Inconvenient Chats

What is the right way to react when climate reports are signaling we are going in the right direction - big time? The Planetary Boundaries Health Check report reported in September that a 7th boundary out of nine has been breached, and the UNEP Emissions Gap report recently concluded that the world is ‘off-track’ to meet Paris climate targets and well on its way to overshoot 1.5 degrees of warming...

This week is Part II of our first two-parter! And it's an important one (at least for us). If you have not listened to Part I yet, go there first before returning here (Episode IC9.1). In this two-parter, we talk about how the constant onslaught of bad news can be overwhelming and which psychological effects on individuals are at play. In Part I, we dive into the concept of 'numbness' in response...

This week is Part I of our first two-parter! And it's an important one (at least for us). In this two-parter, we talk about how the constant onslaught of bad news can be overwhelming and which psychological effects on individuals are at play. In Part I, we dive into the concept of 'numbness' in response to constant bad news, the finite pool of attention and the finite pool of worry, and some key b...

This week, we discuss the Earth Overshoot Day, which marks the date when humanity has used up all the resources the Earth can regenerate in a year. We ask ourselves why the day goes unnoticed so easily despite its presumably very alarming message (maybe that’s why?), and what would it require to shoot a bit less over the boundaries of the planet. If you want to give feedback you can write to **kai...

This week, we discuss the dichotomy between two archetypes in environmental discourse: the Wizard, who believes in technological solutions, and the Prophet, who emphasises limits and lifestyle changes. The framework was coined by America journalist and author Charles C. Mann. We discuss why it is helpful to have a small framework as part of the discourse, the implications of each archetype, the ne...

Feedback time! Our first feedback session for Inconvenient Chats after the first month of publishing episodes. We chit chat a little, read listener reviews, go through episode feedback, and discuss future topics. Thanks a lot for all the support out there. You can support us for free by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you want to give feedback you can write to **kaisa@inconvenien...

In this episode, we explore the question of whether expertise is necessary to engage in discussions about climate change. We ask ourselves, ‘if climate change is not a matter of opinion, do you need to be an expert to talk about it’? Of course not – every voice is valuable in a subject that affects us all. We discuss how taking part in the conversation and asking questions are actually very import...

In this episode of Inconvenient Chats, we delve into the complexities of global climate change negotiations, focusing on the role of UN COPs. Ever since the 2015 Paris Agreement, landmark agreements and decisive steps from UN COPs have been few and far between. Do we still need these big conferences? We discuss the historical significance of COPs, their successes and failures, and the ongoing chal...

In this episode, we discuss what ‘inconvenient chats’ actually are. What is the discomfort that often creeps into the discussion when addressing complex topics, especially when it comes to climate change? Why do we feel that, and what does it tell us? What should we think about it? We talk about our own experiences and reflections leading to choosing this name for the podcast. Elements we touch up...

In this episode of Inconvenient Chats, we delve into the topic of what freedom means, particularly in the context of rising right-wing authoritarianism and the challenges faced by liberal democracies. We explore the different interpretations of freedom, the importance of debate in democratic societies, and the need to defend the true meaning of freedom against authoritarian narratives. We also emp...

In this episode of Inconvenient Chats, we discuss the significance of precise language in discussions and the interconnections and differences between various ecological crises – and the importance of understanding planetary crises in a broader context and the role of environmental literacy in fostering meaningful discussions. If you want to give feedback you can write to **kaisa@inconvenientchats...

In this inaugural episode of Inconvenient Chats, we delve into the concept of false balance in science communication, particularly in the context of climate change. We discuss how false balance misrepresents scientific consensus potentially leading to inaction. We explore the implications of false balance on democracy and the trust in institutions. If you want to give feedback you can write to kai...

Climate change is real, accelerating, and profoundly urgent - yet the world isn’t changing quickly or deeply enough. In our experience, many important conversations are being avoided, maybe unintentionally. They're inconvenient: messy, emotionally charged, a little uncomfortable, ideologically polarized, or simply complex. This is why we have started Inconvenient Chats, our podcast to create room...