Science Episodes

Europe has just lived through another extreme heatwave — and this one felt different. In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine unpack “Canicule” - Europe’s Heatwave Wake-Up Call: what happened, why temperatures became so extreme, and what this tells us about the climate reality Europe is now facing. We look at the human impact of the heatwave, from health risks and school closures to pressure on hospitals, farms, rivers and infrastructure. We also explain the science behin...

AI is everywhere in sustainability right now — but what’s genuinely changing on the ground, and what’s still hype? In this episode of Sustainability Forward, hosts Wrishi Sutradhar and Carmine Fiume sit down with Carlos Silva Willson, a global technology and partnerships leader at Microsoft Middle East with prior experience across GE/Baker Hughes and AWS. Carlos brings a practical, “been-in-the-room” perspective on what AI and cloud can realistically deliver for sustainability — and what l...

The planet just got a health check — and the results are alarming. In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine revisit one of their most downloaded topics: the 9 Planetary Boundaries Framework — the scientific model that helps us understand how human activity is pushing Earth beyond its safe operating space. The 2025 update brings a sobering milestone: for the first time, scientists confirm that ocean acidification has crossed its boundary. That means 7 out of the 9 planetary...

Methane may not grab the headlines like carbon, but it’s one of the most powerful greenhouse gases—and tackling it is critical if we’re serious about slowing climate change. In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we sit down with Georges Tijbosch, CEO of MiQ, to explore how methane certification is bringing trust and transparency into the energy transition. Georges shares his personal journey into climate leadership, the story of how MiQ was founded, and the progress made so far in gettin...

As heatwaves scorch Europe and global electricity demand surges—up 4% in 2024 alone—can artificial intelligence be part of the solution to climate change rather than the problem? In this episode of Sustainability Forward, Wrishi and Carmine explore the double-edged sword of AI’s environmental footprint. From the staggering water and energy consumption of data centers to AI-driven breakthroughs in energy efficiency, methane detection, wildfire response, and food waste reduction, this conversatio...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward , we’re joined by renowned chemist and energy expert Nicola Armaroli to unpack the state of the global energy transition. As a research director at Italy’s National Research Council and a leading voice in science communication, Nicola brings both deep technical insight and a clear-eyed perspective on the societal and narrative challenges slowing our progress. We ask: If you had gone to sleep in 2022 and woken up today—what would you see? We explore...

In this episode of Sustainability Forward, we explore why heat pumps are rapidly replacing gas boilers and how this shift is key to reducing energy costs, cutting CO₂ emissions, and building a net-zero future. 🔎 What’s inside this episode? ✅ The real economics of switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump ✅ How Switzerland is leading Europe’s electrification of heating ✅ Overcoming consumer concerns: Do heat pumps work in cold climates? ✅ The future of Meier Tobler and the heating industry 🔥 ...

In this episode of "Sustainability Forward," hosts Wrishi and Carmine sit down with Dr. James Crosby-Wrigley, Head of Sustainability for Commercial and Industrial Energy Supply and Usage at Advantage Utilities. Dr. Crosby-Wrigley, who holds a Ph.D. in Geochemistry, Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences from the University of Cambridge, brings his extensive expertise to discuss the pivotal role of distributed energy systems in achieving net-zero goals and managing energy costs. We explore: Th...

In this enlightening episode of "Sustainability Forward," hosts Wrishi and Carmine dive deep into the complexities of climate change with the esteemed Professor Karl Schmedders from IMD. As the world faces an unprecedented environmental challenge, understanding the economic underpinnings and potential solutions becomes crucial. From the latest alarming findings by the World Meteorological Organization to exploring the "tragedy of the commons," this episode unravels why climate change represents ...

Dive into the pivotal journey of decoupling economic growth from carbon emissions with the latest episode of the Sustainability Forward Podcast. Explore how countries like the UK, Sweden, the EU, and regions such as North America and Asia are pioneering sustainable development without compromising their economic ambitions. Uncover the remarkable achievements of transitioning away from fossil fuels, embracing renewable energy, and implementing innovative policies. This episode is a treasure trove...

Dive into the heart of climate action with our latest episode, "Understanding Net Zero," on the Sustainability Forward Podcast. Explore the critical balance between greenhouse gas emissions and removal, and why it's vital for our planet. This episode breaks down the essence of net zero - from emissions reduction and carbon removal to the challenges and global commitments shaping our path to a sustainable future. Join us as we unravel the importance of net zero for companies and countries, highli...

Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of Sustainability Forward, where we're joined by Preeti Pincha, Director of Sustainable Systems Initiative at Deloitte. This episode takes a deep dive into the world of systems transformation, a crucial lever for addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. Hear Preeti's expert perspective on the latest trends in systems-led approaches and understand why these transformations are integral to our environmental future. We discuss the significant role ...

Dive into the pivotal issue of the 1.5°C global warming threshold in our latest episode of 'Sustainability Forward'. This thought-provoking discussion explores the historical context of Earth's climate, the looming threat of surpassing this critical limit, and the potential tipping points we face. Understand the economic and ecological ramifications and the urgent need for transformative action in energy and conservation. Join hosts Wrishi and Carmine as they navigate the complexities of climate...

Exploring Natural and Artificial Carbon Sinks on Sustainability Forward. 🌱🌍 Join us in this episode as we delve deep into the world of carbon sinks, both natural and artificial, unraveling their role in driving sustainability. Whether you're a seasoned expert or just starting your sustainability journey, this insightful discussion navigates the intricate web of solutions for a greener future. Discover the power of nature and innovative technologies in combating climate change. Tune in for a sust...

In this special episode of 'Sustainability Forward' Wrishi and Carmine delve into the Planetary Boundaries Framework as presented in the Science article. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh2458 “This planetary boundaries framework update finds that six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now well outside of the safe operating space for humanity” Join us for Part 2 of a two-part series, where we deep dive into the remaining boundaries: Biosphere, Atmosph...

In this special episode of 'Sustainability Forward' Wrishi and Carmine delve into the Planetary Boundaries Framework as presented in the Science article. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh2458 “This planetary boundaries framework update finds that six of the nine boundaries are transgressed, suggesting that Earth is now well outside of the safe operating space for humanity” Join us for Part 1 of a two-part series, where we deep dive into the first five boundaries: Climate Change, O...

Carmine and Wrishi discuss emission sources and the scale of the problem