Outrage + Optimism

A new study from UCL shows, unsurprisingly that children in England feel sad, angry, guilty and anxious about climate change, with girls feeling more anxious... and boys feeling more optimistic. An interesting look into the gender gap and the implications of the findings by Anna Scott in The New Feminist here: https://lnkd.in/e2WNtF3P

In times as urgent as these, does the most radical form of resistance begin with slowing down? If you'd like to explore: Transforming climate anxiety into mindful action; Balancing personal wellbeing with engaged activism; Building stronger communities of purpose and deep connection... .. you might be interested in this online event from our friends at Plum Village App, a taster for the 7-week Plum Village online course, Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet: https://lnkd.in/eNnMPmnE

We're back! And we're bursting with climate news and analysis. This week, we're talking: 👉 Developments in the US: what's going on with the Democrats' lack of concrete plans on climate? 👉 UK policy plans around energy, nature and climate change: what's beneath the shiny surface? 👉 And we're looking to the future: this season will be full of  consequential moments in climate policy, with UNGA, Climate Week NYC and two COPs hurtling towards us. Christiana talks in particular about the UN's Summit of the Future. Tune in to make sense of it all, wherever you get your podcasts.  https://bit.ly/3XxcuTK #climatenews #climatepodcast Christiana Figueres Tom Rivett-Carnac Paul Dickinson

Your weekly news stories of outrage AND optimism - because we need both to move forward: 🌱 OPTIMISM 1: The UK government will not defend legal challenges to plans to develop Rosebank, the UK’s largest untapped oil and gas field, as well as Jackdaw, a second North Sea site. A significant step in the campaign to #StopRosebank. 🔥 OUTRAGE 1: Over $12bn of public money has been awarded in subsidies to companies including ExxonMobil for unproven climate solutions like carbon capture which actually prolong the use of fossil fuels. It’s been described as a ‘colossal waste of money’. 🌱 OPTIMISM 2: The largest dam removal project in the US has been completed on the Klamath River in California allowing the river to flow freely for the first time in over a century – a major win for the indigenous Yurok Tribe, known as the “salmon people”. 🔥 OUTRAGE 2: Japan is facing a rice shortage related to global warming and overtourism. Some retailers are limiting purchases to one packet of rice per family - shocking news in a country that prides itself on covering its needs in this area. 🌱 OPTIMISM 3: More than 40% of world’s electricity came from zero-carbon sources in 2023, due partly to ‘skyrocketing’ investments in renewables (especially solar). Good progress, but it needs to be much faster to stay with net zero goals. 🔥 OUTRAGE 3: Australia has been experiencing “gobsmacking” extreme temperatures this summer, with temperatures more than 3C above average. Heatwaves and severe winds create high risk for devastating bushfires across the continent. Note: Each news item we’ve included is a complex story in its own right, reduced here to a single line as a potential signpost for further reading. You can find the links to the news sources in the comments. 🎧 Feed your ears with more outrage and optimism, we're back with our new series this week! Tune in wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Outrage + Optimism's Listening Journeys. Whether you're new to the podcast or a longtime listener seeking out gems from our back catalogue, pick a journey to follow a curated listening path the subject you're interested in! Journeys include: Christiana, Tom and Paul’s picks Business + Climate Views from the USA Youth + Climate A Spiritual Path + more Head to https://lnkd.in/dRZYFP63 to find out more.

THIS MOMENT IS ALIVE WITH POSSIBILITY✨✨✨ We are delighted to be welcoming the incredible Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist, writer, co-founder of The All We Can Save Project and bringer of joy, as one of our first guests for our new season in September... stay tuned!

👀 LAST CHANCE TO VOTE! If you've enjoyed the podcast or found it valuable this year, we'd love you to vote for us in the British Podcast Awards Listeners' Choice category 🗳 It literally takes seconds and could really make a difference in getting Outrage + Optimism to a wider audience. Head to https://lnkd.in/evuyHz5s to vote and feel free to share 💞 🙏Thank you! **VOTING CLOSES 29 AUGUST**

Disturbing news about plastics this week - alongside encouraging developments with the UN Global Plastics Treaty underway. This treaty is by no means a done deal - to add your voice to demand ambitious and strong measures look up the Greenpeace global plastics treaty petition here: https://lnkd.in/eUEndW7Z. Plus: 🔥 OUTRAGE 1: In a new study of microplastics in human brain tissue, 24 brain samples collected in 2024 measured on average 0.5% plastic by weight. Previous animal studies have linked microplastics to fertility issues, cancers and more. 🌱 OPTIMISM 1: The US now supports the global UN treaty calling for a reduction in new plastic production. The US previously did not support limiting production, focusing instead on recycling and cleaning up plastic litter. 🔥 OUTRAGE 2:  An Amazonian reserve will be carved up to clear space for a new highway in Belem, in preparation for the COP30 climate conference in 2025. While the highway would improve traffic in the city, this is surely too high a price to pay. 🌱 OPTIMISM 2: Massive Attack showed that decarbonised music touring is possible with their new show 100% powered by renewable energy. Train travel to the gig was incentivised with VIP bar and toilet access - and no car park. 🔥 OUTRAGE 3: The Shell USA Company Foundation has donated over $500K to rightwing causes, many of which deny the climate crisis and support Project 2025. Unsurprising perhaps. Outrageous nevertheless. 🌱 OPTIMISM 3: The production of electric power from solar energy reached an all-time high in Germany in July - despite more rainy days than last year. Which news stories touched you this week? Note: Each item we’ve included is a complex story in its own right, reduced here to a single line as a potential signpost for further reading. You can find the links to the news sources in the comments. 🎧 Feed your ears with more outrage and optimism - we’re on a podcast break for a few weeks, but you can find our brilliant back catalog here: https://bit.ly/OOeps #outrageandoptimism #stubbornoptimism

We're in a climate emergency. Let's act accordingly and urge governments to do the same. The 'State of the Climate' report is an international annual review, led by scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information and based on contributions from more than 590 scientists in nearly 60 countries. It provides "the most comprehensive update on Earth’s climate indicators, notable weather events and other data collected by environmental monitoring stations and instruments located on land, water, ice and in space."

NATURE AND CLIMATE ARE NOT SEPARATE! And of course never have been (although we humans in our infinite wisdom decided at some point that they should be 😬) The UN biodiversity #COP16 is coming up in Cali, Colombia this October, with the climate #COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan following soon after - we’ll be keeping you updated on both 🗞️ More from Susana Muhamad on COP16's aims: https://lnkd.in/gjs5avmD