Live from WOMAD
To end season 3 we took to a field in Wiltshire and spoke about life, the universe and the mess our world is in. We got to chat with some listeners too. Back in September 2022 with season 4.
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.
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Episode 40 - The Final Lap
In the final (normal) episode of season 3 we discuss taking the government’s net zero plans to court, Rishi vs Liz, why the UK’s heatwave was far worse than 1976 and lots lots more.
Episode 39 - Choose from the unchooseable
We discuss the runners and riders for our new PM and feel a bit sad about it. Is it time for another election? With UK temperatures potentially breaking record highs, we wonder what more proof climate change deniers need? There’s an electric hovercraft update and loads of your questions too.
Episode 38 - Bring in the Baker?
What a week - we digest the news of the government’s implosion, and wonder what this means for the push for net zero. We also talk superbugs found in meat, food companies attempting to cover up how unhealthy their products are, and much more
Episode 37 - Pulling the other way
We start with news that offshore wind is going to push up the price of fish and chips - as UK government revs up to scrap important environmental law because of “red tape” - but continues to ignore recommendations to boost home insulation. We answer your questions too. Due to extreme exasperation there’s a fair amount of swearing this week.
Episode 36 - Frack a Koala
It's been two weeks since the last episode and Dale's been busy - find out about his adventures in Austria and in the Houses of Parliament. We look at some great changes in Australia - with a government that finally seems to get it. There's been a lot of chat about Green Gas - and there's an open invite for George Monbiot to come and talk about his concerns.
Episode 35 - I'll be back
Experts say there isn’t enough being done to improve energy efficiency - so naturally we find out what Dale thinks about it. Ian can’t believe what he’s hearing when Dale reveals he’s off to meet Arnold Schwarzenegger in Vienna, but he’ll be back. We talk about what the government could do (or not do) with the rising price of our energy bills. New Zealand’s also proposed a fart tax - sensible idea, right? Lots of your questions too.
Episode 34 - Services to Arse-Clownery
It’s Jubilee Weekend in the UK - and Dale’s pondering what you need to do for your country to get recognised. We talk about our big green gas news - and why so many people seem to be in love with heat pumps. We also discover that tobacco isn’t just bad for people - it’s bad for the planet too. We answer your questions too, as Dale breaks out his stereo to play God Save The Queen.
Episode 33 - It's a gas
Big week for Dale and Ecotricity - there’s a new gas field in Britain, Dale explains more about why the grass under our feet is the answer to all of our heating related questions. Why haven’t government embraced it - and is this really something that could go mainstream? Our friends in Australia could be turning a corner when it comes to the climate. There’s a few of your questions too.
Episode 32 - Cigarette packet in my head
Experts are wondering how many more signals of climate change the world needs to start acting, and so do we. We scratch our heads while world leaders continue to scratch their collective arse? And surprisingly, Dale appears to be siding with the energy watchdog for the first time in ages when it comes to proposed changes in the price cap system. Lots of chat about nuclear power this week - delays for new ones, and huge costs for old ones. Ian’s nan is back, and we answer loads of your questions too.
Episode 31 - The Archdeacon of Capitalism
We open with bombshell news from Ian and digest a rollercoaster week in the life of Forest Green Rovers. We look at the warning signs society continues to ignore, and wonder how airlines can make their homework, yet still miss their own targets. Lots of your questions too!!
Episode 30 - A message for Boris
Are the Tories getting the message in the local elections? We take an early look. We also talk carbon capture, deforestation and how work is progressing on Dale’s electric camper van and hovercraft. Loads of your questions too.
Episode 29 - Regrettable Substitute
Compact episode this week - net zero promises, animal rights and Dale's secret past as a street performer. Your questions too.
Episode 28 - The Man with Nine Lies
Our PM continues to limp on, and we’re wondering where it all goes from here, as it appears Dale and Boris are on the same side for once. We’re being advised to work from home to stop reliance on Russian oil – but why did it take a war to start breaking the reliance on fossil fuels? Dale talks about the reaction to flying the Palestine flag at Forest Green Rovers, while the boys ponder ‘what happened to insects? And plenty more.
Episode 27 - North End of Outrageous
A judge says he's inspired by climate protestors, "free range" chickens have never been out the shed, and listeners are asking Dale for bank holiday BBQ advice. Loads more of your questions answered too
Episode 26 - NUCLEAR, FRACK, NUCLEAR!!!!
The government’s energy strategy is finally here - they want 8 new nuclear reactors and are considering fracking, so Dale and Ian wonder what the hell is going on? The IPCC says fossil fuel companies are blocking green and the policies - but the report is also written by those with interests in the market - bonkers. Dale answers your questions too.
Episode 25 - Mic Drop
We discuss Dale’s plans to step away from Ecotricity - as he looks for a new owner. The guys talk in depth about his decision, and what Dale’s planning to do with all that spare time. Is he going to Barbados, or does he still have a huge list of stuff he wants to achieve? There’s also been a long rumoured political career - is that what’s next? Can he wear ripped jeans and his trainers into the House of Commons? We answer your questions too….
Episode 24 - Tice to see you...
Dale’s been reacting to the government’s move to zero vat on green stuff like solar panels in the spring budget, while learning you can’t swear on national radio. We wonder whether government ministers require training in the real world, after the Chancellor’s disastrous photoshoot. The energy crisis continues to rumble - so we examine what happens if Gazprom’s UK arm collapses. Also, how the hell do you accidentally fund a national protest? Dale explains more. We also answer a big mail bag of your questions too.
Episode 23 - What happened to the husky?
The energy crisis continues, while the North Sea oil operators have more cash than they know what to do with. Dale says he misses Donald Trump, and we wonder if he’s still got the Rona…. We also wonder what’s causing Brexiteers to turn into net zero sceptics. We answer a bumper mail bag of questions too.
Episode 22 - Said the old buffer...
Terrible stuff going on in the world, but Dale’s wondering if the only positive from this conflict is the chance to finally push for energy independence - especially when you discover just 10% of our ‘economic recovery’ funds are being spent on green initiatives. The House of Lords says young people should pay for our net zero policy - and Dale doesn’t agree. We tackle some of our questions related to the energy crisis and look at whether your bill will really get to £3000 a year before the end of 2022.
Episode 21 - Life is a chain reaction
We’re living through unpredictable, game changing times - so we investigate what energy independence will cost the UK, and why, if we don’t get much of our oil or gas from Russia, why are prices rocketing? In lighter news, Dale answers your questions about the solar powered camper van that’s going to take him to COP27.
Episode 20 - An army of bullsh*t merchants
As storms batter the country, Dale and Ian get together to discuss the latest green stuff. A new report tells us that oil firms have been greenwashing for decades - and we wonder why the hell it took so long to tell us that. Dale reveals his new plan to travel to Egypt for COP27 in a solar panelled camper van and much more - including the US mega drought. We also answer your questions, like how much wind is too much wind for a wind turbine?!
Episode 19 - Making plans for Nigel
Big news - nuclear fusion is possible - but only for five seconds - we digest the news and wonder whether it could be part of the power mix. Dale’s been chatting to Nigel Farage - and Ian wonders what the hell is going on! We’ve got your questions too.
Episode 18 - Angry Dale
Dale’s had a bit of a week. We get our teeth into the energy price cap and whether the government loan is really ‘helping’ customers. We also question whether the North Sea oil companies are struggling, or just struggling to count the cash. ITV broke Dale’s investigation into dogs being turned into electricity - we discuss a shocking story we just couldn’t make up, which exposes an even darker side of hunting. If things weren’t stressful enough this week, Boris Johnson took a private jet when he could have taken a 3-hour train ride - madness. We talk football, vegan sandwiches, and your questions too.
Episode 17 - So much to shoot at...
With a reporter writing “cotton is the new chicken” we're taking a look at why what we wear is increasingly important. With Ecotricity’s plans for Eco Park back in the press, Dale spells out why green fields don’t necessarily mean good for nature. You’ll also hear Dale take Elon musk to task for polluting space with an errant rocket, on course to crash into the moon. We answer your questions too.
Episode 16 - WTF is going on?
We wonder how the holy hell the government can beat a legal challenge to stop developing the North Sea for oil and gas? We discuss the myth of carbon capture and storage on a mass scale - and talk about England’s Environment Agency, and how they appear to be selling the ability to pollute. And in the US, a fossil fuel company is using the first amendment to deny the climate crisis. Good god alive.
Episode 15 - Dalecoin?
The shady World Economic Forum announced this week that climate change was the greatest threat in 2022, and we wonder what the hell took them so long? We chat about whether Ecotricity would use animal slurry in its green gas mills, and celebrate our friends at Tranmere Rovers for going vegan. Lots of questions from you lot too - including a question on Bitcoin which prompted Dale’s thoughts on cryptocurrencies.
Episode 14 - Fingers in the till
The energy crisis continues rumbling and Dale’s got three things he wants the government to consider, so customers don't have to pay £hundreds more for their power from April. With Fossil Fuel companies paying for Google ads that look like normal search results - we wonder why tech companies aren’t regulated. We hear about the ultimate in greenwashing, and a listener asks why the UK isn’t doing more with tidal lagoons. We try to answer more of your questions too.
Episode 13 - 2021 Done. What’s next?
This is our last one for 2021 - we look back at another bonkers year - but first Dale explains why he isn’t a fan of Christmas, and it’s not because he’s a big old grinch. We start with COP26 - the UK’s first attempt at hosting it and the behaviour of our Prime Minister. Then there’s the energy crisis, which has transformed our relationship with electricity and gas forever. Dale upset the heat pump lobby with his campaign for Green Gas - and then surprised everyone by becoming the executive producer of a Netflix documentary, and a writer for the Daily Express. We’ll be back on Jan 7th. Thanks for listening!
Episode 12 - The Precautionary Principle
We start looking at campaigners taking court action against governments for failing their climate targets - and whether this should these battles take place in court. There’s been a few cases of COVID at Forest Green Rovers, so we talk about what’s ahead for the rest of the season. Reindeers are starving in Lapland because of climate change - will they still be here in Christmases to come? We talk about the sell-out debut of Sky Diamonds and what’s next for Dale’s latest project. We also hear about Sea Snot for the first time - it won’t be the last.
Episode 11 - Christmas came early
Dale digests a massive Tory by-election defeat, and wonders if this is the end for Boris? We take a look at new proposals to stress test energy companies, and discover wood is still being shipped from America and and burnt as “green energy”. Lots of your questions too.
Episode 10 - What did you do that for?
We take a look at the suggestion climate taxes should be paid by those who do the most polluting, and digest news that young people are getting stressed about climate change. Dale also spoils the ending of the latest Bond film, and we talk about making the web greener.
Episode 9 - Put it in a salad
Officials say we’re miles from meeting COP26 targets, leaving Dale wondering what’s new? We talk vegan leather alternatives, dangerous shepherd’s pie, green gas, the Australian climate minister cheesed off with Greta and much more
Episode 8 - Green is Good
Lots to discuss – three young people are suing the PM for failing to save the planet, and Dale says he fails to see any positives of privatisation, and reckons he would be happy for the energy industry to return under state control, if it solved the current crisis. We also look at a new poll that says Brits are now more concerned about the climate emergency than Brexit, while Australian protestors get ruthlessly repressed, and answer your questions too.
Episode 7 - A Sea Of COPs
Following our week off, Dale discusses why COP was successful in his eyes – despite the meat-heavy, carbon-laden menu. We also discuss climate change education in schools, the Insulate Britain jailings, whether (or not) we need Andrew Neil back on our TV screens and Boris on a train. We’ve got loads of your questions too.
Episode 6 - Coal is coal - live from COP26
Dale is in Glasgow for COP26, so we talk through some of the biggest news from the conference, including the “end of coal” - while the UK gets ready to open a new coal mine. We hear about Dale’s latest experience with the cops at COP26 and find out about eco-bot.net - cutting through the greenwash.
Episode 5 - The Age of Optimism
Dale and Ian digest the UK’s anti-climate budget - cheaper to fly, cheaper to drive and drink too, yet still nothing on home insulation or solar panels. We also work out Australia’s net zero plan - which seems to involve fossil fuels… As Dale gets ready for COP26, we wonder what’s ahead and whether the UK government is coordinating the world on climate change targets - could the EU and USA save the day? Lots to discuss, including tidal lagoons, and our mate Mike Graham’s plans to grow concrete.
Episode 4 - Your Davos Masters
Dale and Ian chat conspiracy theories, the new world agenda and general internet nonsense. Dale reveals why he donated money to Insulate Britain and we discuss the week’s biggest climate stories and answer your questions too
Episode 3 - You couldn't make it up
The UK backs taxes to fight climate change - that’s great news. We also update on Dale’s new GreenCode initiative and his hovercraft. There’s the chance to name Dale’s new water treatment device too….
Episode 2 - Greetings From Russia
He’s been called some things over time, but a friend of Vladimir Putin? Dale explains more. Lots more to discuss, including Britain and US not wanting a safe and healthy planet to be a human right. We also hear about Dale’s alien experience at the Conservative conference in Manchester, and do our best to answer your questions.
Series 3: What’s next - a cap-puchino?
Three more energy companies collapsed since our crisis special - and we keep you abreast with what’s going on in this fast moving mess. We digest news that just a quarter of voters think Boris is the man to tackle climate crisis. Dale’s off to the Conservative party conference, and Ian can’t believe what he’s hearing. With a price cap for energy in place, is it time for more in other areas of life? The cost of coffee beans has rocketed, so where’s the Cap-puchino?