Love climate content from podcasts but your feed is too long to finish? Read on for a quick summary of new episodes from top climate podcasts, so you can decide which ones to dive in:
In the holiday special edition of The Energy Gang podcast, the hosts reflected on the positive developments in the energy sector for the year 2023. A key highlight was the staggering reduction in solar module costs, with prices dropping to 15 cents per watt, indicating the competitiveness and rapid growth of solar energy. The discussion also covered the significant progress in electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with global sales expected to hit 14 million, representing 14% of all new car sales. The trend is supported by the fact that major automakers invested $55 billion in EV capital expenditure since 2019. Furthermore, the hosts touched upon the advancements and potential of energy storage technologies, including the announcement of a new iron-air battery manufacturing facility by Form Energy, and the growing interest in hydrogen as a clean energy source and storage solution. The conversation also included the importance of supply chain diversification, human rights considerations in manufacturing, and the transition to standardized EV charging networks. They concluded with a festive Secret Santa gift exchange that included practical items related to their clean energy discussions.
In this episode of The Energy Gang, the focus is on the outcomes and discussions from COP28 in Dubai. The podcast features interviews with influential figures in the energy sector who were present at the climate talks. One key interview is with Mark Davis, CEO of Capterio, a company that addresses gas flaring in the oil and gas industry. Davis discusses the significance of the gas flaring problem, where large amounts of natural gas are burned off as waste, contributing to economic losses and emissions. He highlights technological advancements and satellite monitoring that can help tackle this issue and notes the importance of the Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter, signed by 52 companies, as a commitment to reduce emissions in the supply chain.
Another interviewee, Laetitia de Marez of the Climate Finance Access Network, speaks about the historic establishment of a loss and damage fund at COP28, which, although not sufficient to cover the full costs of climate impacts, is a positive step. She also discusses the debates around climate finance, the importance of defining it clearly, and the need for public money to catalyze private sector investment in developing countries.
Finally, Kevin Kariuki from the African Development Bank emphasizes the need for adaptation finance in Africa and introduces the concept of adaptation compacts, which translate national climate plans into investable projects. He also mentions the Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa, which aims to increase bankable energy projects and attract financing. Keriuki highlights the importance of addressing clean cooking and battery energy storage as part of the energy transition and adaptation efforts in Africa.
Overall, the episode underscores the need for concrete action and investment in both mitigation and adaptation projects, enhanced transparency in climate finance, and the potential of technology to address emissions and promote sustainable development.
by Climate One
In this episode of Climate One, Greg Dalton and Ariana Brocious honor atmospheric scientist Ben Santer with the Stephen Schneider Award for Outstanding Climate Science Communication. Santer's work has been pivotal in identifying the human fingerprints on climate change, particularly in the realm of atmospheric temperature and water vapor. The conversation delves into how the public understanding of climate science has evolved, the importance of effective communication, and the challenges scientists face when their work is politicized.
Santer discusses his experiences with harassment and threats due to his climate research, including a chilling incident involving a dead rat left on his doorstep. Despite the adversity, he emphasizes the privilege and importance of continuing to work on meaningful climate issues. The podcast also explores the intersection of climate science with the legal system, highlighting how Santer's research is now being used in court cases to attribute specific climate impacts to the actions of fossil fuel companies.
The episode underscores the urgency of climate action and the role of scientists in not only advancing understanding but also engaging with policy and the public. It ends with a call to action for more people to talk about climate and address the necessary transitions in society.
by Volts
In the episode, host David Roberts speaks with Leah Ellis, CEO of Sublime Systems, about their groundbreaking approach to creating zero-carbon cement. Cement production is a significant contributor to global CO2 emissions, both from the energy used to heat kilns and from the chemical process that releases CO2 from limestone. Sublime Systems has developed a method to manufacture cement without high heat or carbon-containing inputs, potentially achieving not just low-carbon, but zero-carbon cement. Their product can directly replace traditional Portland cement without requiring changes in the construction industry.
Ellis and her co-founder, initially battery scientists, shifted to tackling cement's carbon problem by applying electrochemistry to create an ambient temperature process for producing lime (calcium hydroxide), the key ingredient in cement. They use electrolyzers to extract lime from non-carbonate calcium sources, avoiding CO2 emissions associated with limestone. This process, powered by renewable energy, allows for the creation of high-performance cement that meets industry standards while greatly reducing its carbon footprint. Sublime Systems aims to scale up production to have a significant impact on global emissions, working towards the construction of a megaton-scale plant by 2028 that could produce cement with 90% lower emissions than traditional methods. Ellis emphasizes the need for policy support, such as production tax credits and government procurement, to help scale up low-carbon cement technologies like theirs.
In the final 2023 episode of The Climate Pod, the co-hosts reflect on a year of meaningful podcasting and express gratitude for their listeners, guests, and the opportunity to engage in important climate conversations. They discuss the role of media in shaping public awareness and policy discourse on climate change, highlighting the work of their guests, Evlando Cooper and Mitzi Jonelle Tan. Cooper, a senior writer at Media Matters, reviews the year's climate coverage in mainstream and right-wing media, emphasizing the need for more substantive reporting that connects climate change to policy and extreme weather events. Tan, a climate justice advocate from the Philippines, reviews COP28's outcomes and stresses the urgency for Global North countries to act on climate change, invest in education, and support adaptation in a just way. The episode underlines the importance of climate activism, education, and media in driving policy pressure and resource allocation for climate justice. Brock and Ty conclude by thanking their audience for their continued support and hint at the significance of the upcoming 2024 election for climate action.
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