Category Archives: Climate Curious

What’s going on with fish in West Africa?

Superfood sardines, omega three and the ultimate brain food… fish is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, but overfishing is putting them at risk of destruction, and the local people who rely on them, says environmental social scientist Christina Hicks in the latest episode of the Climate Curious podcast. Tune in with co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst to explore why this topic feels so icky (hint – it’s a wicked problem!), why we need to open our eyes to the inefficiencies of white environmentalism in order to save the planet, and how to recognise when simple climate solutions are being pedalled to you. From what insiders are really saying about that infamous fish documentary (you know the one!), to why fish is crucial to the first 1,000 days of human’s mental and physical development, dig into the real deal around the troublesome topic of oceans, seas, and fish!

Learn more: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/climate-curious-whats-going-on-with-fish-in-west-africa/

Climate Quickie: Is a green economy going to cost too much?

Our latest feature Climate Quickies gives you bitesize nuggets of climate goodies – in under 5 minutes! First up: transitioning to a green economy – how much is it going to cost us? This week’s guest is economist, environmentalist and TED speaker, Angela Francis. She breaks down what a counterfactual is – and how you can use it to win over your friends about the benefits of a green economy!

If you enjoyed this episode, listen to our full episode with Angela, How Green Money Can Make The World Go Round: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/climate-curious-how-green-money-can-make-the-world-go-round/

We hope you enjoy this new format we’re sprinkling in as an extra to our standard 30 minute episodes. Let us know what other interesting facts, digestible explainers and practical tips from former guests you’d like to hear info@tedxlondon.com

How the Guyanese people are fighting big oil

Guyana is a carbon sink and a climate leader, but has been airbrushed out of the global climate movement, as many developing countries are, says international environmental lawyer Melinda Janki in the most compelling episode to date of the Climate Curious podcast. “It’s not a story that gets told very often… about former colonial peoples standing up against the oil industry,” says this superstar legal eagle, who has spent the last 25 years working to make environmental damage illegal and save our planet. Tune in with co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst to hear Melinda’s extraordinary story of how she’s standing up to multinational oil giants to save one of South America’s most beautiful countries from a carbon bomb disaster. The learnings? The people who have contributed the most to climate change are not really the ones that are bearing the brunt of it, society is still blinded by the false promises of fossil fuel wealth, and a climate confession that will make you feel it’s never too late to turn over a fresh leaf!

Learn more: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/climate-curious-how-guyanese-people-fighting-big-oil/

How green money can make the world go round

“Moving to a green economy delivers on the things that people are already worried about,” says TED Speaker, environmentalist and economist, Angela Francis, on the latest episode of the Climate Curious podcast by TEDxLondon. With over 1.4 million views on her TED Talk, this champion for the green economy breaks down what an economy is, how a green one would work, and why the dirty economy model must go. So how do we do it? Reshape our value systems, reward green businesses, and find ways to communicate the true cost of living in a dirty economy. Simple! Right? Tune in with co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst to get a solid, straightforward grounding in environmental economics, direct from one of the world’s most inspiring green economists.

Learn more: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/climate-curious-how-green-money-can-make-the-world-go-round/

How to be a global food citizen

Veganism isn’t the only answer to climate change, dignity and equity are, says knowledge broker, community chef and food policy-maker, Dee Woods. In this week’s Climate Curious by TEDxLondon, we’re discussing food – yum! Contributing to a whopping 21-37% of greenhouse gas emissions, the global food system needs a rethink, stat. Instead of restricting our diets, we need to reconnect with where our food comes from – so we can start making more localised, equitable choices. Join co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst to hear Dee breakdown why solving bigger problems of the food industry can help us fight climate change, how chicken shops are in fact a policy-driven food apartheid, and why building localised food economies is essential to the future of people and planet.

Learn more: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/climate-curious-how-to-be-a-global-food-citizen/

Buy a Granville Community Kitchen Good Food Box: http://granvillecommunitykitchen.org.uk/good-food-box/
Sign MP Ian Byrne’s #RightToFood petition: https://www.ianbyrne.org/righttofood-campaign

Why we need to stop hating on bugs

Scary creepy crawlies, indestructible cockroaches and fluffy bumble bees… we’ve written narratives that have got bugs all wrong, says modern day explorer Will Hawkes in the latest episode of the Climate Curious podcast. Tune in with co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst to learn about the little known, but incredible role insects play in the world’s ecosystem – from helping us grow crops and keep pests under control – bugs need love, too. From planting herbs on your balcony, to eating organic foods and pressuring your council to reduce verge cutting, discover what you can do today to give bugs their buzz back!

Learn more: https://tedxlondon.com/news/climate-curious-why-we-need-to-stop-hating-on-bugs/

Why Mother Nature is a drag queen

If you’ve ever thought about being a lady in the streets, but a freak on the peaks – this one’s for you! Thigh high boots, full glam and bouncy curls for days – Mother Nature’s had a makeover, and we’re not mad about it. In the first episode of Season 2 of TEDxLondon’s Climate Curious we’re joined by the iconic environmentalist and intersectional drag queen, Pattie Gonia, who explains the need for everyone to connect to nature, why we must diversify the climate movement and why queer ecology is so much more than “gay dolphins in the ocean” – urging us to “advocate for our one true Queen, Mother Nature with all of our creativity and intersectional identities.” Join co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst to discover why Pattie believes the outdoors isn’t just for white, straight, cis males, but instead, for everyone – especially Queer people and other marginalised groups, how you can be an environmentalist and still love your sofa and why hiking in 6-inch heels feels so right.

Learn more: https://tedxlondon.com/podcast/climate-curious-why-mother-nature-is-a-drag-queen/

Coming Soon: Season 2

We’re back! Launching June 2nd, co-hosts Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst introduce some of the topics we’ll cover in Season 2 of TEDxLondon’s Climate Curious.

Why what you wear is about more than fashion

Far from being frivolous, fashion is cultural currency, a tool of self-expression, and a much-loved confidence boost, but sadly it’s a problematic friend. Whether you’re donning Primark or Prada, thanks to hazy supply chains and labour practices, there’s no guarantee as to who made your clothes, and how sustainable they really are. In this episode of TEDxLondon’s Climate Curious we’re joined by Baroness Lola Young, an activist, author, crossbench peer in the House of Lords, and Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, widely known for her contribution to creating legislation to eliminate modern slavery, a number which shockingly still stands at 40 million today globally. This pioneer urges us all to wake up to the labour behind the label, and to disengage from the fast fashion blame game and change what we can, today, with the resources we have. Tune in with Maryam Pasha and Ben Hurst to understand why it’s not about banning fast fashion – it’s about pressuring governments to make firms smarten up their act to end modern slavery, discover why being more thoughtful about people is the first step to being more thoughtful about consumption, and explore the surprisingly easy thing you can do today to make a difference – simply wear your clothes more! In this week’s Climate Confessions we take on shoe addictions, shopping to make yourself feel better (we’ve all been there) and recklessly running the hot tap for no good reason – why not!?