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.
As we limber up for the return of season 5 – Dale and Ian take a minute to look forward to what’s ahead, before picking out more of their favourite moments from our latest season. We welcome your questions for forthcoming episodes – zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk.
Dale answers questions from the audience who came to see the live episode on the Ecotricity stage. We’re back in a couple of weeks with season five.
To end the season, Dale and Ian sit on a stage at WOMAD Festival in Wiltshire, and hope people come to watch and listen. Hundreds of festival goers joined us again in 2023. We've split the show into two episodes - our first the chat between Dale and Ian, and the second with all the fantastic questions we received from the audience. Enjoy!
Here’s some of our best bits from the latest series ahead of our LIVE at WOMAD finale. Dale and Ian sharpen their Arnie impression, and we hear about Dale’s balsamic incident at the Houses of Parliament. We wonder how some people become impenetrable to basic facts, and how Dale made it a one-person mission to tackle right-wing media climate denial head-on. There’s plenty of heat pump chat, and why hydrogen is just another unicorn technology. Dale’s support of Just Stop Oil generated plenty of interest this year too – and talks about his experiences, including the suggestion he’s attempting to ban the wheel.
In our last "normal" episode of the season, Dale reckons we're now at the beginning of the climate apocalpyse, while we have more climate change deniers than ever. How do we handle the battle of who is right and who is wrong? There's also talk of solar energy generated in space, but why should we go all sci-fi before we've got enough solar panels on earth. We've also got everyone's second favourite chef, Delia Smith talking nonsense about veganism, while Dale's launching Eco Jet - the world's first electric airline, described by the Daily Mail as "Woke Jet" - find out more from the man himself. We're back with a new series late August - with a "best of" and our annual "Live from Womad" special before.
Weather experts at the UN have shocking news for us all - but isn't that often the way? You would think we're past pretending the crazy conditions aren't happening - but sadly, the claims continue. We've also got polticians making up analysis that doesn't exist - and that's the least of our worries. On a lighter note, batteries made with sugar could be great for storing energy - we love the idea. Dale talks more about his Green Britain Foundation project to influence politics and whether listeners can get involved. Elon Musk is launching an energy company - and as you would expect, Dale has a view. We talk a bit about energy prices, and whether you should jump into a fixed tariff right now. There's a shocking new figures about deaths from last summer's heatwave - 61,000 people lost their lives. There's also a tease about the world's first electric airline - find out more by listening! We have plenty of your questions too - please send yours to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
A bit later than normal - live from Manchester, we're back with the inside scoop from Dale about his first BBC Question Time experience. What were the guests like? How were the chips? And what about the show bouncer? We also talk Just Stop Oil's latest protests at Wimbledon and tidal lagoons. Vegan food is getting contaminated with animal products - and we wonder how this is still even possible? The boss of Shell tells us cutting fossil fuel production is dangerous - but he would say that, wouldn't he? And Forest Green's interim Head Coach is getting some press attention too. Plus, we've got loads of your questions and Dale's answers. Send yours to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk.
It’s been a crazy couple of weeks in the life of the right-wing media’s favourite eco zealot. Hear about Dale’s chat with the Daily Mail and his recent debate with Sky’s Kay Burley. We talk about what’s going on in China and whether the UK ever really was a leader in the net zero. There’s a new Ecotricity report about solar panels on our homes, and we discuss that too. There’s loads of your questions – keep sending them to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
Oh god, the solar panels are melting, or at least you might believe so if you're into the right wing press. Dale explains why we needed the coal power station this week. There's loads more to discuss - electric buses, New York going orange, and what about the Chinese? Some think Dale should pay for polcing the Just Stop Oil protests - but what does the man say? There's vegan food and vegan leather chat too. We've got lots of your questions too - keep them coming to: zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
We’re still in the thick of it, recording hours after Dale’s morning protesting with Just Stop Oil on Parliament Westminster. Hear first hand from the ‘megaphone wielding eco-zealot’ (thanks Daily Mail). Ian decided to cheer Dale up with some comments about the protest from social media, and we discussed some of the most common ‘whataboutery’ related to JSO busting some myths as we go. Also - hear what happened when Dale met Piers Morgan.
It's been a bit of a mad one for Dale, all because of a quiet news week and quick chat on the phone with Labour leader Keir Starmer. Dale lays out what DID and DIDN'T get discussed in their conversation and takes you through his week right in the eye of the storm only on our podcast. Hear what happened this week when Dale flicked the Vs at the Daily Mail and ended up donating an extra £200k to Just Stop Oil. Dale talks about the government grants Ecotricity have taken, and what they mean - regardless of what dirt the tabloids are attempting to dig up. Send us your questions for the next episode - zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
This week we take a look at steps to crackdown on greenwashing here in the UK, and a telling story about dodgy carbon credits. We also look at the cataclysmic risk of deep sea mining, and wonder whether Dale ever read the instructions to his heatpump. We have loads of your questions too - Zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
Looks like the world's going to breach the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold by 2027 - and we digest what this really means. We talk about Dale's plans for green gas - and why everybody else isn't fully on board yet. Bird flu is back - and this time it's spread to humans in the UK - is this our next virus catastrophy caused by animal agriculture. There's some mind-boggling stats about pheasants and the shooting season, and a story about coffee that will wake up many people to climate change. We also hear about a legal case in Surrey that could stop drilling for fossil fuels in the UK too. Plus, we answer more of your great questions - send them to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
We need to get to net zero but there’s a 10 to 15 year waiting list to get some renewable projects connected. A great listener question gets us pondering whether AI or climate change is more dangerous, while we also examine the growing trend of pre-emptive arrests ahead of potential protests. We also have a load of your great questions - zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
News means we start on a bit of a downer - the boss of COP28 reckons there’s still a place the world for fossil fuels, there’s record profits for Shell, while Barclays Bank reckon the world can’t function without oil and gas. A listener question gets us thinking about what we would do to change climate policy if we were in charge. Dale’s donations to Just Stop Oil and the Labour Party upset the right wing media this week - so we hear about them straight from the horse ’s mouth. Loads more of your questions too - zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
Unexpectedly, we kick off with a conversation about the Royals – do they have a place in modern society, and what about their ability to save the planet? The Telegraph reckons the shift to net zero will mean we’ll get more power cuts – but Dale calls BS on that. This week there’s been a flurry of legal action against climate change – could this change the game? We look at where global energy prices are currently at, and in a first (and likely only) for the pod – we talk Cat Cafes. Got a question? Email zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
Another busy week as Dale’s been out-and-about defending our right to protest after Just Stop Oil hijacked the snooker. Recording just hours before the XR Big One protest in London – we talk about TikTok’s efforts to fight climate misinformation, bugs in volcanos and whether Dale would be ok with climate protests at Forest Green Rovers, there’s also new vegan food at Greggs the Bakers. We’ve got loads of your questions too – get involved by emailing zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
What a week - our government was already doing everything it could NOT to hit net zero targets, but now there's a plan to build loads of new roads - we find out more. Madness is spreading globally, as hydrogen made with fossil fuels are now apparently classified 'clean' and Canada's bankers are named the world's dirtiest. We also discuss XR's Big One protest, and Dale's first TV show - Best Foot Forward, and your questions too. Send yours to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
Dale and Ian are back sharing their grumpiness for Easter with this bumper episode. The UAE are hosting COP, but upping gas and oil production - what the hell is going on? Government ministers are regularly meeting climate change deniers - should we worried? Don’t panic though - the Aussies have got the answer to the climate crisis. We’ve got loads of your great questions - send more to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
Dale is getting to grips the government's latest 'not-zero' policy and wonders why they are doing it all the wrong way round and are beguiled by heat pumps. This week we're also discussing Rishi's swimming pool and the emerging heat battery tech, and Dale's book getting to the top of the charts and Aldi's vegan 'lamb.' We've got loads of your questions too - send them to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
Boris has been trying to save his political career which means the latest IPCC report gets conveniently ignored by some UK press. We look at the facts, and Dale is encouraged by the behaviour of the shipping industry who want to get to grips with their pollution problems. We also talk hydrogen boilers and a smart move from climate activists in Sweden. Hear from Dale’s mate Mike Graham, and answers to your questions too.
The UK budget is here, and apparently the government is everywhere, but the environment. We're pretty underwhelmed, because according to Jeremy Hunt - nuclear power is our future - we talk about what needs to change. We also discuss when our energy bills are REALLY going to fall - because it's incredibly confusing, and we examine a plan created by some of its biggest polluters to clean up Wales. We've got loads of great questions from you, direct from the zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk. You can still get Manifesto - Dale's book, now in paperback for the exclusive price of £5 at fgr.co.uk/shop
There’s two big environmental stories from Germany which caught our interest this week - so we look into what they could mean for all of us. Ian’s windows leave us wondering what goes on in the mind of Mr Freeze at the council, and we discuss a terrifying story about methane leaks too. We answer more of the great questions you sent to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk too. Don’t forget - Dale’s book Manifesto is now available as a paperback with two new chapters and a special price of £4.99 exclusively at http://www.fgr.co.uk/shop
The energy price caps are changing, and it’s all kinds of complicated – Dale reckons he’s got a better solution. The government says it’s getting into carbon capture – find out what Dale makes of it? Also, there’s an expected House of Commons love-in for Forest Green Rovers and much more. We’ve got loads of your questions too. Don’t forget – the paperback edition of Dale’s acclaimed Manifesto is available now with two new chapters. Get it for the special price of £4.99 at fgr.co.uk/shop
Labour wants to make the UK a green energy superpower – hear what Dale’s got to say about what’s next in the corridors of power. We take an extended look at the national boiler upgrade program – the £450m scheme that’s failed the same week a handful of bankers have trousered the same amount in bonuses. Dale chats about the new independent regulator in football, and whether a petrochemical baron should be able to buy Man Utd. Ian can’t find tomatoes in Kent, and wonders what the hell is going on. We’ve got loads of your questions – please send to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk and don’t forget that Dale’s amazing book Manifesto is back in paperback with two new chapters. Only available for £4.99 at fgr.co.uk/shop
As Europe runs towards decarbonised steel, why on earth has the UK started digging for more coal? George Soros proclaims we need to control the weather to stop climate change - is this a good idea, or just bonkers? Wales wants to stop building roads and a University reckons eating meat is better than veganism. Dale’s book, Manifesto is back - it’s got two new chapters and a special price of £4.99 for the paperback - preorder now at fgr.co.uk/shop. We’ve got your questions too - loads of them. Send yours to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
We take another look at big oil’s record profits and their efforts to reduce their net zero plans, while our government appoints a new Minister for Net Zero. We hear how fighting climate change is now a profitable endeavour in the US thanks to a new financial act, and it’s coming to Europe. There’s a new idea to use moon dust to help stop global warming - but is just science fiction? Dale also reveals a bit more of his forthcoming foray into aviation - with a green twist, of course, and we’ve got more U-Turn corner. We’ve got your questions too - please keep sending them to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
We’re a bit sweary today in this bumper episode as the world’s gone bonkers – and Ian’s taken up for defending everybody. We review what’s going on with the UK’s latest Prime Minister and consider how the government became anti-wind at the same time as offering £600m to steel producers. Shell have made £32bn of profit when we’re in an energy crisis – what the hell is going on? Then Bristol Airport got permission to expand this week too. We’ve got a load of your Qs too – keep sending them to: zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
We start in Austria in Arnie before hearing what’s going on with Drax - then we chat Bill Gates, hedgehogs and Forest Green’s new Head Coach, Big Dunc. Lots of your great input too - Zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
It’s a busy week as Dale is finally off to meet Arnie in Austria, but before that we look at Exxon’s scientists predicting climate change back in the Seventies, air source heat pumps vs green gas and much more. We answer a bumper stack of your questions too.
It’s been a busy week for Dale – hear about his donations to the Labour Party and Just Stop Oil and how he can support both first hand. The French have got some great laws to tackle climate abuse – and are going after plastic waste. In the US, extreme weather has cost the country $165bn in a single year - will we finally wake up? We’ve got your questions too.
In our first show for 2023, we talk climate litigation and a record-breaking time for wind energy generation. There’s more on Dale’s political plans, and his recent trip to the House of Lords. Will energy ever be affordable again, and what will artificial intelligence do for renewable energy. We answer loads of your questions too.
It’s our last one of the year, so we have a quick look back, and then gaze into the future as we reveal some of the plan for 2023. Dale also gets a b-locking about B-Corps. See you next year.
It’s been a cold week, and Dale’s been battling with a heat pump in the cold, as the UK faces energy shortages. We focus on our latest expose, which looks at salmon farming and the inhumane conditions they face, and consider whether Nuclear Fusion is the next big thing, or not. We answer lots of your questions too.
Is the government REALLY unbanning on-shore wind? And what’s going on with this new coal mine? Dale does his best to keep his cool and lay out what’s actually happening. There’s a cow in the room as we talk about the war on nature, and scientists have found the world's oldest DNA - and it didn’t come from Ian. We answer your questions too - send them to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
A bumper edition today – Dale’s on the verge of announcing a huge new aviation project, while Ian’s new sofa prompts another of our biggest stories of the week. We’re looking at the good and the bad of EU environmental policy too. The Tories are tearing themselves apart when it comes to onshore wind power – so we take an in-depth look at the mess, uniquely embellished by Grant Shapps. There’s loads of your questions too.
Boris and Liz appear to be teaming up to bring back onshore wind - or is this just politics? We look at why they should stop infighting and bring onshore wind back. The energy price cap has gone up again - and we look at the reasons. We talk hemp too - turns out Dale knows a thing or two. There’s your questions too.
We talk COP27 - as we remind ourselves it’s still on. There’s encouraging news from Brazil, and Dale talks veganism and a bit of football too. We answer your questions as well. Get in touch at zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
We’re late because of tech issues - but we talk Dale’s continued funding of Just Stop Oil , what’s going on at COP27 with the fossil fuel lobbyists and much more. Loads of your questions too
Another week of U-turns, as the PM decides he’s going to the Coca Cola sponsored COP27 in Cairo - just days after saying he’s too busy with what’s happening at home. We discuss whether Rishi gets the climate emergency? Also, Europe is now warming at twice the global rate - what should we do. And, we’ve got your questions too - zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk
With so many policy u-turns, Dale is trying to get is head around what Rishi is giving, and what he’s taking away after news that fracking is banned again. And with record numbers of us ready to take direct action to project the planet, we delve into why modern policies feel so disconnected from reality, and why the government doesn’t appear to be doing anything AT ALL. Dale also answers your latest batch of questions. Send yours to zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk (mailto:zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk)
What a week! We look at what the UK’s next leader needs to do first - stopping fracking and protecting nature, and look at the latest climate stories. With work on Ecotricity’s green gas mill progressing nicely, Dale answers your questions too.
The fall-out from the “mini” budget continues, so Dale wonders what the hell is going on? And with Truss and Rees Mogg falling out over solar power, is reality finally melting? We also talk about the new price-cap for renewable energy generators. And for those who keep asking about China - there’s a major new renewables initiative kicking off. We’re back in Fracking Corner and loads of your great questions too.
Dale’s fresh from the Conservative Party conference, while we consider energy rationing through the winter. Loads of your questions too - including the future of Nuclear Fusion.
It’s been quite some week in the UK – but one line in the mini-not-budget made Dale very happy. Fracking is back in the news again, but we’re wondering how the government makes it happen if there’s actually ZERO public support for it, and a growing wealth of research and fact that suggests England is not the place to frack. Dale reports back on the Labour party conference, and we answer a load of your questions too.
We recorded this just after the UK government's mini budget. What the hell is going on? The lads attempt to digest the indigestible news. And don’t forget, fracking is back too. - even when Cuadrilla’s former boss says it won’t work in Britain. Your questions are answered too - including Ian’s energy price cap confusion. Mail us - zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk (mailto:zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk)
It’s been quite a summer, new PM, new energy policy and plenty more. We talk about how Europe is handling the energy price crisis – and why a windfall tax is proving more popular on the continent. Also, find out what would happen if Dale was King. Your questions too – including updates on the hovercraft and campervan.
