S2, E1: Are FOSSIL FUELS burning our future?
In the first episode of season two, We Need to Talk about Eco-Anxiety, Clover embarks on a journey to learn more about how our production and use of energy contributes both to the climate crisis, and the rise of eco-anxiety.
Clover sits down with activist Aneesa Khan to understand how the lies told by the fossil fuel industry perpetuate our ‘addiction’. We then hear from young people around the world, sharing how their eco-anxiety is impacted by fossil fuels; our resident psychotherapist Caroline Hickman on how to navigate these feelings; and finally, Kate from OVO Energy - on the future of powering the world sustainably.
Featuring…
Aneesa Kahn: campaigner at Oil Change Int'l
Aneesa is an Indian-born climate activist who has dedicated herself to the movement for climate justice. She studied international environmental law and politics at College of the Atlantic and focused on telling stories of environmental inequity and injustice through graphic design. She has attended United Nations climate conferences in Lima, Paris, and Marrakesh, and led the SustainUS delegation to the 24th UN climate conference in Katowice, Poland.
In this episode, she and Clover discuss:
How Aneesa woke up to the impacts of fossil fuels growing up in Oman, where drilling for oil was cheaper than providing drinking water;
How energy giants have been so successful at keeping us in the dark about climate change; and
What it will take for us to deliver a green energy future.
Caroline Hickman, resident psychotherapist
Caroline is a psychotherapist from the University of Bath, who has spent years researching children and young people’s relationships with nature and feelings about the climate and ecological crisis; in the UK, Maldives, South Pacific and other communities already affected by rising sea levels.
In their conversation, Caroline and Clover discuss our relationship to Fossil Fuels through the lens of addiction.
Kate Weinburg, Director of Sustainability at OVO Energy
Kate Weinberg has more than 15 years of experience in strategic sustainability and climate change as a consultant, manager and lawyer. After joining green energy supplier OVO last year as director of sustainability, she oversaw the development of the company’s first ‘Plan Zero’ sustainability strategy, which sets a target to both achieve net zero emissions within the company as well as halve the carbon footprint of its customers by 2030.
In their conversation, Clover and Kate discuss how business can be a force for good; challenges with making the green industrial revolution a reality; and why eco-anxiety is an extraordinary force for change.
Quotes from the episode
"The injustice of the climate crisis is why I'm here. Wealthy countries, countries in the global north, the fossil fuel industry, and corporations are very much responsible for the climate crises but the people who are bearing its burden are our young people, women, people of colour and indigenous people."
- Aneesa Khan
"There is money in the world. The governments around the globe spent 13 trillion dollars bailing out the banks during the financial crisis. They have money for the climate crisis. They're just not giving it out."
- Aneesa Khan
With thanks this episode’s sponsor,
OVO Energy
Interested in sponsoring Season 3? Email media@forceofnature.xyz
Share the Force Of Nature Podcast:
If you’re moved by the podcast, share it with a friend.
Share your takeaways on Instagram stories and tag @forceofnature.xyz
Subscribe, rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts.
Follow us for more content on how young people feel, think and act in response to climate change.
Read the Bloom
Are fossil fuels burning our future?
I used to daydream about having my whole life ahead of me…now, all I can think about is how my future will be defined by…
Have you listened to season 1 yet?
In this 9-part series, Clover sits down with the people who are leading the charge: from the woman who started a global movement out of her backyard; to the lawyer responsible for the world’s most historic climate agreement; and a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee.
A Force of Nature and OneFinePlay production
Director: Clover Hogan
Studio: OneFinePlay
Executive producer: James Bishop
Editor & producer: Kasra Firouzyar
Producer & researcher: Connor Foley
Additional creative support: Selena Christofides
With special thanks to everyone who makes Force of Nature possible!
Phoebe Hanson, Kathleen Hamilton, Alejandra Arias, Sacha Wright, Julia Sams, Vida Han, Zineb Jaoudat and Rohan Shah.