As we weather the economic storm of the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis continues to loom large. We also face a biodiversity crisis and a crisis of deepening poverty.

The good news is that all of these crises can be solved together and that is very much the message of this week's guest, Bill McKibben. And he certainly knows what he is talking about.

In 1988, Bill wrote The End of Nature - the first book for a common audience about global warming. He also co-founded 350.org, an international climate campaign that works in 188 countries around the world, including in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

I actually spoke to Bill in April, when Aotearoa New Zealand was in lockdown. So, whilst the day-to-day context has changed, the long-term issues we discuss are still very much with us.

This is the final episode of series one of the podcast. We hope to be in a position to bring you series two very soon. In the meantime, enjoy this fascinating conversation with one of the world's leading environmental thinkers and activists.

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With the US election just around the corner, James speaks to the journalist and political commentator Ezra Klein about political polarisation and climate change.

Ezra is the founder and editor-at-large of Vox.com, the award-winning explanatory news organisation.

He is the host of the excellent podcast the Ezra Klein Show and recently published the book Why We’re Polarised, which draws from history, political science and psychology to carefully explain how different groups of Americans can see politics through such different lenses.

Joe Biden said recently in his convention speech that “we can and we will deal with climate change.” I hope you find this episode helpful for understanding our current moment – what is at stake and what we can do about it. 

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The US is a leader on climate change – just not where you might think.  

Cities, states, and businesses are America’s climate innovators, deploying bottom-up solutions - and working with legislatures, city councils, and corporate boards to drive the transition to a low carbon economy.

There is one state in particular that often comes to mind when thinking about climate action in the US, and that’s California.

This week James talks to one of the architects of California's climate action - the former California State Senator Fran Pavley.

Fran served 29 years in elected office including 14 years in the California Assembly and the State Senate, during which she authored some of the most significant climate policies anywhere in the US.

This is a really interesting conversation that provides some hope about US leadership on climate change.

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James chats to the writer and activist George Monbiot.

A self-described "professional troublemaker," George Monbiot has been writing about climate change, the natural environment, and the economy for more than 35 years. As you’ll hear, he remains deeply concerned about the dangers of climate breakdown. However he is clear that we can change, that we can do things differently.

He captured this brilliantly in a recent TEDTalk he gave where he draws on findings from psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology, to offer a new vision for society built around our fundamental capacity for altruism and cooperation.

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This week James talks with the physicist, ecologist, activist and writer Dr. Vandana Shiva about the future of agriculture and the role of gender in environmental politics. 

During the conversation Dr. Shiva talks about her concept of “Earth Democracy.” Earth Democracy is rooted in the ancient Indian concept of Vasudhaiva kutumkam, the earth family. As one family, all beings have equal rights to sustenance through the gifts of the earth. Its three components: economy, environment, and people, must be in balance to maintain sustainability. It is a truly inspiring vision.

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So far we've talked to campaigners, economists and business people about how we tackle the climate crisis in a post-pandemic world.

This week we've got something a little bit different for you. James catches up with the legendary producer Brian Eno and talks to him about the role art can play in helping us understand and tackle climate change.

Brian also shares some fascinating ideas about how different models and structures for making music can teach us how to better organise society and politics. This is one not to be missed.

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This week James talks to the legendary primatologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall. 

Dr. Goodall has pioneered work in community-centered conservation and sustainable development projects. Here she talks about the power of individual action, and the important relationship between poverty reduction and protecting the environment.

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Jane Goodall Institute

Roots and Shoots

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This week James talks to the former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney.

Mark's term as head of the Bank of England ended in January 2020. Soon after, he was appointed as the lead financial advisor for the next global climate talks in Glasgow 2021.

Mark has been hugely influential in ensuring global financial markets understand their exposure to climate risk and develop strategies to avert them.

Alongside Michael Bloomberg, Mark established the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, which has influenced governments all over the world, including our own here in New Zealand where we have been looking at introducing a system of climate reporting for financial firms and listed companies.

As always, feel free to get in touch at james.shaw@parliament.govt.nz. 

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This week James talks to the brilliant economist Kate Raworth.

Kate will probably be best known to most listeners for her hugely influential book Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist. The ideas in this book have travelled all over the world and are shaping government policy making. 

This is a conversation about how we can build a better future where the goal of economic activity is about meeting the needs of all within the limits of the planet.

As always, feel free to get in touch at james.shaw@parliament.govt.nz. 

Doughnut Economics

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This week James talks to the award-winning journalist and bestselling author Naomi Klein.

Naomi has spent two decades documenting the transformations that take place under the cover of disaster. She has also written extensively about how tackling the climate crisis can both create jobs and make the economy much fairer and more equitable.

James and Naomi started their conversation by talking about how the Covid-19 pandemic is remaking what governments and corporations see as possible. Naomi has talked a lot about how this change has mainly been for the worst — but, as you will hear, this does not need be the case in the future.

This is a hopeful conversation about how we can use this moment to tackle the climate crisis, create thousands of new jobs, address inequality, and make life better for everyone.

On Fire: The Burning Case for a Green New Deal

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