Fossil vs Future

We often finish a recording and think of more things we wish we’d said. Or something happens days after that would have been key to mention.  In this episode, James and Daisy catch up on those “missing pieces” from 2026 so far. How might the Iran war impact the energy transition? What is on the COP31 Action Agenda? What happened at the first conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels?  “Su...

To mitigate climate change, we must reduce new emissions. But what about the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere? And what about the emissions that we can’t easily reduce with existing technologies?  In this episode, James and Daisy discuss carbon dioxide removal (CDR). How is it done? What does it cost? And do we really need it? SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:  The State of CDR – Reports on the stat...

This is part two of our collaboration with Bula COP31! We recommend listening to part one first.   This November, Türkiye hosts COP31 with Australia leading the negotiations. In this cross-continental episode, James and Daisy are joined by Jack Whelan and Heidi Dumesich (hosts of Bula COP31!) for an intergenerational conversation on what we hope to see from this year’s conference. What will make i...

COP 31 will be held in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026. While Türkiye will serve as host country, taking responsibility for the logistics and operations of the conference, Australia will lead the negotiations. To ensure Pacific interests remain at the heart of the summit, the Pre-COP will be hosted in Fiji, supported by the Government of Australia. This represents an unprecedented opp...

Although we often focus on carbon dioxide, a group of powerful pollutants is also driving a large share of today’s warming…   In this episode, James and Daisy talk about super pollutants. Why are they important? Why are they worse for the climate? How can we reduce their use?   SOME RECOMMENDATIONS: The Global Methane Pledge (GMP) – Launched at COP26 by the EU and the US, the GMP now has 160 parti...

With International Women’s Day on 8 March, this episode explores both the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and the critical role women play in driving climate action. In this episode, James and Daisy discuss and celebrate women. How are women disproportionately affected by climate change? And why are they central to climate solutions? SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:  Women Leading on Clima...

Our lives are intertwined with energy. It comes in many forms and, while it can never be lost, it can be converted from one form to another to do useful work. The energy transition is the process of shifting energy production away from sources that release greenhouse gases and towards sources that emit little or none. In this episode, James and Daisy explore all things energy. What exactly is ener...

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region sits at the heart of the world’s energy system, home to many of the top oil and gas producers. Yet it also one of the most climate-vulnerable regions, with huge renewable energy potential. In this episode, James and Daisy discuss the region’s climate challenges. How is MENA impacted by climate change? Is the region serious about the energy transition?...

Demand for digital services has exploded — and with it, the rapid expansion of data centres providing the compute power behind everything from streaming and cloud storage to AI. But this growth could have serious climate consequences. In this episode, James and Daisy explore the rise of data centres. What exactly are they? Why are they becoming so central to our lives? And how can we guide their f...

The COP – or ‘Conference of the Parties’ – is the supreme decision-making body of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In November 2025, COP30 took place in Belém, Brazil – the thirtieth of these annual meetings and a milestone marking ten years since the Paris Agreement. As with many COPs, reactions to the final outcomes were mixed. In this episode, James and Daisy...

More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities – and that number keeps growing. Cities are engines of opportunity and economic growth, but they also generate vast amounts of waste, pollution, and emissions. Yet by bringing together people, ideas, and investments, cities also become hubs of innovation where climate solutions can emerge and scale.  In this episode, James and Daisy expl...

Like any industry, music has a carbon footprint – from live events and global touring to merchandise and streaming. Yet what makes music unique is its reach and power to inspire change.  In this episode, James and Daisy are joined by Daniel Morrell – sustainability pioneer, environmental activist, artist, and electronic musician. Together they explore music’s role in the fight against climate chan...

Roughly one-third of all food produced is never eaten. Beyond the financial and social costs, food waste is also a major driver of climate change. When we waste food, we waste the land, water, and energy used to produce it, and as it decomposes, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In this episode, James and Daisy explore the causes and consequences of food waste, sharing their experience...

Democracy literally means “rule by the people” – a system designed to safeguard our collective voice through the creation of laws and institutions. But today, many democratic systems are struggling to respond adequately respond to the wicked problems the world faces, including climate change. Young people, in particular, are losing faith.  In this episode, James and Daisy speak about democracy. Wh...

The climate crisis is also a health crisis. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events are driving more heat-related deaths, spreading vector-borne diseases, and damaging mental health – impacts that fall hardest on the most vulnerable communities.  Framing climate change through the lens of health makes it personal – and the solutions preventative. Clean energy doesn’t just cut carbon; it sav...

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) – the world’s highest court – has issued its long-awaited advisory opinion on the obligations of States in respect of climate change. The Court confirmed that States have a legal duty to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions, for both present and future generations.  In this episode, Daisy asks James, an international environmental law exper...

Sport inspires, builds communities, promotes healthy lifestyles, and brings joy to millions around the world. But while sport is a powerful force for good, it is both a contributor to – and a victim of – climate change.  In this episode, James and Daisy explore the intersection of sport and climate change. How does sport contribute to climate change? In what ways is climate change already affectin...

Demography is the study of human populations, while demographics refer to the characteristics of a population like age, gender, ethnicity, income, education, health. These traits both influence – and are influenced by – the climate crisis.  In this episode, James and Daisy speak with John Elkington , a world authority on corporate responsibility and sustainable capitalism. Together they explore th...

The ocean is essential to life on Earth – regulating climate, producing oxygen, providing food and livelihoods, and supporting ecosystems. But it's in trouble. Today, it faces a triple crisis: overfishing, pollution, and climate change. In this episode, James and Daisy dive deep into the ocean’s role in climate stability. Why is ocean protection critical to solving the climate crisis? What were th...

Activism is often defined as the act of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. But in practice, it takes many forms and means different things to different people. For many – especially younger generations – activism isn’t just a choice; it’s a necessity, driven by frustration that conventional approaches have failed. Yet, the effectiveness of more disruptive tactics...

Environmental law is the law relating to environmental problems – but these problems are anything but simple. Traditional legal systems weren’t designed with challenges like climate change or biodiversity loss in mind, making this one of the most diverse, evolving, and demanding areas of law today. In this episode, James and Daisy are joined by Philippe Sands KC – a leading international lawyer, p...

Climate change is increasing the risk of damage from unexpected events such as extreme weather and natural disasters. While steps can be taken to reduce the risk, they can’t eliminate it entirely – that’s where insurance comes in. It allows people to transfer financial risk and protect themselves from financial losses.  In this episode, James and Daisy discuss insurance. How is insurance changing...

Shortly after we recorded our episode on populism, two major developments in the UK prompted us to do this follow-up. First, former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair called for a major rethink of the UK’s net zero policy. Then, the right-wing populist party Reform UK made significant gains in the English local elections. In this episode, James and Daisy talk about these events and reflect on what they...

Populism is a political approach that claims to speak for “ordinary people” – those who feel ignored or left behind established elite groups. Around the world, populist movements frequently frame environmental action as elitist, out of touch with the priorities of “real people.”   In this episode, James and Daisy discuss the rise of populism. What exactly is populism? How is it shaping public atti...

War engages our fight or flight instincts. When immediate threats like conflict arise, they often overshadow slower-burning, long-term crises like climate change. In this episode, James and Daisy talk about war. How does climate change fuel conflict? How does war, in turn, hinder efforts to combat the climate crisis? How do we avoid trading one existential threat for another? SOME RECOMMENDATIONS:...