262 episodes

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.

Outrage + Optimism Global Optimism

    • News
    • 4.7 • 408 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.

    40 Seconds to Save The World! with Paul Goodenough

    40 Seconds to Save The World! with Paul Goodenough

    This week, the hosts discuss the much celebrated ruling last week at the European Court of Human Rights when over 2000 women aged 64 and up, took the Swiss Government to court for failing to protect them from the growing effects of climate change which proved detrimental to their health. The court in Strasbourg ruled in favour of the women, opening up a pathway for other similar cases to now be heard. The hosts briefly discuss the ruling as well as the backlash experienced among some MPs in the UK and Switzerland and why their accusations of infringement upon country sovereignty is false.
    We are then joined by the incredible Paul Goodenough, an award-winning, purpose-driven storyteller and entrepreneur, working in the environmental, charity, peace-building and entertainment sectors. In 2019, Paul co-founded Rewriting Earth (formerly Rewriting Extinction), a global collaboration of 300+ of the most influential storytellers creating non-political, non-judgemental content to reach mainstream audiences not typically engaged with environmental issues. It was a brilliant, fun and inspiring interview - make sure to listen to hear how Paul G describes how he hopes the stories he helps bring to life ‘throw an arm around people’ and welcome them into the climate space. The more the merrier we say!   
     
    NOTES AND RESOURCES
     
    GUEST
    Paul Goodenough, an award-winning, purpose-driven storyteller and entrepreneur, working in the environmental, charity, peace-building and entertainment sectors
    Website | LinkedIn | Twitter (X) | Instagram
    Rewriting Earth
    Website | Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram
     
    Rewriting Earth’s book, The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World, launched in the UK in 2021 and is available at Bookshop.org. The book is launching in Germany next week and is available at Panini Shop.
     
    To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests.
     
    Learn more about the Paris Agreement.
     
    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

    • 56 min
    Presenting: ‘How To Academy Podcast with Christiana Figueres - Facing the Climate Crisis Live In Conversation with Paul Polman’

    Presenting: ‘How To Academy Podcast with Christiana Figueres - Facing the Climate Crisis Live In Conversation with Paul Polman’

    The How To Academy Podcast is the biweekly show from London’s home of big thinking. Each episode they take a deep dive into the life and ideas of one of the most significant thinkers, artists, or leaders of our time – from Gordon Brown and Bill Clinton to Mary Beard and Marina Abramovic. This episode features a live, on-stage conversation between Christiana Figueres and the former CEO of Unilever, Paul Polman, on the fight to keep the planet within 1.5 degrees of warming.
    Visit howtoacademy.com for more podcasts, live events, and livestreams with the world’s leading thinkers.
    ---
    To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests.
     
    Learn more about the Paris Agreement.
     
    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

    • 55 min
    Two Years to Save The World? With Simon Stiell

    Two Years to Save The World? With Simon Stiell

    In this week’s episode, Tom files an exclusive report live from London, where he's on the ground covering Simon Stiell's highly anticipated Chatham House speech, "Two Years to Save the World". Not stopping there, Tom also snags a quick interview with Simon right after the event. 
    Back in the studio, Christiana, Paul, and Tom dive headfirst into the heart of Simon's speech. They navigate through the maze of mixed public reactions it sparked, delving into the underlying tensions it brought to light. 
     
    NOTES AND RESOURCES
     
    GUEST
    Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary at United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
    LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter
     
    Here are two links to excellent initiatives seeking to help investors evaluate government performance on policy:
    ASCOR: https://www.ascorproject.org/ 
    Climatescope: https://www.global-climatescope.org/
     
    Check out Greg Cochrane’s LinkedIn Post on Billie Eilish’s Vinyl Release
    Extended Listening - Be sure to listen + subscribe to both Sounds Like A Plan + Midnight Chats
    Listen + Subscribe to The Way Out Is In!
     
    To listen to our recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection visit the dedicated Website page, which includes unedited versions of interviews with our wonderful guests.
     
    Learn more about the Paris Agreement.
     
    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

    • 38 min
    Krista Tippett: Her Story of Nature

    Krista Tippett: Her Story of Nature

    In this week's special episode, while our team takes a well-deserved break, we're excited to present an exclusive, unedited conversation between Christiana Figueres, Isabel Cavelier Adarve, and the award-winning Krista Tippett, host of "On Being." Join us as we delve into "Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection."
    Take a moment to relax and immerse yourself in this expansive and inspiring dialogue. Krista opens up about her personal thoughts, feelings, and experiences with nature, offering a fresh perspective that's sure to leave a lasting impact. Get ready to see the natural world in a whole new light after tuning in!
    Krista Tippett is a Peabody Award-winning broadcaster, New York Times bestselling author, and host of the acclaimed podcast "On Being." Renowned for her insightful interviews exploring the intersection of spirituality, ethics, and humanity, Tippett's work fosters meaningful dialogue and reflection. With her distinctive blend of curiosity and empathy, she invites listeners to engage in conversations that inspire deeper understanding and connection in today's complex world.
     
    NOTES AND RESOURCES
     
    GUEST
    Krista Tippett, award-winning journalist, author and host of On Being podcast
    Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
     
    For more unedited versions of our wonderful guest conversations from our recent mini-series Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection please visit the dedicated  Website page
    Learn more about the Paris Agreement.
     
    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

    • 40 min
    Impatient for Change with Hannah Ritchie

    Impatient for Change with Hannah Ritchie

    This week, the hosts welcome Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor at Our World in Data and a Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford as our guest and discuss her book ‘Not the End of the World, How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet’.  
    In this compelling episode, join the hosts and special guest Hannah as they delve into the intricate dynamics of data, cautious optimism, and doom narratives within the climate community. Don't miss out as we explore the crucial role these elements play in shaping perspectives and driving action. Plus, Hannah treats us to an insightful reading from her remarkable work, offering a poignant addition to our discussion. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue you won't want to miss!
    Music comes from Fran Lusty with her pop-folk ballad ‘I Hate My Job’. Fran is an Indie-folk singer-songwriter born in Cambridge with Norwegian roots, see her pages below to listen to more of her soul-stirring nature inspired songs.

    NOTES AND RESOURCES
     
    GUEST
    Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor at Our World in Data and a Senior Researcher at the University of Oxford
    Sustainability by numbers | Our World in Data | Twitter (X)
    You can buy her book here: Not the End of the World, How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet
     
    MUSIC
    Fran Lusty
    Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
     
    People of the State of California v. Big Oil / The text of the lawsuit is here
     
    Our Story of Nature, Deep Dive Series Website
     
    Learn more about the Paris Agreement.
     
    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

    • 52 min
    Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection - Over to You!

    Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection - Over to You!

    This week, our hosts are rejoined by the incredible Isabel Cavelier Adarve. Tune in to hear them answer some of the brilliant questions listeners sent in following Christiana’s and Isa’s launch of their masterful recent mini-series, Our Story of Nature: From Rupture to Reconnection.

    Christiana, Isabel, Tom and Paul muse on an intriguing range of questions from ‘how to teach citizens and governments about nature’ to ‘could bioliteracy transform things’? The hosts dive deep into philosophical questions about the role of religion, and more prosaic ones about supermarket food. They propose that it is possible, if we want, to sustain, and improve our relationships with nature wherever we are, whether in the heart of the city, or deep in the forest. Also, Tom tries to read out a question in Spanish and threatens to mastermind a presidential bid on behalf of Christiana!


    NOTES AND RESOURCES

    Isabel Cavelier Adarve, Co-Founder of Mundo Comun
    LinkedIn | Twitter


    Links to Our Story of Nature episodes:

    Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 1

    Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 2

    Our Story of Nature - From Rupture to Reconnection - Episode 3


    Our Story of Nature Intro Music - Catalina by Tru Genesis


    More on Xiye Bastida who features in the show.
     
    Paul’s Book Recommendation - Small is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher
     
    The full, unedited interviews from the mini-series can be found HERE



    Learn more about the Paris Agreement.

    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

    • 1 hr 4 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
408 Ratings

408 Ratings

Prairie Trixie ,

Informed AND Hopeful!

I’m a much much much more informed consumer of climate information because I listen to this podcast. And I’m a much much much more optimistic and thus active citizen because of its uplifting tone—great work!

JNU Mike ,

Favorite podcast

This is absolutely my favorite podcast. The expert hosts, Christiana, Tom, and Paul, interview a diverse set of change makers, and have a good analysis of the latest trends and news, and still have an emotional angle because there are reasons for outrage and optimism. Acknowledging both is crucial for our climate sanity. Thank you!

manoazam ,

Love from Bhutan - Thank you for your wisdom!

I just listened to the episode with Okezue Bell, and he is in Bhutan for the Fab Fest! What a coincidence!

I love listening to this podcast and as a climate worker in Bhutan esp. working within the space of climate literacy, action and young people - I derive much joy and share the same frustrations expressed and channeled so eloquently and realistically in this podcast. I love the chemistry between Christina, Paul and Tom. I am big fan. One of my aspirations is to do a similar podcast to bring Bhutan’s climate stories to the forefront, owning and creating our own narrative esp. the voices and perspectives of the young Bhutanese that make up about 65% of population. Thank you again!

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