Welcome to a special milestone episode of Wicked Problems - Climate Tech Conversations! In this 100th episode, host Richard Delevan and crew reflect on a tumultuous yet transformative 2024, joined by a host of friends and contributors from the climate tech and advocacy world. Together, they share personal highlights, challenges, and their hopes for 2025.
Highlights from the Episode:
Reflections on 2024: Peter celebrates the release of his long-awaited book, while Richard ponders the year's most maddening moments, including political turmoil and the slow pace of global climate action.
Guest Spotlights:
Peter Schwartzstein (journalist and researcher)
Adam Bell (Stonehaven) celebrates the UK government’s ambitious plan to overhaul the power system in just five years while questioning whether they’ll muster the resolve to see it through.
Sarah Mackintosh (Cleantech for UK) highlights the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station and the lifting of the ban on onshore wind as key milestones for clean energy.
Rupert Read (Climate Majority Project) turns catastrophe into a rallying cry, framing 2024’s challenges as a wake-up call for strategic adaptation.
Jenny Chase (Bloomberg NEF) marvels at the solar boom in Pakistan and speculates on which country will follow suit in 2025.
Dr. Matt Winning (Comedian and Lecturer) lightens the mood with his reflections on climate humor and hopes for action at COP in Brazil.
Hannah Scott (Oxfordshire Green Tech) shares progress on the Climate Tech Supercluster, building a world-leading innovation ecosystem.
Stephen Murphy (Climate Impact) discusses the momentum around fusion energy and the launch of new conferences to foster collaboration in the space.
Colin Mahoney (President, Mahoney Communications)
Tadzio Müller (Climate Justice Activist & Gay Communist) emphasizes the importance of finding agency amidst systemic crises, offering a pragmatic yet optimistic take on climate justice.
Ali Yarr (Zenobe) talks about the company’s big 2024 milestones including NY Climate Week and what she’s looking forward to in 2025.
Themes Explored:
The personal and professional victories that keep the climate tech community hopeful despite daunting obstacles.
How politics shapes climate action, with contributors tackling the implications of global and local governance shifts, including a second Trump administration.
The path forward for 2025: from fusion energy breakthroughs to decarbonizing transport and reshaping planning systems.
Special Moments:
Behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the show’s creation, including shoutouts to musical collaborators and reflections on guestlist privileges!
A humorous exchange about the team’s occasional carol karaoke adventures.
Key Takeaways:
Climate challenges may seem insurmountable, but community, innovation, and collaboration can help shift the needle.
As we move into 2025, clarity on problems could lead to greater clarity of purpose in tackling them.
Join the Conversation:
Tune in to hear from some of the brightest minds in climate tech and policy as we celebrate the power of storytelling, advocacy, and action. Here's to 100 episodes of wickedly good conversations—and to many more ahead!
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