Jacinda Ardern and… Is It Time to Talk About Geoengineering?
· 48 min · S12 E26
Episode Jacinda Ardern and… Is It Time to Talk About Geoengineering?
This week, hosts Tom Rivett Carnac and Paul Dickinson delve into the rapidly emerging - and faintly surreal - world of solar geoengineering.
Politico journalist Karl Mathiesen joins us to unpack his investigation into Stardust, a VC-backed startup claiming it’s ready to spray particles into the stratosphere. Karl explains why this technology is suddenly attracting serious money, why scientists still have major questions about safety and side effects, and how in some places, the global regulatory landscape is almost nonexistent.
And from technological disruption to political stability, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, reflects on the leadership we need. She’s unflinchingly honest about why so many politicians still choose “fear and blame” over long-term action, and why climate remains New Zealand’s “nuclear-free moment.” A test of political character as much as policy. Her argument is hopeful: people, she insists, are ahead of their politics.
As we march towards the end of 2025, these conversations map the terrain of 2026: technologies racing ahead, governance lagging behind, and a public increasingly hungry for leaders willing to act with integrity. If you want to understand where the climate fight is really heading this episode is essential.
Learn more:
📚Read The Strange and Totally Real Plan to Blot Out the Sun and Reverse Global Warming
👂Listen to our episode with Ricken Patel
🎤 Leave us your voice notes and questions for upcoming episodes on SpeakPipe
Follow us on social media for behind the scenes moments and to watch our videos:
Instagram @outrageoptimism
LinkedIn @outrageoptimism
Or get in touch with us via this form.
Producer: Ben Weaver-Hincks
Planning: Caitlin Hanrahan
Exec Producer: Ellie Clifford
This is a Persephonica production for Global Optimism and is part of the Acast Creator Network.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Links in the notes 9
- https://www.politico.eu/staff/karl-mathiesen-2/
- https://www.instagram.com/jacindaardern/?hl=en
- https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2025/11/21/stardust-geoengineering-janos-pasztor-regulations-00646414
- https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/episodes/too-hot-to-handle-facing-a-future-beyond-15c?hsLang=en
- https://www.speakpipe.com/OutrageandOptimism
- https://www.instagram.com/outrageoptimism/?hl=en
- https://uk.linkedin.com/company/outrageoptimism
- https://www.globaloptimism.com/contact?hsLang=en
- https://acast.com/privacy
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.