Our 21st century city must shed its prejudices. Exploited migrants - whether in forced labour or sex trafficking - have equal rights and opportunity to everyone else, as long as governments and private citizens provide the support they uniquely need. In today’s episode, we discuss why education is essential on two fronts. Of course, it is important for the displaced to learn the language, laws and skills to navigate and make the most of their new homes. But secondly, their hosts must...

Cities are melting pots for geopolitical ideology, cultural appropriation and expression of identity and beliefs.  As the world continues to globalise, but also polarise, the best parts of this integration are being put to the test and pushing some people to the margins.  In this episode we explore how cities can manage geopolitical conflicts, embrace the richness of cultures and ensure that all individuals and communities are represented and have equitable access. In response to a 2019...

Cities that are congested and polluted, with high costs of living, a perpetual rat race and yet a more sedentary lifestyle, have created physical, mental and cognitive health issues.  Zoonotic, infectious and non-communicable diseases, disability and changing demographics are putting health and social care under pressure.  In this episode we look at how we can provide equitable, effective and regenerative health and social care to our citizens. As Alicia Rojos Santos states, well thought out...

By 2050, we expect to have 70% of the world's population living in urban environments. Today, more than 1 billion people reside in informal settlements with the flexibility to engage in activities that are not possible in formal, planned parts of the city.  At the same time, they have precarious security of tenure.  Affordable, adequate and viable housing is both a public good and an economic asset, and so we cannot ignore the link with finance.  Inclusionary housing may require subsidies. ...

Nature is constantly seeking equilibrium through self-regulation and regeneration. Humans, on the other hand, have been depleting Earth’s resources, and cities, the fastest growing environment on the planet, have become the epitome of this self-defeating behaviour. We no longer feel accountable for the water we drink, or the heatwaves and floods that are becoming increasingly present. In this episode we explore how the power of nature must help repair and regenerate cities and their...

Cities attract and preserve our heritage, but the arts can be one of the first casualties during austere times. Now, a wave of polarisation has left us with few places where we can engage in difficult, nuanced conversations that are not black and white. For cities embroiled in or emerging from conflict, the arts can be that conciliatory grey area. The arts can also allow people to learn from the past and make the marginalised visible. On the flip side, creative people are often outliers,...

A growing middle class has meant more disposable income; more spending has generated more waste, and that waste is more complex. This is increasingly recognised as unsustainable as natural resources are diminishing and ‘old’ infrastructure such as landfills are falling out of favour. At the same time, the general public is understanding - and experiencing - climate change more. Cities must tackle waste in a way that is socially, environmentally and economically viable. So what...

Urban mobility must tackle an over-reliance on automobiles, which has led to both sprawl and inequity of access to amenities and opportunities, if it is to re-invent itself. Like other utilities such as water, what may have suited cities to date will not be sustainable in the face of growing populations and a changing climate.  Swapping out private fossil fuel cars with electric and autonomous ones is not viable. While digital technology can make transport systems safer and more efficient, we...

Much of our global greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution come from energy used in cities. Transportation and buildings, in particular, are energy-intensive sectors, as Dr Jan Rosenow states. Transitioning away from fossil fuels is not straightforward, no matter where we are in the world. Godwin Aigbokhan refers to the Nigerian ‘funnel’, where less than 4 GW of the 13 GW electricity generated gets distributed. As a result, there are millions of oversized diesel generators. Dr Jemma Green...

Whether it is New York City, Mexico City or Ho Chi Minh City, enabling equitable access to clean drinking water, and adequate drainage and storm run-off must overcome multiple challenges. Burgeoning urban populations need increasing amounts of water, but the changing climate is impacting primary sources. “What we have considered sustainable water management for decades is untenable when we consider continuing pressures on supply and quality,” Dr Anna Robuck warns us. Enrique Iomnitz explains...

Today, urban dwellers are removed from food production, which has widened the gulf between cities and rural areas. Convenience has led to an over-abundance of food, but it is not equitably distributed. Nor is it necessarily healthy. Cooking and eating collectively have also dwindled, and conspicuous consumption has become fashionable. Significant disruptions can make bringing food to cities challenging. No change is free, and some can have unintended consequences, but our speakers offer some...

To start with the obvious, entrepreneurship means thinking out of the box and presenting commercially viable solutions. In the 21st century, urban entrepreneurship must be about relocating the planet’s resources to where they are needed, and keeping them in the system for as long as possible. Secondly, policy is mandatory to enable and scale up innovation and entrepreneurship, but where there are gaps, as Beatrice Hati said, don't wait. Kick-start your idea and choose the moment to bring in...

Information and telecommunications infrastructure is our most recent urban amenity. Today, wireless voice, data and Internet connectivity and increasingly digital transmission are enabling new types of economic and community interaction. In this episode, we discuss how information and communications technology (ICT) can shape the urban environment, and how cities can create opportunities for ICT.   To quote Dr Maria Lema, the ‘Smart City’ should be one which “improves efficiency and provides...

In episode 2, we focus on re-inventing governance for urban ecosystems of the 21st century through the cities of Rotterdam and Mumbai. Bas Boorsma speaks about our undergoing a transition - from the hollowing out of the middle class to a complex digital transformation that is creating new employment opportunities, and eliminating old ones. The transition is also about actively engaging, preparing and motivating citizens from diverse backgrounds.  We discuss what types of structures and...

For the second season of The Oblique Life Global Goals we have decided to support four organisations (1001 Fontaines, Eleven Campaign, Nula and Sina) that we believe are doing important and impactful work to help reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Every episode we will select one of these partners and donate either £100 or $100 for every 100 listeners that download the episode. In this episode we speak with these organisations to learn a little more about the work they...

In the second season of The Oblique Life Global Goals Podcast we will be exploring urbanisation in the 21st century, deep diving into the models, systems, elements, challenges, opportunities and solutions. In our first episode we will discuss what the 'sustainable', 'resilient' and 'regenerative' city looks like, explore the models and systems that can help us transform existing cities and build new ones, and discuss why regeneration has to be central to our thinking. Guest Speakers: Dr Tia...

One of our big takeaways from COP26 was the role that art is playing in the fight against climate change and towards sustainability and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.  Art comes in many shapes and forms, and is universal. It has the power to bring together people of different backgrounds, and be thought-provoking. In this episode we will explore the role of art in sustainability, how we can mobilise more resources towards art, and how we can measure the impact that art has on different...

There is so much talk and excitement about the prospects of blockchain, or distributed ledger technologies, including how they will help us transition to more sustainable practices and reach the UN SDGs. However, what is the reality? In this episode we will speak with some leading figures in the climate tech space who will share with us what blockchain can do for the planet, and how it can be sustainable and equitable.  They will also take us through some use cases. 

In November 2021 our Founder Romi Sumaria attended COP26. There are mixed feelings about the success of the conference, and despite the press reporting on some of the big failings of governments and lack of diverse representation there were so many parts of the conference that they didn’t cover. In this special episode we share our experience on the ground at COP26, the conversations we had and a range of powerful messages from individuals across the globe, generations and sectors. There is...

The Oblique Life Global Goals is coming back with a new season. Join Romi Sumaria, Aarti Shah and the team’s new Co-Host as they will reflect on season 1, share what theme they will be exploring  in Season 2 and highlight what they are most excited about for the coming season.

In episode 12, we recap the series and look at what consumerism should and could look like going forward. Our speakers bring expertise in the circular economy, plastics and biomimicry, and each has a view on policy and responsibilities. Today, most producers and a growing number of consumers will not deny there is a problem with the take, make and dispose model, but there is, and will be, a groundswell of roadblocks. From monolithic governments to multinationals and start-ups, our speakers...

In episode 11, we scrutinise ethics. Today, profits, gross domestic product and growth take precedence over our environment, health and happiness, regardless of the consequences. We explore how we can realistically and holistically change this.

Episode 10 explores the role of investors - who secure public funds, underpin multinational companies and enable startups to connect and scale - in sustainable production and consumption.

In episode 9, we explore the opportunities that are offered by resources beyond their current use.