236. SOTU: Unpacking Biden's Vision and The IRA

This week, our hosts each arrive with one specific issue they feel freshly outraged or optimistic about. Tom talks about how Earth Day 2024 will come to be known as the beginning of the end of the climate crisis. Christiana is outraged (and a tiny bit optimistic) about the plastics pandemic. And Paul gets fired up about investor and corporate transition plans - can he convince his co-hosts to ‘light the blue touch paper’ and ignite their own optimism? Music comes from Cosmo Sheldrake with his song, “Soil”. Cosmo is a UK-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer, live improviser, and field recordist. As part of the Museum for the United Nations – UN Live’s new initiative Sounds Right, Cosmo has shared this new track “Soil (feat. NATURE)”, a homage to the powerful transformative and generative capacities of subterranean ecosystems.  Money raised will go towards conservation projects around the world.   NOTES AND RESOURCES The Babies vs Plastics Report 23 - 29 April 2024 in Canada - The Fourth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution More on Earth Day 2024 The IEA’s World Energy Outlook 2023 on how it expects CO2 emissions to peak “in the mid-2020s” First Colour Photograph of the Earth from space The danger of the very serious person By Pilita Clark in the Financial Times    PAUL’S BOOK TIPS The Corporation that Changed the World by Nick Robins   MUSICAL GUEST Cosmo Sheldrake Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter (X) | Spotify | YouTube   NATURE Spotify | Apple Music   Check out the feat. NATURE playlist on Spotify   Sounds Right Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube Listen to Greg Cochrane speak with Brian Eno about EarthPercent + Sounds Right on Midnight Chats   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

To mark Earth Day, Christiana shares her conversation with the incredible young climate justice activist, indigenous rights advocate and author Xiye Bastida. From the Otomi-Toltec indigenous community in Central Mexico, Xiye’s life and work demonstrate how indigenous wisdom and principles unearth solutions to the climate crisis. She is driven to create a climate movement that is more inclusive and more diverse.   Since 2019, Xiye has been actively involved in organising climate strikes with Fridays For Future, including for their largest youth-led march in New York City.  In her role as Co-founder and Executive Director of Re-Earth Initiative, Xiye supports frontline youth across 27 countries, whilst also studying for an​​ Environmental Studies degree with a concentration in Policy and a Minor in Latin American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.  Recently listed in TIME100 Next as a phenomenon (we agree!), she holds the UN Spirit Award. This episode is the full, unedited version of a conversation recorded for the recent mini series Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection, co-hosted by Christiana Figueres and Isabel Cavelier. This is a wonderful and moving insight into Xiye’s story of nature, on how to slow down, and how we might keep past and future generations in our minds - and hearts. We hope you enjoy it!    Background on Earth Day:   The first Earth Day was on April 22nd 1970. Across America, twenty million people took to the streets to protest against environmental destruction. Many people were motivated by the devastating impacts of a recent oil spill in California, others campaigned to reduce air pollution. The spirit, scale and power of the protests were inspired by student anti-Vietnam marches. Denis Hayes, who coordinated the original Earth Day, remembers how the day unified diverset groups:   "By the time it finally came around, it was in virtually every town, every village, in the United States. It took this basket of issues that we now call 'the environment' and elevated them spectacularly in the public consciousness." Earth Day 1970 is described as the dawn of the modern environmental movement. Events that day resulted in political changes: landmark environmental laws were later passed in the United States - the Clean Air and Water Acts - and the Environmental Protection Agency was created. Many other countries subsequently adopted similar laws. In 2016, the United Nations chose Earth Day as the day to sign the Paris Climate Agreement into force. Earth Day is now the biggest civic event in the world, with billions of people participating in events to highlight the urgent need to protect our planet. Its theme this year is Planet vs. Plastics - calling for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, for an end to single use plastics, and for a robust UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution.   NOTES AND RESOURCES More on Xiye Bastida, Co-founder and Director of Re-Earth Initiative More on Earth Day Links to Our Story of Nature episodes: Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 1 Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 2 Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 3 Our Story of Nature Intro Music - Catalina by Tru Genesis Other full, unedited interviews from the mini-series can be found HERE 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, the hosts discuss the much celebrated ruling last week at the European Court of Human Rights when over 2000 women aged 64 and up, took the Swiss Government to court for failing to protect them from the growing effects of climate change which proved detrimental to their health. The court in Strasbourg ruled in favour of the women, opening up a pathway for other similar cases to now be heard. The hosts briefly discuss the ruling as well as the backlash experienced among some MPs in the UK and Switzerland and why their accusations of infringement upon country sovereignty is false. We are then joined by the incredible Paul Goodenough, an award-winning, purpose-driven storyteller and entrepreneur, working in the environmental, charity, peace-building and entertainment sectors. In 2019, Paul co-founded Rewriting Earth (formerly Rewriting Extinction), a global collaboration of 300+ of the most influential storytellers creating non-political, non-judgemental content to reach mainstream audiences not typically engaged with environmental issues. It was a brilliant, fun and inspiring interview - make sure to listen to hear how Paul G describes how he hopes the stories he helps bring to life ‘throw an arm around people’ and welcome them into the climate space. The more the merrier we say!      NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUEST Paul Goodenough, an award-winning, purpose-driven storyteller and entrepreneur, working in the environmental, charity, peace-building and entertainment sectors Website | LinkedIn | Twitter (X) | Instagram Rewriting Earth Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram   Rewriting Earth’s book, The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World, launched in the UK in 2021 and is available at Bookshop.org. The book is launching in Germany next week and is available at Panini Shop.   To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests.   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

The How To Academy Podcast is the biweekly show from London’s home of big thinking. Each episode they take a deep dive into the life and ideas of one of the most significant thinkers, artists, or leaders of our time – from Gordon Brown and Bill Clinton to Mary Beard and Marina Abramovic. This episode features a live, on-stage conversation between Christiana Figueres and the former CEO of Unilever, Paul Polman, on the fight to keep the planet within 1.5 degrees of warming. Visit howtoacademy.com for more podcasts, live events, and livestreams with the world’s leading thinkers. --- To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests.   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

In this week’s episode, Tom files an exclusive report live from London, where he's on the ground covering Simon Stiell's highly anticipated Chatham House speech, "Two Years to Save the World". Not stopping there, Tom also snags a quick interview with Simon right after the event.  Back in the studio, Christiana, Paul, and Tom dive headfirst into the heart of Simon's speech. They navigate through the maze of mixed public reactions it sparked, delving into the underlying tensions it brought to light.    NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUEST Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter   Here are two links to excellent initiatives seeking to help investors evaluate government performance on policy: ASCOR: https://www.ascorproject.org/  Climatescope: https://www.global-climatescope.org/   Check out Greg Cochrane’s LinkedIn Post on Billie Eilish’s Vinyl Release Extended Listening - Be sure to listen + subscribe to both Sounds Like A Plan + Midnight Chats Listen + Subscribe to The Way Out Is In!   To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests.   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

In this week's special episode, while our team takes a well-deserved break, we're excited to present an exclusive, unedited conversation between Christiana Figueres, Isabel Cavelier Adarve, and the award-winning Krista Tippett, host of "On Being." Join us as we delve into "Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection." Take a moment to relax and immerse yourself in this expansive and inspiring dialogue. Krista opens up about her personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences with nature, offering a fresh perspective that's sure to leave a lasting impact. Get ready to see the natural world in a whole new light after tuning in! Krista Tippett is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, New York Times bestselling author, and host of the acclaimed podcast "On Being." Renowned for her insightful interviews exploring the intersection of spirituality, ethics, and humanity, Tippett's work fosters meaningful dialogue and reflection. With her distinctive blend of curiosity and empathy, she invites listeners to engage in conversations that inspire deeper understanding and connection in today's complex world.   NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUEST Krista Tippett, award-winning journalist, author and host of On Being podcast Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook   For more unedited versions of our wonderful guest conversations from our recent mini-series Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection please visit the dedicated  Website page 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, the hosts welcome Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor at Our World in Data and a Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford as our guest and discuss her book ‘Not the End of the World, How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet’.   In this compelling episode, join the hosts and special guest Hannah as they delve into the intricate dynamics of data, cautious optimism, and doom narratives within the climate community. Don't miss out as we explore the crucial role these elements play in shaping perspectives and driving action. Plus, Hannah treats us to an insightful reading from her remarkable work, offering a poignant addition to our discussion. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue you won't want to miss! Music comes from Fran Lusty with her pop-folk ballad ‘I Hate My Job’. Fran is an Indie-folk singer-songwriter born in Cambridge with Norwegian roots, see her pages below to listen to more of her soul-stirring nature inspired songs. NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUEST Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor at Our World in Data and a Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford Sustainability by numbers | Our World in Data | Twitter (X) You can buy her book here: Not the End of the World, How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet   MUSIC Fran Lusty Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube   People of the State of California v. Big Oil / The text of the lawsuit is here   Our Story of Nature, Deep Dive Series Website   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, our hosts are rejoined by the incredible Isabel Cavelier Adarve. Tune in to hear them answer some of the brilliant questions listeners sent in following Christiana’s and Isa’s launch of their masterful recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection. Christiana, Isabel, Tom and Paul muse on an intriguing range of questions from ‘how to teach citizens and governments about nature’ to ‘could bioliteracy transform things’? The hosts dive deep into philosophical questions about the role of religion, and more prosaic ones about supermarket food. They propose that it is possible, if we want, to sustain, and improve our relationships with nature wherever we are, whether in the heart of the city, or deep in the forest. Also, Tom tries to read out a question in Spanish and threatens to mastermind a presidential bid on behalf of Christiana! NOTES AND RESOURCES Isabel Cavelier Adarve, Co-Founder of Mundo Comun LinkedIn | Twitter Links to Our Story of Nature episodes: Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 1 Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 2 Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 3 Our Story of Nature Intro Music - Catalina by Tru Genesis More on Xiye Bastida who features in the show.   Paul’s Book Recommendation - Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher   The full, unedited interviews from the mini-series can be found HERE 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, we bring you a US democracy special, discussing Joe Biden’s energetic State of the Union Address in which climate action played a significant role, and also the new guidelines from the Securities and Exchange Commission, a move which has seen the Commission attract a slew of legal challenges from both sides of the climate divide. The hosts ask: can Biden’s campaign for presidency in 2024 unite the partisan divide around climate change and if not, how can we protect the progress that the IRA has already made in the US in the face of a Trump victory?  To help us unpack all of this, we have the force of nature and great friend of the podcast, Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator. Today, Gina is a Senior Advisor at Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Managing Co-Chair of the America Is All In Coalition, and a Senior Fellow at The Fletcher School’s Climate Policy Lab at Tufts University. She is also an Operating Advisor at Pegasus Capital Advisors and a Senior Advisor at TPG Rise Climate Fund. She serves as co-chair of the India-U.S. Track II Dialogue on Energy and Climate Change, and on the Board of Directors for the Energy Foundation and the Resources Legacy Foundation. Music this week comes from James Hastings with his beautiful song ‘Mother’. James is a singer-songwriter whose unique brand of eco-conscious alt-folk conjures up wild, earthy textures enfolded in ethereal, electronic landscapes.   NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUEST Gina McCarthy, former White House National Climate Advisor and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Website    MUSIC James Hastings Website | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify   Check out ‘The Forest Sessions’   SEND IN YOUR Q’S FOR NEXT WEEK! - SPEAKPIPE LINK   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

Get ready to celebrate International Women's Day with Tom and Christiana on Outrage + Optimism! We're discussing the fallout from Super Tuesday and the uphill battle for female parliamentary leadership. Plus, don't miss our exclusive interview with the incredible Gaia van der Esch! Tune in for insights, inspiration, and empowerment! Gaia van der Esch, is an executive in the non-profit and public sectors, a policy expert and author, and we discuss her book, "Leading Our Way: How Women Are Re-Defining Leadership". She is currently the Managing Director of a large international foundation working across 40+ countries to build a world with zero exclusion, zero carbon and zero poverty.  Laura Lucas closes this week's episode with her beautiful song, ‘The Sun Touches Everything’. Laura’s introspective songwriting is delivered by delicate vocals and dreamy instrumentation rooted in a warm, modern take on the indie-folk genre. And remember, if you'd like to be part of our miniseries, Our Story Of Nature, Christiana and Isabel will be answering your questions in a special episode on Thursday 21 March. Submit your questions now by emailing [email protected] with 'Audience Q&A' in the subject line. You can send your question in writing or as a video or voice note.   NOTES AND RESOURCES   GUEST Gaia van der Esch, CEO, Author of "Leading Our Way", Policy Expert Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn  Leading Our Way: How Women are Re-Defining Leadership, also available on Amazon    MUSIC Laura Lucas Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify   Submit your question for Christiana +  Isa’s Q+A here Check out Climate Clock's Gender Parity Lifeline  which tracks the global averages of women in all national parliaments.  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