Series 5

The Series 5 Wrap-Up

It’s been a crazy ride this series - blessed with an abundance of right wing nuts, we explored all manner of craziness, not least from Sunak and co (remember him?  Nah us neither). The series spanned Dale’s time immersed in the summer of Just Stop Oil, the vital pivot to Just Stop the Tories (to de fang the right wing media) all the way up to our election campaign called Just Vote - and the actual election at which we did indeed Just Stop the Tories.  Not sure Season 6 can top that, but who knows.  Still needs a name btw……over to you.

Live From WOMAD - Part 2

LIVE from WOMAD - Dale really enjoyed the audience questions on this live session which was off the charts, just brilliant.  Great questions, great discussion, wide ranging, free ranging really - and great fun.  Made the day.

Dale Vince's Zerocarbonista Podcast Live From WOMAD 2024

And finally, from a field somewhere…

We close out our ‘Just Stop the Tories’ season, live from WOMAD (festival). With a drive-by look back at the origins of that phrase and its realisation - Labour’s mammoth win and rapid policy moves. We also explore ‘green on green,’ a phenomenon from the election that appears to have legs. Are Labour green, or are they not? We share anecdotes about Tory MPs, public misconceptions on green energy, and the evolving role of protest. With a fabulous bunch of audience questions from the horse’s mouth...:)

Episode 44 - Going, going, gone

The Tories have been stopped, Labour wastes no time, and we look at a bit of green-on-green action. Dale's feeling the pressure for a new name, NIMBYs in the firing line, and another eco-activist in the dock as we ask - why are the good guys getting banged up? Another temperature record, windmills with no gears, what has Ian learned in 5 years of doing this… and other fab listener questions. Our last episode of the season ends on a high as we look ahead to a live show at WOMAD and the Vegan Camp Out.

Episode 43 - A New Era... :)

Crawling out of our post-Glasto, post-election black hole – we’re back, and the Tories have been stopped by a massive Labour win. We talk about lifting the onshore wind farm ban, banning bee-killing pesticides, and halting new oil and gas licenses, plus Moggy is out... The Tory party leader merry-go-round continues unabashed, and we need a new season title – coz the Tories have been stopped (worth saying twice). Also, we got Grid Faeries powering the Arcadia field at Glasto, and their next gig is Womad, where we'll record the final episode of this series – live onstage...:)

Episode 42 - It won’t be the Sun ‘wot done it’

Giant Batteries, Bob Vylan, climate deniers and Dale’s multi stage tour - that’s just Glasto - we also cover the election (obvs), some bandwagon jumping and the latest from Hamasgate, with Guido in the dock.

Episode 41 - It's a bit like Xmas

This week, we're in a whirlwind of events. Dale's shares his excitement about the upcoming election, comparing it to a kid waiting for Christmas. He shares his experiences marching for nature with Chris Packham and Emma Thompson. We tackle the 'cow in the room' - the massive role animal agriculture plays in the nature and climate crisis. Plus, we dive into how Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites could mess with the Earth's ozone layer when they deorbit. All this with some cracking questions from our listeners...:)

Episode 40 - Cut the green crap

This week, we’ve got Newsnight behind the scenes, Reform’s not-manifesto, Farage being ‘stitched up’, and a GB News apology in the dead of night. While we run a calculator over Cameron’s infamous ‘cut the green crap’ period, there’s a new development on the popcorn front, and we look at the idea of vegan ghettos… all with a sprinkling of fab listener questions.

Episode 39 - Popcorn and nuts...

This week, Europe has outbreaks, but our right wing nut in the chair is from the unreformed party (it’s proper nutty). We talk elections as ‘Two Fleets’ Sunak launches the manifesto we all knew was coming, and we look at the $41 trillion the world just spent on the climate. We talk dangerous food, McDonald's, ice cream, and the four big industries that are literally licensed to kill us. And the pro-democracy campaign that tried to use the House of Commons to encourage voting - and got shut down by the cops.

Episode 38 - A tale of two sausages

Spoilt this week by an abundance of right-wing nuttery - headlined by Tice claiming ‘it was the sun wot did it.’ We try desperately not to mention Coutinho (and fail), but it was a Godzilla-sized solar farm that that did for us. We talk paratroopers with passports, part of Farage’s legacy, as he parachutes into the election (and Tice’s chair). This time, he can only do good because the mission is ‘Just Stop the Tories.’ We look at Sunak repeating the mistakes of Cameron, and Dale reveals a new study that maps 'the cost of cutting the green crap.’ Plus, a new campaign - Just Vote. We have a tale of two sausages… and some great news for Piers Morgan, with fabulous listener questions indelibly written throughout…

Episode 37 - Redwoods and green dystopias

Giant Redwoods and little ones, green dystopias, and the white blokes wot did it – we've got a shed full of wing nuttery. We look at a stunning new viewpoint on green energy and ask how many Tory MPs have voted for positive climate action since Cameron the Husky Hugger... the answer may surprise you. New food stats suggest Brits are so over meat, and with fab listener contributions again, we're cooking. All this with just five weeks before this series, ‘Just Stop the Tories,’ comes to a natural end...:)

Episode 36 - Things can only get Wetter

As Sunak fires the starting gun and Just Stop the Tories approaches the end game... we've got a bag of right-wing nuts, some China nonsense, and Dale talking meat taxes with The Sun. Staying on a food theme, we also look at Fish and Ships. All capped off with a weather update and punctuated by a fab selection of listener questions. You gotta love it...:)

Episode 35 - If Romans had nukes...

"We have a new headline act in the right wing nut box this week and a support act nobody ever heard of.  And then there’s Right Said Fred. We ask that favourite question of all right wingers and climate procrastinators - ‘what about India?' We put ourselves in the shoes of vegans with smelly meat eating neighbours, have a quick look at Great British Energy and the new gas power station with a typo in its name - plus a couple of fabulous questions. You gotta love it."

Episode 34 - Tumbleweeds

In this week's jam packed episode our right wing nut section threatens to takeover as we revisit Moggy gate and update on a slew of legal actions that, one by one - are being lost. We welcome a Labour MP to the fold and introduce a new jingle - the tumbleweed... Green energy makes big strides towards the global takeover we all need, April offers more records but no new news and a new opinion poll offers a shocking outlook - from the worlds top climate boffins. Fab listener questions again and a hoot all round...:)  

Episode 33 - Think twice like Tice

This week kicks off with our fave - the right wingnuts… There’s a legal update and we talk about Rees-Mogg, the posh man’s Julia Hartley-Brewer, and his claims so wildly untrue they’re almost laughable - we fact check him, hard (and yes, it riles Dale up...). The Welsh Government plans to clamp down on exactly this kind of thing - making it illegal for politicians to lie. Big Oil's lies are the stuff of legend, a new expose confirms. Meanwhile, climate change is not the end of the world, says Cambridge Prof, which Dale agrees… We also talk planes powered by sewage, and field some fab questions, not least about the Massive Attack gig, WOMAD, and the ‘Grid Faeries’. Send your Qs into zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk

Episode 32 - The right-wing nut cluster

Several overlapping Right-Wing Nut stories this week, a reform candidate that makes Julia Hartley-Brewer look like Mother Theresa, wind energy in Britain kicks butt on the grid, the EU exits a very bad deal (but stays on the hook) - we have a new study on food,  questions about Taylor Swift's footprint - and we ask does the SNP have a self-destruct button.  Oh and some good news for climate protest  and some not so. Keep them fab questions coming.

Episode 31 - Mined diamonds aren’t forever

We’ve enough Right-wing Nuts this week to whip up a decent bar snack - Dale gets a touch of PTSD from an encounter with Julia Hartley-Brewer and Ian fills us in on the latest stranger than fiction Tory MP. Beyond satire this crew. Meanwhile Dale has a new battle underway with Big Diamond. Biblical flooding in Dubai should concern us all, but not the climate deniers, they have a new theory and as always we’ve got great questions -  on heat pumps, football, birds and windmills... Keep 'em coming.

Episode 30 - The Great British Fake Off

Thrill packed episode this one as Dale takes us through a fake Net Zero project the government has given permission for. With lawsuits flying in the right-wing nut space, we examine what on earth is going on in the water industry. Plus a look at global temperatures and positive feedback loops (not as good as it might sound), while M&S research shows the best way of stopping cows from burping and farting… Oh, and a bit of Brexit, punctured with a spot-on listener question.

Episode 29 - Call that an apology?

From racist Reform party candidates to Tory sex scandals, we've got a no holds barred episode of Zerocarbonista. The hot topic this week is when is an apology not an apology? The answer is when it comes from a wig wearing, right-wing nut spreading lies about Dale.  Things get more serious when we learn about the 57 companies linked to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions. There’s yet another Brexit calamity… this time hurting farmers. Plus Dale explains the need to reform the tax laws written by rich people for rich people and why climate denial should be made illegal. Keep your fab questions coming in!

Episode 28 - A Tory Distraction

Rip-roaring episode this week as we take our usual irreverent look at the green and ungreen news of the week, featuring Brexit: the gift that keeps (not) giving, a new approach to wing nuts, more mud-slinging at Dale, what's threatening Easter eggs and - to our ability to think, free of criminal charges... punctuated as ever by fab questions.

Episode 27 - More Fossil Foolery

It's been a very eventful week for Dale, as we look at Sunak’s dodgy donors, his mathematically challenged plan to burn more fossil fuels and we circle back to the costs of 'cutting the green crap’. Plus, we have some mind-blowing stats on warming oceans, more Right Wing Nuts popping up, and Dale talks about his recent book events for Manifesto.  

Episode 26 - A Rishi Sunak State of Mind

Dale and Ian are in fine form this week tearing up Hunt’s budget and talking up Dale’s alternative green one - it’s pulled straight from the latest edition of Dale’s book Manifesto. Zerocarbonista bravely delves into the depths of Rishi Sunak’s state of mind and we learn about the poison linking bees, Brexit and erm…Piers Morgan - and a Labour ban. And we hear about something new you can buy in Tesco - WWF. We answer more great questions ranging from the threat of AI and ultra processed foods to the House of Lords and our diet. Don’t you dare miss it.

Episode 25 - Mob Rule?

Sunak reclaims the “Right Wing Nut” title, rather easily with last week’s stunts… mobs with tractors are ok apparently. Mexico City approaches “Day Zero” - the day 22 million people run out of water, and we look at the sheer madness of everything about Drax; granted billions in subsidies for burning rare Canadian forests - while claiming green credentials. Sunak searches for a “green messenger” that people will trust, clearly he has to go out of house for that. Musk gets a mention. And we answer more great questions (keep 'em coming) and discuss what's new in the third edition of Manifesto which is out next week.

Episode 24 - From Eco Zealot to Mega Donor

Dale’s got a new nickname. It’s mega but what’s the significance? We discuss who’s rigging our legal system against climate activists in the midst of the hottest February ever recorded. Speaking of the Tories, there’s some double bluffing going on, and would a government department ever bury bad news for farmers? Plus Dale waxes lyrical on wind-powered oil tankers, and we get a green gas update. Keep those questions coming! 

Episode 23 - Thank God for China!

Dale chats with a brand new Right Wing Nut this week, as a bombshell mega poll predicts Armageddon for the Tories at the next election. With the UK now in a recession, have Sunak’s five pledges vapourised? We talk EV charging apps, Veganuary hitting a new record, and why we need a new category to classify mega-hurricanes. Plus, we expose the true cost of “cutting the green crap” within housebuilding, why the Atlantic Ocean is nearing tipping point, and Dale’s favourite recent climate success story.

Episode 22 - The truth is somewhere in the middle

A fiery episode this one. Labour’s £28 billion green pledge, has it been ditched or not? The truth is somewhere in the middle. It’s been a disastrous week for Sunak the gambler, he’s truly hit rock bottom. While records are breaking left, right and centre (and not good ones), the world experiences its first entire year of 1.5 degrees. Truss launches the oxymoronic Popular Conservatives campaign for secret Tories (bringing laughable results) as the election looks like a six pointer on green issues. Plus we answer some cracking questions.

Episode 21 - Fossil Fuels, Red Meat and Tobacco

This week, we look at the Government’s absurd anti Veganuary advertising blitz, a Tory donor’s North Sea flares (not the fashion faux pas kind). With echoes from Big Tobacco, a new investigation shows that Big Oil knew they were causing the climate crisis 70 years ago! There’s some good news from down under, well in a relative sense - and finally, from fossil fuels to political dinosaurs, we take look at the cost of ‘cutting the green crap’ all those years ago by the man who’s back in government now instead of being extinct. Plus, Dale answers your great questions about his first windmill, voting labour and exciting plans on the near horizon. Keep your questions coming in at zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk (mailto:zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk)  

Episode 20 - Unfathomable Headlines

We’ve jam packed loads into this one, leaving you with a more positive outlook on what lies ahead. Ecotricity earns a prestigious award, while Shadow Sec Thangam Debbonaire visits FGR ahead of the Green Football Weekend. As ministers are being urged to steer clear of culture wars over species reintroductions, Biden strikes a historic decision to stop the largest fossil fuel buildout in US history, coinciding with the EU achieving a record low in emissions. Plus, Dale answers your great questions, from EVs on the National Grid to whether Starmer should bring back any political beasts, and Dale offers some sage advice for young activists. Keep your questions coming in at zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk (mailto:zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk)

Episode 19 - Drill, Baby, Drill

Dale braves the icy winds outside Wembley for the big Green Football Weekend launch, and gives us an update on what’s going on at FGR. We delve into the environmental impact of bottom trawling, uncovering how this practice releases a staggering amount of CO2 carbon annually. That's just the tip of the iceberg, as we explore the alarming reality of Greenland losing millions of tons of (cocktail) ice per hour.    Plus, Sunak gaslighting of the nation is exposed again and Coffey is up to her usual antics, as we answer your questions about cheese and carbon capture – we’ve got it all! Keep those questions rolling in at zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk (mailto:zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk) .   

Episode 18 - It's Getting Hot In Here

Dale explains why we must ‘just stop the Tories’ - and it’s all in the news; 2023  is confirmed as the hottest year ever and Sunak plans to pour more oil on the fire (with ever more North Sea drilling) - while his gaslighting of the the country on energy bills faces friendly fire. While on another part of our stricken planet, or maybe on another planet - the United Arab Emirates start shipping European glacier ice to their cocktail bars - seriously. Plus who’s got the best conspiracy theories, David Icke or the Tories? It’s not a joke it’s genuine question. Tune in and find out. Dale also answers more of your questions - keep them coming in at zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk   

Episode 17 - Republicans Love Renewable Energy

As Dale returns from his extended break with fresh hope, we’re smacked back to reality as our counterfactual Prime Minister Sunak continues to gaslight the country. Fortunately, his popularity is dwindling; he ranks top choice for PM in only four constituencies (not even his own one).  We discuss bio methane production and organic farming, wooden windmills, bonkers dividends from Big Oil, and some surprising ‘lefty/righty’ news - energy Independence reaches the parts climate other concepts can’t. Plus there’s a new downside to Heat Pumps and talk of a Green Dragon’s Den. 

Episode 16 - Dreaming of a Greener Christmas

It’s the last episode this side of Dale’s favourite event of the year - we kick off with an important update at FGR and talk air pollution, artificial rain and a new kind of snow. Your questions then take us to the next election, our dodgy democracy, living in caves and un-inventing things, like Right Wing radio stations. Happy Solstice everyone and see you in the new year!

Episode 14 - Living In Caves

Dale is in complete disbelief as COP28 President Al Jaber says there’s “no science” behind the phasing out of fossil fuels, claiming it would take the world back into caves. A climate denier is running the show into the ground! Meanwhile, Europeans are cutting down on meat consumption, with Sir David Attenborough urging us to switch to a plant-based diet to best protect nature. Britain is set to miss the Paris Climate Targets thanks to Sunak’s lies - why haven’t the Tories woken up and smelt the flowers yet? Keep your great questions coming in! 

Episode 12 - The Green-less Budget

Where’s the green stuff in the budget?  We looked everywhere and couldn’t find it.  Dale remembers the time he met David Cameron. Also, it turns out you’re able to call somebody ‘Tory Scum’ - it’s actually a basic right of law. There’s some data that suggests veganism is on the decline, but Dale is pretty sure this is statistical chicanery.   We talk about how rich lifestyles are driving the climate war - and what could be done to address this? The former boss of Sky News says news organisations need to do more to cover the climate crisis - what should they do? We’ve got your questions too.

Episode 11 - The Rishi Reshuffle

It's been quite a week. Braverman has finally been sacked for hate speech, concluding her tenure by stating that Sunak has “no mandate to be PM”. David Cameron is back, who infamously talked about ‘cutting the green crap’. Will he now end his time in the Foreign Office talking about cutting the brown crap? A conflict of interest emerges as the new environment chief is married to an exec of a sewage-dumping firm, while Sunak’s inhumane Rwanda policy is deemed unlawful. Dale answers your questions as we discuss carbon offsetting projects, climate deniers in the States, and how a fairer tax system can bring us more renewable energy.  

Episode 10 - The Anti-Green Speech

We’re on course for the hottest year on record, yet King Charles announces the exploration of new oil and gas licenses. Are we in the Twilight Zone? Dale’s asked what he’d do if he were PM, how the Dutch are using sewage to power homes, and Dale debunks the Tory’s energy security myth. Plus, how can we encourage more people to ditch meat? And despite the doom and gloom in the world, Dale gives us some reasons to be cheerful.

Episode 9 - Musk is Back

We jam-pack loads for this one, including the climate impact of food and why it’s often overlooked - despite being one of the biggest contributors to climate change. On the Twitter battleground, Dale fact-checks right-wing nut Matt le Tissier on EV sales and discusses the repercussions of Sunak’s net zero U-turn. Meanwhile, Sunak interviews Musk at the AI Summit (yes, you read that right), how air pollution is causing diabetes, and Dale outlines some quick wins Starmer could do to tackle climate change.   

Episode 8 - Right Wing Nut

It’s been a truly bizarre week for Dale. A tweet about the recent floods enrages the shock jocks from TalkTV. Even David Icke joins the fray, becoming Dale’s latest Twitter troll. Weather expert Thérèse Coffey explains why the UK was unprepared for Storm Babet simply because “the rain came from the east”. How do people like her get into power? We also discuss hydrogen boilers, toxins in reusable cups, and whether voting should be compulsory. Plus, how the UN’s been downplaying livestock emissions due to pressure from the farming lobby.

Episode 7 - Seven Bins Sunak

Greta gets arrested outside an oil conference, formerly named the ‘Oil and Money Forum’. Rishi Sunak and his family continue to be on state benefits, and not the kind that we're used to, or the kind that they love to cut.  We also look at the alarming Amazon drought, why Mozambique and Mail are leading the way in stopping air pollution. Plus how much would the average household bill cost if the UK went 100% green? Keep your questions rolling in!   

Episode 6 - Renewed Hope for Britain

Dale returns feeling more optimistic following an action-packed week at the Labour Conference. We discuss how Sunak’s Net Zero U-Turns will expedite the cost-of-living crisis and how the climate crisis costs the world £13 million an hour. Dale answers the classic question: why aren’t Labour going far enough with the green agenda? Plus, we delve into Green Populism, a name competition for Dale’s new anti-whaling vessel, and why more European nations are suppressing climate activists.

Episode 5 - A New Dawn

Dale has some big breaking news to report to you, which is probably hitting the airwaves as you read this. Meanwhile, Dale’s returned from the Tory Party Conference with some whacky tales. We also hear more about Dale’s new Last Decade film, and how he projected it onto Sunak’s hotel. Plus we chat about Earth hitting its highest ever temperature, the surge in Aussie rooftops solar, and why we should actually be feeling more optimistic about staying within the 1.5-degree limit.

Episode 4 - Rosebank Madness

The Tories seem to be the gift that keeps on giving, and they haven't let us down for this episode. After shooting themselves in both feet last week, we discuss the utter madness of pursuing Rosebank and why it's a massive two fingers to the world. While Sunak saves us from imaginary taxes, Dale might bump into him as he's off to the Tory Party conference, where you'll hear a sneak peek about what’s in store. Plus, we talk about windmills, Trump's bizarre tirade on them, and when we can start the revolution.

Episode 3 - How low can they go?

In a whirlwind week of British politics, we dissect the dramatic Net Zero U-turn declared by Rishi "Chopper" Sunak.  Do the Tories, and our unelected Prime Minister, know no bounds? We also talk about how toxic air is plaguing Europe, tactical voting, and how Veganism at FGR was first adopted. Keep the questions rolling in at zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk (mailto:zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk)

Episode 2 - Last Fool Standing

The UK rows back on EU laws letting more dangerous pesticides back in. Dale offers an update on Devil’s Kitchen and wonders how Tata Steel gets offered £500m from the government to “go green.”  Dale also talks about subsidies and you’ll be shocked by how much he has received.  Loads more, including your questions.  Email us Zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk

Episode 1 - Name The Pony

We’re back, and the Tories have apparently relaxed planning for onshore wind - but Dale reckons it’s just window dressing. Rishi “Chopper” Sunak flies to Norfolk to give a large bung to house builders that back the government and ULEZ expands. We have your questions, and Dale’s reasons to be cheerful too.   Get in touch - Zerocarbonista@ecotricity.co.uk