PODCAST · science
Saving the World From Bad Ideas
by WePlanet
The world is shaped by ideas—some good, some bad, and some that seemed good at the time. This is a podcast about rethinking the things we take for granted, challenging sacred cows, and admitting when we’ve been wrong. With your host, awarded environmental author and activist Mark Lynas, we take a deep dive into the environmental, political, and social debates shaping our future—without the outrage, tribalism, or easy answers. Help us save the world from bad ideas. Because the future depends on us getting it right.
Episodes
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Bad Idea #63 “Glaciers Are Forever” with Lonnie Thompson
Episode summary In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, host Mark Lynas is joined by Professor Lonnie Thompson, an ice paleoclimatologist with The Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at Ohio State University. In this episode, they discuss Lonnie’s legacy of over 50 years of…
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Bad Idea #62 “Killing bluefin tuna” with George Monbiot
Episode summary In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, host Mark Lynas is joined by George Monbiot, columnist in The Guardian and environmental campaigner of worldwide renown, to discuss the return of bluefin tuna to British waters and the critical importance of protecting this...
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Bad Idea #61 “4 billion dead” with Roger Hallam
Episode summary In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, host Mark Lynas is joined by Roger Hallam, climate campaigner and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion, to discuss his evolution in climate activism and the case for mass civil resistance. Roger reflects on the successes and…
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Bad Idea #60 “Trees are our only carbon offset”
Episode summary In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, host Mark Lynas is joined by Quico Toro, Director of Climate Repair at the Anthropocene Institute, to discuss his research on ocean-based carbon dioxide removal via phytoplankton. Quico challenges the idea that photosynthesis…
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Bad Idea #59 “Climate stabilisation is a moral hazard”
Episode summary In this inaugural episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas Season 4, host Mark Lynas is joined by scientist Joshua Elliott, director of Advanced Research for Climate Emergencies (ARC) and chief scientist at Renaissance Philanthropy, to discuss Earth's tipping points and rapidly...
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What's coming up in Season 4
Finally a new season is launching, and Mark is ready to tell us what season 04 of Saving the world from BAD IDEAS is going to be about.
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Bad Idea #58 “Environmentalists Are All the Same” with George Monbiot
In this season-ending episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, host Mark Lynas is joined by environmental journalist and author George Monbiot to explore a new framework for understanding environmentalism. George argues that what is often treated as a single movement actually contains three...
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Bad Idea #57 “Hands off Mother Earth” with Anni Pokela
In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with Anni Pokela of Operaatio Arktis about why “Hands off Mother Earth” is no longer a serious response to the climate crisis. The conversation explores how humans are already deeply entangled with planetary systems, whether...
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Bad Idea #56 "Just leave it to the market" with Tom Crowther
In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with global ecologist Tom Crowther about a seductive but dangerous assumption: just leave it to the market. While part of the conversation focuses directly on capitalism, inequality, poverty, and wealth redistribution, the...
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Bad Idea #55 "Life's only about competition" with Rowan Hooper
In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with science writer Rowan Hooper about one of the deepest misconceptions in biology: that life is only about competition. Drawing on Hooper’s new book Togetherness, they explore how symbiosis and cooperation run through life at...
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Bad Idea #54 "Shut down the cobalt mines" with Nicholas Niarchos
In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with journalist and author Nicholas Niarchos about the dirty, dangerous, and politically fraught supply chains behind lithium-ion batteries. Using cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a central case study, they...
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Bad Idea #53 "History shows nuclear war will never happen.” with David Holloway
In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with Stanford historian David Holloway about one of the most dangerous assumptions of the nuclear age: history shows nuclear war will never happen. Drawing on Holloway’s new book Nuclear Weapons and International History, they...
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Bad Idea #52 "Attenborough’s films ignore human impacts” with Colin Butfield
“Attenborough’s films ignore human impacts.” In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with filmmaker and environmental storyteller Colin Butfield, co-founder of Open Planet Studios and a long-time collaborator of David Attenborough. They discuss how Attenborough’s…
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Bad Idea #51 "plenty of krill in the ocean" with Claire Christian
Antarctica is the least disturbed continent on Earth — and for some of the world's most powerful fishing nations, that's not a reason to protect it. It's a reason to go there next. Claire Christian, Executive Director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, joins Mark Lynas to make the…
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Bad Idea #50 "clean energy is too expensive for Africa" with Daan Walter
Clean energy won't work in the global south... right? At a moment when the fossil fueled economy is cracking under geopolitical pressure, Daan Walter of EMBER brings the data that reframes everything: clean energy is moving ahead, in developing countries — it's already winning. Walter unpacks...
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Bad Idea #49 "We can stop worrying about the climate" with Zeke Hausfather
“We can stop worrying about the climate.” In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with climate scientist Zeke Hausfather about a dangerously complacent idea: we can stop worrying about the climate. As recent years have broken temperature records and warming appears…
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Bad Idea #48 "Vaccines are overrated" with Seth Berkley
Are vaccines overrated? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with Dr Seth Berkley, infectious disease epidemiologist, former CEO of Gavi, and co-founder of COVAX, about what the world got right and wrong during COVID-19. They discuss vaccine equity, pandemic...
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Bad Idea #47 "Geothermal energy is niche" with Terra Rogers
Geothermal energy isn't niche—it's everywhere. In this conversation, Mark Lynas speaks with Terra Rogers—program director for Superhot Rock Geothermal at Clean Air Task Force—about how next-generation geothermal technology could deliver 24/7 carbon-free baseload power anywhere on Earth. For a...
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Bad Idea #46 "Conspiracy Theories" with Calum Matheson
Conspiracy theories are psychologically reassuring closed systems that are corroding democracy. In this conversation, Mark Lynas speaks with Calum Matheson—associate professor and chair of Communication at the University of Pittsburgh—about why conspiracy thinking is more dangerous than ever. The...
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Bad Idea #45 "Eating wildlife is more sustainable’" with Sylvia Earle
At 90 years old, Sylvia Earle has witnessed more ocean change than perhaps anyone alive. In this conversation, the legendary oceanographer delivers an urgent message: we're destroying the very systems that keep us alive, and we're running out of time to stop. Earle dismantles the illusion that...
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Bad Idea #44 "Vegi products are unhealthy’" with Nesli Sözer
Are ultra-processed foods really the enemy? In this conversation, Mark Lynas sits down with Nesli Sözer, research professor at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and founder of NAPKIN (Nordic Alternative Protein Knowledge and Innovation Network—yes, the best food acronym ever). Sözer...
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Bad Idea #43 "Fishing in the Antarctic" with Matt Savoca, Ted Cheeseman, and Lucia Morillo
Should we be fishing for krill in the Antarctic? In this extraordinary episode, Mark Lynas connects via satellite with three researchers aboard a Sea Shepherd vessel in the Southern Ocean near the South Orkney Islands—one of the most remote and important whale feeding grounds on Earth. Matt…
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Bad Idea #42 "not enough land for renewables" with Tom Heap
Is there really not enough land for renewables? In this conversation, Mark Lynas sits down with Tom Heap—BBC Countryfile presenter, Radio 4's Rare Earth co-host, and author of Land Smart: How to Give People and Nature the Space to Thrive—to tackle one of the most important yet least discussed...
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Bad Idea #41 "nature is fragile" with Fred Pearce
Is nature really as fragile as we've been led to believe? In this conversation, Mark Lynas sits down with veteran environmental journalist Fred Pearce, author of Despite It All: A Handbook for Environmental Hopefuls, to challenge one of environmentalism's core assumptions. Pearce argues that…
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Bad Idea #40 "the food system is fundamentally broken" with Jan Dutkiewicz
Is industrial food actually the villain — or one of humanity's greatest achievements? In this provocative episode, Mark Lynas sits down with Jan Dutkiewicz, assistant professor at the Pratt Institute and contributing editor at the New Republic, co-author of Feed the People: Why Industrial Food is...
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Bad Idea #39 "but that's just a technofix" with Adam Dorr
Can technology save us from environmental collapse — or is it just another false promise? In this epic conversation, Mark Lynas sits down with Adam Dorr, Director of Research at RethinkX and author of The Degrowth Delusion, to explore four simultaneous technological revolutions reshaping our…
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Bad Idea #38 "Solving energy is enough for solving climate" with Bruce Friedrich
Can we really solve climate change just by fixing energy — and ignore food? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with Bruce Friedrich, founder and President of the Good Food Institute, to tackle Bad Idea #37: “Solving energy is enough for solving climate.”…
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Bad Idea #37 "1.5 degrees" with Kwesi Quagraine and Erle Ellis
Is the 1.5°C temperature target helping or hindering climate action? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with his co-authors Kwesi Quagraine (climate scientist at NCAR) and Erle Ellis (professor at University of Maryland Baltimore County) to discuss their...
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Bad Idea #36 "No infinite growth on a finite planet" with Adam Dorr
Is “degrowth” a noble environmental solution — or one of history’s truly terrible ideas? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with Adam Dorr, Director of Research at RethinkX and author of The Degrowth Delusion: Dispelling One of History’s Truly Terrible Ideas....
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Bad Idea #35 "THIS is the Future" with David Wallace Wells
Welcome to season three of Saving The World From BAD IDEAS Bad Idea #35: ‘THIS is the Future’ Why Forecasts Fail – with David Wallace-Wells In the season three opener of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with David Wallace-Wells, New York Times columnist and author of The...
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Bad Idea #34 “Nuclear? No Thanks!" With Bryony Worthington
Is nuclear power too slow, too expensive, or too essential to ignore? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with Baroness Bryony Worthington — crossbench peer, climate policy architect, and co-host of the Cleaning Up podcast — to take on Bad Idea #34: “Nuclear?…
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Bad Idea #33 "Ultra Processed Foods are killing us’" with Sarah Berry
🔍 Episode Summary: Is the food industry slowly killing us? Is processing of food the problem? Do we really need personalized nutrition? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with Professor Sarah Berry — nutritional scientist and Chief Scientist at ZOE — to take...
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Bad Idea #32 "We don’t need nuclear" with Julia Pyke
Is a world powered by clean energy possible without nuclear power? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with Julia Pyke, Managing Director of Sizewell C, to challenge Bad Idea #32: “We don’t need nuclear.” From financing and grid stability to biodiversity and...
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Bad Idea #31 "Climate crisis? It’s China that’s the problem!" with Lauri Myllyvirta
Is China secretly saving the world from climate catastrophe? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas is joined by Lauri Myllyvirta, Lead Analyst and Co-Founder of the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), to examine Bad Idea #31: “Climate crisis? It’s China...
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Bad Idea #30 "It can’t happen here" with Susan Stokes
Could democracy really die in America? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas speaks with Susan Stokes, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and Director of the Chicago Center on Democracy, to challenge Bad Idea #30: “It can’t happen here.” Drawing…
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Bad Idea #29 "The Green transition is failing" with Michael Liebreich
Is net zero possible — and what’s really holding us back? In this second part of his conversation with Mark Lynas, clean energy expert Michael Liebreich dives deep into the technologies, policies, and economics of the energy transition. Together they explore Bad Idea #29: “The Green transition is...
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Bad Idea #28 “JAWS- aka sharks are dangerous” with Arzucan -Zuzu- Askin
Are sharks really the monsters we’ve been taught to fear — or the ocean’s misunderstood guardians? In this episode, Mark Lynas sits down with Arzucan “Zuzu” Askin, National Geographic Explorer, conservation scientist, and co-founder of Miyaru NGO, to take on Bad Idea #28: “Jaws - aka sharks are...
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Bad Idea #27 “There’s no hope for humanity” with Dr SJ Beard
Can thinking about the end of the world make us better people? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with philosopher and existential risk researcher Dr SJ Beard to unpack Bad Idea #27: “There’s no hope for humanity’” Drawing on their new book Existential Hope...
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Bad Idea #26 “Facts will beat Misinformation” with Professor Sander vanderLinden
Can we inoculate society against misinformation? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with Professor Sander Vanderlinden — social psychologist at the University of Cambridge and author of Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects Our Minds and How to Build Immunity…
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Bad Idea #25 "Climate catastrophism" with Ted NordHaus
🔍 Episode Summary: Is “climate catastrophism” itself a bad idea? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas is joined by longtime collaborator and eco-modernist thinker Ted Nordhaus, Executive Director of the Breakthrough Institute. Together they take on Bad Idea #21: “We…
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Bad Idea #24 "We’ll just use Hydrogen!" with Michael Liebreich
🔍 Episode Summary: Is green hydrogen the silver bullet for decarbonisation — or a trillion-dollar distraction? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas is joined by energy analyst, investor, and podcaster Michael Liebreich to unpack Bad Idea #24: “We’ll just use Hydrogen!”...
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Bad Idea #23 "These are the best of times" with Luke Kemp
🔍 Episode Summary Is civilisation inherently self-destructive? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas is joined by political scientist and existential risk researcher Dr Luke Kemp to tackle Bad Idea #23 "These are the best of times" Luke unpacks what history really tells…
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Bad Idea #22 "Solar can’t power the world" with Bill McKibben
🔍 Episode Summary Can the sun save civilization? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with legendary climate author and activist Bill McKibben to take on Bad Idea #22: "Solar can’t power the world." McKibben, co-founder of 350.org and Third Act, makes a…
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Bad Idea #21 "We can’t solve climate change" with Hannah Ritchie
🔍 Episode Summary Is it too late to stop climate change — or do we still have reasons for hope? In this episode, Mark Lynas talks with data scientist and author Hannah Ritchie, Deputy Editor of Our World in Data and author of Clearing the Air: The hopeful guide to solving climate change in 50...
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Saving the world from BAD IDEAS season two is coming!
We’re back. Season 2 of Saving the World from Bad Ideas is coming — and it’s bigger, bolder, and maybe even more controversial. This time once more , we’re joined by some of the sharpest minds on the planet. 🌍 Bill McKibben on activism, power, and what we’ve learned from 30 years of climate...
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Bookend episode: looking back at season 1 of Saving The World From Bad Ideas
In this special season finale of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, host Mark Lynas flips the script by inviting producer Rob on mic for the first time. Together, they look back on an exhilarating first season — what worked, what surprised them, what they learned, and where the podcast might go…
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Bad Idea #19 "greens are anti-science" with Tea Törmänen
🔍 Episode Summary Can Greens support nuclear power? Finnish environmentalist and WePlaneteer Tea Törmänen joins Mark Lynas to dismantle Bad Idea #19: “greens are anti-science.” With clarity, courage, and a wealth of lived experience, Tea shares her journey from feeling like an outcast in the...
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Bad Idea #18 "we’re addicted to fossil fuels" with Maarten Boudry
🔍 Episode Summary Are we addicted to fossil fuels and can we just go cold turkey? Philosopher of science Maarten Boudry joins Mark Lynas to tackle Bad Idea #18:: “we’re addicted to fossil fuels”. Drawing from his new book The Betrayal of the Enlightenment, Boudry offers a bold and clear-eyed...
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Bad Idea #17 "rewilding VS the people" with Rebecca Wrigley
🔍 Episode Summary Is rewilding just about wolves and wilderness, headset against farmers and rural communities, or something much more hopeful and human? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas is joined by Rebecca Wrigley, Chief Executive of Rewilding Britain, to unpack…
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Bad Idea #16 "let's ditch intensive farming" with Michael Grunwald
🔍 Episode Summary: Is industrial agriculture the villain it's made out to be? In this episode of Saving the World from Bad Ideas, Mark Lynas sits down with award-winning journalist and author Michael Grunwald to explore Bad Idea #16: "We need to ditch intensive agriculture." Grunwald, whose…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The world is shaped by ideas—some good, some bad, and some that seemed good at the time. This is a podcast about rethinking the things we take for granted, challenging sacred cows, and admitting when we’ve been wrong. With your host, awarded environmental author and activist Mark Lynas, we take a deep dive into the environmental, political, and social debates shaping our future—without the outrage, tribalism, or easy answers. Help us save the world from bad ideas. Because the future depends on us getting it right.
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WePlanet
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Saving the World From Bad Ideas have?
Saving the World From Bad Ideas currently has 65 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Saving the World From Bad Ideas about?
The world is shaped by ideas—some good, some bad, and some that seemed good at the time. This is a podcast about rethinking the things we take for granted, challenging sacred cows, and admitting when we’ve been wrong. With your host, awarded environmental author and activist Mark Lynas, we take a...
How often does Saving the World From Bad Ideas release new episodes?
Saving the World From Bad Ideas has 65 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Saving the World From Bad Ideas?
You can listen to Saving the World From Bad Ideas on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Saving the World From Bad Ideas?
Saving the World From Bad Ideas is created and hosted by WePlanet.
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