Futuremakers
By Oxford University
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Description
Welcome to Futuremakers, from the University of Oxford. It's your fly-on-the-wall into our colleges, where our academics debate key issues for the future of society. Season Two: Climate Change Season One: Artificial Intelligence Special Episode: Quantum Computing
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Clean12: COP 25 – what happened? | In this bonus ‘reaction’ episode, we chat to several Oxford academics who were either at, or closely following the recent events at COP 25. We ask them what (if anything) was decided at the meeting in Madrid, whether enough action was taken, and where we might go next - ahead of COP 26 in Glasgow, Scotland (2020). Interviewed on this episode were Professor Fredi Otto, Professor Nathalie Seddon, Dr Helen Gavin, DPhil students Alex Clark and Lisa Thalheimer, entrepreneur Charmian Love and lawyer Bill Clark. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/TruePlanet and keep an eye on this feed, for more bonus episodes in the new year. | 19 12 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean11: Mark Carney on Climate Change | In this special bonus episode, originally recorded on 25th November, Professor Millican travels to the Bank of England to interview its Governor, Mark Carney. This episode was recorded before it was announced that Mark Carney will become the UN Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance in 2020. The interview covered a range of topics, but focused in particular on the challenges that markets may need to overcome if we hope to restrict global warming to 1.5 degrees C, how federal banks are working to prepare for these, and if an even more fundamental change to our economic and political system is needed. Can markets provide a tool to promote necessary action? Is it possible to find a middle ground of sustainable economics? Can we be green, and capitalist? Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/TruePlanet and keep an eye on this feed, for more bonus episodes in the new year. | 14 12 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean10: Solving climate change... nature or technology? | Solving climate change can involve either mitigation – reducing the greenhouse gases we’re putting into the atmosphere – or adaptation – the process of adjusting to our changing environment. In the last episode of series two, we wanted to learn more about how these solutions are developing, what form they take, and where we should be applying them. We were particularly interested in the contrast between two climate change solutions: engineering approaches (such as technical methods of carbon capture, novel methods of building, or physical climate defences), and natural approaches (such as reforestation, changes in farming patterns, or restoring wetlands). With the stakes so high, how far can we harness nature to help tackle climate change, or will technology provide a solution? With Peter to discuss this are; Nathalie Seddon, who having trained as an evolutionary ecologist is now Professor of Biodiversity and Director of the Nature-based Solutions Initiative, Jim Hall, originally an engineer and now Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks, who is an expert on climate risks to infrastructure, and who for ten years sat on the UK independent Committee on Climate Change, and Dr Helen Gavin, Oxford Martin Fellow, an environmental scientist and sustainability professional bringing 18 years of experience in both industry and education. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/TruePlanet | 7 12 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean9: Is climate conflict inevitable? | In 2010, Jeffrey Mazo outlined in his book ‘How global warming threatens security and what to do about it’ four ways in which climate and environmental change could produce security threats: · a general systemic weakening, · boundary disputes, · resource wars, · and by multiplying instability in already fragile or weak states. Yet so far in our second series, with conversations around energy use, international treaties and individual choices, talk of conflict has received much less attention. Is this a fair reflection of the relative threat, or should people be paying far more attention to these potential future developments? Is global conflict due to climate change inevitable? With Peter to discuss this are; Kate Guy, from the Centre for Climate and Security in Washington DC, a doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford specialising in International Relations, who focusses on the intersection of climate change and national security; and Dr Troy Sternberg, from Oxford's School of Geography and the Environment, whose research has explored how environmental and climate changes in the Gobi region of northern China and Mongolia, have impacted on security in the Middle East. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/TruePlanet | 30 11 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean8: Climate change: Who should we sue? | To date, there have been climate change legal cases in at least 28 countries. From Greta Thunberg leading a group of young people in filing a lawsuit against five countries at the UN to the Hague Court of Appeals upholding a historic ruling against the Dutch government, increasing numbers of people are taking legal action together to demand governments do more. And with various oil and gas companies being sued by US cities for costs of climate-related damages, today on Futuremakers, we’re asking: what does this rise in litigious climate action mean for society as we race to meet climate targets? Joining Peter Millican on the panel today: Fredi Otto, Acting Director of the Environmental Change Institute at Oxford, and a lead author on extremes in weather in the ongoing assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC) Liz Fisher, Professor of Environmental Law at Oxford and General Editor of the Journal of Environmental Law Myles Allen, Professor of Geosystem Science, and a lead author on the IPCC’s Special Report on 1.5 degrees Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/TruePlanet | 23 11 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean7: Can we be green and capitalist? | Many of our panellists in season two have described barriers that are standing in our way if we hope to restrict global warming to the 1.5 degrees C limit that the 2018 IPCC report outlined, and some have advocated how our current economic system could be used to overcome them. But can markets really provide a tool to promote necessary action? In this episode we ask; can we be green AND capitalist? Joining Professor Millican on this latest episode of Futuremakers are: Thomas Hale, Associate Professor in Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, Charmain Love, ‘Entrepreneur in Residence’ at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at our Saïd Business School, and Ben Caldecott, Associate Professor at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and founding Director of the Oxford Sustainable Finance Programme. And at the end of this episode there's a bonus conversation between Peter and Johan Rockström, joint director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Germany, who in 2009 led an international group of twenty eight leading academics, in proposing a new framework for government and management agencies as a precondition for sustainable development on the planet Earth. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/TruePlanet | 16 11 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean6: Should nuclear power be part of our energy system? | Nuclear energy is still a controversial idea for many people, with dangerous accidents and destructive bombs being at the top of their minds when they hear the words, yet other renewable energy sources are not without their critics, and arguably are not yet at a place where they can entirely replace our current energy systems. So what role can, or should, nuclear be playing in the UK energy sector as we move towards a sustainable future? Join our host, philosopher Peter Millican, as he explores this topic with Professor Nick Eyre, Director of the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions, who in 1997 wrote the first published study on how the then Government’s 20% carbon emission reduction target might be achieved; Dr Sarah Darby, Acting Leader of the Energy Programme at Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, who has a particular interest in how energy systems might develop in more environmentally and socially-benign ways; and James Marrow, James Martin Professor of Energy Materials, whose work is focussed on the degradation of structural materials. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/TruePlanet | 9 11 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean5: What did the Paris Climate Agreement change? | On the 12th December 2015, at the 21st COP in Paris, representatives of 196 states reached an agreement to combat climate change that was celebrated around the world. With the long-term goal of keeping global temperature to below two degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels, and covering areas such as nationally determined contributions and global stocktakes, Paris was heralded as a huge break-through. But four years on, and against the backdrop of the United States announcing its intention to withdraw from the agreement, what did the politicians at Paris actually achieve? Join our host, philosopher Peter Millican, as he explores this topic with Fredi Otto, Acting Director of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute and a lead scientist on the World Weather Attribution project; Richard Millar, a Senior Analyst for the Committee on Climate Change, whose research spans the physical and economic consequences of climate policy; and Sugandha Srivastav, a researcher on the post carbon transition, who’s previously worked at the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/TruePlanet | 3 11 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean4: Climate change: do individual actions matter? | With a lot of Government work relying on geo-political understanding between nation states and large multinational corporations, is there still potential for actions on an individual level to shape the future of the planet? Do actions such as changing our diets, varying how we commute or even joining in with mass demonstrations, have the possibility of being anywhere near as effective as changes that can be made on an international level? Can one person save the planet? Join our host, philosopher Peter Millican, as he explores this topic with Professor Susan Jebb, a nutrition scientist who is co-director of the Livestock, Environment and People (or LEAP) project, Dr Tina Fawcett, a senior researcher at the Environmental Change Institute, who works on the ECI’s energy programme, and Tristram Walsh, President of the Oxford Climate Society, a student society dedicated to developing informed climate leaders. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/true_planet | 27 10 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean3: How do you build a greener country? | What does the current infrastructure in the UK look like, and how far is it from where we need to be to meet our international commitments, or even our own challenge to be Net Zero by 2050? How much do our working practices and lives contribute to how ‘green’ the country is, and how can we promote and preserve biodiversity across the globe? How do we compare to other countries, and what can we learn from them? Finally, how do you build a ‘greener’ country? Join our host, philosopher Peter Millican, as he explores this topic with Professor Cameron Hepburn, Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, who has provided advice on climate policy to a number of governments; Alison Smith, a senior researcher at the Environmental Change Institute, who’s worked on a number of EU climate projects and is the author of ‘The Climate Bonus: co-benefits of climate policy’ (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Climate-Bonus-Alison-Smith/dp/1849713413) ; and April Burt, who has spent the past eight years working in conservation management in the western Indian ocean and is now part of Oxford’s Environmental Research team. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/true_planet | 19 10 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean2: Climate change and politics - why haven’t we done more? | With the IPCC warning that policymakers have limited time to keep global warming to a maximum of 1.5° C, beyond which the climate-related risks to humans and natural systems rise quickly, it’s clear that we need to act sooner rather than later. This may be why we’re seeing increasing public action from the likes of Extinction Rebellion and the Youth Strikes for Climate, but what action have we seen from governments in the UK and beyond since this stark warning was delivered? What confidence can we have in our leaders to bring about the changes we need over the next decade? Join our host, philosopher Peter Millican, as he explores this topic with Caroline Lucas MP, Green Party politician and Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion, Dr Ryan Rafaty, a political scientist at the University of Oxford working with our Climate Econometrics project, and Tristram Walsh, President of the Oxford Climate Society, a student society dedicated to developing informed climate leaders. Find out more about Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/true_planet You can find the cartoon Caroline mentions at http://aries.mq.edu.au/images/Copenhagen-Pett.jpg [Please note: this episode was recorded in July, at a time of extraordinary movement in UK politics – some people have changed jobs and some references have dated, but the themes remain as urgent as ever. One of our guests for this episode is Caroline Lucas, a Green MP, who we invited in her capacity as chair of the all-party parliamentary group on Climate Change – members from other parties were invited and could not attend.] | 12 10 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean1: Twelve years to climate disaster? | The IPCC’s 2018 Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C broke into the public consciousness through media reporting that we only had twelve years to limit climate change catastrophe. But was this really the conclusion of the report? If it was, do we really only have twelve years to fix our climate, and if not, how soon should we take action? Join our host, philosopher Peter Millican, as he explores this topic with Professor Myles Allen, Coordinating Lead Author on the IPCC’s Special Report on 1.5 degrees, Professor Helen Johnson from Oxford’s Earth Sciences Department, whose work focuses on understanding ocean circulation and the role in plays in the climate system; and Dr James Painter from the Reuters Institute at Oxford, who focuses on the portrayals of climate change in online and offline media. Find out more out Oxford’s climate research at http://po.st/true_planet | 5 10 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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CleanTrailer: Futuremakers season two coming soon... | Rising sea levels? Burning forests? 12 years to act? These are the issues that will come to define our time. Join us as we bring together leading experts from Oxford and beyond to discuss the existential threats from climate change, and how we should rethink our governance, infrastructure, working practices and lives to help prevent them. As Futuremakers returns for its second season, we're looking at the cutting-edge research into climate, energy, food, waste, water and biodiversity, and exploring the debates around how and where global climate action should be taken. Join the discussion with host Professor Peter Millican and take a seat at the table for Futuremakers season two. Coming October 2019. Find out more at http://po.st/true_planet | 21 9 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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CleanCould quantum computing change the world? | Once we believed that the world around us behaved according to the laws of classical mechanics, and it took us hundreds of years to work out that actually something else was going on. Quantum computing offers what we believe to be the best way to proce. | 7 4 2019 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean10: Season Finale: AI selection box | In the final episode of our series, we’re looking back at the themes we’ve discussed so far, and forward into the likely development of AI. Professor Peter Millican will be joined by Professor Gil McVean, to further investigate how big data is trans | 23 12 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean9: Is China leading the way in AI? | In the penultimate episode of series one, we’re looking at the development of AI across the globe. China has set itself the challenge of being the world’s primary innovation centre by 2030, a move forecast to generate a 26% boost in GDP from AI rela | 16 12 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean8: What does AI mean for the future of humanity? | So far in the series we’ve heard that artificial intelligence is becoming ubiquitous and is already changing our lives in many ways, from how we search for and receive information, to how it is used to improve our health and the nature of the ways we | 9 12 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean7: Has AI changed the way we find the truth? | Around the world, automated bot accounts have enabled some government agencies and political parties to exploit online platforms in dispersing messages, using keywords to game algorithms, and discrediting legitimate information on a mass scale. Throug | 2 12 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean6: From Ada Lovelace to Alan Turing – the birth of AI? | Many developments in science are achieved through people being able to ‘stand on the shoulders of giants’ and in the history of AI two giants in particular stand out. Ada Lovelace, who inspired visions of computer creativity, and Alan Turing, who co | 18 11 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean5: Should AI have gender? | As chatbots and virtual assistants become an ever-present part of our world, and algorithms increasingly support decision-making, people working in this field are asking questions about the bias and balance of power in AI. With the make-up of teams des. | 11 11 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean4: Is AI good for our health? | With AI algorithms now able to mine enormous databases and assimilate information far quicker than humans can, we’re able to spot subtle effects in health data that could otherwise have been easily overlooked. So how are these tools being developed | 4 11 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean3: Is the banking sector about to change for ever? | AI is already playing a role in the finance sector, from fraud detection, to algorithmic trading, to customer service, and many within the industry believe this role will develop rapidly within the next few years. So what does this mean for both the pe. | 28 10 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean2: Are all algorithms biased? | Our lives are increasingly shaped by automated decision-making algorithms, but do those have in-built biases? If so, do we need to tackle these, and what could happen if we don’t? Join our host, philosopher Peter Millican, as he explores this topic .. | 21 10 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Clean1: How will the automation of jobs progress? | In 2013 two Oxford academics published a paper entitled “The Future of Employment: How Susceptible Are Jobs to Computerisation?”, estimating that 47% of U.S. jobs were at risk of automation. Since then, numerous studies have emerged, arriving at ver | 21 10 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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CleanTrailer: season one launching 22nd October! | Down winding streets, beyond the dreaming spires, inside the college walls, debates are happening - in every study room and lecture theatre - about the future of society. Futuremakers, from the University of Oxford, invites you to that debate. Join... | 12 10 2018 | Free | View in iTunes |
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Customer Reviews
Crackin podcast
So interesting to hear from knowledgeable people debating critical issues. I love learning from this podcast.
Excellent
Such a well-informed and well-balanced debate on climate change and exactly the type of thing people need to listen to to educate themselves on the reality rather than through the mainstream media or activist groups. Academics were excellent not only with their knowledge but in their communication as well. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Really, really interesting
Love that this covers quite thorny topics from multiple angles - I've learned loads about climate and AI and feel more optimistic about our future.
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