Planet in Crisis

Conversations with scientists exploring science-based ways to protect the future of our planet, our children, and other creatures that share our World. We live on a planet in crisis. Scientists have warned us about the rapidly increasing dangers of climate change and destruction of the biosphere - specifically in the 1992, 2017 and 2019 World Scientists’ Warnings which were signed by 1,700; 15,000 and 11,000 scientists respectively when issued. Initial episodes of this podcast feature sessions from the Planet in Crisis – Creating Action for COP26 global online summit. In November 2020, exactly one year before the official COP26 climate conference, Scientists Warning Europe organised this series of online Pre-COP events to raise awareness, push the conversation, show demand, and drive real action. Over 25 events were attended by more than 2,000 people from across the globe. View video of these sessions here. This podcast is produced by Scientists Warning Europe. We present and promote science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Our mission is to bring about a great change in humanity’s stewardship of the Earth in order to prevent irretrievable mutilation of our global home. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at scientistswarningeurope.org.uk. “This is bigger than any movie, this is the challenge of our time. And it is our responsibility to leave this world a better place than we found it, but right now we are failing future generations.” — Arnold Schwarzenegger

3 RIP SDG? Are UN Sustainable Development Goals Enough to Save Us? 01/08/2023

3 RIP SDG? Are UN Sustainable Development Goals Enough to Save Us? As we face an urgent ecological crisis, a group of experts discuss whether the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development goals are a help, or a hindrance, in rising to the challenge. According to the UN, "The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests." Critics argue that the UN SDGs are not focused enough in tackling the singular issue of climate breakdown, and at worst, have created a business opportunity for many which has led to distraction and no real action. The central question is - are the SGDs dead, fit for purpose, or simply in need of an update. This was the third event in Scientists Warning Europe’s Road to COP27 series. Panelists: Ed Gemmell - Managing Director of Scientists Warning Europe, Naomi Sheehan - Sustainable Development Scientist & Climate Advisor Carter Dillard - Fair Start Movement Policy Advisor Victoria Harvey - PhD researcher, Climate Change at University East Anglia Steve Pipe - Author and former UK Entrepreneur of The Year This is a recording of an online panel discussion held 15 November, 2022. See the video at: At COP26 Scientists Warning Europe launched a new paper, the 'Scientists Warnings into Action'. It expanded on the six stressors identified in the previous three warnings of Nature, Population, Economy, Food and Pollutants and Energy. This fourth great scientists Warning has already been signed by over 3,000 scientists and is currently collecting more signatures by graduates in any science. LINKS: Fair Start Movement Justice as a Fair Start in Life – by Carter Dillard Clima Our Time to Rise – by Steve Pipe Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. MORE INFO: World Scientists’ Warnings into Action, Local to Global Scientists Warning Europe Video of this conversation Scientists Warning Europe YouTube Channel If you’re interested in starting up a Scientists Warning group on your continent, please reach out to us at GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/25539090

2 The Energy War and Climate Breakdown - Road to COP 27 09/11/2022

2 The Energy War and Climate Breakdown - Road to COP 27 Cost of living crisis, global conflict, and climate breakdown - is a shift in our energy systems the solution to all of this? What does the recent Russia/Ukraine conflict tell us about our energy security? Is renewable energy the answer, or is there more to the equation? What should our energy systems look like in these times of unprecedented global change? Energy experts from science and industry discuss the changes that are rapidly required to secure humanity's safety on a local, national, and international level. Panelists also offer suggestions of what we can each do, as individuals, to protect our access to energy. Panelists: Ed Gemmell - Managing Director of Scientists Warning Europe, Climate Politician Professor Chris Rhodes - Director of Fresh-lands Environmental Actions Keila Abreu - Development Director of Electric Land Andy Caulton - Founder and CEO of Hope Energy Kayla Ente MBE - CEO of Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative (BHESCo) This session was hosted by Scientists Warning Europe as part of their Road to COP27 series: Energy and the Climate Crisis. Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. MORE INFO: Fresh-lands Environmental Actions (Chris Rhodes) Electric Land (Keila Abreu) Hope Energy (Andy Caulton) Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-operative World Scientists’ Warnings into Action, Local to Global Video of this conversation Scientists Warning Europe YouTube Channel If you’re interested in starting up a Scientists Warning group on your continent, please reach out to us at GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/24338424

1 Climate Leadership Panel – Road to COP27 06/26/2022

1 Climate Leadership Panel – Road to COP27 What should leadership look like in these times of unprecedented global change? How can successful leadership mitigate a climate catastrophe? Where are we now – on the road to ruin or is there hope on the horizon? Scientists Warning Europe convened this panel of experts to hear what we need to see from leadership – at all levels – to respond to the climate crisis. At COP26 Scientists Warning Europe launched a new paper, the 'Scientists Warnings into Action'. It expanded on the six stressors identified in the previous three warnings of Nature, Population, Economy, Energy, Food and Pollutants and added an essential seventh element: 'Leadership'. This fourth great scientists Warning has already been signed by over 3,000 scientists and is currently collecting more signatures by graduates in any science on the way to COP27. This episode features two of the authors of the paper. Along with other eminent friends of Scientists Warning Europe, they present and review the vital element of Leadership and look at what leaders should be doing at the local, regional, national and global level. The panel will also examine the question of what we can each do as individuals to ensure effective climate leadership. Panelists: Ed Gemmell - Managing Director of Scientists Warning Europe, Climate Politician Professor Lorenzo Fioramonti - Political Scientist and Professor at University of Pretoria, Member of Italian Parliament, Co-Author of the Scientists Warnings into Action paper Dr. Victoria Hurth - Visiting Fellow, University of Cambridge Judge Business School This episode is the first in our Road to COP27 series, a rolling conference of webinars, events, workshops and inspiring activities designed to drive real action at COP27. In this series we’ll hear from World renowned scientists, politicians, climate activists, business leaders and community organisers who are all committed to inspiring action on local to global levels. LINKS: Video of this panel discussion Warnings to Action: Mobilising Humanity (film shown in introduction to this panel) Road to COP27 events Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. MORE INFO: World Scientists’ Warnings into Action, Local to Global Scientists Warning Europe YouTube Channel If you’re interested in starting up a Scientists Warning group on your continent, please reach out to us at GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/23541161

Angus Rose on His Hunger Strike and Climate Action 06/06/2022

30 Mobilising Humanity Film Premier at COP26 05/23/2022

30 Mobilising Humanity Film Premier at COP26 “The scientific world has researched and reported, peer-reviewed and presented report after report after report. Most scientists are quite frankly fed up.... Now is the time for moral courage and real leadership.” These are among the words of Ed Gemmell as he moderated this press conference at COP26. At this event, Scientists Warning Europe premiered its new film, Warning into Action: Mobilising Humanity. Gemmell was joined by Dr. Victoria Hurth, Fellow of University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership, and Dr. Paul Behrens, researcher and science communicator at Leiden University and author of The Best of Times, The Worst of Times. We also hear from authors of the newest World Scientists paper, World Scientists’ Warning into Action, Local to Global, and signatories to a letter sent to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi, as hosts of COP26, signed by 28 top climate scientists around the world: Kevin Anderson, Phoebe Barnard, Professor Chris Rhodes, Professor William Moomaw, Professor Stefano Tibaldi, Professor Chris Rapley, Philip Weber, and Professor Stuart Parkinson. LINKS: Video of this Press Conference The film: Warnings to Action: Mobilising Humanity World Scientists’ Warning into Action, Local to Global - published in Science Progress Letter to Boris Johnson and Mario Draghi Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. MORE INFO: World Scientists’ Warnings into Action, Local to Global Scientists Warning Europe YouTube Channel If you’re interested in starting up a Scientists Warning group on your continent, please reach out to us at GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/23198219

29 Tribute to Stuart Scott - COP26 Press Conference 05/14/2022

28 Food Systems with Helen Harwatt and Sunniva Sorby - COP26 Press Conference 04/30/2022

27 Scientists Warning Into Action with Amelia Womack and Marianne Overton – Live at COP26 04/13/2022

26 Nature Recovery with Seaspiracy Director Ali Tabrizi and Julia Davies 03/30/2022

25 Ecological Economics with Prof Tim Jackson: Scientists Warning into Action COP26 Press Conference 03/24/2022

24 Climate Leadership, COP26, and 20 Degrees of Warming? 03/10/2022

23 World Scientists Warning of Climate Emergency and COP26 Action 02/06/2022

23 World Scientists Warning of Climate Emergency and COP26 Action Professor William Moomaw, co-author of the World Scientists' Warning of a Climate Emergency takes a deep dive into why this article, signed by over 11,000 scientists when it was published, is so crucial in driving science led action on the Climate Emergency. He discusses the six identified stressors in the warning - Nature, Food, Population, Energy, Short Lived Pollutants and Economy - and how specific actions related to these stressors must be taken now and not put off again. Professor Moomaw is joined by Ed Gemmell, Managing Director of Scientists Warning Europe who first summarizes the Planet in Crisis summit, of which this was the concluding session. Gemmell identifies the most important take-homes while also looking forward to the COP26. Professor William Moomaw, Board Member, Scientists Warning Europe, is Professor of International Environmental Policy and Founding Director of the Center for International Environment and Resource Policy at The Fletcher School, and Distinguished Visiting Scientist at Woodwell Climate Research Center. He received his PhD in physical chemistry from MIT. He had a 26-year career in chemistry and environmental studies at Williams College, where he directed the Center for Environmental Studies. After addressing stratospheric ozone depletion, he began working on climate change in 1988 as the first director of the climate program at World Resources Institute in Washington DC. He has been a lead author of five Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Reports. The IPCC shared the Nobel Peace Prize for its climate work in 2007. He is an author or co-author of many research papers and reports on technological climate solutions including zero emission renewable energy, and is currently working on natural climate solutions that increase accumulation of carbon in forests, wetlands and soils to more rapidly meet climate goals. He is a co-author of a recent paper declaring a Climate Emergency that has been endorsed by over 13,000 scientists. He chairs the board of directors of The Climate Group North America and chaired the board of Woods Hole Research Center in Falmouth MA for three years, and is a continuing board member. He also serves on the boards of directors of several other science-based organizations. He previously served on the board of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. He and his wife, Margot, completed a high performance, zero net energy home in the cold Northeast U.S. in 2007 that produces sufficient solar electricity to meet all of its heating, lighting and appliance requirements while exporting surplus power to the grid. They have recently added more solar panels for a battery powered electric vehicle. Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. MORE INFO: World Scientists’ Warnings into Action, Local to Global If you’re interested in starting up a Scientists Warning group on your continent, please reach out to us at GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/22037570

22 Mother Earth, Purification and Climate Change: An Indigenous Call for Human Consciousness and Commitment 01/24/2022

21 Powers of 10: A Missing Link for Climate Action 01/17/2022

21 Powers of 10: A Missing Link for Climate Action ‘Powers of 10’ is a new framework identifying scalable opportunities for rapid climate and sustainability actions at individual and global scales. Mark McCaffrey, lead author of Powers of 10, draws on data from Project Drawdown’s examination of key interventions to reduce climate impacts, and looks at further powerful strategies. McCaffrey is founder and co-focal point of ECOS and is based in Hungary. He has been an environmental activist for many years, helping establish the Boulder Area Sustainability Information Network, a national digital library, and (CLEAN), the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network. He wrote Climate Smart & Energy Wise, published in 2014. Relocating from North America to Europe to pursue international collaboration, he helped launch the Institute for Sustainable Development in Budapest. ECOS focuses on reducing climate risks and maximizing societal and ecosystem resilience through climate education and engagement. LINKS: Powers of 10 to the People – by Mark McCaffrey From Person to Planet in Ten Easy Steps – by Mark McCaffrey Powers of 10: Seeking 'Sweet Spots' for Rapid Climate and Sustainability Actions Between Individual and Global Scales Powers of 10 video on YouTube The Cosmic Eye Project Drawdown You Matter More than You Think – by Karen O’Brien Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. MORE INFO: World Scientists’ Warnings into Action, Local to Global If you’re interested in starting up a Scientists Warning group on your continent, please reach out to us at GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/21799391

20 Investing in Nature Averts a Climate Emergency 12/17/2021

20 Investing in Nature Averts a Climate Emergency A panel of scientists examine the opportunities and thorny issues in converting to action the “nature” recommendations of the World Scientists Warning of a Climate Emergency. The expert panel: Prof. Phoebe Barnard is a board member of Scientists Warning Europe. Phoebe is chief science and policy officer at the Conservation Biology Institute, and affiliate full professor at the University of Washington. Phoebe has 26 years of deep experience on three continents, mainly in Africa, North America and Europe - founding and running national and bioregional programs, and helping to steer global ones. Prof. Chris Rapley is a member of Scientists Warning Europe's Scientific Advisory Panel. He is professor of Climate Science at University College London. He is a Fellow of UCL and of St Edmund's College Cambridge, a member of the Academia Europaea, Chair-elect of the European Science Foundation’s European Space Sciences Committee, Member of the Advisory Board of the UK government’s Clean Growth Fund, a member of the UK Science Museum Group’s Science Advisory Board and a member of the UK Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. His previous posts include Director of the Science Museum, Director of the British Antarctic Survey, Chairman of the London Climate Change Partnership, President of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Executive Director of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, and Distinguished Visiting Scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. More recently he has focused on the role of climate scientists in delivering value to society through decision making, public policy and more effective communication. He is Chair of the UCL Policy Commission on Communicating Climate Science. More recently Prof Rapley was the Science Consultant on BBC1’s ‘Climate Change – The Facts’ presented by Sir David Attenborough. In 2003 Prof Rapley was appointed CBE by Her Majesty the Queen. Dr. Mao Amis is the co-founder and Executive Director of the African Centre for a Green Economy (AfriCGE) and Adjunct Associate Professor, at the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town. AfriCGE is a non-profit think tank and capacity building organisation based in South Africa. Prior to founding AfriCGE, Dr. Amis worked as programme Manager for WWF South Africa. Dr Amis has extensive experience on Green Growth issues in Africa and has consulted and collaborated with various organisations such as IFPRI, the New Economics Foundation (NEF), CORAF, and others. He is currently leading a project to establish the first new economy innovation hub in South Africa. In the World Scientists Warning of a Climate Emergency, published on 5 November 2019, the following recommendation for "Nature" was made: "We must protect and restore Earth’s ecosystems. Phytoplankton, coral reefs, forests, savannas, grasslands, wetlands, peatlands, soils, mangroves, and sea grasses contribute greatly to sequestration of atmospheric CO2. Marine and terrestrial plants, animals, and microorganisms play significant roles in carbon and nutrient cycling and storage. We need to quickly curtail habitat and biodiversity loss, protecting the remaining primary and intact forests, especially those with high carbon stores and other forests with the capacity to rapidly sequester carbon (proforestation), while increasing reforestation and afforestation where appropriate at enormous scales. Although available land may be limiting in places, up to a third of emissions reductions needed by 2030 for the Paris agreement (less than 2°C) could be obtained with these natural climate solutions." Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. LINKS: World Scientists’ Warnings into Action, Local to Global African Centre for a Green Economy Dr. Phoebe Barnard Mentioned by Phoebe Barnard: Innovative financing mechanisms for carbon-friendly conservation are found, for example, at Blue Forest: If you’re interested in starting up a Scientists Warning group on your continent, please reach out to us at GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/21525074

19 Microbes, Ecology and Global Change 11/28/2021

18 5G: Assault on Health and Environment Without Informed Consent 11/20/2021

18 5G: Assault on Health and Environment Without Informed Consent Environmentalist Mike Sparrow shares research he’s found questioning the safety of 5G, wi-fi and other the rapid proliferation of man-made electro-magnetic radiation. The use of radio wave transmission has grown steadily since the BBC was formed in 1922, but in the last thirty years its proliferation has been exponential, driven by broadcasting, computers and the internet, telecommunications and wireless enabled technology. Now, with the advent of 5G, debate about the impact of man-made electro-magnetic radiation has raged with opinions becoming polarised. The evidence for harm must be properly assessed, and crucial decisions made about the need to safeguard public health, our ecosystems, and the long-term habitability of our planet. Sparrow sets out the pervasive nature of the technology, the science that demonstrates biological harm, and the far-reaching consequences for human and ecological health without informed consent. He also shares information about the energy requirements of wireless connectivity. Mike Sparrow has had a diverse career in business, including hospitality and facilities services. He has also led a worldwide utilities construction business. Today he is an author, writing novels that centre upon nature, conservation and indigenous history. He campaigns for action on climate change and has a particular interest in raising awareness of the harm caused by anthropogenic electro-magnetic radiation. This is the audio from a session held as part of the global online summit. In November 2020, exactly one year before the official COP26 climate conference, Scientists Warning Europe organised this series of online Pre-COP events to raise awareness, push the conversation, show demand, and drive real action. Over 25 events were attended by more than 2,000 people from across the globe. Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. LINKS: World Scientists’ Warnings into Action, Local to Global International Commission for Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/21226886

17 Silent Earth: Averting the Insect Apocalypse 10/24/2021

16 Sustainability IS a Steady State Economy 10/17/2021

16 Sustainability IS a Steady State Economy One of the biggest messages scientists should warn policymakers with is that “GDP growth is just the wrong goal for the 21st century.” That’s the conclusion reached by Brian Czech, Executive Director of the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy. In this presentation, Czech quickly hones in on two of the most controversial topics in ecological economics today: the sustainability of GDP growth and the prospects for avoiding limits to growth with technological progress. Applying principles of ecology and national income accounting, Czech argues that GDP has become an outstanding indicator of one thing above all others: namely, environmental destruction. Next, reflecting a deep dive into the origins of technological progress, Czech defuses the notion that technological progress can reconcile the conflict between economic growth and environmental protection. He concludes with policy proposals for a steady state economy and “steady statesmanship” in international diplomacy. Brian Czech suggests the “biggest question for democracy in the 21st century” will be how to get to an optimal level of GDP, considering the variety of preferences and opinions about what that optimal level may be. Czech served in the headquarters of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1999-2017 and as a visiting professor in Virginia Tech’s National Capitol Region during most of that period. He is the author of three books, most recently Supply Shock: Economic Growth at the Crossroads and the Steady State Solution. Czech’s primary areas of expertise include ecology, economics, and ecological macroeconomics. This is the audio from a session held as part of the global online summit. In November 2020, exactly one year before the official COP26 climate conference, Scientists Warning Europe organised this series of online Pre-COP events to raise awareness, push the conversation, show demand, and drive real action. Over 25 events were attended by more than 2,000 people from across the globe. Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. LINKS: Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy Publications of the Steady State Press GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/20841842

15 ONE-PLANET PROSPERITY - Choosing our Future by Design, not Disaster! 10/10/2021

15 ONE-PLANET PROSPERITY - Choosing our Future by Design, not Disaster! Human demand (ecological footprint) now exceeds the limited ecological budget our planet makes available (biocapacity), by at least 74%. “One planet” is not a metaphor; it is a description. It is not a goal, but rather a recognition of our context. Mathis Wackernagel, Ph.D. co-created Ecological Footprint accounting and founded Global Footprint Network, a think-tank focused on bringing about an economy in which all can thrive within the means of our one planet. His awards include the 2018 World Sustainability Award, the 2015 IAIA Global Environment Award, and the 2012 Blue Planet Prize. July 29 was Earth Overshoot Day in 2021 – humanity is using the biosphere so fast that this year, from January 1 to July 29, the demand was as large as the total amount all ecosystems combined can renew in the entire year. Although the massive overuse of ecological resources still barely carries any financial weight, this overshoot cannot persist. The consequence of continuing down the path of depleting resource stocks and overloading waste sinks (such as the atmosphere with GHG) is that markets will not adjust smoothly, but rather be faced with disruption. But are we resigned to one-planet misery? Or can we choose to design our path to one-planet prosperity, where all thrive within the ecological budget of our planet? The built environment, including cities, their buildings, roads and energy infrastructure, is an especially powerful lever since the built environment’s legacy endures for decades, even centuries. So is investment in women and encouraging smaller families. The food system is essential and offers opportunities, as does the way we power ourselves. This is the audio from a session held as part of the global online summit. In November 2020, exactly one year before the official COP26 climate conference, Scientists Warning Europe organised this series of online Pre-COP events to raise awareness, push the conversation, show demand, and drive real action. Over 25 events were attended by more than 2,000 people from across the globe. Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. LINKS: Earth Overshoot Day Global Footprint Network Strategies for One Planet Prosperity ebook GrowthBusters podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/20766464

14 The Energy Crisis and the Climate Crisis 10/03/2021

13 Dark Optimism - Life After Economic Growth: A Future Worth Fighting For! 09/27/2021

13 Dark Optimism - Life After Economic Growth: A Future Worth Fighting For! “Growth CAN’T continue, but growth MUST continue on this current paradigm.” This is why we’re “never going to get any meaningful, adequate climate policy through our current political system and our current culture,” according to Shaun Chamberlin, author of The Transition Timeline: For a Local, Resilient Future and executive producer of the film The Sequel: What Will Follow Our Troubled Civilisation? “On the one hand, if growth stops, we’re looking at a collapse type scenario, but on the other hand, if growth doesn’t stop, we’re gonna continue growing to the point where we destroy the ecosystems on which all life on Earth depends.” This is the dilemma addressed in this fascinating presentation. These are frightening and confusing days. As we have rearranged our daily lives in response to the coronavirus pandemic, other interlocking crises continue to worsen, from biodiversity collapse to food security to climate catastrophe. In these tumultuous times, what does it make sense to do? Is there still a realistic future worth aiming for? And how do we deal with despair? Shaun Chamberlin quit his job in 2005 to give his full attention to the unfolding crisis, and has learned to live meaningfully in relation to these dark times. The 30 minute talk is followed by 30 minutes of Q&A / open conversation. Shaun Chamberlin was one of the earliest Extinction Rebellion arrestees. He leads Sterling College's online programme Surviving the Future: Conversations for Our Time. He is managing director of The Fleming Policy Centre, and has previously served as chair of the Ecological Land Co-operative, a director of the campaigning organisation Global Justice Now, and an advisor to the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, as well as co-authoring the All Party Parliamentary report in favour of carbon rationing. Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of The Overpopulation Podcast and the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. LINKS: Transition Towns movement The Transition Timeline: For a Local, Resilient Future – by Shaun Chamberlin Shaun Chamberlin’s website Surviving the Future: Conversations for Our Time – The Deeper Dive online course Lean Logic: A Dictionary for the Future and How to Survive It – by David Fleming (free online version) The Sequel: What Will Follow Our Troubled Civilisation? – film The Sequel: Life After Economic Growth – essay by Shaun Chamberlin GrowthBusters podcast The Overpopulation Podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/20618009

12 Reading Hydro CBS, From Dream to Reality in 7 Years 09/18/2021

11 The Threat from Arctic Methane 09/11/2021

10 Energy Use Reduction 09/06/2021

9 Inspiring Action on Community Energy Schemes 08/27/2021

8 Covid-19, Fracking and the Global Oil Supply 08/19/2021

8 Covid-19, Fracking and the Global Oil Supply Since oil is a critical raw material for the running of global civilization, it is essential to anticipate how its supply may play out, against demand, in the coming decades. This must be considered in the broader context of our use of energy, overall, and of resources in general. The price of crude oil has crashed in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis and the consequent fall in demand for liquid transportation fuels. Ironically, it is the "success" of the shale industry, through fracking, that has provided much of the growth in overall global oil production during the past decade, and yet the current low oil price has put the future of this industry into jeopardy. While it is true that plans to revitalise the global economy "post-covid" must also create substantial and permanent reductions in carbon emissions, the prevailing oversupply of oil will, in any case, be attenuated by the background fall in production from existing oil fields. This fall has, so far, only been offset by production from unconventional sources: mainly shale and oil sands. Professor Chris Rhodes provides informed perspective in this session from the Planet in Crisis summit. Rhodes is director of the Fresh-lands Environmental Actions consultancy. He has published over 250 articles and 7 books. He writes a monthly column for Scitizen.com on "Future Energies". He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Linnean Society of London, and the Royal Society of Arts. This is the audio from a session held as part of the global online summit. In November 2020, exactly one year before the official COP26 climate conference, Scientists Warning Europe organised this series of online Pre-COP events to raise awareness, push the conversation, show demand, and drive real action. Over 25 events were attended by more than 2,000 people from across the globe. Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of The Overpopulation Podcast and the GrowthBusters podcast about limits to growth. LINKS: GrowthBusters podcast The Overpopulation Podcast Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/20197466

7 Jane Goodall: Addressing Climate Holistically 08/10/2021

6 Why Population Can't be Ignored 08/03/2021

6 Why Population Can't be Ignored Dave Gardner explains why we cannot pin our sustainability hopes exclusively on reducing consumption (which no society has voluntarily done,) and why we should also embrace lowering population - through a voluntary reduction of birthrates (which many countries have done). Addressing this issue can – and must – be ethical, anti-racist, and respectful of human rights. In this session we’ll learn why it’s the easiest of all CO2 reduction strategies, why it’s politically so challenging to educate people about it, why we can’t continue to tap-dance around it, and how we can all act on it. Sustainability advocate Dave Gardner co-hosts The Overpopulation Podcast and the GrowthBusters podcast about coming to terms with limits to growth. He produced the 2011 documentary, GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth, and the 2015-2017 syndicated radio series and podcast, Conversation Earth. He served as executive director of World Population Balance from 2015-2021. LINKS: World Population Balance GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth documentary Scientists Warning Europe All Three World Scientists’ Warnings Planet in Crisis Pre-COP Video Series GrowthBusters podcast The Overpopulation Podcast This is the audio from a session held as part of the global online summit. In November 2020, exactly one year before the official COP26 climate conference, Scientists Warning Europe organised this series of online Pre-COP events to raise awareness, push the conversation, show demand, and drive real action. Over 25 events were attended by more than 2,000 people from across the globe. Scientists Warning Europe presents and promotes science endorsed solutions which will lead to a just transition for our World to a sustainable and equitable future. Learn more, sign up for updates, and support our work at This podcast series is made possible through the generous help of The Overpopulation Podcast and the GrowthBusters podcast about sustainable living. Don't miss an episode. Follow wherever you listen. /episode/index/show/planetincrisis/id/20023745

5 No Regrets - Hopeful Solutions to Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, Poverty… Almost Everything! 07/27/2021

Planet in Crisis

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