In this thought-provoking interview, Xander Dunlap argues that current environmental policies and "green" technologies are perpetuating ecological destruction under the guise of sustainability. He contends that solutions like solar and wind energy are wedded to capitalism and leading to increased mining, extractivism, and social control. Dunlap calls for a fundamental rethinking of how we live, advocating for grassroots movements to create more liberated, self-sufficient communities that work...

In this fascinating interview, conducted with my daughter, Catherine Byrne, we delve into the world of Eoghan Daltun, an Irish farmer and advocate for rewilding. Eoghan's journey is a testament to the power of nature and the importance of ecological balance. He shares his experiences running a farm and rewilding project on the Beara peninsula of Co. Cork, Ireland. His work is not just about farming, but about restoring and preserving the natural environment. His book, 'An Irish Atlantic...

In this compelling interview, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, a revered Bhutanese lama and educator, offers a distinctive Buddhist outlook on the critical environmental crises we are currently facing. Rinpoche stresses the necessity of immediate action and illustrates how a Buddhist viewpoint can foster a deep comprehension of humanity’s interconnectedness with the environment. He delves into essential Buddhist metaphysical concepts—such as interdependence and the illusion of self—demonstrating...

In this episode, we speak to Dr. Anne Poelina an indigenous Australian academic and human and earth rights activist. Dr. Poelina explains her role as a “Yimardoowarra marnin,” which, translated from the Nyikina language, means “a woman who belongs to the Martuwarra River,” in Western Australia. Dr. Poelina discusses what she calls “first law,” the Aboriginal peoples’ customary law covering the rules for living in coexistence with nature, the rules of conduct that hold together and bond a...

In this revealing interview, Steve Trent, the founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, delves into the Foundation’s pivotal work at the intersection of environmental security and human rights. He underscores the Foundation’s vital role in actively probing and witnessing environmental abuses, and the importance of presenting evidence and information to decision-makers in corporate boardrooms and governments worldwide. Steve highlights the importance of empowering local communities and...

Fascinating interview with leading French anthropologist Professor Philippe Descola, first posted in 2021, exploring man's relationship with nature. Professor Descola argues that we can, and must today, learn from other ways of connecting to nature--and move beyond the strict separation between the cultural worlds of human beings and the non-human things of nature.

Matthew is Global Climate Change and Sustainability Services Leader Leader at EY, the professional services company.  He has a background in government climate and energy policy, and science. Matt has more than 20 years' experience supporting organizational transformation toward a more sustainable path. Working across the public and private sectors, Matt leads teams of specialists across environment, health and safety; sustainability strategy and advice; non-financial reporting and assurance;...

Katharina Pistor, Professor of Comparative Law and director of the Center on Global Legal Transformation at Columbia Law School, discusses her most recent book The Code of Capital: How the Law Creates Wealth and Inequality. In this fascinating discussion, she highlights the various ways that debt, complex financial products, and other assets are selectively coded to protect and reproduce private wealth—and the malleability of the legal system, that can be redesigned, and repurposed--by well...

In this revealing interview, journalist Vincent Bevins discussed his newly released book If We Burn: The Mass Protest Decade and the Missing Revolution, based on his research of a wide range of social movements between 2010 and 2020.  Beginning with an analysis of the "Yellow Vest" protests in France, the discussion focusses on the challenges, nuances, and lessons of building broad social movements—with particular lessons for the climate movement. Vincent highlights the transformative power...

In this fascinating, hard hitting interview, Jason Moore talks about the intertwining relations between environmental degradation, capitalism, imperialism, and climate change-stressing the need to recognize the role of imperialis--and counter-insurgency across the past century to advance climate justice. He argues it is  naïve to believe that eco-socialism can be achieved through parliamentary majority alone and underscores the importance of understanding a century of struggles between...

Fascinating discussion with Professor Angel Hsu on the significance and challenges surrounding the Net Zero emissions goals. While companies often tout their commitment to Net Zero, a recent report suggests that many are not taking credible steps towards this target. Angel argues that the Net Zero space is filled with confusion and misinformation,  exacerbated by sophisticated company communications that are often misleading. Angel discusses how the Net Zero Tracker helps to provide...

In this wide-ranging interview, first published in 2021, Jeremy Lent discusses his fascinating new book Web of Meaning which combines findings in cognitive science, systems theory and traditional Chinese and Buddhist thought, to develop a framework that integrates both science and meaning in a coherent whole. Jeremy discusses what he sees as an essential problem at the heart of our current worldview: how man is separated from nature which is seen purely as a resource. He highlights a very...

In this in-depth, and spirited interview, we discuss the pros and cons of a market based approach to  our environmental problems-and climate change in particular. Paula DiPerna discusses her new book, Pricing the Priceless: The Financial Transformation to Value the Planet, Solve the Climate Crisis, and Protect Our Most Precious Assets, arguing for a market-based approach to dealing with our environmental challenges, advocating for the integration of environmental considerations into financial...

In this interview, British novelist, journalist and screenwriter Ned Beauman discusses his latest novel Venomous Lumpsucker-a brilliant, darkly satirical and terrifying  novel  about endlings (the last of a species), the manipulation of extinction credit markets... the elusive Hermit Kingdom: described by The Times Literary Supplement as “a tale of capitalism, penance and species extinction.”  Fascinating, broad ranging discussion on extinction, literary fiction and the climate crisis,...

In this revealing interview, Mike Davis CEO of pioneering campaigning NGO Global Witness provides an in-depth look at the work of the organization which is committed to uncovering and addressing human rights and environmental violations across the globe. Mike highlights the organization's intricate investigative strategies used to reveal the interplay of corruption, misuse of power, and industrial practices in sectors such as oil, gas, and mining. He highlights Global Witnesses commitment to...

In this episode, Dr Samantha Montana, an expert in disaster policy, discusses the U.S.'s approach to emergency management, specifically in the context of climate change. She highlights the complexity of disaster policy, which often necessitates a balance between immediate and long-term action. She explains that the U.S. has traditionally taken a reactive approach to disasters, and is only now shifting to proactive measures, with a heavy emphasis on the role of state governments. Additionally,...

In this deep dive on resilience, Professor Daniel Aldrich gives a fascinating overview of different ways of thinking about resilience—focussing in particular on the kind of resilience that allows communities to recover from disasters in a way that brings together resources — and allows the communities to rebuild themselves so they’re not as vulnerable as they were before the shock—so they can collaborate, communicate, and work together in a more effective way. Daniel discusses his research...

In-depth, frank, and fascinating exploration of contemporary literature's response to current environmental crises, with Scottish writer Martin MacInnes, author of the recently acclaimed novel, In Ascension. Martin believes literature is profoundly implicated in the crises, and that it has a responsibility to challenge certain assumptions regarding the human and the non-human; he shares his interest in exploring how the novel might do this. He suggests literature should not be limited to...

In this eye-opening interview, Professor Neta Crawford discusses the research in her new book The Pentagon, Climate Change, and War focussing on the huge carbon footprint of the Pentagon -- the world’s largest single greenhouse gas emitter. She tracks the interconnect long-term cycles of economic growth, and fossil fuel use-and growth of the US military. Crawford believes the most effective way to cut military emissions is to rethink U.S. grand strategy, which would enable the United States...

In this fascinating interview, first aired April 13th 2021, Dr. Jeffrey Kiehl brings to bear two very different ways of thinking about climate change: the scientific and the psychological—and his journey as an experienced climate scientist to bring these different perspectives together. Jeffrey explains the essential features of a depth psychological perspective, why he believes this is essential today, helping us understand why we have failed to take action on climate change--and the roots...

In this episode, Will Steffen discusses his research on cascading climate tipping points that pose a growing threat of abrupt and irreversible climate change.

In this inspiring interview, Peter Sutoris shares the results of his research into grassroots environmental activism and education--and provides an array of ideas on teaching and community based action needed to deal with to the deeply challenging environmental problems we are currently facing.

In this hard-hitting, no-holds barred interview, Stephen Corry, who has been working as indigenous rights activist for some 50 years, provides a coruscating analysis of the outcome of COP15.

In this fascinating interview, first aired in June 2021, Daniela discusses the eye-opening sums of money needed to achieve a transition to a low carbon economy --how this can be funded, the role of state in dealing with current environmental challenges, the importance of green investment taxonomies, the dangers of greenwashing, and much, much more.