187. THIS is the Rainy Day
Outrage + Optimism: The Climate Podcast
Persephonica
4.7 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 16 February 2023
⏱️ 78 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Welcome to another episode of Outrage + Optimism, where we examine issues at the forefront of the climate crisis, interview change-makers, and transform our anger into productive dialogue about building a sustainable future.
In this episode, co-hosts Christiana Figueres, Tom Rivett-Carnac, and Paul Dickinson discuss the monstrous profits made by Big Oil last year, how at least one fossil fuel firm plans to invest its gains, and what it all means for the climate agenda going forward. They also speak to Avinash Persaud (Avi), Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados on Investment and Financial Services and creator of the 2022 Bridgetown Initiative, and we have music from gifted musician Scotty Grand.
The team opens with the astounding report that BP, Chevron, Equinor, ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies together made more than $200 billion in profits in 2022. What’s even more shocking? BP followed with an announcement that in the interests of “energy security,” it’s scaling back its 2030 emissions reductions targets from 40% to 25%. Let’s just say the trio doesn’t mince words in response. Outrage indeed!
Next, Avi Persaud outlines his work on the 2022 Bridgetown Initiative with Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. While climate change impacts us all, it does so unevenly. Those who suffer disproportionately have the narrowest access to capital support. Can our current economic system address this problem? Persaud leads a fascinating discussion on the power of global financeーwhen deployed creativelyーto drive extraordinary changemaking. Find out how callable capital, international reserve currency, and other key levers could meet the significant systemic challenges in front of us today.
Finally, we have music from the one and only Scotty Grand. He’s served as Creative Director, Keyboardist, and MC for Grammy-nominated artists Jordin Sparks, the Jonas Brothers, and fellow pianist Alicia Keys, among many other A-listers. He’s also the great-nephew of legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jacksonーand Christiana’s neighbor!
You won’t want to miss a minute of this substantive and thrilling episode!
NOTES AND RESOURCES
To learn more about our planet’s climate emergency and how you can transform outrage into optimistic action subscribe to the podcast here.
Avinash Persaud, Special Envoy to the Prime Minister of Barbados on Investment and Financial Services
Learn more about the Bridgetown Initiative.
Scotty Grand
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Watch Scotty Grand’s inspiring video for “Change Everything.”
Also, be sure to give a listen to ‘All I Know’ and ‘Alchemy’
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hello, and welcome to Outrage and Optimism. I'm Tom Rificanak. I'm Cristiana Fiyedis. |
| 0:17.6 | And I'm Paul Dickinson. And I'm just checking that you're recording, Cristiana. |
| 0:21.4 | Sorry? We always ask this if you're recording so I've just got it in my... |
| 0:28.7 | You are recording, sorry. I didn't hear. |
| 0:30.7 | Sorry, don't worry everyone. |
| 0:32.7 | Okay, so we do this offer. So we do it over again. |
| 0:34.7 | So it's clear. Go ahead. |
| 0:36.7 | This is a new podcast. We've only done it a couple of times. It's understandable. It's fine. |
| 0:40.7 | Hello and welcome to Outrage and Optimism. |
| 0:44.7 | And... |
| 0:46.7 | I'm Tom Rificanak. |
| 0:50.7 | Hello and welcome to Outrage and Optimism. I am Tom Rificanak. |
| 0:56.7 | I'm Cristiana Fiyedis. |
| 0:58.7 | And I'm Paul Dickinson. |
| 1:00.7 | This week we talked about the bumper profits in the oil and gas sector, the injustice at that point is to what we can do about it. |
| 1:06.7 | Plus we speak to Avanish Prasad, creator of the Bridgetown Agenda. |
| 1:10.7 | And we have music from Scotty Grant. Thanks for being here. |
| 1:14.7 | So we have a great conversation for you today and it's a longer conversation for you than usual with Avan Prasad, who goes in great depth into the Bridgetown initiative, what it is and how it can change the world. |
| 1:36.7 | So this is a short chat between us but we thought we'd start off by talking about this insane news report around the amount of money currently being made. |
| 1:42.7 | The amount of money currently being made by oil and gas companies. |
| 1:46.7 | Just a review, 200 billion is the amount made by six companies last year. |
| 1:52.7 | This has announced recently BP Equinox, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and Total. |
... |
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