What are individuals doing to fight climate change and how important is the role of local activism? This episode will be focusing on individual climate action, with our guests chatting to our hosts about the role of activism in initiating change. Featuring Louise Harris (songwriter and Just Stop Oil activist), Versha Jones, (Climate Reality Project - Volunteer National Coordinator, UK) Annabel Rice (Political Advisor at the Green Alliance) and Kris de Meyer (Senior Research Fellow in Climate Communications University College London, Dept of Earth Sciences).  

‘We Tried’ song by Louise Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2XV20G85Tg 

The Climate Reality Project https://www.climaterealityproject.org/ 

For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/generation-one-climate-podcast  

Sign up to our climate newsletter here: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/6T06-7DL/subscribe-to-ucl-climate-hubs-newsletters  

Date of episode recording: 14th February and 8th March 
Duration: 39.20 minutes  
Language of episode: English  
Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee  
Guests:  
Louise Harris, Just Stop Oil  
Versha Jones, The Climate Reality Project  
Annabel Rice, Green Alliance 
Kris de Meyer, Department of Earth Sciences, UCL 
Producer: Adam Batstone

Season 4 - Where does individual climate action go from here?

In this week’s episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Stefano De Clara, head of secretariat at the International Carbon Action Partnership, about the continued development of emissions trading systems around the world in 2024. Emissions trading systems (ETSs) are market-based policies that set a cap on total greenhouse gas emissions or on a ratio of emissions to output (e.g., of generated electricity or manufactured steel). A limited number of emissions permits are auctioned or distributed in carbon markets, and emitters can then trade these permits within the market. De Clara discusses global trends in the development of carbon markets and trading systems, including innovative policy designs, and highlights emissions trading systems in the European Union, China, Latin America, Indonesia, and Canada.

References and recommendations:

“Emissions Trading Worldwide: 2024 ICAP Status Report” from the International Carbon Action Partnership; https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/publications/emissions-trading-worldwide-2024-icap-status-report

“Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson; https://www.rachelcarson.org/silent-spring

Unpacking the Growth in Global Carbon Markets, with Stefano De Clara

The ways in which land use and environmental policies intersect with natural resource sustainability and climate change was the focus of discussion in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program” featuring Charles Taylor, assistant professor of public policy at Harvard Kennedy School. The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.

Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/charles-taylor-podcast-transcript.pdf

Land Use Policy and Climate Change: A Conversation with Charles Taylor

In this week’s episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with David Spence, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, about Spence’s new book, “Climate of Contempt: How to Rescue the US Energy Transition from Voter Partisanship,” which was released today. Spence discusses reasons that climate and energy have become such divisive topics in US politics, including the partisan state of Congress and the modern media environment, and strategies to help build support among voters for climate action and temper polarization across the political spectrum.

References and recommendations:

“Climate of Contempt: How to Rescue the US Energy Transition from Voter Partisanship” by David B. Spence; https://climateofcontempt.com/

“Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World” by Katharine Hayhoe; https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Saving-Us/Katharine-Hayhoe/9781982143848

Deep canvassing idea from Joshua Kalla and David Broockman; https://news.berkeley.edu/2020/06/26/want-to-persuade-an-opponent-try-listening-berkeley-scholar-says/

“The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea” by Jack E. Davis; https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/jack-e-davis

Exploring Partisan Divides on Climate and Energy Policy, with David Spence

Sadly we've run out of space to place episodes here but you can check out all 28 and counting episodes of our podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, https://www.sierraclub.ca, IHeart Radio, the Harbinger Media Network or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast also airs on CKUT Broadcast Radio in Montreal (90.3 FM) biweekly on Tuesdays at 11am Eastern Time and on CHMA radio in Sackville New Brunswick on Saturdays at 11am Atlantic Daylight Time.  Don't forget to click follow or subscribe on one of the other platforms so you get the latest episodes from us!

The Environment in Canada Podcast

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The ninth episode of the ‘FSR Policy Briefcase’ breaks down Ursula von der Leyen's Political Guidelines for her next term as European Commission President. 
In this episode, regular hosts Leonardo Meeus and James Kneebone explain how the Political Guidelines might impact European energy and climate policy going forward, offer some of their views and interpretations on the details, and reflect on what insights previous episodes of the 'Policy Briefcase' can provide in understanding the next 5 years of energy and climate policy in the EU. They also point towards future Policy Briefs from the FSR that relate to key themes in von der Leyen's manifesto.
The Political Guidelines can be found here: https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en?filename=Political%20Guidelines%202024-2029_EN.pdf

Episode 9 | Von der Leyen's Political Guidelines

Welcome to Series 5! In this first episode, following the recent Labour party conference, our hosts Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee discuss the UK government’s plan to create ‘Great British energy’.   

The (not so?) ambitious programme aims to make Britain a clean energy superpower to bolster energy security and achieve its net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. But how impactful actually are these policies?   

With UCL’s Professor of Energy Policy Jim Watson, Emma Fletcher from Octopus Energy, and Dave Powell from Climate Outreach, we assess whether this is a genuine step towards green energy or just political rhetoric. Our experts also look more broadly at green initiatives, and whether they really can lower your bills.  

Date of episode recording: Monday 16th and 17th September 2024 
Duration: 49.55 minutes 
Language of episode: English  
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee  
Guests:  
Emma Fletcher (Low Carbon Homes Director of Octopus Energy)
Dave Powell (Senior Advocacy Manager at Climate Outreach)  
Jim Watson (Professor of Energy Policy and Director of UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources within the Faculty of the Built Environment) 
Producer: Adam Batstone

Dave Powell, Emma Fletcher and Jim Watson

Welcome to Season 5, Ep 1 - Great British Energy: Real green policies or just hot air?

The use of economy-wide and integrated assessment modeling to better understand climate change impacts and policy was the focus of discussion in the latest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program” featuring Karen Fisher-Vanden, the Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics and Public Policy at Pennsylvania State University. 

Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/karen-fisher-vanden-podcast-transcript.pdf.

Using Modeling to Better Understand Climate Policy: A Conversation with Karen Fisher-Vanden

In this week’s episode, host Kristin Hayes talks with Jon Krosnick, a professor at Stanford University and a university fellow at Resources for the Future, about the views held by Americans on climate change and climate policies. Krosnick discusses the latest results from the Climate Insights project, which has gauged American public opinion on climate change since 1997; the preferences of Americans for specific climate policies; the views held by Americans about environmental justice; and public demand for federal climate action.

References and recommendations:

“Climate Insights 2024” report by Jon Krosnick et al; 

Surveys of Consumers from the University of Michigan; http://www.sca.isr.umich.edu/

“Is Gen Z less supportive of Israel? We don’t know. Recent polls can’t be trusted” by Ellen Konar, Jon Krosnick, and Joe Wlos; https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/israel-american-support-poll-19484618.php

Surveying American Public Opinion on Climate Change, with Jon Krosnick

Interviewed by the FSR team (Lea Heinrich and Chiara Canestrini), Simone Borghesi, Director of the FSR Climate area, and former Commissioner Andris Piebalgs share their insights from Baku, Azerbaijan, where they attended the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29).

Solidarity for a green world – just a slogan or is there more? #COP29

Environmental Insights: Conversations on policy and practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.  

PHOTO: by Gustavo Quepón on Unsplash

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Resources Radio is a weekly podcast by Resources for the Future. Each week we talk to leading experts about climate change, electricity, ecosystems, and more, making the latest research accessible to everyone.

New tracks tagged #climate policy