The Big Questions

• S01E26 - Fission Impossible: does nuclear energy have a (safe) future?

  Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they delve into the complex role of nuclear power in tackling the climate crisis. Is it a vital tool for creating a safe, reliable baseload for the grid, or does it present unacceptable risks? We explore the real dangers and costs associated with nuclear energy, alongside the exciting potential of future technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). But the picture isn't black and white (more like fluo): we also examine the emerging physical challenges that climate change itself poses to our reliance on nuclear power and bring you on the brink of meltdowns with the usual terrible puns (thanks David).

  --------  

  30:00
• S01E25: high seas, high stakes: are oceans on the brink?

  Dive into the deep (boo boom) with David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they navigate the turbulent waters of ocean protection in this week's episode.With the UN Summit on Oceans in Nice drawing to a close and the crucial High Seas Treaty still hanging in the balance, we explore the critical challenges facing our oceans: from the devastating effects of warming and coral bleaching to the looming threats of deep-sea mining and destructive trawling practices, what's going on and what's realistic in terms of protecting the ocean?Join us as we unpack the urgent need to protect marine biodiversity and discuss what the future holds for our planet's largest ecosystem.

  --------  

  27:02
• S01E24 - Adaptation or Mitigation: which path to a cooler future?

  Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger for one very big question this week: adaptation, mitigation, or both?In this episode, we explore the crucial debate between adapting to climate change's inevitable impacts and mitigating its causes to prevent further damage. Adaptation involves adjusting our lives and infrastructure to withstand changes, while mitigation focuses on reducing emissions to slow climate change. Both strategies are vital, but where should we focus our efforts for the most effective outcome?Also, how many kitkats is too many kitkats?! That's an equally big question to discuss!

  --------  

  26:11
• S01E23 - Carbon bubbles - are we headed for a crash? Guest - Mark Campanale, Founder, Carbon Tracker

  Join Simon Messenger and David Carlin as they sit down with Mark Campanale, the Founder of Carbon Tracker, a leading think tank analyzing the financial implications of climate change. Do terms like "carbon budget," "carbon bubble," and "stranded assets" mean very little to you? Or even a bit, but you're not really sure what the global implications are? Then tune in to this podcast episode!Mark, Simon and David will unpack these critical concepts, exploring how the world's limited carbon budget is creating a potential "carbon bubble" that could lead to trillions of dollars in "stranded assets."Listen now to gain a deeper understanding of the financial risks of climate change and what we can do about it.

  --------  

  46:52
• S01E22 - Will Biden's climate policies survive?

  Today's Big Question: what's Big and Beautiful? A bill, apparently!Making its way through US legislative process is a bill called, without any irony, "One Big Beautiful Bill". It's largely a bill to repeal many of Biden's Inflation Reduction Act decisions, many of which are linked to "green" decisions, and offer new tax breaks (in short).What might this mean for the average American? What might this mean for global emissions? What's likely to actually make it all the way through to a final Act and governmental decision? Tune in to find out! [and as an update after we recorded the episode, the Bill did actually fail to advance through the committee though this was more because a few legislators argued the cuts did not go far enough and torpedoed the measure]

  --------  

  22:26

Más podcasts de Noticias

Podcasts a la moda de Noticias

Acerca de The Big Questions