Student activities: Podcasts
Please note: All of the podcasts are student-produced. The views and opinions expressed in the episodes are solely those of the guests. They do not represent nor reflect position of the European Chair for Sustainable Development and Climate Transition or of Sciences Po.
Featured podcasts
Climate Unpacked.
Episode 1 Water stress, climate and innovation. Link to the episode.
Hello and welcome to a new episode of the Climate Unpacked podcast!
This episode is about water! We are mostly made of water but sadly this resource, which is at the heart of our existence, is threatened with climate change and our current mode of consumption!
During the preparation of this episode, according to the Stockholm Resilience Center , we exceeded the 6th planetary boundary: that of freshwater. This means that more droughts and severe precipitation events are to be expected as confirmed by the latest IPCC report.
In this episode we talk about the water use patterns in agriculture and its impact on the water cycle. We also explore the impacts of the energy and mining industries on groundwater. We were delighted to interview a special guest, Navkaran Singh Bagga from India, the founder of Akvo — a start-up which specializes in manufacturing atmospheric water generators — who explains how Akvo is tackling the issue of freshwater availability in India.
If you are interested in learning more about the water challenges you can access the links below!
Student podcast producers: Raïssa Kandé Tiéné, Antoine Gérardin, Allegra Ponti, Joanna O’Flynn and Valeria de los Casares
Students featured in this episode: Raïssa Kandé Tiéné
© Music by Fugu Vibes on the platform Uppbeat
Calculate you water footprint here !
Episode 2: Climate migration, myth or reality? Link to the episode.
Hello and welcome to our first episode of the Climate Unpacked podcast!
In this episode we had an insightful discussion with Dr. Caroline Zickgraf about the relationships between climate change and migration. Dr. Zickgraf is a lecturer for the course “Environment and Migration” at Sciences Po Paris, a member of the Advisory Group to the UNFCCC Task Force on Displacement and the Deputy Director of the Hugo Observatory at the University of Liège, which is a research centre studying the interactions between environmental changes, human migration, and politics.
Student podcast producers: Raïssa Kandé Tiéné, Antoine Gérardin, Allegra Ponti, Joanna O’Flynn and Valeria de los Casares
Students featured in this episode: Raïssa Kandé Tiéné and Antoine Gérardin
*Music by madirfan/Pixabay
Sustainability Café
Episode 1: The role of renewable energy in the energy transition. Link to the episode.
In this episode of Sustainability Café, we discuss different forms of renewable energy and their sustainability. Drawing from the experience of our guest, Ms Elena Ocenic (Policy Advisor on Climate Change, Sustainability and the Energy Transition), we examine some countries that generate almost 100% of their energy from renewable sources as well as other countries which are carbon negative. Finally, we look at renewable energy from a geopolitical lens and the resulting social benefits/implications on society.
Student podcast producers: Ombeline de la Chauvinière, Vincent Eke and Miriam Levit
Episode 2: The role of nuclear energy in the energy transition. Link to the episode.
Welcome to our second episode at the Sustainability Café!
In this episode we interview energy expert and lecturer at Sciences Po, Marco Baroni, on the role of nuclear energy for the energy transition. We also asked you, SciencesPo students, about your views on the topic. Is nuclear energy essential to achieve decarbonisation? Do you believe it is a clean and safe energy source? Tune in to learn more about the opportunities and challenges of nuclear energy.
NB: This episode was recorded prior to Russia’s large military invasion of Ukraine and thus, does not discuss Russia’s nuclear power plant attack as an example of safety threats to nuclear power plants. The Russia-Ukraine war is deeply affecting all of us and our thoughts and solidarity are with all people affected by this war.
Student podcast producers: Camille Canivet, Polina Checherina and Chiara Feldberger
Original music by Giorgio Coppola
Episode 3: Behind the scenes of the Carbon Neutrality Challenge (Part 1). Link to the episode.
Welcome to the third episode of the Sustainability Café!
This is a special episode for all students out there who are thinking of launching their own student-led events, contests and initiatives! Join our hosts, Camille and Chiara, as they interview the founders of the student-led Carbon Neutrality Challenge: Gaia Bellevista and Tommaso Buso.
The Carbon Neutrality Challenge was a three-day event that took place from 12-14 november 2021, and which was fully dedicated to the design of policy and project solutions by Sciences Po students to tackle the pressing issue of achieving carbon neutrality. The challenge is a space for students to develop and showcase original ideas and gain the opportunity to influence policy making in the field at the national and international level from a multidisciplinary perspective. The very successful challenge required months of preparation and lots of effort and coordination. In this episode, Tommaso and Gaia share their experiences and insights on what is required to plan and launch a successful student-led initiative. They will also share information of the amazing winners of the challenge!
In 2021, the policy category first-prize winners were Marion Chetaille and Louise Bigot with their proposal on how to decarbonise shipping and the project category first-prize winners were Jean Crosetti and Ilo Rakotonavahy with their proposal on how to reduce emissions of music festivals. Their ideas were rewarded with, among others, a pitch in front of the OECD, a 6-month incubation at Creative Valley, several mentorship sessions with the industry experts…and the next episodes of this podcast!
In this episode, Camille and Chiara also talk to Emilie Berger, who was in charge of the partnership between We Start, the Sciences Po entrepreneurship association, and the Carbon Neutrality Challenge.
Tune in to learn more about the Carbon Neutrality Challenge and how your idea could win the next edition. And most importantly, be inspired by our guests to follow your passion and do what you believe in.
You can find more information about the challenge on:
– The EIB Institute website
– The CNC website
– The CNC LinkedIn page
Student podcast producers: Camille Canivet and Chiara Feldberger
Music by Giorgio Coppola
Episode 4: Green Tsunami- The Carbon Neutrality Challenge (Part 2). Link to the episode.
Welcome to our new episode of the Sustainability Café! This episode is the second part of the series of episodes on the student-led Carbon Neutrality Challenge.
Did you know that on average 2300 tons of CO2 are produced in just one music festival?
The current generation of festival goers is more than ever conscious about this issue as 75% of those aged from 18 to 25 would agree to pay a premium to ensure better environmental practices in music festivals. However, the owners of such festivals often claim they do not have time, skills, nor the financial resources to address this matter.
In this episode, Polina and Miriam interview Ilo Rakotonavahy, who along with Jean Crosetti is the co-founder of the Green Tsunami, a project that aims to reduce the emissions of music festivals by providing a quantified plan of action along with other measures to incentivize and mobilize both the community and festival managers.
The Green Tsunami was awarded the first prize for the project category of the Carbon Neutrality Challenge yielding a 6-month incubation period sponsored by Creative Valley. Furthermore, it received the first prize for the competition organized by the French Ministry of Education for young entrepreneurs. Additionally, they won the second prize at Tiger Launch, a student startup competition organized by Princeton University and We_Start.
Do you want to find out more?!
https://jeunes.gouv.fr/Resultats-de-l-appel-a-projets
https://www.linkedin.com/company/green-tsunami/
Student podcast producers: Polina Checherina and Miriam Levit
Music by Giorgio Coppola