Electric vehicles promise cleaner, cheaper driving—but do they actually make financial sense for everyday drivers?
From purchase price and running costs to insurance, resale, and charging, the economics of EV ownership are more nuanced than the headlines suggest.
In this episode, we crunch the numbers behind the hype.
David and Simon explore whether EVs are still too pricey upfront, how quickly they pay back their “carbon and cash deficit,” and what the real ownership experience looks like once you’re behind the wheel.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they ask: are electric vehicles a smart investment, or just a costly way to feel good on the road?
Electric vehicles have become the icons of a cleaner future: quiet, sleek, and seemingly guilt-free.
But behind the smooth marketing lies a big question: are EVs really better for the planet, or just a cleaner-looking illusion?
In this episode, we dig into the full story, from the carbon cost of mining and manufacturing to how electricity grids shape the true footprint of driving electric.
We explore the trade-offs, the human costs, and how EVs can actually make power systems more resilient as they evolve.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they unpack the myths, the math, and the momentum behind the electric revolution—and ask whether EVs are driving real change, or just good intentions on four wheels.
or centuries, people have warned that the wars of the future will be fought over water.
As rivers dry and populations grow, the risk of conflict over this most vital resource seems inevitable - or is it? History paints a more complex picture.
In this episode, we explore how water scarcity has shaped relations between neighbours - from the Middle East over the past century to other regions where shared rivers have sparked both tension and cooperation.
While water can heighten existing pressures, it has also driven diplomacy, not just division.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they dive into the politics of water, uncovering why it’s often a catalyst for collaboration rather than conflict—and what that means for a drier, more interconnected future.
Aviation is one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise - and with demand for flights only growing, the pressure is on to find cleaner fuels.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is being pitched as the industry’s game-changer, promising to cut emissions while keeping planes in the sky.
But: is it really the answer?
In this episode, we unpack what SAF actually is, how it works, and whether it can scale fast enough to matter. From supply bottlenecks to sky-high costs, we look at the hurdles ahead—and ask if it’s a genuine pathway to guilt-free flying or just a drop in the ocean.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they explore whether Sustainable Aviation Fuel is the future of flight—or just a story that’s taking off without enough fuel behind it.
Artificial intelligence is changing the world at breakneck speed. But with that power comes a big climate question: is AI an energy-hungry problem, or could it be a crucial part of the solution?
In this episode, we explore both sides. From the hidden costs of each AI query - the energy, the water, the booming data centres - to the risks of over-reliance that dull human judgment.
But we also dive into the promise: breakthroughs in science, smarter energy systems, and tools that could accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they unpack whether AI is driving us closer to climate disaster - or helping us find the solutions we’ve been waiting for.
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is an incredibly critical ocean current system. It moves heat around the planet and shapes global weather. But scientists warn it could weaken—or even shut down—within decades. The result? Severe disruption to Europe’s climate, shifting monsoons, and global ripple effects.
In this episode, we break down what an AMOC shutdown could mean for people and economies worldwide. From freezing winters in Europe to disrupted rainfall in the tropics, the stakes are high—and the timelines may be shorter than many expect.
Join David Carlin (only this week!) as we explore what’s at risk, why it matters for policymakers today, and how we might act now to prevent a shock that could reshape the world.
Carbon taxes are one of the most talked-about tools in tackling climate change. By putting a price on emissions, they aim to fix a market failure: the true costs of climate damage aren’t built into the price of fossil fuels. But how far can this tool really take us?
This episode gives a Carbon Tax 101—what it is, why economists like its simplicity, and how it can cut emissions. We also look at the challenges, from fairness concerns to whether pricing alone can drive the big shifts we need.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they explore the promise and pitfalls of carbon taxes, and ask: is this the solution, or just one piece of a bigger puzzle?
What does the push to Net Zero really mean for your wallet, for government policy, and for the future of energy?
This week, we break down the forces driving energy prices—from fossil fuel dependence to the real costs of renewables—and explore how decarbonization could deliver cheaper, more secure, and more reliable power.
Whether it’s families deciding if they can afford to heat their homes, or industries struggling to stay competitive, energy prices shape everyday choices and national priorities alike. So how can policymakers balance volatility with the promise of a cleaner future?
Come join David Carlin (only!) on this week’s episode of The Big Questions.
International shipping is the engine of the global economy, moving over 80% of our goods.
However, this essential industry operates as a climate blind spot. Its emissions are so vast they would rank as the world's fifth-largest country (!), but they were intentionally excluded from the Paris Agreement. What's the impact of this?
Last week too, the IMO finally reached a major new climate agreement, but the policy is already facing significant political challenges (notably from the US).
Join Simon Messenger and David Carlin as they discuss the emissions, the political turmoil, and the high-stakes future of the shipping industry in this episode.
In this episode, we dive into how climate change is transforming the U.S. housing market (and wider economy) —and what it means when properties become uninsurable and markets destabilize.
Join hosts David Carlin and Simon Messenger for a powerful conversation with Ivan Frishberg, Chief Sustainability Officer at Amalgamated Bank and one of the leading voices on climate and finance. While the focus of our conversation is on the U.S., the implications will be global. Ivan shares sharp, forward-thinking insights on what needs to change, where finance is falling short, and how popular movements might hold the key to building resilience.
If you care about climate, housing, or the future of the economy, this is one you won’t want to miss.
As birth rates fall and populations shrink, could this be the unexpected solution to climate change?
Fewer people might mean fewer emissions—but the reality is more complicated. The environmental impact may be smaller than you'd think.
So why doesn’t the math add up?
Meanwhile, ageing populations are set to reshape societies. Countries like Japan and South Korea are already feeling the pressure.
Will the value of migrants skyrocket?
Will AI and robots fill the workforce gap?
Join Simon Messenger and David Carlin as they unpack what a shrinking population really means for our planet, our economies, and our future.
This week, Simon Messenger (solo—no David Carlin!) dives deep into the science of climate tipping points. What are they, where do they come from, and why do they matter?
From collapsing ice sheets to shifting ocean currents, learn how Earth’s systems can absorb pressure for a while—until they suddenly snap, shifting into a new and often irreversible state. Think leaning too far back in your chair or bending a stick until it breaks.
So why aren’t we paying closer attention to these critical thresholds? And what can we actually do to avoid the worst outcomes?
Join Simon for a fascinating and urgent look at the hidden triggers in our climate system—and what they mean for our future.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger for today's interview with Oliver Dauert, the founder of Wildya.
Forget those "LinkedIn experts"—Oliver is the real deal. He's a genuine authority on biodiversity and nature, boasting deep ecological knowledge gained from years of working in the field.
He dedicates his time to helping businesses grasp the critical importance of nature, not just as a general concept, but as a tangible asset with real value for their operations.
In this episode, Oliver will share his insights and experiences from his work with the private sector through Wildya. He'll explain how businesses can better understand and integrate nature's value into their strategies, demonstrating that ecological health and commercial success aren't mutually exclusive.
Join your hosts, David Carlin and Simon Messenger, as we dive deep into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of solar power.
In this episode, we'll unpack the immense promise of solar energy, exploring its potential to revolutionize the global power sector and provide a sustainable future.
But it's not all sunshine and rainbows; we'll also tackle some of the significant hurdles, including the complex landscape of raw material sourcing and the intricate web of geopolitical dependencies that shape the industry.
Beyond the technological and resource challenges, we'll also examine the recent shifts in policy that could profoundly impact the renewables sector.
Specifically, we'll shine a spotlight on the Trump administration's "Big Beautiful Bill" and discuss its anticipated effects on the trajectory of clean energy development.
Join hosts David Carlin and Simon Messenger today as they welcome Professor Nicky Clayton, a distinguished psychologist specializing in animal behaviour.
Discover the intriguing parallels between animal and human behaviour, and gain insights into the biases that shape our perceptions and how they may be of use to policy makers.
Explore how we project into the future and why distance often reduces our motivation to act. This episode promises to challenge your understanding of behaviour and inspire new ways of thinking about the world around us.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they delve into the complex role of nuclear power in tackling the climate crisis.
Is it a vital tool for creating a safe, reliable baseload for the grid, or does it present unacceptable risks?
We explore the real dangers and costs associated with nuclear energy, alongside the exciting potential of future technologies like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
But the picture isn't black and white (more like fluo): we also examine the emerging physical challenges that climate change itself poses to our reliance on nuclear power and bring you on the brink of meltdowns with the usual terrible puns (thanks David).
Dive into the deep (boo boom) with David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they navigate the turbulent waters of ocean protection in this week's episode.
With the UN Summit on Oceans in Nice drawing to a close and the crucial High Seas Treaty still hanging in the balance, we explore the critical challenges facing our oceans: from the devastating effects of warming and coral bleaching to the looming threats of deep-sea mining and destructive trawling practices, what's going on and what's realistic in terms of protecting the ocean?
Join us as we unpack the urgent need to protect marine biodiversity and discuss what the future holds for our planet's largest ecosystem.
Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger for one very big question this week: adaptation, mitigation, or both?
In this episode, we explore the crucial debate between adapting to climate change's inevitable impacts and mitigating its causes to prevent further damage. Adaptation involves adjusting our lives and infrastructure to withstand changes, while mitigation focuses on reducing emissions to slow climate change.
Both strategies are vital, but where should we focus our efforts for the most effective outcome?
Also, how many kitkats is too many kitkats?! That's an equally big question to discuss!
Join Simon Messenger and David Carlin as they sit down with Mark Campanale, the Founder of Carbon Tracker, a leading think tank analyzing the financial implications of climate change.
Do terms like "carbon budget," "carbon bubble," and "stranded assets" mean very little to you? Or even a bit, but you're not really sure what the global implications are? Then tune in to this podcast episode!
Mark, Simon and David will unpack these critical concepts, exploring how the world's limited carbon budget is creating a potential "carbon bubble" that could lead to trillions of dollars in "stranded assets."
Listen now to gain a deeper understanding of the financial risks of climate change and what we can do about it.
Today's Big Question: what's Big and Beautiful? A bill, apparently!
Making its way through US legislative process is a bill called, without any irony, "One Big Beautiful Bill". It's largely a bill to repeal many of Biden's Inflation Reduction Act decisions, many of which are linked to "green" decisions, and offer new tax breaks (in short).
What might this mean for the average American? What might this mean for global emissions? What's likely to actually make it all the way through to a final Act and governmental decision? Tune in to find out!
[and as an update after we recorded the episode, the Bill did actually fail to advance through the committee though this was more because a few legislators argued the cuts did not go far enough and torpedoed the measure]
