Climate Confident
Climate Confident is your go-to podcast for the latest in climate innovation and sustainable solutions. Hosted by Tom Raftery, this weekly series explores the cutting-edge strategies and success stories driving our global journey toward a cooler planet.
Every Wednesday at 7 AM CET, Tom engages with industry leaders, climate scientists, and sustainability pioneers to uncover actionable insights and transformative approaches to reducing emissions and revitalizing our environment. Whether you're a business leader, policy maker, or simply passionate about climate action, Climate Confident provides the inspiration and knowledge you need to make a real difference.
Subscribe now to stay informed, inspired, and ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Let's turn every episode into a step closer to a greener, more resilient world.
Climate Confident
The 2024 Climate Year in Review: What Worked and What’s Next
This year-end episode of Climate Confident takes a deep dive into the most impactful insights from 2024. With 47 episodes of inspiring conversations, we explore the technological breakthroughs, systemic strategies, and collaborative efforts shaping climate action.
Highlights include Dragonfly Energy’s game-changing battery tech, Neara’s grid optimisation solutions, and regenerative agriculture practices from eAgrinom. We also discuss collaborative initiatives like the Dairy Methane Action Alliance and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, showing the power of working together for real impact.
From innovative tools like Karma Wallet to storytelling-driven approaches by EcoAthletes, we see how individuals are driving change. On the policy front, the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act has been pivotal, while sovereign wealth funds and carbon-backed currencies hint at the future of climate finance.
As we head into 2025, I challenge you: What role will you play in the climate comeback? Every action matters. Join me in January for more insights as we continue building a sustainable future.
Enjoy the holidays, and let’s keep the momentum going!
Podcast supporters
I'd like to sincerely thank this podcast's amazing supporters:
- Lorcan Sheehan
- Jerry Sweeney
- Andreas Werner
- Stephen Carroll
- Roger Arnold
And remember you too can Support the Podcast - it is really easy and hugely important as it will enable me to continue to create more excellent Climate Confident episodes like this one.
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Credits
Music credits - Intro by Joseph McDade, and Outro music for this podcast was composed, played, and produced by my daughter Luna Juniper
Hi everyone. And welcome to episode 201 of the climate confident podcast. My name is Tom Raftery. And today I have a special episode for you. No guest. Well kind of August. What I've done is I've fed the 47 or 48 episodes of the climate confident podcast that we published in this year. Into Google's notebook. LM. It's a language model. So I fed it the 47 or so episodes. Had it examine those and pull out the best takes from the episodes, give it a kind of summary. So a review of the episodes. Now, it's an AI, it's a language model. So it makes some missteps in pronunciations, for example, of some of the names of companies and people. But apart from that, I think it's a reasonably good effort. You know, These AI's these learning language models are getting better all the time. And so this was a pretty impressive one. So. Here it is. It's. 2024 climate convent podcast review. Done by Google's LM. It creates this in an audio format in the format of two people, having a conversation. A male and a female AI discussing the podcast. It's actually quite impressive. So enjoy it. And also. Enjoy the break. This is the end of year. We have Christmas or whatever you celebrate. Followed by new year, new year's Eve new year, we'll be heading into 2025. This is the final episode of this podcast for 2024. I won't be publishing an episode on the 1st of January, Wednesday, the 1st of January. Not surprisingly. But the podcast will be back again on Wednesday, the 8th of January and on the 8th of January. I'll be back speaking to Charlie Angelakos. Chief sustainability officer for McCain's the chip people. The week after that, I'll be speaking to Anders Lindberg President of Wartsilia energy. Followed by the week after that Angelo Campus, CEO of box power and so on. So. Some excellent episodes coming up. And. Pretty good episode today as well. I think it's interesting. If you want to listen in. stay listening. Hear, what Google LM makes of 2024s Climate Confident.
Male AI Speaker:Welcome back, everybody. It's been a whole year of Climate Confident. Can you believe it?
Female AI Speaker:It's flown by.
Male AI Speaker:I know. We've heard so many stories about emissions reductions from all over the world.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, it's been amazing to see such a huge range of solutions.
Male AI Speaker:From super high tech stuff to really simple but effective changes.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly.
Male AI Speaker:So, in this deep dive, we're going to zoom out and look at what we've learned.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, what really makes a difference in this fight against climate change?
Male AI Speaker:What gives us, well, that climate confident feeling about the future.
Female AI Speaker:Right, so we're going to go back through all those amazing people and organizations we spoke to.
Male AI Speaker:And pull out the best strategies across all those different sectors.
Female AI Speaker:Think of it like, uh, your cheat sheet for climate action.
Male AI Speaker:Okay, let's jump right in with some serious tech.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah.
Male AI Speaker:Remember that episode with Dragonfly Energy? Those dry electrode lithium ion batteries blew my mind.
Female AI Speaker:I know, right? Making batteries cheaper, safer, better for the environment.
Male AI Speaker:That could change everything.
Female AI Speaker:Electric vehicles, grid storage, you name it.
Male AI Speaker:Can you remind everyone what makes those dry electrodes so special?
Female AI Speaker:Oh, absolutely. So, like, normal lithium ion batteries use liquid electrolytes. Which is, you know, flammable,
Male AI Speaker:a bit risky.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. Dragonfly's tech gets rid of that liquid completely, making the batteries way safer and more stable. And it means they can use cheaper, more common materials, which could bring the cost of battery production way down.
Male AI Speaker:And that is what will make electric vehicles and renewable energy storage accessible for everybody.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly. Exactly. It's all about bringing those costs down and ramping up production so everyone can switch to clean energy faster. Sometimes it's not even about new technology, but about using what we already have in a smarter way.
Male AI Speaker:Right. Like Neara, they're basically doubling grid capacity without laying any new cables.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, it's all about making the most of what we have and, you know, making the whole system smarter.
Male AI Speaker:And they can even simulate extreme weather events to make the grid more resilient.
Female AI Speaker:Pretty incredible, right?
Male AI Speaker:It is, but it also makes me wonder, what if those systems fail? You know, aren't we creating a new vulnerability by relying so much on digital optimization?
Female AI Speaker:Hmm. That's a really good point. But Neara has thought of that. Good. They've got backups and safeguards in place so the system can handle disruptions.
Male AI Speaker:Makes sense.
Female AI Speaker:They're even working on decentralized control systems to make it even more reliable.
Male AI Speaker:So it's not just a smarter grid, but also tougher. Right.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly.
Male AI Speaker:Ready to face those increasing climate impacts.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. And this kind of systems thinking, it's not just for energy. We saw it in agriculture too.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, our episode with eAgrinom was so cool.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. Regenerative agriculture, it can be good for the planet and productive.
Male AI Speaker:It's about working with nature, not against it.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly. Like, they're agroforestry techniques. They increase yields and indeed capture carbon at the same time.
Male AI Speaker:And they're even working with insurance companies to encourage more farmers to adopt these practices.
Female AI Speaker:Right.
Male AI Speaker:For those who haven't heard of it, what exactly is IAS agroforestry?
Female AI Speaker:It's basically mixing trees and shrubs. into farmland.
Male AI Speaker:Oh, interesting.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. So it could be planting trees around fields to block wind and shade the crops or even putting fruit trees in with grazing animals.
Male AI Speaker:I like that.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. And it's got tons of benefits like more biodiversity, healthier soil, less erosion, and it stores carbon.
Male AI Speaker:It's awesome how they're connecting all these dots, you know, healthy soil means less climate risk, and that means financial benefits for farmers.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, everybody wins.
Male AI Speaker:And we saw that kind of collaborative approach throughout the year.
Female AI Speaker:Oh, definitely.
Male AI Speaker:Like, remember our conversation with the Dairy Methane Action Alliance. Big companies getting together to tackle emissions in a specific sector,
Female AI Speaker:right? They're bringing dairy giants like Danone and Nestle together with farmers and researchers to figure out practical ways to cut down on those methane emissions from dairy.
Male AI Speaker:Awesome model for working together.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. And it's not just big companies either. Grassroots movements are powerful too
Male AI Speaker:true
Female AI Speaker:Global Citizen, they're mobilizing millions of people to push for those big systemic changes.
Male AI Speaker:They're awesome. Using their platform to amplify all those individual voices and holding world leaders accountable for their climate promises.
Female AI Speaker:Absolutely.
Male AI Speaker:Their work on the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty is pretty bold.
Female AI Speaker:It is.
Male AI Speaker:Can you remind everyone what that treaty is all about and why it's so important?
Female AI Speaker:Sure. The idea is to phase out fossil fuels in a managed, equitable way.
Male AI Speaker:Okay.
Female AI Speaker:Kind of like the treaty on nuclear weapons.
Male AI Speaker:Interesting.
Female AI Speaker:It's a big idea, but it's gaining traction as people are realizing how urgent this climate crisis is.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, makes sense.
Female AI Speaker:Proponents argue that if we're serious about stopping global warming, we gotta keep those fossil fuels in the ground.
Male AI Speaker:It really makes you think about what huge changes we need to make to solve this.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah.
Male AI Speaker:But it's inspiring to see groups like Global Citizen pushing for those changes.
Female AI Speaker:Definitely.
Male AI Speaker:And on a more local level, we've got organizations like Mercy Corps making sure everyone has access to energy, especially in communities that are already vulnerable.
Female AI Speaker:Yes. And it's not just about access. It's about clean energy.
Male AI Speaker:Right. Building resilience and giving people the power to adapt to the changing climate.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. They're showing how sustainable development and climate action, they go hand in hand.
Male AI Speaker:I love that. But we got to be honest, this isn't always easy.
Female AI Speaker:No, it's not.
Male AI Speaker:Our chat with Michael Barnard about carbon capture and storage was a good reminder.
Female AI Speaker:Oh, yeah.
Male AI Speaker:We need to look at some of these technologies critically and make sure that any solutions we're using are actually sustainable, and fair.
Female AI Speaker:He brought up some great points about the limits and potential risks of CCS, especially how it could keep us hooked on fossil fuels.
Male AI Speaker:I remember when carbon capture sounded like THE answer.
Female AI Speaker:Right.
Male AI Speaker:But as we learned more, it became clear that it's not that simple, ethically and technically.
Female AI Speaker:It's complicated. We've got to have these tough conversations to make sure any technology we use is actually doing good in the long run.
Male AI Speaker:But even with all these challenges, it's amazing to see so many people working on solutions.
Female AI Speaker:I know, it's so inspiring.
Male AI Speaker:We talked to SAP about their Green Ledger project, making carbon accounting more transparent and reliable.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, so important for guiding investments in the right direction.
Male AI Speaker:And it's not just companies. Individuals are stepping up too.
Female AI Speaker:Absolutely.
Male AI Speaker:Like Visions 2030, they're helping people turn their eco anxiety into action.
Female AI Speaker:They use these immersive experiences and community engagement to show that everyone has a role to play in building a better future.
Male AI Speaker:That's what we keep seeing over and over on Climate Confident, the power of individual action leading to Big change.
Female AI Speaker:It's amazing, isn't it?
Male AI Speaker:And it's not about those huge sweeping gestures either.
Female AI Speaker:No, no.
Male AI Speaker:It's about the everyday choices we make.
Female AI Speaker:Right, like what we eat.
Male AI Speaker:How we get around.
Female AI Speaker:What companies we support.
Male AI Speaker:Okay, we covered a lot, And this is just scratching the surface of what we've explored on Climate Confident this year.
Female AI Speaker:Seriously, it's incredible how much work is happening all over the world.
Male AI Speaker:If you want to learn more about all these amazing stories and how to reduce emissions, you're in the right place.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, stay tuned for part 2 of our deep dive. We're going even deeper into some of the most fascinating examples.
Male AI Speaker:It's gonna be great.
Female AI Speaker:And we're back for part 2 of our Climate Confident Year in Review. You know, we talked a lot about reducing emissions in the first half, but we gotta talk about adapting to the changes that are already happening too, right?
Male AI Speaker:Oh, absolutely. That's where resilient infrastructure comes in, which reminds me of our talk with Siemens.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, Siemens, they're doing some really cool things to make buildings and cities more sustainable and resilient.
Male AI Speaker:I know, it's like they're giving cities a brain upgrade.
Female AI Speaker:Right, like, uh, their smart grids can react to all sorts of changing conditions, optimize energy use, and even incorporate renewables seamlessly.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, and their work on demand side management, that really fascinated me.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, me too. By coordinating energy use in buildings, they can actually help balance the whole grid and reduce how much we rely on fossil fuels. That'd be amazing. And Siemens, they're not just talking the talk, they're walking the walk too. They've committed to being carbon neutral in their own operations by 2030.
Male AI Speaker:That's a huge goal for a company that big.
Female AI Speaker:I know, it's super ambitious. But they've been very open about their progress, and they're making some serious strides in reducing their footprint across their entire value chain.
Male AI Speaker:It's really impressive to see a big corporation like that taking real action on climate.
Female AI Speaker:It is. But it's not just about the big players. We saw some amazing innovations coming from startups, too.
Male AI Speaker:Oh, for sure. Like Glice. They really impressed us this year.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. They're eco friendly ice rinks. Talk about thinking outside the box.
Male AI Speaker:I know, right? They use a synthetic ice surface, so no refrigeration or water needed, which eliminates those massive energy and resource demands of traditional rinks.
Female AI Speaker:It's amazing. And what I really loved about Glice is, they're not just making ice skating more greener. They're making it more accessible, too.
Male AI Speaker:That's so cool.
Female AI Speaker:They can install these rinks in places where a normal rink just wouldn't be possible. You know, it opens up opportunities for people to experience ice skating who might never have had the chance otherwise,
Male AI Speaker:That's fantastic. It shows how climate solutions can have a positive social impact, too.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly. It's something we need to keep in mind as we transition to a low carbon future.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, for sure. We can't just focus on cutting emissions. We have to make sure the benefits are shared fairly and that no one gets left behind.
Female AI Speaker:Right, exactly. Like, uh, our conversation with Ditla Seisgaard Vind, she really emphasized that. She talked about designing within planetary boundaries.
Male AI Speaker:Oh yeah, that was a great conversation.
Female AI Speaker:Basically making sure that our products and systems operate within what our planet can handle.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, it's about understanding that we're part of nature, not separate from it.
Female AI Speaker:Right, and that our actions have consequences for the whole ecosystem.
Male AI Speaker:It's not just about doing less harm. It's about creating a positive impact,
Female AI Speaker:right? Exactly. We need to shift from just reducing our footprint to actually regenerating our ecosystems.
Male AI Speaker:It's a whole new way of thinking about our relationship with the planet.
Female AI Speaker:It is. And it's going to take all of us working together, individuals, businesses, and policymakers.
Male AI Speaker:Speaking of policymakers, we saw some big things happening there this year, especially with the Inflation Reduction Act here in the U. S.
Female AI Speaker:Oh, yeah. Yeah. That was a game changer. Our chat with Chris Larson he really highlighted its impact.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, it's been so important for driving those investments in clean energy and battery storage, creating jobs, and speeding up the transition to a more sustainable economy.
Female AI Speaker:Absolutely. What really stood out to me from that conversation was how Chris Larson emphasized collaboration between utilities, policymakers, and communities.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, he said that the success of the IRA depends on everyone working together, right?
Female AI Speaker:Exactly. Even the best policies won't work unless everyone's on board and working towards the same goals.
Male AI Speaker:And it's not just about federal action either. We've seen awesome leadership at the local level too.
Female AI Speaker:Oh yeah, tons. Like, um, our chat with Carina Gormley showed us how Cities and towns are using their power to make a difference on climate.
Male AI Speaker:She was amazing.
Female AI Speaker:She talked about the importance of systems thinking, using public procurement to support sustainable businesses, and engaging the community to create real change on the ground.
Male AI Speaker:I love the example she gave about her city using public procurement to support local businesses that are committed to sustainability.
Female AI Speaker:Me too. It's so smart. Yeah. By choosing to work with companies that are reducing their environmental impact, they're not only making their own operations greener, they're creating a ripple effect throughout the whole local economy.
Male AI Speaker:It's such a brilliant strategy.
Female AI Speaker:It really is. And it shows how cities can use their buying power to encourage innovation and build a more sustainable marketplace.
Male AI Speaker:I'm really inspired by how local governments are trying out all these new approaches, like green infrastructure and community solar programs.
Female AI Speaker:You too. It shows that progress is happening everywhere.
Male AI Speaker:But we also need to be realistic about the challenges, right?
Female AI Speaker:Yeah.
Male AI Speaker:What could trip us up on the road to decarbonization?
Female AI Speaker:Oh, absolutely. Like, uh, our conversation with Lena Federco from Climate Works, she brought up some really important things to consider about, EV supply chains and you know, making sure we're getting those minerals for batteries responsibly.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah. Making sure the transition is fair. Thinking about the social and environmental impacts of mining, especially in developing countries.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly. One thing that really resonated with me from that conversation was her point about transparency and traceability in those supply chains.
Male AI Speaker:Oh yeah. If we want to scale up electric vehicle production in a way that's actually sustainable, we have to know where those materials are coming from, how they're being mined and processed, the whole story.
Female AI Speaker:Right. Consumers want products that are ethical and sustainable, and companies are realizing they need to prove they're doing things the right way.
Male AI Speaker:It's a positive trend, for sure.
Female AI Speaker:It is, but it also shows how complex these challenges can be.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, for sure.
Female AI Speaker:We need to find solutions that are good for the environment, fair for everyone, and make sense economically.
Male AI Speaker:It's a tall order.
Female AI Speaker:It is. But that's where innovation and collaboration come in. We gotta keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible and work together to overcome those obstacles in our way.
Male AI Speaker:I love that. We're living in a time of massive change, and we have a chance to create a future that's better for everyone and for the planet.
Female AI Speaker:It's a huge task, but it's also incredibly exciting. And welcome back to the final part of our climate confident recap for 2024.
Male AI Speaker:We've seen some truly incredible things this year. Technological leaps, people working together, and policies actually changing.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, but we can't forget about the power of individual action. That's what really drives those big systemic changes, right?
Male AI Speaker:Absolutely. It's easy to get overwhelmed when you think about the scale of this whole climate crisis. But all those conversations we had this year showed us that everyone can make a difference.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly. Remember Lew Blaustein from EcoAthletes?
Male AI Speaker:Oh yeah, he was so inspiring.
Female AI Speaker:The way he's getting athletes to be climate advocates, using their platform to spread awareness and get people moving.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, and it's not just about those famous athletes either.
Female AI Speaker:Right. He said it's crucial to just talk about climate change with our friends, family, everyone.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, those everyday conversations, they really can make a difference.
Female AI Speaker:They totally can. You know, what really struck me about that conversation was how he talked about the power of storytelling. Oh, yeah. He said, Athletes have this unique ability to connect with people emotionally. And when they share their own stories about why climate action matters, it can break down barriers. It makes the issue more relatable.
Male AI Speaker:That's so true. It's not just a science problem or a tech problem. It's a communication problem, too.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly.
Male AI Speaker:We need to find ways to reach people. To get them thinking, feeling.
Female AI Speaker:Absolutely. And that can be through sharing our own stories or supporting artists and creatives who are using their talents to bring this issue to life.
Male AI Speaker:Right. Using our wallets to support the things we believe in.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah. Which reminds me of our conversation with Kedar Karkera from Karma Wallet. That was fascinating.
Male AI Speaker:Oh yeah. Their debit card tracks the carbon footprint of your purchases.
Female AI Speaker:Isn't that cool? It gives consumers the power to make more sustainable choices.
Male AI Speaker:It's such a great example of how technology can bridge that gap between what we want to do and what we actually do.
Female AI Speaker:Right. And it shows how even those little decisions we make every day, like what we buy, they can add up and have a real impact.
Male AI Speaker:I like that it's not about making people feel guilty either.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, it's about giving them the information and the tools they need to make informed choices.
Male AI Speaker:Exactly. Making it easier and more convenient for people to choose sustainable options.
Female AI Speaker:And ultimately, it's about giving people the power to support businesses that align with their values.
Male AI Speaker:Yes. And of course, we can't forget about the role of finance in all of this.
Female AI Speaker:Oh yeah, finance is huge. Our conversation with Anna Neck Valovate about sovereign wealth funds was a real eye opener. I
Male AI Speaker:know, right? Trillions of dollars being invested with sustainability as a core goal.
Female AI Speaker:It's amazing. These funds have the power to transform whole industries, you know, to speed up the development of all those green technologies we need.
Male AI Speaker:What's so encouraging is that, investors are realizing that climate risk IS financial risk.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, for sure.
Male AI Speaker:They see that investing in a sustainable future isn't just the right thing to do, it's the smart thing to do.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly. And then there's Toco. They're exploring this really cool concept, a currency backed by carbon mitigation.
Male AI Speaker:That's pretty wild. It could change how we value climate action and incentivize individuals to lower their footprint.
Female AI Speaker:Right. It's early days yet, but it's so exciting to see these creative solutions popping up.
Male AI Speaker:It's not just about the money though, is it?
Female AI Speaker:No, it's not. We have to change the whole conversation around climate change, move away from that doom and gloom, and focus on solutions.
Male AI Speaker:Yeah, focus on what's possible.
Female AI Speaker:Exactly, Elizabeth Thompson from Visions 2030, she talked about that. Their immersive experiences are helping people connect with how amazing our planet is and inspiring them to take action.
Male AI Speaker:That's what they do so well.
Female AI Speaker:Yeah, they prove that engaging our emotions and sparking hope is crucial if we want to get people moving.
Male AI Speaker:We need to tap into that sense of possibility and believe that a climate comeback is possible.
Female AI Speaker:Absolutely. And that's what Climate Confident is all about.
Male AI Speaker:It really is. This whole year, we've been showcasing the incredible work happening around the world to reduce emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and build a more sustainable future.
Female AI Speaker:It's been amazing. We've seen breakthroughs in tech, policy, and human ingenuity.
Male AI Speaker:And while there's still a lot of work to do, we're going into 2025 with so much optimism and energy.
Female AI Speaker:I know, right? The momentum is building. The solutions are out there.
Male AI Speaker:So as we wrap up this look back at 2024, we want to leave you with a question.
Female AI Speaker:A challenge, even.
Male AI Speaker:What will you do to be part of the climate comeback?
Female AI Speaker:Will you talk to a friend? Make a change in your own life? Support an organization doing great work?
Male AI Speaker:Every action matter.
Female AI Speaker:Every single one. And together, we can create a future where everyone thrives, both people and the planet.
Male AI Speaker:Thank you so much for joining us on this incredible journey.
Female AI Speaker:We can't wait to see what we can accomplish together in 2025.
