The Big Questions

Although news highlights have moved on in the last month, the Greenland question hasn't gone away and it'll no doubt rear its head again soon. The short question: why? Having spent most of modern history on the geopolitical sidelines, this quiet corner of the map is starting to look very different as the climate warms and the ice retreats. Shipping routes are opening, minerals are attracti...

Climate change is not just a science crisis. It is a communication disaster. We have clearer data than ever, stronger evidence than ever, and louder warnings than ever, yet public understanding still trails far behind reality. Somewhere between charts, headlines, and soundbites, the message keeps slipping through the cracks. Why? In this episode, we dig into why misleading framing spreads faster t...

As 2026 approaches, climate policy looks contradictory: governments pulling back in some places, doubling down in others, and markets charging ahead regardless. Is this chaos, clarity, or a slightly cursed mix of both? In this episode, we unpack four forces quietly reshaping the climate landscape: regulation shifting from promises to implementation, international cooperation fragmenting into regio...

After three decades of climate summits, endless negotiations, and carefully worded communiqués, global emissions are still rising. The question is unavoidable: how can we improve the impact of COPs? In this episode (and while fully supporting the overall value of COPs), we take a hard look at what’s no longer optimal, from the unanimity rule that gives every nation a veto to the strange taboo of n...

COP30 was billed as the “COP of Truth”: the moment the world would finally stop sketching climate plans and start delivering them. Set in the heart of the Amazon, the summit carried huge symbolic and political weight. Expectations were high; urgency even higher. Across two tense weeks, progress did happen: on finance, adaptation, forests, and the new Just Transition Mechanism. But the headline sto...

China now dominates the global electric vehicle market, selling more EVs than the U.S. and Europe combined and doing it at record speed. What began as a niche experiment has snowballed into an industrial powerhouse reshaping how cars are built, priced, and powered. In this episode, we explore how China pulled ahead: smart industrial policy, full supply-chain integration, lightning-fast manufacturi...

Electric vehicles aren’t just reshaping the auto industry, they’re reshaping global power. Behind every battery sits a world of contested minerals, fragile supply chains, and geopolitical leverage. This episode dives into the high-stakes race for lithium, cobalt, graphite, and the refining capacity that turns raw rock into the engines of the energy transition. From China’s dominance in processing...

Electric vehicles promise cleaner, cheaper driving—but do they actually make financial sense for everyday drivers? From purchase price and running costs to insurance, resale, and charging, the economics of EV ownership are more nuanced than the headlines suggest. In this episode, we crunch the numbers behind the hype. David and Simon explore whether EVs are still too pricey upfront, how quickly th...

Electric vehicles have become the icons of a cleaner future: quiet, sleek, and seemingly guilt-free. But behind the smooth marketing lies a big question: are EVs really better for the planet, or just a cleaner-looking illusion? In this episode, we dig into the full story, from the carbon cost of mining and manufacturing to how electricity grids shape the true footprint of driving electric. We expl...

or centuries, people have warned that the wars of the future will be fought over water. As rivers dry and populations grow, the risk of conflict over this most vital resource seems inevitable - or is it? History paints a more complex picture. In this episode, we explore how water scarcity has shaped relations between neighbours - from the Middle East over the past century to other regions where sh...

Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise - and with demand for flights only growing, the pressure is on to find cleaner fuels. Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is being pitched as the industry’s game-changer, promising to cut emissions while keeping planes in the sky. But: is it really the answer? In this episode, we unpack what SAF actually is, how it works, and whether it can scale f...

Artificial intelligence is changing the world at breakneck speed. But with that power comes a big climate question: is AI an energy-hungry problem, or could it be a crucial part of the solution? In this episode, we explore both sides. From the hidden costs of each AI query - the energy, the water, the booming data centres - to the risks of over-reliance that dull human judgment. But we also dive i...

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is an incredibly critical ocean current system. It moves heat around the planet and shapes global weather. But scientists warn it could weaken—or even shut down—within decades. The result? Severe disruption to Europe’s climate, shifting monsoons, and global ripple effects. In this episode, we break down what an AMOC shutdown could mean for peo...

Carbon taxes are one of the most talked-about tools in tackling climate change. By putting a price on emissions, they aim to fix a market failure: the true costs of climate damage aren’t built into the price of fossil fuels. But how far can this tool really take us? This episode gives a Carbon Tax 101—what it is, why economists like its simplicity, and how it can cut emissions. We also look at the...

What does the push to Net Zero really mean for your wallet, for government policy, and for the future of energy? This week, we break down the forces driving energy prices—from fossil fuel dependence to the real costs of renewables—and explore how decarbonization could deliver cheaper, more secure, and more reliable power. Whether it’s families deciding if they can afford to heat their homes, or in...

International shipping is the engine of the global economy, moving over 80% of our goods. However, this essential industry operates as a climate blind spot. Its emissions are so vast they would rank as the world's fifth-largest country (!), but they were intentionally excluded from the Paris Agreement. What's the impact of this? Last week too, the IMO finally reached a major new climate ag...

In this episode, we dive into how climate change is transforming the U.S. housing market (and wider economy) —and what it means when properties become uninsurable and markets destabilize. Join hosts David Carlin and Simon Messenger for a powerful conversation with Ivan Frishberg, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amalgamated Bank and one of the leading voices on climate and finance. While the focus...

As birth rates fall and populations shrink, could this be the unexpected solution to climate change? Fewer people might mean fewer emissions—but the reality is more complicated. The environmental impact may be smaller than you'd think. So why doesn’t the math add up? Meanwhile, ageing populations are set to reshape societies. Countries like Japan and South Korea are already feeling the pressur...

This week, Simon Messenger (solo—no David Carlin!) dives deep into the science of climate tipping points. What are they, where do they come from, and why do they matter? From collapsing ice sheets to shifting ocean currents, learn how Earth’s systems can absorb pressure for a while—until they suddenly snap, shifting into a new and often irreversible state. Think leaning too far back in your chair...

Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger for today's interview with Oliver Dauert, the founder of Wildya. Forget those "LinkedIn experts"—Oliver is the real deal. He's a genuine authority on biodiversity and nature, boasting deep ecological knowledge gained from years of working in the field. He dedicates his time to helping businesses grasp the critical importance of nature, not ju...

Join your hosts, David Carlin and Simon Messenger, as we dive deep into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of solar power. In this episode, we'll unpack the immense promise of solar energy, exploring its potential to revolutionize the global power sector and provide a sustainable future. But it's not all sunshine and rainbows; we'll also tackle some of the significant hurdles, including the c...

Join hosts David Carlin and Simon Messenger today as they welcome Professor Nicky Clayton, a distinguished psychologist specializing in animal behaviour. Discover the intriguing parallels between animal and human behaviour, and gain insights into the biases that shape our perceptions and how they may be of use to policy makers. Explore how we project into the future and why distance often reduces...

Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they delve into the complex role of nuclear power in tackling the climate crisis. Is it a vital tool for creating a safe, reliable baseload for the grid, or does it present unacceptable risks? We explore the real dangers and costs associated with nuclear energy, alongside the exciting potential of future technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). But...

Dive into the deep (boo boom) with David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they navigate the turbulent waters of ocean protection in this week's episode. With the UN Summit on Oceans in Nice drawing to a close and the crucial High Seas Treaty still hanging in the balance, we explore the critical challenges facing our oceans: from the devastating effects of warming and coral bleaching to the loomin...

Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger for one very big question this week: adaptation, mitigation, or both? In this episode, we explore the crucial debate between adapting to climate change's inevitable impacts and mitigating its causes to prevent further damage. Adaptation involves adjusting our lives and infrastructure to withstand changes, while mitigation focuses on reducing emissions to s...