
210 episodes

Outrage + Optimism Global Optimism
-
- News
-
-
4.7 • 585 Ratings
-
Face the climate crisis head on, but understand that we have the power to solve this. From former UN Chief Christiana Figueres and the team who brought you the Paris Agreement, this podcast about issues and politics will inform you, inspire you and help you realize that this is the most exciting time in history to be alive.
-
Momentum VS Perfection: The Biggest Question in Climate Right Now? (Part Two)
Welcome back to part two of the mini-series Momentum vs Perfection!
This week Tom Rivett-Carnac and Fiona McRaith deepen their exploration of the tensions in the climate movement outlined in episode one, and look to see how we might begin to move past the current impasse to accelerate action in this decisive decade.
Journey with Tom, Fiona and their guests as they seek to answer the burning questions that they hope might unlock a trajectory to collaborative, joyful action. Some of these questions include:
Is a rebuilding of trust and understanding among the different actors key?
What part does the ‘moveable middle’ play on the spectrum of momentum and perfection.
How do we ensure inclusivity and engagement of those whose voices are not currently represented in the wider movement?
How do these divisions present in the corporate world where the sense of urgency is well embedded but transition to action is hesitant?
What role can impartial actors and data play in pushing forward the momentum and perfection agendas?
Can the capitalist spirit ever be used as a force to accelerate change as long as it is rooted in good intention?
Is connection and personal relationships key to building the sense of common purpose and approach we need now?
Helping Tom and Fiona to answer these questions is an incredible line-up of guest speakers:
Justin Forsyth, Co-Founder Count Us In, a radical collaboration of business, faith, sport, and civil society to inspire a billion people to take climate action.
Farhana Yamin, Lawyer/Author/Activist & Keynote Speaker. Farhana is an internationally recognized environmental lawyer, climate change and development policy expert. She works part time at the Doc Society coordinating the Climate Reframe Project which seeks to amplify the voice of climate activists and experts from racialized minorities in the UK environment movement.
Peter Bakker, President & CEO WBCSD, the global CEO-led community of the world’s leading sustainable businesses working collectively to accelerate the system transformations needed for a net zero, nature positive, and equitable future.
Sister True Dedication, Zen Buddhist monastic teacher in Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village Community
Prof Helen Pankhurst CBE. CARE International, MMU, UOS. Senior Advisor at international humanitarian agency CARE International, women’s rights activist, and the direct descendant of Emmeline Pankhurst and Sylvia Pankhurst, both leaders in the suffragette movement
NOTES AND RESOURCES
To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.
Learn more about the Paris Agreement.
Fiona McRaith, Manager, Engagement & Delivery and Special Assistant to the President & CEO, Bezos Earth Fund
LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Justin Forsyth
LinkedIn | Twitter
Count Us In
Twitter | Instagram
Farhana Yamin
LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram
Peter Bakker
LinkedIn | Twitter
WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development
LinkedIn | Twitter
Sister True Dedication
Twitter | Instagram
Plum Village
LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Helen Pankhurst, women’s rights activist and Senior Advisor, CARE International
LinkedIn | Twitter
CARE International
Twitter | YouTube
Learn more about Pankhursts’s great-grandmother Emmeline Pankhurst and grandmother Sylvia Pankhurst, both leaders in the suffragette movement.
It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!
Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective
Please follow us on social media!
Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
-
Click Here to see the full show notes for this episode -
Momentum VS Perfection: The Biggest Question in Climate Right Now? (Part One)
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.
This week Tom Rivett-Carnac introduces the first of his two-part series on Momentum vs Perfection by looking at the different theories of change within the climate movement and asking if and how they can co-exist to drive the level of scale and action needed in this decisive decade.
He is joined on this complex and emotive journey by guest co-host Fiona McRaith, Manager of Engagement & Delivery and Special Assistant to the President & CEO at climate philanthropy fund Bezos Earth Fund. Fiona brings a (significantly younger) Gen Z perspective to this thought-provoking discussion.
Our co-hosts speak with a series of esteemed guests on this timely and important question, including:
Helen Pankhurst, Senior Advisor at international humanitarian agency CARE International, women’s rights activist, and the direct descendant of Emmeline Pankhurst and Sylvia Pankhurst, both leaders in the suffragette movement
Author, educator, environmentalist, and Co-Founder of international environmental organization 350.org, Bill McKibben
Environmental activist and Co-Founder of global environmental movement Extinction Rebellion, Gail Bradbrook
Jerome Foster II, Co-founder of Waic Up and youngest member of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council
Director of mission-driven consulting firm Reos Partners, Adam Kahane
Previous Director of Strategy for the Cabinet Office for COP 26 (the United Nations’ annual climate conference) Charles (Charlie) Ogilvie
Don’t miss Part One of this incredible and timely conversation, including insights from previous movements, generational collaboration, the value of civil disobedience, the role of data and measurement, and whether agreement between sides is necessary for advancement.
And be sure to look out for the final episode of this mini-series next week, in which our co-hosts, with the help of their guests, will hopefully draw some conclusions to help guide us in these crucial years.
It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!
Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective
Please follow us on social media!
Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn -
The Stories of Women are Precious
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.
This week, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson interrupt their previously scheduled programming一the launch of the O+O miniseries discussed last week一to celebrate International Women’s Day (recognized annually on March 8) with CEO & Leadership Activist Fabian Dattner. The team also covers big news about our oceans’ future and closes with music from Child Seat.
Tom starts with the news that after nearly 20 years, members of the United Nations have finally agreed on the United Nations High Seas Treaty, an international framework to protect biodiversity in international waters. It’s a massive achievement that protects the migratory routes of some of our most iconic species and demonstrates significant multilateral cooperation.
Oh, and negotiations were led by Rena Lee, Singapore’s Ambassador for Oceans and Law of the Sea Issues and Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs一another great reason to celebrate International Women’s Day.
On a related note, Christiana references a disturbing statistic from a report prepared by GWL Voices for Change and Inclusion, an advocacy group of 62 current and former senior women leaders, that women have held just 12% of top positions at 33 of the largest multilateral institutions since 1945. Clearly, we still have a ways to go in the pursuit of gender equality.
Next, the trio welcomes CEO & Leadership Activist and the founder of the global leadership consultancy the Dattner Group, Fabian Dattner. The group discusses Dattner’s work at the nexus of leadership, support for women, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). While it may sound like an unconventional combination, Dattner explains how it all came together一initially in a dream一and later in her Homeward Bound initiative. It is, our co-hosts agree, an unassailable mix of what our world desperately needs and could use more of.
Later, Dattner brings up her trip to Antarctica and how the concept of success is as dangerous as the concept of failure. For many women, Dattner explains, success can be framed as an elusive ideal. She counsels that if you aren’t willing to fail, there’s nothing you can achieve because success is mostly a string of failures. These are just some of the topics from the group’s lively exchange!
Finally, the episode closes with the track “Burning” from indie rock powerhouse Child Seat.
You won’t want to miss this one!
NOTES AND RESOURCES
To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.
Find out more about the United Nations High Seas Treaty.
Download the report from GWL, Numbers Matter: To Fix the multilateral system start by including women.
Fabian Dattner
LinkedIn
Learn More about the Dattner Group, the Compass Leadership Program for Women, and Homeward Bound.
Here’s the 20023 Edelman Annual Trust Barometer referenced in the episode.
MUSIC
Child Seat
Instagram | Spotify | Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud
It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!
Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective
Please follow us on social media!
Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn -
Presenting: Coliving Conversations - Shared Living & the Climate Emergency
Welcome listeners as as we start the week with a special bonus episode from the wonderful folks at Conscious Coliving who recently hosted Tom Rivett-Carnac on their brilliant podcast Coliving Conversations, a show that shines light on the people, projects, and places of the blossoming coliving movement!
In this episode, join co-hosts Naima Ritter Figueres and Dr Penny Clark for an insightful conversation with Tom Rivett-Carnac where together they explore the role of communities in addressing the climate emergency. Enjoy!
-
We Are in Listening Mode
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.
This week, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss the amazing reviews they’ve received on the podcast and take the opportunity to thank listeners for participating with us in trying to save our planet. The team also announces an upcoming special project they’ve been working on and chats about the nomination of Ajay Banga as World Bank President. A frightening new study on the accelerating rates of extinction is also discussed, and there’s music from Bailen.
Paul starts with highlights from the results of a listener feedback survey. First, a whopping 87% of respondents said they’d taken action on climate change since listening to the podcast, which includes sharing the podcast一a key part of our mission一and for which we’re deeply grateful. Plus, only 43% of those listening work in the climate space. That means we’re breaking out of the climate bubble and bringing people outside of climate into the conversation. “Astonishing!” declares Christiana. Wait until you hear the rest!
Next, Tom introduces a fresh theme on O+O related to personal projects each of the co-hosts will work on individually and bring to the podcast. Over the next few weeks, Tom will begin the series on different approaches to change一momentum and perfection. He’ll explore whether they can work together, and if so, how? Exciting stuff is on the way!
In the following segment, our co-hosts weigh in on the World Bank presidential nomination of Ajay Banga, previously President and CEO of MasterCard. They agree he’s a hopeful choice for, among many other things, bringing climate issues back to the World Bank, which stands in contrast to the positions held by outgoing president David Malpass, a climate denier.
Finally, the trio discusses the alarming new study by lead author Dr. Yuangeng Huang of the China University of Geosciences on the steady destruction of biodiversity and how it’s likely to suddenly tip over into total ecosystem collapse. All agree the study didn’t get the coverage it should have, and that it’s critical we’re focused now on strategies and capital allocations to protect and reverse habitat destruction. Climate won’t matter if this doesn’t get done.
Again, thank you for taking the time to respond so thoughtfully to our listeners’ survey and to help us improve the podcast.
And before you leave please don’t miss the beautiful three-part family harmonies of Bailen on their moving ballad “Eyelashes.”
Correction: We would like to apologise for the mispronunciation of Dr Yuangeng Huang's name during the episode.
NOTES AND RESOURCES
To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.
Find out more about Ajay Banga, the U.S. nomination to lead the World Bank.
Here is The Guardian’s coverage of Dr. Yuangeng Huang’s study on ecosystem collapse.
Here is Dr. Yuangeng Huang’s study itself.
More on Elizabeth Kolbert’s The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History referenced in the episode.
GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE on FRIDAY MARCH 3 - Click here to find a strike near you. #TomorrowIsTooLate
MUSIC
Bailen
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Spotify | TikTok
Click here to Pre-add/Pre-Save ‘Tired Hearts’ coming out May 5th!
See Bailen on Tour
Check out Clay’s Picks this week:
‘Call It Like It Is’
‘Something Tells Me’
-
It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!
Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective
Please follow us on social media!
Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn -
The Path to Sustainability is Equity
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.
In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson interview climate leaders Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of global issues think tank the Club of Rome (the Club), and Johan Rockström, Joint Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (Potsdam).
Our esteemed guests discuss the 50th anniversary of the Club’s groundbreaking report on the implications of continued worldwide expansion, “Limits to Growth” (Limits), and their recently published collaborative report “Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity (Earth For All).”
Serving as both a sort of update to “Limits,” and a new solutions manual, “Earth For All” goes deep into the interrelationships between global stress points, the consequential scenarios that could lay ahead of us, and the policy recommendations we need to save our future.
It’s a fascinating conversation that covers planetary boundary science, dynamic systems modeling, the social tension index, and whether we can reach aspirational and equitable goals for humanity within our environmental boundaries. Importantly, we explore whether a planetary solution is possible without addressing systemic inequity.
Of course, be sure to stick around for music this week from brand new father/son duo Emrys + Clay.
Don’t miss a minute of this compelling episode!
NOTES AND RESOURCES
To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.
Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome
LinkedIn | Twitter
Explore The Club of Rome and the original landmark report (including a free download), “Limits to Growth.” An updated version is available here.
Johan Rockström, Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Twitter
Listen to a previous episode featuring Rockström about the race to zero.
Learn about the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Twitter
Read more or get your own copy of “Earth for All: A Survival Guide for Humanity.”
MUSIC
Emrys + Clay
You can find more of Clay and Emrys on Clay’s Patreon.
Clay has played in bands before. They are:
Claslan | Flint Eastwood
Clay Carnill
Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!
Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective
Please follow us on social media!
Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
Customer Reviews
Thank you
Thank you for producing and hosting this brilliant podcast. It is so informative and inspiring for our collective journey to a better future.
A few episodes back I heard the question mooted as to whether to interview the new Shell CEO. I don’t know if a decision was made but my vote would be yes please. I believe dialogue and understanding is so important and we gain that by talking and discussing the issues with everyone who is involved with impacting our environment.
Understanding what Shell CEO Wael Sawan sees as the obstacles he faces in bringing forward and speeding up the transition to a sustainable future. What are the forces tying his hands from making the changes we all need.
Thanks for all your wonderful efforts, energy and dedication to bring this podcast to the world.
Five stars
Brilliant podcast, endlessly informative and so comforting to see how many people we have globally committed to pushing for a better future. Dealing with depression and severe eco-anxiety this year and while some weeks I can’t face listening to anything related to climate change, on the weeks that I can, listening to this podcast and hearing the three hosts managing to laugh and find optimism and enjoyment and realising they haven’t yet lost hope for humanity in spite of having worked in this field for 30+ years is so heartening and hopeful. Thank you!
Needs to be more global, less British
I stopped listening after the episode given to a friendly chat with Zac Goldsmith, someone who ran a racist election campaign. Until then I found the podcasts regularly informative but, despite the best efforts of Christina, too often a presenter-fuelled Britchat, and I say this as a Brit.