Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast
Persephonica and Global Optimism
Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast is for anyone who is not ready to give up on making the world a better place. For unrivalled conversations with decision makers, visionary thinkers and a community of like-minded climate optimists, join former UN climate chief Christiana Figueres, political strategist Tom Rivett-Carnac and sustainable business consultant Paul Dickinson. Each week they make sense of all the top climate news stories, go behind the scenes at crucial talks and ensure you stay informed and inspired ahead of what is set to be the consequential year for climate action.As we approach the middle of the decisive decade for world emissions, and the 10 year anniversary of the Paris climate agreement, subscribe to Outrage + Optimism: The Climate PodcastAnd join us for our special Inside COP series with co-host Fiona McRaith where we bring you behind the scenes of COP30 in Belém! And to see video content from the show, follow us on LinkedIn, and Instagram. Got a question? Send us a voice message.This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
5 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 37min
Flooded: Is extreme weather shifting the climate front lines?
Louis Ramez, co-founder of Flooded People UK and community organiser supporting those hit by floods. He describes building local networks, organising storefront-by-store, and turning repeated flood damage into collective political pressure. Short scenes cover mental health, insurance stress, community leadership, and how floods are shifting the climate frontline in the UK and beyond.
19 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 42min
The Iran Crisis and the Price of Oil Dependence
Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance and wind energy growth leader with 25+ years in renewables, electrification and policy. He discusses how Iran-linked disruptions expose oil’s fragility. The conversation compares centralized fossil fuel risks with distributed renewables, explores Pakistan’s solar boom, and argues that clean energy is cheaper, quicker and more secure than doubling down on drilling.
12 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 39min
Water, Wildlife, and Climate’s Hidden Trade-Offs
A fast-paced conversation about water as the hidden thread linking climate, biodiversity and migration. They tackle trade-offs between renewable energy and wildlife, and whether geoengineering could create new risks. The discussion also probes how language, acronyms and urgency shape public understanding and political choices.
9 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 35min
Who Pays? The Unfair Economics of Climate Finance
Sri Mulyani Indrawati, former Indonesian finance minister and World Bank managing director, explains public finance, sovereign debt and the costs of Indonesia’s energy transition. She discusses the true price of retiring coal early. Short takes cover contractual lock‑ins, why borrowing costs punish developing countries, and who must shoulder transition risks and financing.
20 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 36min
Catastrophe Apathy: Why understanding the climate crisis isn’t enough
Lorraine Whitmarsh, environmental psychologist and director of the Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations at the University of Bath, explains why knowing about climate risk rarely sparks action. She discusses defaults that drive mass green uptake, the power of everyday trusted messengers, how framing shifted responsibility to individuals, and why deliberative democracy and systemic changes matter for turning concern into collective change.
Feb 19, 2026 • 46min
Trump Moves to Dismantle US Climate Law - Now Comes the Legal Test
Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council and an environmental law expert, explains the legal fight over the repeal of the endangerment finding. He discusses why the finding underpins federal climate rules. The conversation covers impacts on vehicle and power-plant standards, the NRDC’s court strategy, and how states and markets might fill the gap.
Feb 12, 2026 • 41min
Who Wields Power Now?: Money, Movements and the Future of Climate
A spirited look at who holds power as global systems strain, from city halls to financial institutions. They probe new coalitions, plurilateralism and the rise of subnational action. Indigenous reciprocity and Doughnut Economics are offered as alternative frameworks. Practical ideas on pooled citizen finance, pensions and shareholder influence round out the conversation.
Feb 5, 2026 • 32min
Power, Money and Influence: The Hidden Forces Shaping Climate Action
They unpack who holds power in the climate transition and how money and influence shape decision making. They explore what fossil fuel lobbying really looks like and why subsidy figures can be misleading. They examine how politics, COP dynamics and media attention affect smaller nations’ visibility. They debate whether complex climate solutions can survive in a world of simple narratives.
Jan 29, 2026 • 35min
The China Pivot: What will Beijing’s climate leadership look like?
Yixian Sun, a scholar of China’s political economy and climate governance at the University of Bath, explains Beijing’s vision of leadership and its approach to the Global South. Short takes cover China’s dominance in clean‑energy manufacturing, shifting geopolitics as leaders pivot to Beijing, carbon accounting and exported emissions, and ideas for UK‑China collaboration on R&D and energy packages.
Jan 22, 2026 • 42min
Beyond COP: Can Brazil Chart a Path Off Fossil Fuels?
Ana Toni, CEO of COP30 and key architect of Brazil's COP presidency, discusses the urgent need to reduce global dependency on fossil fuels. She shares insights on the outcomes of COP30, the necessity of local action, and Brazil's four-part follow-up plan. Toni highlights the importance of reframing climate discussions around ending fossil fuel reliance rather than just setting targets. The talk explores the potential for collaborative roadmaps and emphasizes how diverse nations can contribute to a just transition amid geopolitical shifts.
