Zerocarbonista is my podcast on climate, politics, and solutions. From building my first windmill in ‘96 to taking FGR vegan - it's all about the fight for a greener future.
Before we launch season 3 we thought we’d discuss what the hell is going on with energy. With 25 years in the game, Dale’s well qualified to tell us. Find out what got the UK in this mess, what many energy businesses got wrong, and whether the government can get us out of this real pickle. Back to normal in our next episode - whatever normal means now.
It’s the final episode before our summer break and we’re talking about how the media reports the climate emergency and whether BBC impartiality really should apply now. There’s also the incredible news of a cigarette company promising to abandon cigarettes by 2030. We’re back with season 3 in September - thanks for listening.
It’s been a hot old week, and Dale’s fired up. We wonder why it’s going to take two years to look at changing road building policies. Should we be celebrating heatwaves, or seeing them as signs of the climate crisis? And we ponder whether hydrogen is the answer for long distance air travel – we also get to the bottom of claims from shooting groups that they are helping save the planet, you can probably guess how that bit ends…
As big fans of re-wilding, we consider the return of wildness and letting nature do its thing - is it time to release the wolves? We discuss British rainforests and wonder where we’re all beginning to suffer date fatigue as the EU pins its hopes on 2050 as its zero carbon date. We get an email from a listener in Australia who wonders how he can make their leaders listen about the climate emergency, and we digest the UK’s new National Food Strategy.
We talk about shocking new figures on death from climate change, and the latest climate denial from a US senator - he’s an idiot. Dale shares his issues with carbon offsetting, and talks about the concept of re-wilding. We discuss whether “a little bit of coal” is still ok for educational purposes, and we find out whether Ian has KFC’s Colonel Sanders tattooed on his ass. There’s some football chat too - both England and Forest Green Rovers.
We talk about record breaking temperatures in Canada, and how climate change is literally killing people in their hundreds. We try to get our heads around the BBC telling kids about the positives of climate change, and Dale talks about his experience with the new TV kid on the block, GB News. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Dale agree on the fact that politicians mess stuff up, and we hear how Ian’s life has changed over the last two years because of this pod.
Today we talk about the continued toxic legacy of leaded petrol – and how the government’s environmental transgressions keep piling up. We also discuss anxiety about the climate crisis, and we find out why Dale’s been chased by a drone.
We examine The Sunday Times Green Power list and work out what the hell happened. We also hear about how the Daily Express is reinventing itself as the paper for the planet. We also ponder how Easyjet is justifying domestic UK flights for just pennies per mile, and find out more about Dale’s Green Dragon initiative too. There’s lots of your questions as well.
It’s G7 & Boris has turned up in a private jet. We wonder where Britain’s serious environmental policies are. Dale also tackles some whataboutery, we look at plastic invading our oceans and hear more about Ecotricity’s plans for green gas after the sale of the Electric Highway charging network.
It’s our second episode in a couple of days, and we’ve got plenty to discuss. We digest news that three UK animal species are on the verge of extinction, and how healthcare professionals are now pushing to recognise the climate crisis as a medical emergency. We discuss how Ecotricity came to be – and what keeps Dale motivated 25 years later. There’s also time to take a look down under to see how Australia tackles the climate crisis, the vegan sausage, and answer your questions too.
We’re late because of gremlins, but we talk about a bad week for oil companies, and consider how to tell kids about the climate crisis. There’s a bit of football chat thrown in, and we consider whether the UK will really get to zero carbon.
We’re considering whether we’re all need to scrap our gas boilers or whether there’s a renewable alternative. There’s also the matter of Brazil’s (potentially) dodgy environment minister - and what’s going on with Dale’s Sky Diamonds. We also talk about whether we should make good things cheaper than bad things through taxes and subsides. Find out whether Dale’s already writing his next book, and much more.
There are more reasons to wonder whether the government’s heart is really in fighting the climate crisis - from PM’s unnecessary helicopter trip, to a new Police and Crime Commissioner who doesn’t want to buy “foreign” electric vehicles, but loves his gas guzzling trucks. We also find out how some clever AI tech has worked out oil and gas giants were denying the science of climate change for years, and there’s more of your questions too.
Today we talk about Dale and Forest Green’s support of an anti-gambling campaign in football, as well as the Pagan calendar, and news that underlines the eat less meat argument. We find out why Dale loves smart meters, and what’s on his bank holiday BBQ.
A bonkers week - even though we recorded a couple of days early. There’s an update on our planning appeal with the Good Law Project to change government policy, and how Dale met two government ministers on the same day. We also get news on improvements to the Electric Highway, Britain’s continued fascination with meat, and how Dale almost fell for David Cameron. Lots of your questions too.
It’s a big episode - as world leaders get together for Earth Day - Dale gets excited by Biden’s renewed US climate push, but is bewildered by Boris and alarmed by Australia. We talk digital fashion, could grass become a source of human protein, and why kid’s show Blue Peter was wrong to bow to pressure from farmers. There’s also more from Britain’s best radio shockjock Mike Graham - and this time he’s trying to convince Dale that more AC can solve the climate crisis.
We discuss the disconnect between the UK government’s environmental policy and reality - and there’s a lot of food talk this week - as Ian tries going veggie for the week and a new listener wants to go vegan. Dale’s also become the biggest fan of seagrass too. If you’re into football, there’s talk of the coaching situation at Forest Green Rovers, and what might be next….
A busy week as we discuss rising CO2 levels, why COP26 might be the “best last chance” at fighting climate change. We also digest the response to Dale’s radio debate with XR co-founder Dr Gail Bradbrook, and look at why farmers are going after kid’s TV favourite, Blue Peter. We answer loads of your questions, and receive a few rants too.
We’re a day early because of Easter, and investigate reports that COP26 may need a further delay. We discuss India’s apparent refusal to drop fossil fuels and consider the staggering numbers behind who is taking all of the world’s plane flights. We wonder whether Nigel Farage has turned over a new Greenleaf and answer your questions – including an update on Ecotricity’s plans for home battery systems. And because it’s Easter, Dale talks about his favourite chocolate, milk-free of course.
We digest the news that Dale’s hometown is named Best Place to Live. We also talk about a boulder with his name on it in the English Channel that’s protecting fish, the guys consider Forest Green’s big game on the TV, shrinking penises and a sweary new name for the climate emergency.
We talk about the plight of the oceans, yet another recycling government funding pledge, and the saga of the American Dale Vince continues. Your questions get answered too.
We discuss a massive investment in the Electric Highway charging network, whether there’s a future for nuclear, and why the new right to repair rule is good for all us. There’s also your questions too.
As the UK government celebrates a ‘green budget’ – we wonder whether it’s really going to change anything? We also answer your questions, and Dale talks about his role in the new Netflix Original documentary, Seaspiracy.
Dale talks about Forest Green’s new football kit that takes recycling to new levels, and we discuss whether the world is finally waking up to the climate emergency. We look at Drax cancelling their own gas-fired power station and ponder whether there’s a Dale Vince equivalent out there in the USA.
Dale addresses why he’s upset farmers again with this rewilding campaign, and why we should all be eating more plants. We take a look at what’s going on in Texas, and we answer your questions and some angry rants too.
Dale updates us on his Green Britain campaign and we look at how media is reacting. We consider another government green failure and get an update on Ian’s attempts to kick his fried chicken addiction
Dale discusses the launch of his major new Green Britain campaign with the UK’s Daily Express newspaper - not a place you would have previously associated with climate change. We talk about why we all need to step out of the green bubble to get the country to where we want it to be - and we look at what’s coming up in our new initiative in the run up to the COP26 climate change conference.
We look at a major UN survey that shows 2/3 of people are concerned about the climate emergency - Dale tells us why he still cares passionately about the EU, tells us about his new friend at the Daily Express and brings an update on the UK government’s anti-vegan advertising campaign.
Ignore our tech issues (we’ll fix them!) as we digest a big week for the planet - with Biden rowing back on Trump’s most harmful environmental policies overnight, Dale is delighted. We talk vegan burgers, Drax (a pollution power station, not a Bond bad guy), and answer an angry and nonsensical question about traffic lights.
We get to grips with the fourth governmental u-turn on school dinners we wonder why they can’t get feeding kids right? There’s also hope as we wait for Joe Biden to take power, and Dale offers an update on Ecotricity’s tidal energy plans, his electric hovercraft project and what he gets up to in a typical working day.
A bumper edition to start the new year - we wonder who will challenge President Elect Biden in four years and talk about the incredible start to Veganuary. We also discuss Ecotricity’s venture into geothermal energy - renewable power from 3 miles down, the same week as the government approve a coal mine. Plus - loads more of your questions too!
We’re getting ready for veganuary - as it looks set to be the biggest yet, and Dale reveals his tips for giving it a go. Weather disasters cost insurers hundreds of billions in 2020 - and we wonder just how much money talks, and whether things will change. Dale talks about his hopes for 2021 and we answer your questions.
We focus on sad, but ground breaking legal precedent, as it’s ruled a nine year old was killed by air pollution. We look at the UN’s efforts to get all countries to declare a climate emergency, and find out what Dale thinks of the news the head of the UK nuclear industry respects him. We’re a christmas-free zone too.
With the biggest drop in CO2 since 1945 we wonder whether this is the one upside to the pandemic - we also discuss coronavirus conspiracies, and Dale discovers the Institute of Economic Affairs are a bunch of nutters. We look at the impact of Christmas jumpers, and Dale swears more than usual.
With plans to cut carbon by 2030 - Dale appears to be backing Boris for once, but not for long. We digest news that this year will be one of the world’s hottest, and ponder whether Trump will get jailed in 2021. We tackle your questions too, and end up chatting about horses.
The PM wants nuclear power to be part of the UK’s energy future, and Dale and Ian are left scratching their heads about the decision. We celebrate the Public Accounts Committee (it’s more interesting than it sounds) and the return of John Kerry to US politics. There’s also loads of your questions too – including one about sprouts.
Dale and Ian chew over the government’s 10 point green plan and decide whether Joe Biden will be good for the planet. Your questions get answered too.
We discuss reports that UK can get to net zero quicker than planned, and look at Roll Royce’s attempts to reboot the nuclear industry. Trump’s still refusing to step aside, so Dale wonders how long till he’s in prison? With Kent becoming “the toilet of England”, Ian looks for a celeb to endorse his home county.
Dale and Ian digest what's going on in America - and wonder whether Biden would bring the US back into the Paris Agreement. We also look at Shell's social media nightmare - and talk about sky diamonds and vegan Bovril too.
Dale’s latest venture, Sky Diamonds found itself making headlines worldwide - so we talk about how he came up with the idea to literally mine diamonds from the sky - sounds crazy, but it’s true. Ian brings him back to earth with some comments from the Daily Mail website, and we talk about little bit about the Cheltenham Town ‘El Glosico’ derby.
Dale and The Good Law Project have the government on the ropes again over Operation Moonshot. We talk about what damage a second Trump term might do on the planet, a guy who dumped veganism for raw meat and what Dale thinks of toxic metals in solar panels and batteries, and lots more.
Dale’s backing a new Greenpeace direct action campaign on the high seas, and we talk about the astonishing plans to stop ‘burger’ and ‘sausage’ being used for non-meat products. We also talk about why climate change is finally sinking in – and we answer your questions too – including a great one about just how green your tariff is.
Boris Johnson says our lives are going to be powered by offshore wind within a decade, so we analyse those claims. Germany is going vegetarian and we discover more about Forest Green Rover’s new Artistic Director. We answer your questions too - send them to: zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk (mailto:zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk)
With Trump’s covid diagnosis, we wonder if bleach is back on the agenda? There’s a new British standard for biodegradable plastics - and it’s way more exciting than it sounds. Nights are heating up quicker than days and we find out when bread is not bread. We chat about Innocent’s new sponsorship of Forest Green Rovers, and why we’re working with them.
China says it’s going carbon zero by 2060, and we celebrate the fact this might finally bring an end to the “what about” China excuse. We also chat about a major supermarket launching a vegan food aisle, and Dale’s new plans to build the Ion Horse - an electric motorbike!
We talk about Dale’s £10k bet that half of Britain’s will be Vegan by 2030? Has he lost the plot? We also talk about ocean warming and continued climate change denial. Find out why Dale uses still Facebook and speaks to The Sun. Donald Trump’s back too - the man doesn’t have a clue.
Find out how Dale handles those who say “climate change doesn’t exist?” We talk the changes we need to make, and what lockdown tells us about our ability to to slash pollution. There’s also the introduction of the Citizen’s Assembly and their recommendations to tackle the climate crisis. Email us now - zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk (mailto:zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk)
We’re back for a new season - we talk XR’s latest protests, and why Britain’s not just in the toilet - it’s become Europe’s toilet as we start spreading Dutch sewage on our farm land. Dale wonders why the government funded half a billion quids worth of junk food, and we hear why Arsenal footballer Hector Bellerin became a Forest Green Rovers investor.
