Beyond the Fix

This episode focuses on 'negative emission' technologies, which aim to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, either indirectly by influencing natural processes or directly through technology. Our guest, Dr Wim Carton, points out how carbon removal is closely linked to the idea of 'overshoot': an actively advocated agenda for dealing with the current rush to climate catastrophe. Overshoot basi...

In this episode we focus on genetic engineering, which is often presented as a necessity for climate-resilient agriculture. Our guest, Dr. Angelika Hilbeck, takes us on a fascinating journey through the early stages of genetic engineering in agriculture, highlighting the flaws in the very essence of the approach – its reductionism of ecological relationships – which has not changed with CRISPR/Cas...

In this episode, we focus on one of the most challenging problems generated by human technology: where can highly radioactive waste from nuclear energy production be safely disposed for the next one million years? Through the lens of political geology, Dr. Rony Emmenegger tells the story of the long search for a deep geological repository in Switzerland (and beyond) and its crucial socio-political...

In this episode we look at the technofix narrative, its relationship to innovation and precaution, and ask why it has become so prevalent when it comes to addressing (socio-)ecological problems. We also discuss alternatives and why the complexity of living systems requires different approaches. Our guest, Christine von Weizsäcker, is a biologist and President of Ecoropa – the European Network for...

In this episode we look at a relatively old industrial fix: the use of nitrite—a toxic chemical—for curing processed meat on a large scale. It’s a compelling case study to explore how regulatory policies are shaped and the complex role science plays in that process. Our guest, Dr. Jérôme Santolini, a biochemist and research director at the Institute for...

In this episode we look at ‘green growth’, the idea that the problems of our current economy can be solved with green technologies while continuing to grow the economy. Our guest, Prof. Dr. Julia Steinberger, Professor of Ecological Economics at the University of Lausanne, talks about the differences between ecological and environmental economics, and more generally about the problems wi...