In this week’s episode rerun, host Daniel Raimi talks with Kim Stanley Robinson, acclaimed author of many books, most recently “The Ministry for the Future.” Robinson’s books vividly illustrate some of the most devastating potential consequences of climate change, but that’s not all they do—the books also offer innovation and optimism, imagining the ways in which we can prevent some of the worst impacts of climate change and adapt to the impacts that are unavoidable. Robinson discusses his recent visit to COP26 and his views on climate economics, modern monetary theory, space opera, and more.

We’re rebroadcasting this episode from the Resources Radio archive while the podcast team is on a break through the rest of December. We’ll be back with new episodes in the new year; in the meantime, enjoy this throwback and poke around the archive at Resources.org for more topics you might be interested in.

References and recommendations:

“The Ministry for the Future” by Kim Stanley Robinson; https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/kim-stanley-robinson/the-ministry-for-the-future/9780316300162/

“The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes” by Zachary D. Carter; https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/563378/the-price-of-peace-by-zachary-d-carter/

“Improving Discounting in the Social Cost of Carbon” by Brian Prest, William Pizer, and Richard Newell; https://www.resources.org/archives/improving-discounting-in-the-social-cost-of-carbon/

“Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist” by Kate Raworth; https://www.chelseagreen.com/product/doughnut-economics-paperback/

The concept of “carbon currency” by Delton Chen; https://globalcarbonreward.org/carbon-currency/

“Hypothesis for a Risk Cost of Carbon: Revising the Externalities and Ethics of Climate Change” by Delton B. Chen, Joel van der Beek, and Jonathan Cloud; https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-03152-7_8

“Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet” by David Attenborough and Johan Rockström; https://www.netflix.com/title/81336476

Facing Fears and Imagining Innovation for Climate Change, with Kim Stanley Robinson (Rebroadcast)

A season-long special of the podcast interviewing #ClimateAmbassdors up and down the country! Why did they become Ambassadors? How can they help communities and education settings to take climate action? Joining Kit Marie based in the London region is Michael Hardisty, talking about engaging young people in engineering for sustainability, 'Big Bang' Fairs, being a film buff, and more! 

Michael works for EngineeringUK and is a runner, a reader, and a film-loving environmentalist. His interest in native Americans led him to a career in sustainability, as well as to the game of lacrosse which he played at university and club level for several years. 

Some links to things mentioned in the chat:
- Climate Ambassadors (www.climateambassadors.org.uk)
- Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_My_Heart_at_Wounded_Knee)
- Visualising Carbon (https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2016/02/visualizing-carbon/)
- The Big Bang Fair (https://www.engineeringuk.com/school-outreach/our-work-with-schools/big-bang/)
- Tomorrows Engineers Week (https://eukeducation.org.uk/our-programmes/tomorrows-engineers-week/) 
- My2050 Interactive (https://my2050.energysecurity.gov.uk/)
- RGS My2050 learning resources (https://www.rgs.org/schools/resources-for-schools/my2050)
- Kit Marie's Nat Geo Kids resources featuring My2050 (https://geogramblings.com/2022/09/01/bonus-resources-for-nat-geo-kids-everything-sustainable-energy/)
- Tackling Climate Change engagement (https://www.stem.org.uk/resources/elibrary/resource/541219/tackling-climate-change)
- Climate Schools Programme (https://eukeducation.org.uk/our-programmes/climate-schools-programme)
- Disappearance of Agatha Christie (https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20speople-investigating-the-strange-disappearance-of-mrs-agatha-christie/)

Connect with Michael via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hardisty-4bb5551/)

=About Coffee & Geography==

The aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast/. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!

Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/)

==How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation==

• Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod
• Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew
• Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform.
• Sponsor us! See bit.ly/CoffeeGeogSponsor for details.
• Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley
• Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.

Coffee & Geography Podcast

Coffee & Geography 5x01 Michael Hardisty (London-Based Climate Ambassador from EngineeringUK)

A season-long special of the podcast interviewing #ClimateAmbassdors up and down the country! Why did they become Ambassadors? How can they help communities and education settings to take climate action? 

Joining Kit Marie based in the South-West region is Jonathan Allen, talking about the stereotypes and misconceptions of nuclear energy, balancing energy demand and supply, and more! 

You can WATCH this discussion here: https://youtu.be/6HfbCo2oEEY

Jonathan is an engineering consultant working in the nuclear power generation industry. He leads a team of scientists and engineers who solve complex problems faced by our clients, focussing on demonstrating that nuclear power stations are safe to operate and therefore produce carbon free electricity to help the UK in its journey towards NetZero 2050.

Some links to things mentioned in the chat:
- Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk) 
- NatGeo Kids 'Everything Sustainable Energy (https://geogramblings.com/2022/09/01/bonus-resources-for-nat-geo-kids-everything-sustainable-energy/)
- What are the safest and cleanest sources of energy? (https://ourworldindata.org/safest-sources-of-energy)
- Take Your Apprenticeship episode about apprenticeships in nuclear engineering (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCMHHIfD1Hg)
- National Grid: Live Dashboard by Kate Morley (https://grid.iamkate.com/)
- Prof James Lovelock's opinion on nuclear power (https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/james-lovelock-nuclear-power-is-the-only-green-solution-564446.html) 
- EDF-managed nuclear power stations (https://www.edfenergy.com/about/nuclear/power-stations)

Connect with Jonathan via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanallenengineer/)

=About Coffee & Geography==

The aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast/. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!

Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/)

==How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation==

• Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod
• Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew
• Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform.
• Sponsor us! See bit.ly/CoffeeGeogSponsor for details.
• Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley
• Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.

Coffee & Geography 5x03 Jonathan Allen (SW-based Climate Ambassador from Frazer-Nash)

Could we achieve as much as a 10% energy saving on the path to 2030 through tackling inefficiencies on the system? This is the bold claim of a new thinktank comprised of six energy policy experts. The Utility Week Podcast welcomes the Energy Geeks - Eric Brown, Maxine Frerk, Roger Hey, Laura Sandys, Steven Steer and Alan Whitehead. Listen to their views on why the smart meter rollout should be given to networks, voltage level reduced and operating standards re-examined, among other topics.
Download the first report from the Energy Geeks here. https://utilityweek.co.uk/delivering-customer-cost-carbon-and-connections-dividends/ 


Tackling waste on the energy system, with the Energy Geeks

A season-long special of the podcast interviewing #ClimateAmbassadors up and down the country! Why did they become Ambassadors? How can they help communities and education settings to take climate action?

Joining Kit Marie based in the East of England is Dr. Jonny Ruffell, discussing his journey as a Climate Ambassador, his work as an energy transition consultant at Opergy Net Zero, and his passion for community-focused sustainability projects.
WATCH the discussion over on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1QK7Fi9ZNT8

Jonny shares insights into his role at Opergy Net Zero, where he works with businesses, industrial clusters, and communities to develop actionable solutions for reducing emissions. He also talks about the Local Pathways Project, which aims to create sustainable development pathways at the community level, and the People Planet Pint initiative, which brings people together to discuss sustainability over a drink.

Some links to things mentioned in the chat:

- Climate Ambassadors (https://www.climateambassadors.org.uk)
- Removing caffine using CO2 (https://library.sweetmarias.com/co-2-decaf-method/) 
- Opergy Net Zero (https://opergy.co.uk/)
- Net Zero Pathways for Caister and other locations in Norfolk (https://opergy.co.uk/caister-nzp/)
- Net Zero Leiston (https://www.netzeroleiston.info/)
- People Planet Pint (https://small99.co.uk/people-planet-pint-meetup/)
- Tiddlywinks (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiddlywinks)
- Growing bananas in Iceland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana_production_in_Iceland)

Connect with Jonny via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jonny-ruffell/)

About Coffee & Geography
The aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!

Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/)

How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation
Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod
Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew
Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform.
Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley
Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.

Coffee & Geography 5x07 Jonny Ruffell (East-based Climate Ambassador from Opery Group)

Decarbonising the power system by 2030 and accelerating to net zero is one of Labour's five key missions. But this extremely ambitious target means moving much faster than the previous government managed. So how much progress has the Labour government already made, and what more could it do to speed up delivery?

The government’s first weeks in office saw it remove restrictions on onshore wind farms and put GB Energy and the National Wealth Fund into motion. So what impact have these actions had? What other steps could the government take to accelerate its missions?  

And with controversial announcements such as a third runway at Heathrow, what are the potential pitfalls to look out for, both to achieving the clean power mission and then accelerating to net zero? 

To answer these questions and more, this IfG event brought together an expert panel, including: 

Rosa Hodgkin, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Government
Fintan Slye, CEO of the National Energy System Operator
Chris Stark, Head of Mission Control for Clean Power 2030
Dhara Vyas, CEO of Energy UK
The event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

This event is part of a research project supported by a grant from the European Climate Foundation.

How can the government accelerate its clean power mission?

In this episode, Housing Industry Leaders welcomes Greg Grace, Chief Growth Officer at Roofit.Solar, for a discussion about the company’s approach to solar PV and its specific use case in heritage buildings.

Episode 38 - Reimagining Solar PV with Roofit.Solar, and the Implications for Heritage Buildings

050125 Scott Adams Show, Globalism, Censorship, Tyranny, Trump Tariffs, Net Zero

In this week’s episode, host Daniel Raimi talks with Sandeep Pai, director of climate and energy policy at Swaniti Global. Pai grew up in India’s coal belt; he has spent his career examining the coal and energy sectors in India, first as a journalist and now as a researcher and advisor focused on justice in the clean energy transition. He joins the podcast to discuss India’s energy and power sectors: the unique trajectory of the country in first carbonizing its economy and now decarbonizing and building out its renewable energy sector while balancing its goals for economic development. Pai also discusses what justice in the energy transition looks like in different contexts around the world, and how political and social realities shape the challenges and considerations involved in building an equitable clean energy future.

References and recommendations:

“The Climate Question” podcast from the BBC; https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xtvb6

What’s the Role of Coal in India?, with Sandeep Pai

This event is part of the Institute for Government's Labour Party Conference 2025 fringe programme.

Speakers: 

Michael Shanks MP, Minister for Energy at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
Sam Alvis, Associate Director for Environment, Energy Security and Nature at IPPR
Sam Peacock, Managing Director for Corporate Affairs, Regulation and Strategy at SSE
Dhara Vyas, Chief Executive Officer of Energy UK 

This event was chaired by Jill Rutter, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government.

This event was held in partnership with Energy UK and SSE. 

Is Labour’s clean power mission on track?

Scott Adams Show airs LIVE weekdays at RedStateTalkRadio.com at 8am EST, and is nationally syndicated through podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Substack, PodBean, and any other popular podcasting platform.

Join Utility Week’s editorial team as they discuss the biggest talking points across the energy and water sectors.

The leading think tank working to make UK government more effective. 

Stay up to date with all of our commentary, analysis and events by visiting our website and subscribing to our newsletter.

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.

== About the 'Coffee & Geography' podcast ==

The aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. We’ll have fun exploring all the myriad of ways that connects your life to geography. Wait – you don’t think you’re a ‘geographer’? Well, that’s ok! If you have a love and passion for the world then you probably are more than you know.

If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit https://geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast/. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!

Follow us on Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/CoffeeGeogPod. 

The Coffee & Geography Podcast is a 'Geogramblings' production, hosted and produced by Kit Rackley (they/them). The podcast is supported by generous donations via https://ko-fi.com/kitrackley and takes advice from an advisory board of volunteers.

== About Geogramblings ==

Kit Rackley (Geogramblings) spent 13 years as a Geography high-school teacher, and is now freelancing as an educational blogger, author, speaker & trainer. They are a consultant to the Geographical Association (UK) and work through the University of East Anglia to raise aspirations of young people to Higher Education. 

Kit's projects include the Geogramblings.com educational blog, communicating issues through performing arts, the Coffee & Geography podcast and many community-based initiatives.

New tracks tagged #net zero