Empty climate gestures, Peter Hitchens' timezone crusade, and the big questions about New Towns
In this episode of 'The Abundance Agenda,' hosts James O'Malley and Martin Robbins dive into a story from Braintree in Essex where local resident Barry Thompson has faced ongoing challenges from the council in his efforts to install solar panels on his house. They discuss the irony of councils blocking green initiatives while declaring climate emergencies. The hosts also touch on broader issues such as the difficulty of carrying out decarbonization efforts, geopolitical tensions affecting renewable energy resources, and disputes within environmental organizations.Additionally, James and Martin discuss the Peter Hitchens' obsession with British Summer Time and the politics of changing time zones. The main interview features Lord Ben Gascoigne, Chair of the Built Environment Select Committee, who shares insights on the potential of new towns and the necessity of integrating community engagement and nature into urban planning.The New Towns Inquiry call for evidence:https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3626/James's newsletter on the origins of Abundance ideology and the on-going vibe shift:https://takes.jamesomalley.co.uk/p/the-abundance-vibe-shiftMartin's post on taking his trousers off at his local station car park:https://martinrobbins.substack.com/p/britains-car-parking-is-a-completeBook tickets for James's event with Anya Martin on How The YIMBYs Won:https://lu.ma/x265utjx00:00 Introduction to the Abundance Agenda Podcast00:22 A Solar Powered Nightmare in Braintree03:30 The Irony of Declaring a Climate Emergency05:09 The Tension Between Climate Action and Conservation12:57 The Ethical Dilemma of Solar Panel Sourcing18:29 Peter Hitchens and British Summertime25:30 Permanent British Summertime: Effects and Controversies26:01 The Scottish Influence on Time Policy26:45 The Great Time Zone Debate: BST vs GMT27:04 Public Opinion and Political Movements27:35 The Future of Time Zones in Britain29:39 Podcast Housekeeping and Substack Highlights31:33 New Towns and Urban Development32:27 Interview with Ben Gas Coin: New Towns Inquiry37:11 Rewilding and Urban Planning44:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
--------
45:43
The Planning Bill, Lab Meat, and why Milton Keynes isn't afraid of growth
In this episode of the Abundance Agenda, hosts James O'Malley and Martin Robbins delve into the implications of the new planning and infrastructure bill, exploring its potential to address issues like high-speed rail project inefficiencies and the infamous 'bat tunnel' problem. They discuss how the bill seeks to simplify the planning process and remove bureaucratic hurdles, emphasizing the significance of these changes for the UK's future growth. The episode also features an interview with Chris Curtis MP, who highlights Milton Keynes' exemplary development and the bill's potential impact on local and national infrastructure projects. Additionally, James and Martin debate the future of lab-grown meat, its economic feasibility, and its potential to revolutionize the food industry. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
--------
46:54
War, Peace, Car Parks and Abundance
The Abundance Agenda: Navigating the Impatience of Progress In the inaugural episode of 'The Abundance Agenda,' hosts James O'Malley and Martin Robbins delve into the concept of abundance and why it matters in today's world. They discuss the slow progress of major infrastructure projects in the UK, like HS2 and the Bakerloo Line extension, and the resulting frustration. The conversation also covers broader topics including the importance of housing, energy sufficiency, and climate change. Later, they pivot to discuss the implications of defense spending in the wake of geopolitical tensions, particularly the strain on the Western Alliance and the need for robust investments in military and infrastructure to ensure security. O'Malley and Robbins emphasize the importance of adopting an 'abundance mindset' to meet these challenges.00:00 Introduction to The Abundance Agenda00:20 The Concept of Abundance01:08 High-Speed Rail and Infrastructure Delays06:29 Housing Crisis and Economic Growth07:31 Energy Abundance and Climate Change09:31 Parking Apps and National Coordination17:20 Podcast Housekeeping and Substack Newsletters18:59 Defense and the Decline of the American-Led World Order22:08 Romney's Russia Stance in 201224:36 Obama's Syria Red Line and Western Response26:46 Russia's Annexation of Crimea29:02 UK's Defense Spending and European Security33:07 Modern Military Challenges and Drone Warfare37:58 The Case for Increased Defense Spending43:53 Conclusion and Future Discussions This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
--------
45:50
Coming Soon Trailer!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.abundancepod.com
UK