In this live crossover episode of Climate Papa and Volts, I sit down with renowned climate journalist David Roberts for a conversation bridging the personal and the planetary. David traces his unlikely path from doctoral philosophy drop out into journalism—and how his early love of systems thinking shapes his work today.

We dive into the puzzle that is the energy transition. With clean energy solutions now tangible and increasingly affordable, David sees his role not just as a reporter, but as a guide through the nested challenges of decarbonization—from grid reform to housing to the politics of permitting.

We dive into David’s approach to writing (“talk like you’re at a bar with a smart friend”), his current obsessions (electricity and land use), and why abundance, not austerity, should define the climate movement. Along the way we try to answer if humans might be smart enough, as a species, to outrun the fate of the protozoa.

David was thoughtful, funny, and full of hope—with very little room for BS.

Referenced:

• Stepchange Show: Coal I

• 9Zero Seattle

• In defense of Ethical Naturalism

• Is humanity smarter than a protozoan?

• What's up with electric aviation?

Connect:

• David - Volts

• Ben - LinkedIn | ⁠Climate Papa⁠

Feedback? Guest ideas? Get in touch, by emailing ⁠ben@climatepapa.com⁠

Music: Slynk & Lazy Syrup Orchestra - Mellow Kinda Hype (Balkan Bump Remix)