Outrage + Optimism

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179. The Best of Times, The Worst of Times Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

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 on building a sustainable future.

In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson give their concluding thoughts on COP27, followed by Tom’s interview with Rory Stewart OBE FRSGS FRSL一former Conservative cabinet minister, diplomat, soldier, author, academic, charitable entrepreneur, and podcaster一a true polymath if there ever was one.

We close the episode with music from British singer-songwriter L.A. Salami and his captivating single, “Desperate Times, Mediocre Measures.”

Enjoy the show!

NOTES AND RESOURCES

We want to hear from you! Fill our our LISTENER SURVEY - Thank you!

To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.

Explore more about COP27.

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective.

Rory Stewart

Twitter | The Rest is Politics | Wikipedia

GiveDirectly

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube

MUSIC

L.A. Salami

Instagram | Facebook | Spotify | Apple Music

Watch the amazing video for “Desperate Times, Mediocre Measures.”

All his incredible music videos are here - WATCH

Clay’s Pick of The Week - ‘Things Ain’t Changed’

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

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178. COP27: Why the Money Flow is Slow Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson share their reflections on COP27. We also have music from South Africa’s Daily Maverick, featuring the brilliant vocalist, Anneli Kamfer.

Tom is back from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where he spent several days at COP27, the UN’s annual climate conference. The trio discusses whether the international commitment to contain global warming to 1.5°C一now that the target seems to be moving out of reach一is as robust as it should be. Is conference messaging, such as “[We are] resolved to pursue efforts,” as strong as it should be?

Next, there’s good and bad news on “Loss and Damage.” This refers to the responsibility of industrialized nations for the climate crisis and the moral case for compensating poorer countries suffering disproportionately from its consequences. Hear the breakdown and where the group stands on the progress of this critical issue.

Other COP27 discussions cover balancing collective global action with internal political realities, strides in reversing deforestation, and Tom’s birthday!

You won’t want to miss this engaging conversation!

Before we go to the music, hear our incredible ‘pass the mic’ segment where Zoe, our roving reporter, spent an afternoon capturing diverse voices from COP 27 delegates in the halls and corridors of the conference.

Finally, we finish with our musical selection: “20Twenties: Eve of Destruction,” by the Daily Maverick, featuring the celebrated vocalist Anneli Kamfer.

Enjoy the show!

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.

Explore more about COP27.

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective.

MUSIC

Listen to the full track “20Twenties: Eve of Destruction” from the Daily Maverick featuring acclaimed vocalist, Anneli Kamfer.

Anneli Kamfer

Facebook | Instagram

Learn more about the Daily Maverick and the Our Burning Planet initiative.

Here’s a well-known version of Eve of Destruction, written by 19-year-old PF Sloan in 1965 and recorded soon after by Barry McGuire.

Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

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177. Future of Food: Live from COP27 Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

In this special episode we bring you the conclusion of our celebrated Future of Food series, recorded live from COP 27. Outrage + Optimism host Tom Rivett-Carnac pulls together an incredible line up of leaders to explore how food might act as the connecting force that engages communities and individuals and brings us all together in a united global movement.

First, Tom takes the opportunity to catch up Per Heggenes, the CEO of The IKEA Foundation, to hear why food is of huge importance to his organisation's work and why Per believes food needs to stay top of the global agenda.

Next, Tom convenes a fascinating and diverse group of guests in a unique and quirky setting: a blue shipping container repurposed in collaboration with Museum for the United Nations UN Live team and The IKEA Foundation using Global We portals, to bring the voices of people on the frontline of climate change, directly into the heart of climate conversations at COP27 via full length screens, set up in diverse global locations.

Listen to the fascinating contributions from Tom's IRL guests Paul Polman, Business Leader, Former CEO of Unilever and co-author of Net Positive; Liesbet Steer, Executive Director of the Education Commission; and Sophia Kianni climate activist, Executive Director of Climate Cardinals and the youngest member on the United Nations Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change; and our Global We portal leaders from Kigali Sarah Kenkuyu, Program Manager at GiveDirectly Rwanda; Kristian Gasaro, activist, Greenpreneur and photographer; and Tanignigui Siriki Soro, a writer and community leader from the Ivory Coast.

The resulting conversation is as diverse and as fascinating as our guests themselves.

Enjoy the show!

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.

The IKEA Foundation

Museum for the United Nations

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn

GUESTS:

Per Heggenes

Twitter |

Paul Polman

LinkedIn | Website | Twitter |

Liesbet Steer

Twitter | LinkedIn |

The Education Commission

Website | Twitter | Instagram

Sophia Kianni

LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Sarah Kenkuyu

GiveDirectly

LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Kristian Gasaro

LinkedIn | Twitter

Tanignigui Siriki Soro

Want to participate in the COP27 Civic Imagination Lab? REGISTER HERE

Also, explore more about COP27

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

Go listen to Abigael Kima’s coverage of COP27 on the Hali Hewa Podcast

Click through to listen to more of our episodes on The Future of Food

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176. COP27: Loss and Damage in the Spotlight Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

First up we have some exclusive news... *drumroll*... We are excited to announce that Outrage + Optimism is now part of the TED Audio Collective! This news represents an exciting continuation of the collaboration between our organizations, which began with our strategic partnership with TED Countdown.

The TED Audio Collective is a curated collection of podcasts sharing ideas on a range of subjects, including psychology, business, and design. Be sure to check out some of the other podcasts in the collective!

Back to this special COP 27 episode... co-hosts Christiana Figueres and Paul Dickinson talk long-distance with co-host Tom Rivett-Carnac, who’s on the ground at the COP27 UN climate conference in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Also, Christiana interviews Simon Stiell, the latest Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the podcast announces a new partnership with TED Audio Collective.

First, Tom calls in from COP27, where the top item on the agenda is “Loss and Damage,” which refers to the historical responsibility of industrialized nations for the climate crisis and the moral case for compensating poorer and developing countries suffering the brunt of its many devastating effects. What is fair, really?

Next, Christiana discusses getting things done, accountability, and the power of meditation with UNFCCC Secretary Simon Stiell. They expand on COP27 and the role of oil and gas companies in the conference. You won’t want to miss this engaging conversation.

The team closes with their reflections on the midterm elections in the United States (votes are still being counted) and what a divided Congress means for President Biden’s climate agenda. And finally, producer Clay brings us the goods on O+O’s new partnership with the TED Audio Collective and today’s tune from British guitar-goddess and artist, Anna Calvi: “Don’t Beat the Girl Out of My Boy.”

Enjoy the show!

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.

Want to participate in the COP27 Civic Imagination Lab? REGISTER HERE

Also, explore more about COP27

It’s official, we’re a TED Audio Collective Podcast - Proof!

Check out more podcasts from The TED Audio Collective

Want to join our Book Club? Read Jon Alexander’s ‘CITIZENS’ and email your question from the book to contact@globaloptimism.com to be invited to an invite-only session with Jon and us!

Go listen to Abigael Kima’s coverage of COP27 on the Hali Hewa Podcast

GUEST

Simon Stiell

LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

MUSIC

Anna Calvi

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Be sure to listen to ‘Indies or Paradise’ -Clay

Listen to the full album ‘HUNTER’

Peaky Blinders fans - Listen to ‘Tommy EP’

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175. COP27: A Little Less Conversation, A Lot More (Climate) Action Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

Co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson catch up on the whirlwind political news from the last few weeks. They cover the defeat of Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro by former president (and prisoner) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva aka “Lula,” the upcoming COP27, and the U.S. midterm elections.

First up, Brazil. The news of Lula’s presidential win is a victory for the planet. Deforestation skyrocketed under Bolsonaro but declined under Lula’s first stint as president. However, it won’t be easy to reverse Bolsanaro’s trends. Lula doesn’t have a Congressional majority, and Bolsonaro’s party just picked up a few more legislative seats. What will this mean for Brazil’s regeneration initiatives?

Next, the team discusses COP27, the upcoming UN climate conference. This year’s theme will be implementation rather than high-stakes, multi-governmental negotiation. But that has our trio wondering about what that means for the private sector? With $20 trillion in income, they’re essential to hitting net zero targets. What role will they play?

On to U.S. and U.K. politics: Republicans一with their climate denial stance一seem poised to win both legislative houses in the upcoming American midterm elections. And across the pond, the U.K. continues to flounder in its ongoing leadership crisis. How does this affect the U.S. and U.K. climate agendas, wealthy western oil companies, or climate finance commitments to developing countries?

You won’t want to miss the team’s insights!

Finally, enjoy the amazing British-Asian fusion sound of Nikhil Beats with an exclusive performance of his song 'Wisdom ft. Eclipse'.

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 COP27

Participate in the COP27 Civic Imagination Lab – REGISTER HERE

Nikhil Beats

Get Tickets to Nikhil’s Headlining Show in London on Nov 16!

Watch Sister True Dedication’s Ted Talk

Listen to Sister True Dedication on 10 Percent Happier with Dan Harris

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Bonus. Hali Hewa: Gender and the Climate Crisis with Sofanit Mesfin Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to the fifth episode of the Hali Hewa Podcast.

‘Hali Hewa’ is a Swahili term for ‘climate ' and this podcast series is hosted and produced by Kenyan climate activist, Abigael Kima.

In the lead up to the COP27 international climate negotiations, which are now just a month away, Abigael interviews African climate change experts and activists on the issues that matter most to them. Guests sign off each episode by sharing what they feel the COP27 conference must deliver on.

Our guest today is Sofanit Mesfin. Sofanit is a gender specialist working as the Regional Gender and Social Inclusion Coordinator at Ripple Effect, formerly known as ‘Send A Cow’. Ripple Effect works with smallholder farmers to equip them with knowledge and skills enabling them to improve their livelihoods and thrive. Farmers working alongside Ripple Effect learn more, grow more and sell more. They can feed their families nutritious food, and by having a surplus to sell can invest in their farms, send their children to school and build sustainable agri-businesses.

In this episode, Sofanit takes us through her journey working with women farmers in different African countries to deliver training programs that help them adapt to a changing climate. She explains how and why women and children are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, and what Ripple Effect is doing to ease the burden on women, children and their households. Sofanit also explains how other stakeholders can come on board to support this kind of work, ensuring that more and more communities get support to build resilience and secure a healthy future for themselves and their children.

Sofanit signs off the show by sharing what she wants the upcoming COP27 climate conference in Egypt to deliver in November.

Enjoy the show!

Learn more about Ripple Effect

Linkedin | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Website

[Note: I recently had the privilege to visit women farmers in Busia and Bungoma in the Western Region of Kenya. I learned a lot from them about methods to improve food production, and how these practices allowed them to better their lives and that of their families. Follow the Hali Hewa Podcast on social media to see these interviews]

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174. These are Powerful Times Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

In this episode, co-host Christiana Figueres is joined by an all-female cast. You’ll hear from climate activist Abigael (Abbie) Kima from Kenya about her recent visit with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, and Isabel Cavelier, Colombian climate activist and recent recipient of the prestigious Climate Breakthrough Award, an initiative of the Climate Breakthrough Project.

We also feature music from the British indie rock duo, Penelope Isles.

First, Abbie Kima brings Christiana up to date with her podcast, the Hali Hewa Podcast一“Hali ya Hewa” is Swahili for “climate”一covering indigenous people, women, and climate emergencies from the African perspective. Kima also recounts her extraordinary (collective) meeting with the Dalai Lama at the Mind & Life Institute in Dharamsala. She discusses his teachings about how oneness across all people is innately linked to global climate action.

Next, Christiana chats with Isabel Cavelier about her fascinating climate journey. Isabel touches on her early work helping develop the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs一the United Nations framework for global peace and prosperity一her climate action organization Transforma, and her work in the climate movement today. They also touch on Cavelier’s Climate Breakthrough Award, one of the field's most distinguished honors.

Finally, we close the episode with indie rock band Penelope Isles's new release, “Underwater Record Store.”

See you next week!

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.

Shoutout to our very own Freya Newman on her research being published in Nature Communications!

Want to participate in the COP27 Civic Imagination Lab?

GUESTS

Abigael Kima

LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook| YouTube | Instagram

Listen to Abbie’s Hali Hewa Podcast

Isabel Cavelier Adarve

LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook

Learn more about Isabel’s award from Climate Breakthrough

Transforma

LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

MUSIC

Penelope Isles

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Clay’s Recommendation: Check out their LIVE KEXP and AudioTree Performances!

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173. The Way Out Is In: Benefitting from a Spiritual Practice Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

Many of us living through the climate emergency are asking, how do we support positive change in the world? How do I bring presence and insight into my daily life and the global challenges we face? How do I cultivate inner peace amidst these crises? How can I show up in my daily life as my authentic self?

This week on the podcast, our very own host Tom Rivett-Carnac moonlights as a guest for a special episode of The Way Out Is In: The Zen Art of Living, a podcast series mirroring Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s deep teachings of Buddhist philosophy: a simple yet profound methodology for dealing with our suffering, and for creating more happiness and joy in our lives.

Presenters, Zen Buddhist monk Brother Phap Huu and journalist Jo Confino, discuss with Tom the power that deep spiritual grounding has to make mindfulness a tool for individual and collective awakening, not only in life in general, but specifically during an ecological and climate crisis.

Tom also talks about his early-life experience as a Buddhist monk; the benefits of spiritual development, how it precipitates coming together without egoic attachment to find collective solutions, and how to use it as a tool to integrate practice and activism.

And stick around to the end of the episode for a ‘The Way Out Is In’ tradition, a short meditation guided by Brother Phap Huu.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

Listen and Subscribe to ‘The Way Out Is In’

Plum Village App

Twitter | YouTube | Instagram

Thich Nhat Hanh

Twitter | Foundation

Plum Village

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

Brother Chân Pháp Hữu

Instagram

Jo Confino

Instagram

Next ‘The Way Out Is In’ Recommended Episodes To LISTEN To:

War And Peace (Ukraine)

Zen and The Art of Saving The Planet

Wise Leadership w/ Lindsay Levin

WATCH: ‘A Cloud Never Dies’ on YouTube

READ: ‘Zen and The Art of Saving the Planet’ by Thich Nhat Hanh

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172. Dinner with Satish Kumar Oct 18, 2022

Show notes

This week, a bonus episode with something a little different than normal. Join us for a dinner conversation at Tom's house with Satish Kumar!

Peace-pilgrim, life-long activist and former monk, Satish Kumar has been inspiring global change for over 50 years. Aged 9, Satish renounced the world and joined the wandering Jain monks. Inspired by Gandhi, he decided at 18 that he could achieve more back in the world and soon undertook a peace-pilgrimage, walking without money from India to America in the name of nuclear disarmament. Now in his 80s, Satish has devoted his life to campaigning for ecological regeneration, social justice and spiritual fulfillment.

So find a seat, grab a glass, and enjoy the conversation!

NOTES AND RESOURCES

Schumacher College

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

The Resurgence Trust

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website | Discounted Membership

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171. ESG: Facts Are Not Political Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism!

As always, we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue on building a sustainable future.

In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss the anti-ESG (environmental, social, and governance) movement in the U.S. and its broader implications for the role of corporate institutions in an increasingly climate-sensitive world.

You’ll hear from Jesse Coleman, Senior Researcher with investigative watchdog and journalism project Documented. Jesse and his team have uncovered some astounding research on the sobering reality behind the ESG pushback.

You won’t want to miss a second of this important and intriguing discussion!

Also, enjoy the outro track, entitled “Frying Paint,” from guest artist, Archive. Details, including a link to the brilliant video, are in the show notes below.

See you next time!

CORRECTION: Our host Paul Dickinson mentions in the show that Paul Watchman produced a fiduciary duty report for Linklaters. The fiduciary duties report Paul Watchman was responsible for was from Freshfields....not Linklaters.

NOTES AND RESOURCES

Jesse Coleman

Twitter | Documented

Learn more about Jesse’s research on Documented

LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Read a joint report on ExxonMobil by Jesse (Documented) and Emily Atkin (HEATED)

Huge, huge shout out to Jason Schwartz and Kathleen Brophy at The Sunrise Project for their incredible work bringing this anti-ESG movement to our attention, and for all their help and generosity.

The Sunrise Project

State Financial Officers Foundation

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Music This Week: Archive

Twitter | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Music

Tom + Clay recommend Archive’s video for “Frying Paint”

Clay’s Pick of The Week - Archive’s “Shouting Within”

Be sure to check out “The Way Out Is In” - our sister podcast with Plum Village!

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