Real Zero

We’re throwing away millions of kilos of clothing every week — and our hospitals are among the worst offenders. This week, Hugh and Dan speak with Tom Dawson , founder of Revolution Zero , to explore the hidden environmental disaster of textiles — from fast fashion to hospital scrubs. Tom reveals how healthcare’s obsession with disposables is fuelling climate change and why polyester might just be...

In this powerful episode of the Real Zero Podcast, Professor Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor at Oxford, joins host Hugh Montgomery to explore the fragility of the global food system under climate change. From the collapse of major grain crops to the underestimated impact of food price inflation, Paul lays out the stark choices we face – and the hopeful path forward. Discover how a s...

The climate crisis isn’t just about rising seas and hotter summers. It’s about  national security, migration, infrastructure, and global stability. In this gripping episode, Lt General Richard Nugee joins Professor Hugh Montgomery and Daniel Grant to talk about: Why climate change is a  defence and security threat What militaries around the world are already doing to adapt How fossil fuel reliance...

What if fixing climate change starts with what’s on your plate? Professor Liz Robinson, Acting Dean at the LSE Global School of Sustainability, joins Hugh Montgomery and Daniel Grant to unpack the complex relationship between food systems, climate change, and inequality. From supermarket shelves to global crop shocks, we explore why our diets matter more than ever – and what individuals, businesse...

George Polk has been fighting the climate fight for 25 years—from philanthropic coalitions to investing in clean tech at scale. In this powerful episode, George lays out five phases of climate engagement and why, despite better tech and clearer threats than ever, we are still failing. We dig into: Why CEOs and investors aren’t doing the right thing Whether you really can scare people into action C...

Your money has power—and it’s probably being used to fund fossil fuels. In this episode of The Real Zero Podcast, we're joined by Lisa Stanley, co-founder of Zero, a sustainable digital money app that helps you track—and reduce—your carbon footprint based on how you spend. Lisa explains: - Why most banks are still financing climate destruction - How Zero gives you a personal Green Score to measure...

💥 Did you know your pension could be your biggest source of carbon emissions —up to 28 tons a year ? In this eye-opening episode of the Real Zero Pod , Professor Hugh Montgomery speaks with Nick Stoop , founder of Pangea , about how the pensions industry is unknowingly driving the climate crisis—and what you can do about it. We explore: Why most workplace pensions are funding fossil fuels, defore...

This week on the Real Zero Pod, Daniel Grant and Professor Hugh Montgomery sit down with Professor Cameron Hepburn, one of the world’s leading environmental economists from Oxford University. We explore: How close humanity really is to climate collapse The staggering costs of inaction vs the cost of fixing the problem now Why myths about “warming being good for the economy” persist in global finan...

In this gripping solo episode of Real Zero, Professor Tim Lenton — one of the world’s leading Earth system scientists — joins Hugh Montgomery to unpack just how close we are to climate tipping points. From collapsing ice sheets to Gulf Stream shutdowns, Tim explains why even "small" temperature rises carry catastrophic consequences for civilisation. Together they discuss why we’re not prepared, wh...

In this eye-opening Season 2 premiere of Real Zero, TV doctor and infectious diseases expert Dr. Chris van Tulleken joins Dan and Hugh for a searing conversation about climate change, corporate power, and the food system. Chris explains why climate collapse is already here, how the modern diet is harming both people and the planet, and why personal responsibility might be the wrong narrative. Expe...

Send us a text In this special recap episode of Real Zero , hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant reflect on the highlights, lessons, and urgent themes from Season 1. They discuss the growing climate crisis, from the latest scientific findings to the stark realities of political and economic inaction. However, the episode is also filled with hope, focusing on the tangible actions in...

Send us a text In this episode of Real Zero , hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant speak with Tom Parsons , Director at Good Energy , about the critical role of renewable energy in combating climate change. They explore how switching to genuine green energy suppliers , installing solar panels , and adopting heat pumps can significantly reduce household and business carbon emissions...

Send us a text In this episode of Real Zero , hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant are joined by Paul Newnham — global climate expert and head of the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, Chef’s Manifesto, and host of the Future Fork podcast. Together, they dive into the critical intersection of climate change and global food systems , exploring how rising temperatures, unpredictable weather, and res...

Send us a text In this episode of Real Zero , hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant sit down with Tony Burdon , CEO of Make My Money Matter , to explore how your financial choices — from your bank account to your pension — can either drive or mitigate the climate crisis. Tony shares insights into the systemic issues in the financial world , revealing how many banks and pension funds...

Send us a text It's new years so we're on a break, but here's a quick festive pod to recap, let you know where we're going with the rest of the series and what New Year's Resolutions to make!  Some incredible episodes coming up - every Sunday. Please do like, subscribe and share! 

Send us a text In this episode of Real Zero , hosts Professor Hugh Montgomery and Dr. Daniel Grant speak with Professor Paul Ekins , an expert in environmental economics and energy systems, about the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and the economic challenges we face in achieving this goal. They discuss the stark reality that we have just six years left before exceeding the carbon...

Send us a text Welcome to the first episode of Real Zero ! In this inaugural episode, co-hosts Dr. Daniel Grant and Professor Hugh Montgomery set the stage for the series by exploring the urgent realities of climate change. Dr. Grant, with a curious mind but limited knowledge on the topic, interviews Professor Montgomery — a leading climate expert, intensive care consultant, chair of the Lancet Co...