S01E20 - DEEP DIVE - So what just happened in Spain?!
At 12.33pm on Monday 28 April, a large chunk of Spain and Portugal were plunged into chaos by a major blackout. So what happened? Lots of actors and media jumped on a bandwagon to blame net-zero, renewables or the energy transition. Was that fair? What was does this mean in terms of future resilience of renewable-energy based grids? (Spain and Portugal are two of the world's leading nations for renewables) How can policy makers right now and in the future strengthen interconnectedness between grids yet build up local resilience. What's the role of battery storage in the future? What's the role of AI?Join us this week for a short deep-dive on what just happened to get some of the answers to these Big Questions!
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S01E19 - can the world's economy transition in a just manner ? - Guest - Nick Robins
In this episode, Nick Robins, a veteran in climate change and sustainable finance, discusses with Simon Messenger and David Carlin the critical importance of a Just Transition for successful climate action. As Professor at the London School of Economics and pioneer in sustainable finance, he highlights how the concept emerged from the labour movement to ensure fairness for workers and communities during the shift to a green economy. Nick helps us understand how the Just Transition isn't just about environmental policy but also about human rights, labour standards, and community development.Join us to find out more about how governments, corporations, and financial institutions can play a role in ensuring a fair transition as well as the potential pitfalls, such as poorly designed climate policies that disproportionately affect low-income populations. This episode is a must-listen for understanding the complexities and opportunities in achieving a fair transition to a low-carbon economy.
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S01E18 - Food! Is the global food system about to collapse?! (Episode 5)
Join Simon Messenger and David Carlin for the final episode of our series on food, where we tackle the big question: is the food system about to collapse? The vulnerabilities in our food system are not accidental—they result from policy choices that prioritized efficiency and profit over resilience and equity. Simon and David discuss how these choices have left us with a fragile system. They argue for a shift in focus towards long-term sustainability and alternative models which already exist to ensure our food systems can withstand future challenges.The real question is whether we have the political will to treat food security with the same seriousness as military defence or public health. In a world of increasing climate instability, food security is national security. Tune in to learn how we can transform our food systems for a better future.
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S01E17 - How to build a culture of sustainability that drives meaningful impact? Guest - Antonio Vizcaya
Today, we're joined by Antonio Vizcaya, a true sustainability expert who's making waves across LinkedIn and beyond and who's bridging the gap between theory and practice.Based in Mexico City, Antonio has a knack for simplifying complex sustainability concepts, and is passionate about making sustainability accessible to everyone, whether they're seasoned professionals or just starting their journey.In this episode, he challenges us to move beyond awareness and truly understand sustainability. Antonio shares his insights on how to tailor sustainability education to different audiences, from boardrooms to classrooms. And, rather than focusing solely on alarming statistics or technical compliance, Antonio advocates for selling a positive vision of the future we can build together.He tackles a key challenge: the barriers that prevent people from translating sustainability knowledge into action. He emphasizes the importance of understanding their priorities and speaking their language and also highlights the critical role of education in igniting both individual and collective action. He shares practical tips on how to overcome "sustainability amnesia" and create a shared vision of a positive future. Tune in to discover how you can move beyond check-the-box exercises and build a culture of sustainability that drives meaningful impact.Whether you're a sustainability professional, educator, or leader looking to drive change in your organization, this conversation offers valuable insights on making sustainability stick through effective education and engagement.
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S01E16 - Food! Is culture the real reason for our bad food habits?! (Episode 4)
In this episode, we are diving into the fascinating world of food and its deep connection to culture. For many of us, food is more than just sustenance; it's an integral part of our identity, traditions, and heritage.But, in today's world, food has increasingly become a commodity, leading to a culture of abundance and, unfortunately, waste. We've come to expect that every ingredient should be available year-round, regardless of seasonality or environmental impact. This is a far cry from the past, where food was more closely tied to local ecosystems and cultural practices.So, what can we do to address these challenges? Is the answer education, regulation, or perhaps finding the right messenger to make environmentally-friendly food choices cool and appealing? Join Simon Messenger and David Carlin as they explore these questions and more in this thought-provoking episode!
Welcome to the The Big Questions, a new podcast hosted by Simon Messenger and David Carlin delving into the policies, ideas, and technologies that will shape our future.
Is there any hope in our fight again climate change? Will geoengineering save us? Is the world big enough? Are we doomed?
Ever asked yourself some big questions about climate change? We bring experts. And we bring answers, in a digestible format..
Join us for conversations that matter, insights that inspire, and solutions that could change everything.
It’s time to rethink the future.
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