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Fossil vs Future

Fossil vs Future

By: James Cameron and Daisy Nicholls
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 This is Fossil vs Future, a warm conversation between generations on climate change. - Each podcast episode will be focusing on a different climate-related challenge, as godfather and goddaughter, James and Daisy, share their individual experiences and perspectives, with the hope of fostering understanding between generations. - James is at the later stage of his working life dedicated to dealing with climate change, through law, finance, and social entrepreneurship, and Daisy is at an earlier stage of her career, equally focused on the climate and how to drive systemic change through her experience in the finance, business, and non-profit sectors. - We want to use intergenerational dialogue as a tool to learn, inspire, and get stuff done! - LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/fossil-vs-future Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/fossil_vs_future TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@fossil_vs_future© 2025 James Cameron and Daisy Nicholls Biological Sciences Earth Sciences Science
Episodes
  • WHAT ABOUT DEMOGRAPHICS? Cause for panic or time for intergenerational action? | Ft. John Elkington

    WHAT ABOUT DEMOGRAPHICS? Cause for panic or time for intergenerational action? | Ft. John Elkington
    Jul 15 2025
    Demography is the study of human populations, while demographics refer to the characteristics of a population like age, gender, ethnicity, income, education, health. These traits both influence – and are influenced by – the climate crisis. In this episode, James and Daisy speak with John Elkington, a world authority on corporate responsibility and sustainable capitalism. Together they explore the role demographics play in shaping our climate future. What role do older generations play in shaping – or resisting – climate action? Will immigration become the main driver of population growth? How should demographic shifts inform climate solutions?SOME RECOMMENDATIONS: Rewilding Markets – John Elkington’s blog on how we can design - and redesign - markets to meet tomorrow's needs.Hannah Ritchie (2025) – A data-led blog showing that while the generational divide in belief and concern about climate change is small, the differences are slightly greater when it comes to views on how to address it.Project Drawdown – Family planning and education could reduce carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by nearly 70 gigatons by 2050.Our World in Data – In 1800, the global population was 1 billion. It’s now over 8 billion. The UN projects that the global population will peak in 2086 at just over 10.4 billion people.OTHER ADVOCATESAND RESOURCES:Green Swans (2020) – John Elkington’s twentieth book, a manifesto for system change designed to serve people, planet, and prosperity.IPAT Equation – I = P × A × T – Developed by Paul Ehrlich and John Holdren in 1972 to describe how impact (I) or environmental change is a function of population size (P), affluence (A), and technology (T).The Conduit (2025) – By 2050, Spain will have 8 million fewer working-age people, so it is issuing work permits to 900,000 undocumented migrants. The Bank of Spain estimated that immigration contributed a fifth of the near 3% GDP growth between 2022 and 2024.BBC (2019) – France spends more public money on families than any other OECD country. Its benefits include a ‘birth grant’ of around €950, followed by monthly child benefit and diverse family allowances, income tax reductions and state-subsidised day-care.BBC (2024) – A 2021 survey of 10,000 people aged 16 to 25 found that more than 40% of respondents in Australia, Brazil, India and the Philippines said climate change made them hesitant about having children. In France, Portugal, the UK and the US the figure was between 30% and 40%. In Nigeria it was 23%.Ingka Young Leaders Forum – A global youth advisory council where Ingka Group's senior decision-makers and the Young Leaders Forum members co-create actionable and transformational strategies together. Ingka Group is the largest IKEA franchisee. edie (2021) – At COP26, the Body Shop explored how a youth council could ensure that younger generations had their voices and issues heard by decision makers.SOME FACTS: United Nations (2017) – The population of Nigeria is projected to surpass that of the United States by about 2050, at which point it would become the third largest country in the world.UN ECA (2024) – Globally, more than 1 in 4 people will be African in 2050, from 1 in 11 in 1960.European Commission (2023) – By 2060, Europeans over the age of 65 could account for 39% of the region’s total emissions.Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokYou can also now watch us on YouTube.Music: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3Producer: Podshop StudiosHuge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
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    45 mins
  • WHAT ABOUT THE OCEAN? A body of water or the planet’s life-support system?

    WHAT ABOUT THE OCEAN? A body of water or the planet’s life-support system?
    Jul 1 2025
    The ocean is essential to life on Earth – regulating climate, producing oxygen, providing food and livelihoods, and supporting ecosystems. But it's in trouble. Today, it faces a triple crisis: overfishing, pollution, and climate change.In this episode, James and Daisy dive deep into the ocean’s role in climate stability. Why is ocean protection critical to solving the climate crisis? What were the key takeaways from the UN Ocean Conference? Can the ocean itself be part of the solution?SOME RECOMMENDATIONS: Ocean with David Attenborough – A stunning documentary highlighting both the beauty of the sea and the alarming ways human activity is depleting its resources.Ellen MacArthur Foundation – In 2005, Ellen MacArthur became the fastest person to sail solo around the world. Five years later, she founded the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Foundation warns that by 2050, oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight.UN (2025) – The Nice Ocean Action Plan is a two-part framework that comprises a political declaration and over 800 voluntary commitments by governments, scientists, UN agencies, and civil society to protect the ocean. OTHER ADVOCATESAND RESOURCES:High Seas Treaty – Covers nearly two-thirds of the ocean that lies beyond national jurisdictions. Once ratified, this treaty will help close critical regulatory gaps and guide international cooperation on ocean protection. Law of the Sea Convention (1982) – An international treaty that established a legal framework for all marine and maritime activities, including navigation rights, territorial waters, and deep-sea mining.30 x 30 – A global campaign to protect 30% of the Earth's land and ocean by 2030. It's a key target of the Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022.The Precautionary Principle – A decision-making approach that emphasizes taking preventative measures when there's a reasonable possibility of harm, even if scientific evidence is not fully conclusive.Dark Oxygen – At depths of 5km, where no sunlight can penetrate, oxygen appears to be produced by naturally occurring metallic “nodules” which split seawater - H2O - into hydrogen and oxygen.Blue Economy – Refers to the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and ocean ecosystem health. While widely used, the term lacks a universally agreed definition.Notpla – A biodegradable alternative to plastic made from seaweed.International Whaling Commission (IWC) – Established in 1946 as the global body responsible for management of whaling and conservation of whales.Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) – A non-profit organisation which aims to set standards for sustainable fishing.The White House (2025) - The Trump administration signed an executive order to accelerate deep-sea mining in both U.S. and international waters.Arnold Schwarzenegger (2025) – Speaking at the Austrian World Summit, he called for unified global action to combat pollution and safeguard the planet.SOME FACTS: UNESCO (2022) – The ocean covers about 71% of the Earth’s surface and holds over 97% of its water. Phytoplankton, a tiny marine plant that lives on the ocean’s surface, produces, through photosynthesis, roughly 50-80% of the oxygen we breathe.LSE (2023) – The ocean contributes to climate regulation by absorbing over a quarter of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions and around 90% of excess heat. Without the ocean, the average surface temperature, which is currently around 15°C, would instead be around 50°C.WEF (2020) – The annual gross marine product of the oceans totals $2.5 trillion per year - which would make it the eighth largest economy, in country terms.BBC (2025) – Bottom trawling or dredging is currently allowed in 90% of the UK's Marine Protected Areas. BBC (2025) – Over 2,000 scientists have recommended to governments that all deep sea exploration be paused whilst further research is carried out; just 0.001% of the seabed has been mapped.Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokYou can also now watch us on YouTube.Music: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3Producer: Podshop StudiosHuge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
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    36 mins
  • WHAT ABOUT ACTIVISM? A force for change or fuel for resistance? | Featuring Clover Hogan

    WHAT ABOUT ACTIVISM? A force for change or fuel for resistance? | Featuring Clover Hogan
    Jun 17 2025
    Activism is often defined as the act of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change. But in practice, it takes many forms and means different things to different people. For many – especially younger generations – activism isn’t just a choice; it’s a necessity, driven by frustration that conventional approaches have failed. Yet, the effectiveness of more disruptive tactics remains hotly debated. In this episode, James and Daisy sit down with Clover Hogan – a young climate activist who has worked alongside the world’s leading authorities on sustainability, consulted within the boardrooms of Fortune 50 companies, and counselled heads of state. Together, they explore what activism really means today. What misconceptions surround activists? Whose power do you need to create real change? And should everyone be a climate activist? SOME RECOMMENDATIONS: Force of Nature – A youth non-profit founded in 2019 by Clover Hogan at age 19, focused on mobilising mindsets for climate action.TEDx (2021) – Clover Hogan’s talk, “What to do when climate change feels unstoppable” has almost 2 million views. Change Starts Now: 100 Lessons from a Full-time Changemaker (2025) – A new book by Melati Wijsen, who began campaigning at age 12 to ban plastic bags in Bali.OTHER ADVOCATES, FACTS, AND RESOURCES:The Conduit (2025) – Melati Wijsen led a panel of young climate activists to launch her new book. Greenpeace (2022) – Volunteers reflect on what activism means to them. An Inconvenient Truth (2006) – A documentary about former vice president of the United States Al Gore's campaign to educate people on global warming.The Cove (2009) – A documentary that analyses and questions dolphin hunting in Japan.Smart Surfaces Coalition – Committed to the adoption of smart surfaces to enable cities to decrease urban heat, save money, reduce flooding risk, and strengthen urban liveability, resilience, and equity.Doughnut Economics (2017) – Kate Raworth describes a cutting-edge economic model fit for the 21st century and the establishment of DEAL (Doughnut Economics Action Lab). Future Generations Commissioner for Wales – A pioneering role advocating for the rights of future generations in policymaking.ClientEarth – A non-profit using the power of law to bring about systemic change that protects the Earth. Youth Demand – A youth-led nonviolent civil resistance campaign demanding the UK stops arming Israel and cancels all new oil and gas granted since 2021.Just Stop Oil (JSO) – A UK-based nonviolent civil resistance group that halted its street campaigns in 2025 after achieving its major goals. Rights of Nature – In 2008, Ecuador became the first country to change its constitution to state that nature has the same rights as people.Impossible Foods – A leader in plant-based meat innovation, founded by Pat Brown.John Elkington – A world authority on corporate responsibility and sustainable capitalism, a bestselling author and serial entrepreneur. Currently, he is Chief Pollinator at Volans.We Don’t Have Time - The largest media platform for climate action, founded by Ingmar Rentzhog. And here is the viral meme created by Elon Musk featuring Clover – discussed in the episode. To learn more about different perspectives on climate activism and how it’s portrayed in the media:Carbon Brief (2024) – Shows that 2023 saw a record number of UK newspapers opposing climate action, almost exclusively from right-leaning titles. Green European Journal (2023) – Explores how the media portray climate activists as “enemies of society”. Thank you for listening! Please follow us on social media to join the conversation: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokYou can also now watch us on YouTube.Music: “Just Because Some Bad Wind Blows” by Nick Nuttall, Reptiphon Records. Available at https://nicknuttallmusic.bandcamp.com/album/just-because-some-bad-wind-blows-3Producer: Podshop StudiosHuge thanks to Siobhán Foster, a vital member of the team offering design advice, critical review and organisation that we depend upon.Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on navigating the transition away from fossil fuels to a sustainable future.
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    49 mins

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