait of the rise of a resource-poor nation that has become a model of economic development, governance and management of inter-communal relations. Part travelogue, part history, Walton charts the opportunities and pitfalls confronting small states that have become particularly acute in an era of identity politics and civilizational leadership. Potential threats include not only the Singapore’s struggle to insulate itself from global trends as well the impact of the rise of ultra-conservative attitudes in its majority Muslim neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, but also increased difficulty in balancing rival powers China and the United States. If that were not enough, Singapore is juggling multiple issues at a time that it is transiting to a new generational leadership faced with the challenge of ensuring that Singapore remains relevant to its neighbours as well as the international community at large. To do so, Singapore’s leadership will have to upgrade if not reinvent its relevance to its neighbour as well as the international community at large given tectonic geopolitical and technological shifts among which first and foremost artificial intelligence. Walton argues convincingly that complacency may be one of Singapore’s greatest challenges. Generational change involves not only a new generation of leadership but also a generation that was born into a wealthy welfare state, lacks the older generations’ sense of being pioneers and takes things for granted. It is a challenge that is likely to have consequences for a rethink of Singapore’s education system, considered one of the world’s best. In portraying the miracle of Singapore’s success and the challenges it faces, Walton brings a strong sense of history, keen observation and a journalist’s ability to paint with words an incisive picture of a country that has turned its lack of resources into an asset. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicholas Walton’s Singapore Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency (Hurst, 2019) is far more than a portrait of the rise of a resource-poor nation that has become a model of economic development, governance and management of inter-communal relations. Part travelogue, part history, Walton charts the opportunities and pitfalls confronting small states that have become particularly acute in an era of identity politics and civilizational leadership. Potential threats include not only the Singapore’s struggle to insulate itself from global trends as well the impact of the rise of ultra-conservative attitudes in its majority Muslim neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, but also increased difficulty in balancing rival powers China and the United States. If that were not enough, Singapore is juggling multiple issues at a time that it is transiting to a new generational leadership faced with the challenge of ensuring that Singapore remains relevant to its neighbours as well as the international community at large. To do so, Singapore’s leadership will have to upgrade if not reinvent its relevance to its neighbour as well as the international community at large given tectonic geopolitical and technological shifts among which first and foremost artificial intelligence. Walton argues convincingly that complacency may be one of Singapore’s greatest challenges. Generational change involves not only a new generation of leadership but also a generation that was born into a wealthy welfare state, lacks the older generations’ sense of being pioneers and takes things for granted. It is a challenge that is likely to have consequences for a rethink of Singapore’s education system, considered one of the world’s best. In portraying the miracle of Singapore’s success and the challenges it faces, Walton brings a strong sense of history, keen observation and a journalist’s ability to paint with words an incisive picture of a country that has turned its lack of resources into an asset. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicholas Walton’s Singapore Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency (Hurst, 2019) is far more than a portrait of the rise of a resource-poor nation that has become a model of economic development, governance and management of inter-communal relations. Part travelogue, part history, Walton charts the opportunities and pitfalls confronting small states that have become particularly acute in an era of identity politics and civilizational leadership. Potential threats include not only the Singapore’s struggle to insulate itself from global trends as well the impact of the rise of ultra-conservative attitudes in its majority Muslim neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, but also increased difficulty in balancing rival powers China and the United States. If that were not enough, Singapore is juggling multiple issues at a time that it is transiting to a new generational leadership faced with the challenge of ensuring that Singapore remains relevant to its neighbours as well as the international community at large. To do so, Singapore’s leadership will have to upgrade if not reinvent its relevance to its neighbour as well as the international community at large given tectonic geopolitical and technological shifts among which first and foremost artificial intelligence. Walton argues convincingly that complacency may be one of Singapore’s greatest challenges. Generational change involves not only a new generation of leadership but also a generation that was born into a wealthy welfare state, lacks the older generations’ sense of being pioneers and takes things for granted. It is a challenge that is likely to have consequences for a rethink of Singapore’s education system, considered one of the world’s best. In portraying the miracle of Singapore’s success and the challenges it faces, Walton brings a strong sense of history, keen observation and a journalist’s ability to paint with words an incisive picture of a country that has turned its lack of resources into an asset. James M. Dorsey is a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Martin finally chats with the author behind a book she has been trying (unsuccessfully) to check out of the library. Engaging, funny and thought-provoking, author Nicholas Walton contemplates if the recipe for Singapore's success so far will see us into the future. He takes us beyond the pages of his book 'Singapore, Singapura: From Miracle to Complacency'. 

In this podcast, WRI Europe's Nicholas Walton interviews Raj Bhagat of WRI India's Bengaluru office about his research into the causes of Chennai's recent water problems. Delving deep into the history of the city, the monsoon cycle and local management, Bhagat identifies not only a need to invest in infrastructure but to protect people. Also includes a conversation with Rutger Hofste, an associate with WRI's Water program, about how the Aqueduct platform can help journalists, researchers and the public understand how water stress affects them.

Dan talks to Nicholas Walton about the role of Sir Stamford Raffles in the emergence of Singapore as one of the world's largest ports, and about the history of the country more generally, from the earliest days of Javanese agriculture to Singapore's involuntary independence. For more exclusive history interviews and documentaries, subscribe to History Hit TV.Producer: Natt TapleyAudio: Peter Curry See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dan talks to Nicholas Walton about the role of Sir Stamford Raffles in the emergence of Singapore as one of the world's largest ports, and about the history of the country more generally, from the earliest days of Javanese agriculture to Singapore's involuntary independence. For more exclusive history interviews and documentaries, subscribe to History Hit TV.Producer: Natt TapleyAudio: Peter Curry See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Italians have a reputation for being rather, well, ineffectual. Everyone ‘knows’ that Italian trains don’t run on time unless Italy is ruled by a bald, bombastic, bully. And of course historians will tell youthat they didn’t even run on time then. The food is excellent, the scenery marvelous, the weather wonderful. Italians know how to live and they’ve got a great place to do it. But they just aren’t very tough, or so the story goes. Except for the Genoese. As Nicholas Walton points out in his page-turning, story-filled history Genoa, ‘La Superba’: The Rise and Fall of a Merchant Pirate Superpower (Hurst, 2015), the residents of this hard-scrabble Mediterranean port evolved a sort of un-Italian, hard-scrabble character. The Genoese are tough, hard as the rocks that make up the Genoese landscape. This isn’t to say they aren’t generous, kind and loving. That they are. But they are also tough-minded and perhaps a little cunning. The Genoese will get it done, find a way, make it work, and might just take your lunch money if you’re not careful. As Walton shows, they always have. His terrific history suggests they always will. Read the book! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Italians have a reputation for being rather, well, ineffectual. Everyone ‘knows’ that Italian trains don’t run on time unless Italy is ruled by a bald, bombastic, bully. And of course historians will tell youthat they didn’t even run on time then. The food is excellent, the scenery marvelous, the weather wonderful. Italians know how to live and they’ve got a great place to do it. But they just aren’t very tough, or so the story goes. Except for the Genoese. As Nicholas Walton points out in his page-turning, story-filled history Genoa, ‘La Superba’: The Rise and Fall of a Merchant Pirate Superpower (Hurst, 2015), the residents of this hard-scrabble Mediterranean port evolved a sort of un-Italian, hard-scrabble character. The Genoese are tough, hard as the rocks that make up the Genoese landscape. This isn’t to say they aren’t generous, kind and loving. That they are. But they are also tough-minded and perhaps a little cunning. The Genoese will get it done, find a way, make it work, and might just take your lunch money if you’re not careful. As Walton shows, they always have. His terrific history suggests they always will. Read the book! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Italians have a reputation for being rather, well, ineffectual. Everyone ‘knows’ that Italian trains don’t run on time unless Italy is ruled by a bald, bombastic, bully. And of course historians will tell youthat they didn’t even run on time then. The food is excellent, the scenery marvelous, the weather wonderful. Italians know how to live and they’ve got a great place to do it. But they just aren’t very tough, or so the story goes. Except for the Genoese. As Nicholas Walton points out in his page-turning, story-filled history Genoa, ‘La Superba’: The Rise and Fall of a Merchant Pirate Superpower (Hurst, 2015), the residents of this hard-scrabble Mediterranean port evolved a sort of un-Italian, hard-scrabble character. The Genoese are tough, hard as the rocks that make up the Genoese landscape. This isn’t to say they aren’t generous, kind and loving. That they are. But they are also tough-minded and perhaps a little cunning. The Genoese will get it done, find a way, make it work, and might just take your lunch money if you’re not careful. As Walton shows, they always have. His terrific history suggests they always will. Read the book! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices