Episodes

  • Reflecting on almost 30 years of Forum for the Future and the wider sustainability movement - with Jonathon Porritt, Sara Parkin and Paul Ekins

    Reflecting on almost 30 years of Forum for the Future and the wider sustainability movement - with Jonathon Porritt, Sara Parkin and Paul Ekins
    May 11 2023

    In this special edition of the Futuring Podcast, Jonathon Porritt [Former Director, Forum for the Future] is joined by his fellow co-founders of Forum, Sara Parkin [Principal Associate, Sustainability Literacy Project] and Dr. Paul Ekins [Professor of Resources and Environmental Policy, University College London]. The podcast comes as Jonathon steps down from Forum, joining Sara and Paul to reflect on its 30 years of operation and how the sustainability landscape has evolved in that time.

    Tune in to hear how the idea for a new organisation came to be at the heels of the Earth Summit in 1992 and how that evolved into the international sustainability non-profit it is today. Underpinned by their longstanding friendship and banter, Jonathon, Sara and Paul discuss the pressures and joys of setting up a new and radical organisation for sustainability, a buzzword at the time; the impact of working with the public sector; and the shift towards the business community over the years

    Explore Jonathon’s reflections further about “Challenging the status quo, letting go of ‘win-wins’ and finding hope in the next generation”

    All opinions expressed by their interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Forum for the Future.

    Interview recorded on 27th April 2023.

    This audio features the song "Boulevard" by Yung Kartz available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
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    59 mins
  • Accelerating climate justice through intersectional multi-stakeholder coalitions with Susan Kruse and Zach Lou

    Accelerating climate justice through intersectional multi-stakeholder coalitions with Susan Kruse and Zach Lou
    Mar 1 2023
    In the final episode of our American Climate Futures miniseries, a special edition of the Futuring Podcast, Ksenia Benifand [Senior Principal Change Designer, Forum for the Future Americas] sits down with Susan Kruse [Executive Director, The Community Climate Collaborative] and Zach Lou [Coalition Manager, California Green New Deal Coalition] to investigate how building intersectional multi-stakeholder coalitions can accelerate just climate solutions.


    Tune in to hear them discuss the importance of always showing up in support of others’ work, how regular constant feedback and iteration can strengthen collaborations and the significance of weaving in joy and resilience into movements and partnerships. How do we ensure that we meet people where they are to co-create opportunities and a shared understanding? What can we do to identify and establish the common ground needed to collaboratively take action on climate justice?


    Resources shared:

    • Community Climate Collaborative
    • Solar Climate Justice Scorecard
    • Community Climate Collaborative Newsletter sign-up
    Other stories:

    • Charlottesville gas station chain makes unexpected bet on solar power
    • Auto dealer sees Clean Cars as great first step for electric vehicles in Virginia

    Produced by: Siddhi Ashar and Christina Daniels-Freeman
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    48 mins
  • Disrupting the current system with community-led, just and equitable climate solutions with Laprisha Daniels and Rev Vernon Walker | American Climate Futures

    Disrupting the current system with community-led, just and equitable climate solutions with Laprisha Daniels and Rev Vernon Walker | American Climate Futures
    Feb 22 2023
    In the second episode of the American Climate Futures miniseries, a special edition of the Futuring Podcast, Ksenia Benifand [Senior Principal Change Designer, Forum for the Future Americas] reflects on climate, disasters, and adaptation with special guests Laprisha Daniels [Executive Director, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice] and Reverend Vernon Walker [Program Director, Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW)].

    Tune in to hear them explore ways in which we can disrupt the current system by holding decision-makers accountable and working to create just and equitable, community-led processes to fight climate change. What will it take to bring diverse coalitions of actors together to inspire and enact change? How do we ensure an interdisciplinary approach to climate action while addressing the co-occurring inequities that are exacerbated by climate change?


    Additional resources:
    Renew New England Alliance
    Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago by Eric Klinenberg

    Explore more at www.forumforthefuture.org/american-climate-futures

    About American Climate Futures

    American Climate Futures is an initiative by Forum for the Future to ensure the needs and voices of those most impacted by climate change in the US are at the forefront of goal-setting, planning, and solutions development — while also challenging, and accelerating the process of addressing, the systemic inequalities that got us here in the first place.

    Join a diverse and committed group of change-makers across the United States to learn from each other, collectively identify the entrenched barriers to climate justice, and co-design a community-centered, system-wide approach to a just and transformational response to the climate crisis. We invite you to reach out if you are interested in learning more about this work and how you can get involved.

    Please contact Ksenia Benifand for more information.

    All opinions expressed by their interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Forum for the Future.

    Interview recorded on 10th January 2023.

    This audio features the song “Upbeat Motivational Inspiring Uplifting Rock" by Leadsquid available under ONE MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE as defined in the standard terms and conditions on Envato Market.

    Produced by: Siddhi Ashar and Christina Daniels-Freeman
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    46 mins
  • Decolonizing conservation through radical collaboration and capital with Kim Pate and Noah Oppenheim | American Climate Futures

    Decolonizing conservation through radical collaboration and capital with Kim Pate and Noah Oppenheim | American Climate Futures
    Feb 15 2023
    In this special edition of the Futuring Podcast, Sandra Seru [Former Managing Director, Forum for the Future Americas] is joined by Kim Pate [Managing Director, NDN Fund] and Noah Oppenheim [Homarus Strategies and National Policy Coordinator, Business for Conservation and Climate Action] to explore what it means to redefine American conservation and how centering equity and honoring local and traditional wisdom is essential to a climate transition that can restore social, ecological, and economic health.

    Tune in to hear them explore how we can achieve more grounded and equitable climate solutions by learning from pre-existing Indigenous conservation practices and working in partnership with one another to create collective change. What do we mean by conservation and how can we create a more inclusive and effective definition? What is needed to unlock capital and scale pre-existing solutions? How can we embrace a bottom-up approach to conservation and climate action and center kindness and empathy in all collaborative spaces?

    Explore more at www.forumforthefuture.org/american-climate-futures

    About American Climate Futures

    American Climate Futures is an initiative by Forum for the Future to ensure the needs and voices of those most impacted by climate change in the US are at the forefront of goal-setting, planning, and solutions development — while also challenging, and accelerating the process of addressing, the systemic inequalities that got us here in the first place.

    Join a diverse and committed group of change-makers across the United States to learn from each other, collectively identify the entrenched barriers to climate justice, and co-design a community-centered, system-wide approach to a just and transformational response to the climate crisis. We invite you to reach out if you are interested in learning more about this work and how you can get involved.
    Please contact Ksenia Benifand for more information.

    All opinions expressed by their interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Forum for the Future.

    Interview recorded on 6th January 2023.

    This audio features the song “Upbeat Motivational Inspiring Uplifting Rock" by Leadsquid available under ONE MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE as defined in the standard terms and conditions on Envato Market."

    Produced by: Siddhi Ashar and Christina Daniels-Freeman
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    48 mins
  • Could Earth observation data be the new GPS? Using satellite data to meet sustainable development goals with Carine Saut

    Could Earth observation data be the new GPS? Using satellite data to meet sustainable development goals with Carine Saut
    Dec 13 2022
    In the third episode of the Futuring Podcast’s mini-series in collaboration with Capgemini, Sol Salinas (Global Executive Vice President & Sustainability Lead - The Americas) from Capgemini, talks to Carine Saut, Business Developer, Science and Space Applications at Capgemini

    Tune in to hear what the present and future holds for the role of earth observation data, how it may become part of our day to day lives just like GPS did, and how, through rigorous innovation with a systems lens and collaboration, it can catalyse our impact in creating a just and regenerative world. Sol and Carine explore the role of impact measurement through gathering and assessing earth observation data, enhancing capabilities through AI and more computing, and a myriad of use cases such as mapping the earth’s biomass for decarbonisation efforts, aiding biodiversity ecosystem restoration, monitoring land use, measuring air pollution, and more!

    Explore more at www.thefuturescentre.org/liveresearch/beyondgreenhousegases/

    About “Beyond greenhouse gases: Transforming project design through impact measurement”

    Co-produced by international sustainability non-profit, Forum for the Future and global information technology company, Capgemini, Beyond greenhouse gases: Transforming project design through impact measurement will explore how businesses can unlock more transformative project design and decision making, through the lens of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Over the next two months, we will continue to publish a series of insights and podcasts featuring industry leaders spanning sustainability, technology, and business. We will be exploring: the world of GHG accounting, climate change impacts, the importance of ‘futures’ thinking, and how we must adapt our approaches and the way we work.

    With thanks to our partner

    Beyond greenhouse gases was made possible thanks to the generous support from our partner, Capgemini.

    All opinions expressed by their interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Forum for the Future.

    Interview recorded on 6th December 2022.

    This audio features the song “Upbeat & Energetic Sport Motivational Pop" by Prigida available under ONE MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE as defined in the standard terms and conditions on Envato Market.

    Produced by: Siddhi Ashar and Bhairevi Aiyer
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    28 mins
  • How can we use futures thinking to reimagine how businesses can accelerate to a just and regenerative future? Featuring Alisha Bhagat

    How can we use futures thinking to reimagine how businesses can accelerate to a just and regenerative future? Featuring Alisha Bhagat
    Nov 15 2022
    In this special edition of the Futuring Podcast, Sol Salinas (Global Executive Vice President & Sustainability Lead - The Americas) from Capgemini and Alisha Bhagat, Forum for the Future’s Futures Lead and teacher of Futures Studies and Speculative Design at Parsons School of Design in New York reflect on the discourse around transformative change has shifted in recent decades and the mindset that we need to imagine what sort of change is needed moving forward.


    Tune in to hear Sol and Alisha explore the role of ‘futures’ thinking - why it is necessary and how to utilise it - whilst drawing on many examples and even making parallels with science fiction! What should the future look like, and what questions do businesses need to be asking?


    Explore more at www.thefuturescentre.org/liveresearch/beyondgreenhousegases/


    About “Beyond greenhouse gases: Transforming project design through impact measurement”


    Co-produced by international sustainability non-profit, Forum for the Future and global information technology company, Capgemini, Beyond greenhouse gases: Transforming project design through impact measurement will explore how businesses can unlock more transformative project design and decision making, through the lens of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Over the next four months, we will be publishing a series of insights and podcasts featuring industry leaders spanning sustainability, technology, and business. We will be exploring: the world of GHG accounting, climate change impacts, the importance of ‘futures’ thinking, and how we must adapt our approaches and the way we work.


    With thanks to our partner


    Beyond greenhouse gases was made possible thanks to the generous support from our partner, Capgemini


    All opinions expressed by their interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Forum for the Future.


    Interview recorded on 8th November 2022.


    This audio features the song “Upbeat & Energetic Sport Motivational Pop" by Prigida available under ONE MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE as defined in the standard terms and conditions on Envato Market.

    Produced by: Siddhi Ashar and Bhairevi Aiyer
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    31 mins
  • Why does your business exist? Discussing business, courage and humanity with Andrew Winston

    Why does your business exist? Discussing business, courage and humanity with Andrew Winston
    Oct 26 2022
    In this special edition of the Futuring Podcast, Sol Salinas (Global Executive VP & Sustainability Lead – The Americas) from Capgemini and Andrew Winston (Co-Author, Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More than They Take) reflect on the interconnected challenges and stakeholders that businesses impact and are influenced by, the role of impact measurement and beyond in enabling businesses to thrive and profit by transforming their model to regenerative, net positive models.

    Tune in to hear them explore what the role of business is in systems change. Is the world better because of your business? What if we contextualised the role of impact measurement within the growing number of Net Zero commitments seen? What is net positive? What transformation do we need and where do we start?

    Explore more at www.thefuturescentre.org/liveresearch/beyondgreenhousegases/

    About Beyond greenhouse gases: Transforming project design through impact measurement

    Co-produced by international sustainability non-profit, Forum for the Future and global information technology company, Capgemini, Beyond greenhouse gases: Transforming project design through impact measurement will explore how businesses can unlock more transformative project design and decision-making, through the lens of greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Over the next four months, we will be publishing a series of insights and podcasts featuring industry leaders spanning sustainability, technology, and business. We will be exploring: the world of GHG accounting, climate change impacts, the importance of ‘futures’ thinking and how we must adapt our approaches and the way we work.


    With thanks to our partner

    Beyond greenhouse gases was made possible thanks to the generous support from our partner: Capgemini


    All opinions expressed by their interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Forum for the Future.


    Interview was recorded on 14th October 2022.


    This audio features the song "Upbeat & Energetic Sport Motivational Pop" by Prigida available under ONE MUSIC STANDARD LICENSE as defined in the standard terms and conditions on Envato Market.

    Produced by: Siddhi Ashar and Bhairevi Aiyer
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    35 mins
  • With a narrow window for innovation, will our food systems transform or unravel? Featuring Lesley Mitchell and Charlene Collison

    With a narrow window for innovation, will our food systems transform or unravel? Featuring Lesley Mitchell and Charlene Collison
    Jan 27 2022

    In this special edition of the Futuring Podcast, Forum’s Associate Director for Sustainable Nutrition, Lesley Mitchell and Forum’s Associate Director for Sustainable Value Chains and Livelihoods, Charlene Collison, reflect on the world’s food production systems and examine the fragility of the supply chains behind them.

    Tune in to hear this provocative discussion as they explore how we’ve got here based on the last two decades, as well as what’s happening today - activities, innovations, and ideas with real potential to ignite deep transformation to a food system that’s fit for the future. What would it take to have truly ‘just’ and ‘regenerative’ principles at the heart of the supply chains that get our food from plant to plate, crop to cup, farm to fork?

    And vitally, can promising solutions be rapidly scaled to meet the biggest challenges of our time?

    Explore more at thefuturescentre.org/fos2021

    About the Future of Sustainability: Looking Back to Go Forward

    Produced by international sustainability non-profit, Forum for the Future, the Future of Sustainability: Looking Back to Go Forward is a unique opinion and commentary series set to explore lessons learned from the last 25 years in the sustainability movement and what they mean for the future.

    Based on new and exclusive insights from diverse voices across the sustainability movement, we'll examine where we have succeeded and where we have failed in creating real change. We’ll consider how the world is responding to today's multifaceted challenges and opportunities, and what pivots might be needed if we’re to deliver at scale and pace. Lastly, we'll look forward - exploring how we can reframe the goals of the system, reset our ambition, and encourage the adoption of new mindsets and approaches critical to creating what’s really needed: a truly just and regenerative future.

    With thanks to our partners
    Looking Back to Go Forward was made possible thanks to the generous support from our partners: Laudes Foundation, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Target, M&S, Capgemini, Bupa, 3M, CTPA, Burberry, Olam Food Ingredients, and in particular our headline sponsor, SC Johnson

    All opinions expressed by their interviewees are their own and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Forum for the Future.
    Interview recorded on 17th January 2022.

    This audio features the song "Boulevard" by Yung Kartz available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license.
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    34 mins