The Big Questions

ตอน

• S02E10 - Is climate change turning Greenland into a global prize? 09.03.2026 18นาที

  Although news highlights have moved on in the last month, the Greenland question hasn't gone away and it'll no doubt rear its head again soon. The short question: why?Having spent most of modern history on the geopolitical sidelines, this quiet corner of the map is starting to look very different as the climate warms and the ice retreats. Shipping routes are opening, minerals are attracting interest, and major powers are suddenly paying very close attention. In this episode, we unpack why Greenland is becoming one of the most strategically important places on Earth.Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they explore how a territory of just 56,000 people has found itself at the centre of a global power struggle!
• S02E09 - why is climate messaging failing so badly? 16.02.2026 26นาที

  Climate change is not just a science crisis. It is a communication disaster. We have clearer data than ever, stronger evidence than ever, and louder warnings than ever, yet public understanding still trails far behind reality. Somewhere between charts, headlines, and soundbites, the message keeps slipping through the cracks. Why?In this episode, we dig into why misleading framing spreads faster than facts, why doom-laden messaging can shut people down instead of mobilising them, and how the loudest voices often win even when they are wrong. From media narratives to industry spin, we explore how persuasion, not just policy, is shaping the climate fight. Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they confront a blunt question: if the science is clear and the stakes are existential, why does the story still sound so fuzzy, and who benefits from that confusion?
• S02E08 - 2026: what to expect! 16.01.2026 16นาที

  As 2026 approaches, climate policy looks contradictory: governments pulling back in some places, doubling down in others, and markets charging ahead regardless. Is this chaos, clarity, or a slightly cursed mix of both? In this episode, we unpack four forces quietly reshaping the climate landscape: regulation shifting from promises to implementation, international cooperation fragmenting into regional blocs, climate damage starting to strain insurance and public finances, and central banks treating climate risk as a core threat to financial stability. Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they map out what this new phase really looks like: less about grand speeches, more about spreadsheets, supply chains, and learning how the global economy adapts to a hotter, riskier world.
• S02E07 - How to boost the impact of COPs? 07.12.2025 16นาที

  After three decades of climate summits, endless negotiations, and carefully worded communiqués, global emissions are still rising. The question is unavoidable: how can we improve the impact of COPs? In this episode (and while fully supporting the overall value of COPs), we take a hard look at what’s no longer optimal, from the unanimity rule that gives every nation a veto to the strange taboo of not saying “fossil fuels” out loud. We explore how the process might actually work better: smaller coalitions, modern voting, and a sharper focus on what really drives emissions. Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they ask what it would take to make global climate diplomacy move at the speed of physics, not politics.
• S02E06 - COP30 outcomes: bad, very bad, or just about OK? 30.11.2025 23นาที

  COP30 was billed as the “COP of Truth”: the moment the world would finally stop sketching climate plans and start delivering them. Set in the heart of the Amazon, the summit carried huge symbolic and political weight. Expectations were high; urgency even higher. Across two tense weeks, progress did happen: on finance, adaptation, forests, and the new Just Transition Mechanism. But the headline story was what didn’t make it into the final text: any mention of fossil fuels at all. After 30 COPs, the world still couldn’t name the main source of emissions, leaving a sense of frustration hanging over an otherwise productive summit. Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they break down what moved forward, what stalled, and what COP30 means for the road to COP31 and for the future of a global process struggling to keep up with a fast-warming planet.
• S02E05 - China: how did it turbo-charge its EV success? 26.11.2025 30นาที

  China now dominates the global electric vehicle market, selling more EVs than the U.S. and Europe combined and doing it at record speed. What began as a niche experiment has snowballed into an industrial powerhouse reshaping how cars are built, priced, and powered.In this episode, we explore how China pulled ahead: smart industrial policy, full supply-chain integration, lightning-fast manufacturing, and a domestic market hungry for high-tech electric cars. We look at what this means for Western automakers, global competition, and the new rules of the EV game.Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they ask whether the rest of the world can catch up or if China has already lapped the field in the race to electrify transport.
• S02E04 - Rocky Roads Ahead? The Geopolitics of Going Electric 14.11.2025 22นาที

  Electric vehicles aren’t just reshaping the auto industry, they’re reshaping global power. Behind every battery sits a world of contested minerals, fragile supply chains, and geopolitical leverage. This episode dives into the high-stakes race for lithium, cobalt, graphite, and the refining capacity that turns raw rock into the engines of the energy transition.From China’s dominance in processing to the scramble for new mining frontiers, David and Simon explore whether the world can scale EV production without triggering a resource crunch. They unpack the risks of concentration, the promise of reshoring, and the wildcard technologies that could flip the map overnight.Join David Carlin and Simon Messenger as they trace the winners, losers, and looming tensions in the global EV supply chain and ask whether the road to electrification is paved with opportunity, instability, or both.
• S02E03 - “Will an electric car save you - or cost you - a fortune?” 27.10.2025 22นาที

  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?
• S02E02 - Are electric cars as green as they seem? 20.10.2025 22นาที

  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.
• S02E01 - Will the next major war be about water? 13.10.2025 24นาที

  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.
• S01E38: will flying ever be guilt-free? 06.10.2025 20นาที

  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.
• S01E37 - AI: Climate’s Worst Enemy or Secret Weapon? 28.09.2025 22นาที

  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.
• S01E36 - What if A.M.O.C. runs amok? 23.09.2025 16นาที

  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.
• S01E35 - Tax me if you can? The value of carbon taxes! 15.09.2025 28นาที

  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?
• S01E34 - Net Zero: Powering a Better Future? 25.08.2025 20นาที

  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.
• S01E33 - Ship Happens: what's next for shipping? 18.08.2025 29นาที

  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.
• S01E32 - Hot Property, Cold Reality ? Guest Interview - Ivan Frishberg 11.08.2025 42นาที

  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.
• S01E31 - From Baby Boom to Carbon Bust? The impact of a population decline 02.08.2025 38นาที

  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.
• S01E30 - Living on a knife edge: what are climate tipping points? 24.07.2025 22นาที

  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.
• S01E29 - No nature, no future? - Guest, Olivier Dauert 18.07.2025 38นาที

  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.