Series: The Sustainability Agenda

The Sustainability Agenda is a weekly podcast exploring today’s biggest sustainability questions. Leading sustainability thinkers offer their views on the biggest sustainability challenges, share the latest thinking, identify what’s working –and what needs to change — and think about the future of sustainability.

Episode 179: Jeremy Lent talks about finding our place in the universe by integrating science and traditional wisdom

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…

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Episode 178: Discussion with Paula DiPerna of the pros and cons a market based approach to our environmental problems.

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…

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Episode 177 Author Ned Beauman talks about his satirical extinction novel, Venemous Lumpsucker.First aired in September 2022.

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,…

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Episode 176: Interview with Mike Davis, CEO of pioneering campaigning NGO, on their work unmasking global corruption, safeguarding the environment, and advocating for human rights

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,…

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Episode 175: Dr. Samantha Montano: Understanding Emergency Management in the Climate Change Era

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,…

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Episode 174: Interview with Professor Daniel Aldrich on resilience and the importance of social capital in post-disaster recovery, first aired October 2021

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…

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Episode 173: Interview with Scottish author Martin MacInnes on contemporary literature and the climate crisis

In-depth, frank, and fascinating exploration of contemporary literature’s response to current environmental crises, with contemporary Scottish author Martin MacInnes, author of the recently published, In Ascension. Martin believes that literature can help us understand our relationship with nature better and shares his interest in extending the formal possibilities of literature. He suggests literature should not…

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Episode 172: Professor Neta Crawford discusses the emissions of the Pentagon — the world’s largest single greenhouse gas emitter.

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….

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Episode 171: Interview with Dr Jeffrey Kiehl, climate scientist and Jungian analyst.

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…

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