In this special episode, we look back at the year through some of our favourite moments from Series 4. 

Our hosts Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee explored climate action in a multitude of forms: from groundbreaking climate science and AI, to innovative policy solutions and inspiring stories of individual activism. With fantastic guests spanning multiple disciplines and industries.  

Reflect with us on what’s been done, and what there is still to do, with our Series 4 highlights.  

Transcript link: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/generation-one-climate-podcast

Date of episode recording: 28th May 2024 
Duration: 27.16 minutes 
Language of episode: English  
Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee  
Guests:   
Ian Townsend, ONS 
Pierre Cannet, Client Earth  
Sims Witherspoon, Google Deep Mind 
Buffy Price, Carbon Re 
Louise Harris, Just Stop Oil 
Annabel Rice, Green Alliance 
Versha Jones, The Climate Reality Project 
Kris de Meyer, Department of Earth Sciences, UCL 
Shirley Rodrigues, previous Deputy Mayor, Environment and Energy at Greater London Authority   
Mark Watts, C40 Cities 
Producer: Adam Batstone

Season 4 - The Highlights

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?

This is Generation One, the climate podcast from University College London – turning climate science and ideas into action. 

Hosted by Dr Simon Chin-Yee from the School of Public Policy, and Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth Systems Science at UCL.

We’re going to be tackling climate action in all its forms, from innovative business and tech solutions, to inspiring stories from the frontlines of collective activism. With fantastic guests and top UCL experts.

Look out for Series 5, coming soon on your favourite podcast platform.  

Learn more about UCL’s Generation One campaign and access the transcripts here https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/ucl-generation-one-climate-podcast. Or find us on X using #UCLGenerationOne.

Presenters: Prof. Mark Maslin and Dr. Simon Chin-Yee
Producers: Adam Batstone, Caitlin Mullin, Jane Yelloly

Welcome to Generation One - Trailer

What do vultures in India and beavers in West London have to do with protecting our ecosystems? What’s the link between biodiversity loss and human-driven climate change?  Why does Simon love beavers so much? And what exactly is “COP16”? 

This episode explores some of the key issues at play – focusing on global ecosystems and local conservation efforts, and coincides with the Sixteenth Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Columbia.  

Hosts Mark and Simon are joined in the studio by Elliot Newton of The Ealing Beaver Project: a collaboration between the Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, The Friends of Horsenden & Ealing Council. And UCL expert Dr Alex Pigot, whose work on evolutionary biodiversity helps predict how ecosystems are responding to climate change. 

While at the conference in Cali, Simon also catches up with freshwater systems expert: UCL’s Dr Izzy Bishop, to discuss the work she took to COP16.     

Citizen Zoo: https://www.citizenzoo.org/ 
The Ealing Beaver Project https://theealingbeaverproject.com/ 
UCL Faculty of Life Sciences biodiversity campaign https://www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-faculty/biodiversity-ucl-priority 
Find out more about UCL at COP16 https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/ucl-cop/ucl-and-cop16 
Access the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/ucl-generation-one-climate-podcast
 
Date of episode recording: Friday 18th October 2024 
Duration: 45 mins 
Language of episode: English  
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee  
Guests: 
Elliot Newton, Head of Conservation at Citizen Zoo and Creative Director at A Focus On Nature 
Dr Alex Pigot, Professorial Research Fellow in the UCL Division of Biosciences 
Dr Izzy Bishop, Lecturer in Ecology, UCL’s People and Nature Lab 
Producers:  
Adam Batstone 
Caitlin Mullin 
Jane Yelloly 

Season 5, Ep 2 – Biodiversity: Can local conservation efforts grow into global impact?

You may not know her name, but Eunice Newton Foote made groundbreaking discoveries about the greenhouse effect in the 1850s. Her experiments showed that different gases, including carbon dioxide, absorb and trap heat, an early milestone in the history of climate science. And even though her findings were published in a leading scientific journal – a rarity in the days of a male-dominated field – her work remained virtually unknown until recently. Now, thanks to playwright Amanda Quaid, we have a dramatized portrait of the scientist’s life at the time she published her pioneering study, which lends its name to the title of the play.

This play is part of L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series of science-themed plays. Lead funding for the Relativity Series is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, bridging science and the arts in the modern world.

Recorded at The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood in November 2024.

Directed by Anna Lyse Erikson
Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg

An L.A. Theatre Works Full-Cast Performance Featuring:
Geoffrey Arend as Elisha Foote
Tara Lynne Barr as Augusta Foote
Scott Brick as the Narrator and Joseph Henry
Jake Green as the Glazier
Monica McSwain as Mary Foote
Emily Swallow as Eunice Newton Foote

Senior Producer: Anna Lyse Erikson
Prepared for Audio by Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood
Recording Engineer and Editor: Neil Wogensen
Mixing Engineer: Charles Carroll
Designed by Mark Holden and Charles Carroll for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood
Senior Radio Producer: Ronn Lipkin
Foley Artist: Stacey Martinez



Circumstances Affecting the Heat of the Sun's Rays (Part 1)

You may not know her name, but Eunice Newton Foote made groundbreaking discoveries about the greenhouse effect in the 1850s. Her experiments showed that different gases, including carbon dioxide, absorb and trap heat, an early milestone in the history of climate science. And even though her findings were published in a leading scientific journal – a rarity in the days of a male-dominated field – her work remained virtually unknown until recently. Now, thanks to playwright Amanda Quaid, we have a dramatized portrait of the scientist’s life at the time she published her pioneering study, which lends its name to the title of the play.

This play is part of L.A. Theatre Works’ Relativity Series of science-themed plays. Lead funding for the Relativity Series is provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, bridging science and the arts in the modern world.

Recorded at The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood in November 2024.

Directed by Anna Lyse Erikson
Producing Director: Susan Albert Loewenberg

An L.A. Theatre Works Full-Cast Performance Featuring:
Geoffrey Arend as Elisha Foote
Tara Lynne Barr as Augusta Foote
Scott Brick as the Narrator and Joseph Henry
Jake Green as the Glazier
Monica McSwain as Mary Foote
Emily Swallow as Eunice Newton Foote

Senior Producer: Anna Lyse Erikson
Prepared for Audio by Mark Holden for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood
Recording Engineer and Editor: Neil Wogensen
Mixing Engineer: Charles Carroll
Designed by Mark Holden and Charles Carroll for The Invisible Studios, West Hollywood
Senior Radio Producer: Ronn Lipkin
Foley Artist: Stacey Martinez

Circumstances Affecting the Heat of the Sun's Rays (Part 2)

Hello and welcome back to AI Tech News Today! It’s February third, twenty twenty-five, and we have a critical update and some fascinating news in the world of Artificial Intelligence. Let’s dive right into it.

deepseek exposed user data, chat histories in open database. Researchers from cloud security firm Wiz discovered that DeepSeek had an unprotected database that left sensitive user information, such as chat histories, API authentication keys, and system logs, in plain view for anyone to access. The database was publicly accessible and required no authentication, raising serious concerns about data security and privacy.

berkeley researchers replicate deepseek AI for just thirty dollars. In response to the vulnerabilities identified with DeepSeek, researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, have developed a new model called TinyZero. This smaller-scale alternative utilizes reinforcement learning and is available on GitHub for public experimentation—all for the low price of thirty dollars.

openAI o3-mini: faster, smarter AI for STEM, now free for ChatGPT users. This latest model is targeted at science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, providing enhanced capabilities while lowering costs and reducing latency. Brought to you free of charge for ChatGPT users, it builds on the advancements of its predecessor while pushing the boundaries for small-scale AI applications.

openAI unveils ChatGPT deep research agent for in-depth AI analysis. The new Deep Research agent is designed for professionals in finance, science, engineering, and policy-making, offering a more analytical approach than traditional chat responses. It supports users researching significant purchases, such as cars and appliances, providing detailed analysis to facilitate informed decisions.

stanford’s virtual lab uses AI agents to advance scientific research. Stanford researchers are utilizing specialized AI agents to simulate collaborations among chemists, biologists, and machine learning experts. This innovative approach has the potential to accelerate breakthroughs across various fields, including medicine, climate science, and engineering.

That wraps up today’s AI Tech News! As the development of artificial intelligence continues to evolve rapidly, it’s crucial to stay informed about the implications for privacy, security, and technological advancements. Keep tuning in and remember: the future is bright for AI, so let’s keep our eyes on the horizon!

DeepSeek Data Breach Sparks Development of Affordable AI Alternatives and Advanced Research Tools

What is the Climate and Nature Bill, and why does it matter? 

The Zero Hour campaign is here to tell us, as we dive into their efforts to secure widespread backing for the Climate and Nature Bill. The Bill, which had its Second Reading in Parliament on 24 January 2025, aims to strengthen the UK government’s commitments to cut emissions, restore nature, and ensure public consultation on the road to net zero. 

Hosts Mark and Simon are joined by Simon Oldridge, Policy Advisor at Zero Hour to break down the key components of the Bill, and why it’s crucial to tackling the climate emergency. Simon also sheds light on how Zero Hour managed to gain cross-party support for the Bill, and what individuals can do to help it get passed.  

We also hear from the Bill’s sponsor: Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, on why she believes it’s a vital step needed on climate action. And from Conservative MP Andrew Bowie, who shares his concerns about the Bill and why he remains a critic. 

Find out more about the Zero Hour campaign:  
https://www.zerohour.uk/ 
https://www.youtube.com/@zerohour_uk 

UCL’s Love Your Planet event: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/events/2025/feb/love-your-planet-2025 

Transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/ucl-generation-one-climate-podcast 

Date of episode recording: 31st February 2025 
Duration: 32.51 mins 
Language of episode: English  
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee  
Guests: 
Simon Oldridge, Policy Advisor at Zero Hour 
Producers:  
Adam Batstone 
Caitlin Mullin 

Season 5, Episode 4 - ‘Zero Hour’ for the Climate and Nature Bill

Studies have revealed that soil and all of the complex systems that exist within the soil are being altered by our changing climate. This, in turn, is affecting our ability to grow crops and provide food security for our growing populations. 

Join the Alberta Land Institute for the first ever live episode of the Land Use Podcast where postdoctoral researcher, Yuge Bai, will discuss how biochar may be able to improve soil health in Alberta under future climate conditions.

For more information check out these resources:

Soil Health: Policy, Science, and Law in Action: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/alberta-land-institute/research/soil-health-policy-science-and-law-in-action.html

Climate Change and Soil Dynamics: Effects on Soil Microbes and Fertility of Soil:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128164839000037

Evaluation of the Use of Sewage Sludge Biochar as a Soil Amendment—A Review: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/9/5309

Soil Health, Biochar and the Changing Climate with Yuge Bai

From an early age, conversations about criminal law and justice at home sparked her dream of studying at Harvard Law School—yet, when she was accepted and offered a full scholarship, it still came as a shock. Her mother’s Perry Mason stories contrasted starkly with the realities of the legal system, but Joyeeta had already found an alternative path to work on justice through her work on consumer and environmental law. In her work, she observed how weaker parties—those with fewer resources, less knowledge, or vague regulations are often exploited, and how there is a double standard when it comes to developing countries. Nowhere is this double standard more magnified than in climate change: despite decades of sound scientific knowledge, we continue to “dump” the consequences onto vulnerable communities thinking it won’t happen to us. Despite it all, Joyeeta remains optimistic. She highlights the power of education and the pivotal role of research in informing social movements, noting that every time a government falls, a window opens for transformative change— a change that can sometimes happen overnight.

research & interview: Annick van Rinsum
cover design: Nicole Spakman & Floreska Olmberg
video: Job Hulsebosch

Het Portret with Dr. Joyeeta Gupta

UCL (University College London) is consistently ranked among the world's top ten universities (QS World University Rankings 2010 - 2021). Our excellence extends across all academic disciplines, from one of the world's foremost centres for research and teaching in the biological sciences to world-renowned centres for architecture (UCL Bartlett), education (UCL IOE) and fine art (UCL Slade School).

UCL is London's leading multidisciplinary university, with more than 13,000 staff and 43,000 students from 150 different countries. Founded in 1826 in the heart of London, UCL was the first university in England to welcome students of any religion and the first to welcome women on equal terms with men.

UCL Minds brings together UCL’s knowledge, insights, and ideas through events, activities, and digital content open to everyone. Find out what’s on UCL Minds: www.ucl.ac.uk/minds

L.A. Theatre Works records plays live in performance. We stage our shows in an audio-friendly format, so actors speak directly into microphones while we add sound effects and music to create an immersive audio experience.

We've recorded over 500 plays in this way - everything from Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde to Arthur Miller and recent Tony winners - and turn the recordings into podcasts, streaming audio, radio shows, and CD’s, so you can listen to great theater anywhere.

Because of our unique format, we attract a lot of top-name talent: our actors have included Chris Rock, Bobby Cannavale, Jane Kaczmarek, Kathleen Turner, Simon Helberg, Amber Tamblyn, Dana Delany, Stacy Keach, Jon Hamm, Matthew Rhys, Alfred Molina, Jonathan Groff...and an ever-expanding list of stars from TV, stage, and film.

The Land Use Podcast is your home to discussion on a wide range of land use issues affecting public policy. If you're a landowner, planner, public official, conservationist, or involved in industry, we're a home for you! We are the Alberta Land Institute and based out of the University of Alberta.

Follow us to keep up to date

Website: https://albertalandinstitute.ca

Facebook: https://facebook.com/AlbertaLandInstitute

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ablandinstitute/

X: https://twitter.com/ABLandInstitute

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/albertalandinstitute

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@albertalandinstitute9047

In Het Portret interviewt Annick van Rinsum gasten met een uniek perspectief op de wereld van nu. Uiteenlopende gasten, die zich ieder vanuit hun eigen interesse inzetten voor een meer rechtvaardige samenleving en deze een stukje mooier willen kleuren. Het portret is om de week op dinsdag te horen in je favoriete podcast app.

New tracks tagged #climate science