Episode 2: Water – running dry, or drowning?

What will the future hold? In the series finale, IOP Deputy Chief Executive Rachel Youngman and host Gemma Milne reflect on the ideas covered in Looking Glass and look ahead to 2030 and beyond. What can scientific organisations like the IOP do to support climate solutions – and ensure those solutions benefit everyone?   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ambient air pollution is responsible for 4.2 million deaths a year and almost all of the world’s population are exposed to dangerous levels. How can physics help us to make our air cleaner? With Dr Suzanne Bartington and Dr Mark Richards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every year, wildfires ravage the planet, burning homes, killing wildlife and scorching the earth. Can the physics of how fire spreads give us the answers to stop it? And can we use fire to our advantage? With Professor Martin Wooster and Tercia Strydom. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Much of our planet could become uninhabitable – so how can physics help protect our soil, enable farmers to continue farming and allow communities to survive? Featuring Professor Sacha Mooney and Dr Jacqueline Hannam. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the earth dries up, towns and countries face their very own day zero crises – while other communities risk rising sea levels obliterating their homes. How can physics help keep water where we want it, and in a form we can access? Featuring Professor Kevin McGuigan and Dr Ana Mijic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our third series opens by exploring the relationship between activism and climate policy. Host Gemma Milne is joined by climate scientist and outgoing IOP Chief Executive Paul Hardaker and climate activist and director of Green New Deal UK Fatima Ibrahim as they discuss how climate activism is changing – and the role physics and organisations such as the IOP should play in it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the series so far, we’ve heard about the visions and potential pathways for a new green economy from some of the people working to make it happen. But what role do physicists have to play? Gemma talks to two physicists at very different stages in their careers to get their perspectives. Featuring Professor Martin Freer and Luke Wheeler. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We need a new, green economy – and fast. So what would it look like? And what needs to change to make it possible? In the series so far we’ve looked at the importance of greener energy and the impact of consumer choices – but what about the global structures that are going to have to change? Featuring Ann Pettifor and Farhana Yamin.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rapidly evolving economies need people with the right skills to propel them. We’ve heard about the work that needs to be done to deliver a new green economy – but who will actually do it? Who can build and maintain the technology? How long will those people be necessary in a world of AI? And with diversity and inclusion at the heart of this conversation, how do we make sure that every worker is valued? Featuring Grace Suh and Warda Heetun.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The way the world uses energy must change – and this represents a huge opportunity. In Episode 2 we talked about how we use energy as individuals, but what about the global picture? Business, travel, even political relationships are bound up in whether we produce or import energy – but all that’s about to change. So how can nations lead the way as we make the big energy transition? Featuring Dr Daniel Scholten and Dr Gbemi Oluleye. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.