Benjamin Van Bunderen Robberechts lost his friend Rosa in the floods in Belgium in 2021. After this tragedy, he founded the initiative "Climate Justice for Rosa", which has sparked worldwide attention and contributed to an EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis. Listen as the 17-year-old Belgian sits down with Danish Youth Delegates, Lise Coermann Nygaard and Marcus Taulborg, to talk about his personal story, as well as having a conversation about climate anxiety and intergenerational justice. This Nordic Talks episode is the third of five special podcast episodes, recorded at COP28 in Dubai.

As a child, Rose Kobusinge from Uganda experienced how longer and longer periods of drought affected her local community and their livelihoods. But it wasn't until she started university that she realized the severity of the climate crisis. Today she's a climate activist, pushing for the integration of the multiple planetary crisis into the curriculum of all education. Listen as Rose sits down with Swedish Youth Delegate Alice Gimbro Frisk to talk about how we can tackle the triple planetary crisis of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution. This Nordic Talks episode is the second of five special podcast episodes, recorded at COP28 in Dubai.

Last year Agustín Ocaña from Ecuador quit his job to become a full-time advocator for the education of the world's youth as a way of fighting for the climate. Today, Agustín is head of the Global Youth Coalition – facilitating the collaboration between thousands of young people in the global North and South, teaching them to be changemakers. Listen as Agustín sits down with Icelandic Youth Delegates, Finnur Ricart Andrason and Unnur Þórdís Kristinsdóttir, to talk about North-South collaboration on climate justice and how youth should use technology and storytelling to combat climate change. This Nordic Talks episode is the first of five special episodes recorded at COP28 in Dubai.

Can lava from volcanoes be transformed into house walls? And can we use fungi to clean areas in our cities from toxic waste? The answer to both questions is yes – at least at some point in the future. These are just a few of the innovative ideas coming from the growing number of architects looking for alternative ways to build and design our cities – for the sake of both people and the planet. In this episode, we examine some of the solutions offered by new types of architecture in the fight against climate change and look at how they can help bring nature back into our cities. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held in Reykjavik during the yearly DesignTalks, arranged by Iceland Design and Architecture.

A global shift to a more sustainable diet is needed to reduce the major impact that food production has on our planet. Right now the global food system is responsible for 30 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time a third of all the food produced is wasted. Can we rethink what we eat and where it comes from? Can technology offer new solutions? And can the latest Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, which combine dietary advice with environmental considerations, contribute to this? In this episode, food industry innovators and experts try to predict what responsible food consumption and production might look like in the future. And what we need to do to get there now. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, arranged by the Nordic Innovation House and the Nordic embassies in Japan.

Clothing production has doubled worldwide over the last 15 years and has today a huge negative environmental and social footprint. The global fashion industry is not only the third most polluting industry, responsible for 8-10 percent of the world’s carbon emissions, but it’s also notorious for low wages and poor working conditions. Without a significant shift in how we produce and consume clothing, the planet and people will continue to pay the price for our love for fast fashion. What can we do to achieve a more Earth-friendly clothing industry? In this episode, we hear from forward thinkers working to find sustainable fashion solutions and advocating for more action. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event arranged by the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto as part of the Canadian Circular Fashion Festival.

Imagine a picture-perfect future where clean energy projects have replaced damaging non-renewable energy sources. With many of the new green projects being built all over the world, we are slowly approaching this goal. However, while massive wind farms and solar panel parks are being built, there is a pressing issue to be addressed. What about the Indigenous people living in often remote areas where these projects take place? Too often, they are not considered or even asked for their opinion. In this episode, we explore the crucial role of Indigenous communities in the green transition. From the Arctics to Australia, we examine how Indigenous voices must be heard to strike a balance between the pursuit of the "green gold rush" and the preservation of cultural heritage and human rights. Join us as we delve into the complexities of this critical issue and learn how we can all play a part in a just and sustainable energy transition. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event arranged by The Nordic Policy Centre at The Australia Institute in Canberra, Australia.

Despite progress towards gender equality, women's voices remain underrepresented in the mainstream media, where male domination has been the norm for decades. But the tide is turning, and in this episode, we explore why fair gender representation in the media is vital for a more equitable society. We'll look at inspiring examples of how countries are addressing the imbalance and discuss how diverse newsrooms can enhance reporting and coverage of social issues. Join us as we examine the challenges, opportunities, and potential impact of achieving true gender parity in the media. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, hosted by the Nordic Innovation House and the Nordic embassies in Japan.

Do you sometimes wonder if the world is making progress on reaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Are we succeeding in securing a better and more sustainable future for the planet and future generations? Now is a good time for a status update - the goals were agreed in 2015, so we are already halfway to the deadline of 2030. In this episode, we take a closer look at the goals chosen by the United Nations' 193 member states. How far have we come? Are we on track to transform the world in the next few years? And what does the future hold beyond 2030? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event in Toronto, organized by the Harbourfront Centre, a not-for-profit cultural organization.

The war in Ukraine and the resulting energy crisis shocked Europe into realizing the risks of relying on imported gas and oil. As a result, many countries, including the Nordics, are asking themselves how they can become more self-sufficient and speed up the transition to locally produced renewable energy. In this episode, we take a closer look at how to increase energy security. How can the Nordics and other countries build on their existing renewable energy resources? How can a country like Japan, with no tradition of using green energy, get started? And how can countries work together to wean their economies off imported fossil fuels and make their energy consumption more sustainable? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, arranged by the Nordic Innovation House and the Nordic embassies in Japan.

What happens when a country that has lived in peace for decades needs to defend itself? While governments may be able to obtain military hardware quickly, many forget the equally vital role played by civil defense. In this episode, we examine the importance of involving civil society in resisting threats – whether there is a military threat or threats in the form of natural disasters or pandemics. How do you organize civil defense, and create solidarity and engagement in a society? In short: How do you build a resilient society, one that is prepared to weather any storm? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held in Birštonas and arranged by the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania together with Embassy of Finland in Vilnius and Embassy of Sweden in Vilnius.

The different neighborhoods, and their unique atmosphere, is what makes cities across the world so interesting. However, there is a pitfall to this uniqueness, as it can end up creating further division between neighborhoods. Especially when residents have less and less contact with others due to the physical infrastructure of the city. In this episode, we look at how we can create common ground in our cities. We look at fresh ideas from the Nordic cities of Aarhus and Malmö, and we ask how city planners and architects can influence the mental state of the inhabitants of our increasingly diverse cities. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event that took place during the Oslo Architecture Triennale and was arranged by the Helsinki-based organization, Urban Practice.

Reading, writing, and arithmetic. These are the essential skills that children learn in schools around the globe. But the world is changing rapidly and children will need additional skills to help them tackle pressing issues such as inequality and the climate crisis. In this episode, we explore how we best can equip and prepare our children for the future. What skills and knowledge do our children, and their children again, need to become engaged citizens striving for a fair, green, digital, and peaceful future? And what can you and I do to support young people and society on this journey? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event in Stockholm, organized by the non-profit organization, Reach for Change.

Hurricanes, floods, and drought. These extreme weather events are hitting the world's poorer countries more and more often due to climate change - much of which is caused by richer countries. But in the future, developing countries will receive compensation for this damage. Work is under way to set up a worldwide fund to provide financial assistance. It's called the "loss and damage" fund and was agreed upon at the latest UN climate conference, COP27. In this episode, we look at what it will take to implement this agreement. How can countries such as those in the Nordics ensure the money needed for the fund is raised? And what role will climate activists and civil society play in making it happen? This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held in Copenhagen and arranged by Oxfam IBIS, the Danish member of Oxfam International.

Has Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine destroyed any hope of dialogue between Russians and Ukrainians? Or is there still an opportunity for peace, understanding, and trust through dialogue in the future? In three special episodes of the Nordic Talks podcast, we let people talk to people. Can we create dialogue? How can we facilitate the process of creating peace in Europe? And where are we now, a year after the beginning of the war? Olga Johannesson and Andreas Fløistrup facilitate the discussions. In this episode, we meet Oksana Nykytyuk from Ukraine and Katya Burdukovskaya from Russia.

Has Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine destroyed any hope of dialogue between Russians and Ukrainians? Or is there still an opportunity for peace, understanding, and trust through dialogue in the future? In three special episodes of the Nordic Talks podcast, we let people talk to people. Can we create dialogue? How can we facilitate the process of creating peace in Europe? And where are we now, a year after the beginning of the war? Olga Johannesson and Andreas Fløistrup facilitate the discussions. In this episode, we meet Lesia Ignatyk-Eriksen from Ukraine and Daria Wagner from Russia.

Has Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine destroyed any hope of dialogue between Russians and Ukrainians? Or is there still an opportunity for peace, understanding, and trust through dialogue in the future? In three special episodes of the Nordic Talks podcast, we let people talk to people. Can we create dialogue? How can we facilitate the process of creating peace in Europe? And where are we now, a year after the beginning of the war? Olga Johannesson and Andreas Fløistrup facilitate the discussions. In this episode, we meet Oksana Didyk from Ukraine and Irina Nielsen from Russia.

Did anyone ever tell you that the future is digital? It's a phrase you've probably heard many times over. But what happens in reality when governments around the world try to kickstart the digital transformation of their societies? How do we make sure no one is left behind? And how do you make people feel safe entrusting sensitive data to the authorities? In this episode, we investigate the situation in Japan - a country that rapidly needs to become more digitalized in order to take care of a population with the world's largest proportion of people over 65. Can Japan make the transformation and how is it going about it? And we look at the Nordic digital frontrunners, like Denmark, to see if there are experiences we can draw from when developing and implementing new digital solutions. This podcast episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event held at the University of Creativity in Tokyo, Japan, arranged by the Nordic embassies and Nordic Innovation House Tokyo.

We came to COP27 with a sense of urgency, as we know from science that we are already running out of time. Technological fixes are certainly not enough - we need deep systemic change within every sector. Recently the pandemic showed us that it is possible to respond rapidly to a worldwide crisis. So, can we use this ability to fight the climate crisis? In the final episode of our COP27-special, the panelists shed light on what was discussed at COP27 in Egypt, and more importantly, they discuss where we go from here. The panel consists of Matilde Angeltveit, Norwegian Youth Delegate to the UNFCCC, Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director at the European Environment Agency, Markku Ollikainen, Professor Emeritus and Chair of the Finnish Climate Panel, and Espen Barth Eide, Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment, and is moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

Is the fight against climate change now seen as so urgent, that it will move humanity towards a more sustainable and just world? Or will we continue to head towards further destruction of biodiversity and natural resources, which are both so important for peace and prosperity? Are today’s parliamentarians able to make the decisions needed to pave the way for behavioral change? These are some of the questions discussed by Axel Eriksson, Swedish Youth Delegate to the UNFCCC, and two members of the Norwegian Parliament, Nikolai Astrup, the Norwegian Conservative Party, and Himanshu Gulati, the Norwegian Progress Party, in this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt and moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

The Arctic has warmed three times quicker than the planet as a whole, and up North the effects of the climate changes are visible already today. How can Arctic societies be agents of change in the green transition? How do Arctic societies adapt to climate change? And what pathways are possible for sparsely inhabited areas with vast distances and a harsh climate? In short: What could Arctic societies look like in 2050? This is discussed by Avijâja Jepsen, Special Consultant to Naalakkersuisut – Government of Greenland, Ola Elvestuen, member of the Norwegian Parliament and the Standing Committee on Energy and the Environment, and Sara Olsvig, International Chair of Inuit Circumpolar Council, in this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt and moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

How do we improve people's health by decreasing exposure to black carbon, reduce carbon emissions, prevent deforestation, and promote gender equality by empowering women? Well, it's actually all about clean cooking. But more than 4 billion people globally, including almost 900 million people in Sub-Saharan African countries, lack access to modern and clean cooking solutions. The topic is discussed by Sophie Odupoy, Group Head of Public Affairs at KOKO Networks, Ash Sharma, Vice President at Nefco and Head of the Modern Cooking Facility for Africa, and Mattias Frumerie, Swedish Head of Delegation to the UNFCCC, in this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt and moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

How can we reimagine our cities for a regenerative transformation? To regenerate means not only to do less harm, but to become a positive force that restores, renews, and regrows. In this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt, we will explore how we can create a regenerative world that works within the planetary boundaries. How do we create a future where humankind, nature and our cities can all thrive and flourish? Participants in the discussion are Nikolaj Sveistrup, Copenhagen Institute of Future Studies, and Jo da Silva, Sustainable Director at ARUP. The talk is moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

How can we accelerate our fight for the climate through climate finance and market mechanisms? Can we succeed in changing the way we think, create, and invest in new projects? And how can purpose investments from the private sector and voluntary compensation work as new ways of accelerating the change? This is discussed by Jon Johnsen, CEO of the pension fund PKA, and Hanna-Mari Ahonen, Senior Consultant at Perspectives Climate Research, in this special episode of the Nordic Talks podcast, recorded at COP27 in Egypt and moderated by André Jamholt, Senior Advisor at the Nordic Council of Ministers.

It turns out that building social cohesion in your local community can in itself have a significant impact on levels of climate action. This is one of the findings from the Nordics, where several experiments are taking place using art and culture to trigger new ways of thinking and create change. In this episode, we look at how artists, grassroots activists and other creative minds are working to help us build sustainable communities and environments in our cities and neighbourhoods. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event in Stockholm, arranged by Intercult, an independent resource and production centre for culture focused on European and transnational collaborations.

How can I be happy at work? It seems that more and more people worldwide are asking themselves precisely this question. The COVID-19 pandemic especially made many of us reflect on the work-life balance and ask whether there is more to life than work. In this episode, we look at important questions surrounding working life today. How to improve your working conditions? How to find the strength to leave an unfulfilling job? How to find the right work-life balance? In short, we ask our speakers to reveal the secrets to boosting happiness at work. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event organized by the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. The talk is part of "Nordic Bridges 2022", a year-long initiative fostering cultural exchange between the Nordic Region and Canada throughout 2022.

Did you know that over 80 percent of goods traded internationally are transported by sea? This makes the shipping sector a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, but efforts to reduce its carbon footprint are under way. Green shipping corridors - routes between ports where all transport is emission-free - are part of the new wave of climate-friendly solutions. The Nordic countries and more than a dozen other nations are taking the lead in setting up these corridors, which they hope will set a precedent for the rest of the world. In this episode, we look at the progress being made on creating the first green shipping corridors and investigate the environmental benefits of sailing green from port to port. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks event held in Lisbon and arranged by the UN Global Compact Network in Norway in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy in Portugal, and the Danish and Swedish UN Global Compact Networks.

The Black Lives Matter movement was propelled into the global spotlight as protests spread following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020. Having started as a grassroots movement protesting racially motivated violence and police brutality in the United States, Black Lives Matter has now grown into an international social and political phenomenon, with activists organizing protests and social media campaigns worldwide. In this episode, we explore how this once US-based movement has triggered action against racism in places as far away as the Nordic countries: A region traditionally seen as being at the forefront in the fight against inequality and discrimination but which still has its battles to fight regarding these issues. We also ask what the struggle for black people's rights will look like in the future. Will it remain global? And what would that mean for black people? This podcast episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event organized by the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto, Canada. The talk is part of "Nordic Bridges 2022", a year-long initiative fostering cultural exchange between the Nordic Region and Canada.

The world urgently needs to move to green energy for the sake of the climate. But what if scrapping fossil fuels means that you lose your job or face rising living costs? Tradeoffs like these pose a major dilemma for the politicians, activists, and businesses leading the green transition, who are now asking how the switch to cleaner energy can be made fair. In this episode, we look at the efforts now being made especially in the Nordic countries and Japan to make the impact of climate action more equal and we examine how far the world has come in reaching the UN Sustainable Development Goals for access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event organized by the Nordic Embassies and the Nordic Innovation House in Tokyo, Japan.

Women are increasingly bearing the brunt of digital abuse. The rise of social media platforms has created greater opportunities for hate against women to make its way online. This abuse can be devastating for those targeted and it also has direct negative consequences for women's democratic participation. In this episode, we'll examine what's behind the phenomenon of online abuse and examine the ways in which activists and legislators in the highly digitalized Nordic countries are trying to stem the tide of digital harassment. We also ask META, who owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, what they're doing to combat this threat to women's rights. This episode episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event held in Reykjavik, Iceland, organized by the Nordic Digital Rights and Equality Foundation, NORDREF.

What do you think of when you hear the word library? Maybe you think of a building full of books - a place to explore other worlds and perspectives. But in the 21st century libraries have become much more than that. They mirror society and reflect the developments occurring in the surrounding world. In some libraries, you can now even borrow a so-called human book – a real human being sitting in front of you sharing their personal story. Sounds exciting, right? In this episode, we explore the unifying power of libraries and discover why some people consider them to be the beating heart of modern communities. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event organized by the Toronto International Festival of Authors in partnership with the Harbourfront Centre. The talk is part of Toronto's Harbourfront Centre "Nordic Bridges 2022" cultural exchange initiative.

The ice is melting, the flora and fauna are changing, and people's ways of life are at risk. In the Arctic's, inhabitants have first-hand experience of the consequences of climate change. This is one of the reasons why the Nordic countries have stepped up to the plate to address the climate crisis and why they are working hard to persuade other countries with interests in the region to do the same. But it's not all plain sailing – in the Arctic financial and geopolitical interests often get in the way of taking significant action. In this episode, we take an in-depth look at the ongoing struggle to save the Arctic before it's too late.

When COVID-19 hit with its lockdowns and foreign travel restrictions, did you suddenly feel drawn to life somewhere more remote? If so, you weren't alone. Rural areas around the world suddenly found themselves overwhelmed with visitors, and in some cases, this influx even overpowered the infrastructure. But on the other side, as people got more open-minded about rural living, they also became more aware of the potential mental and physical health benefits, as well as the opportunities for more sustainable lifestyles. In this episode, we hear how rural communities in the Nordics and around the world turned the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity and we investigate how we can develop thriving, but still sustainable rural areas over the coming decades. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event organized by the University of Limerick in Ireland, Nordregio in Sweden, and CoDel in the United Kingdom.

The world is suffering from a second worrying pandemic – not COVID-19, but a major outbreak of distrust: Accusations of fake news and lies, general disregard for the facts, and freely circulating conspiracy theories. All this doubt makes it difficult to implement policies for the common good needed, for example, in the fight against COVID-19. Here the Nordic countries are faring better than most, something experts put down to the high levels of trust found in Nordic societies. In this episode, we look at how the Nordics managed to build up this social trust and we investigate what's needed for countries to break and reverse the vicious circle of distrust and denial.

Africa's total population is expected to almost double to nearly 2.5 billion by 2050, where roughly half will be living in urban areas. Urbanization is at the heart of development on the African continent, where currently 17 of the world's 20 fastest-growing cities are located. While urbanization comes with many challenges, it also offers great opportunities. If planners can adopt people-centered and climate-proof approaches now, they can create green, liveable cities for years to come. In this episode, we find out how Nordic city planning models have sparked ideas for green urban planning in Africa, Asia and Latin America. And we look at how these models can support economic growth, youth employment, services, and liveable neighborhoods, while also ensuring sustainable development. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks live event, held at COP26, organized by the Nordic Development Fund in close cooperation with the African Development Bank.

Did you know that your pension can be a powerful weapon in the fight against climate change? However small your pension pot, when pooled together with the savings of hundreds of thousands of other people, it can have a major impact. And the impact is growing as large amounts of money from both private and public funds are increasingly invested in green and sustainable companies. Investors from the Nordic countries were some of the first to start thinking about sustainability and are still among the frontrunners in the current boom. In this episode, we look at the burgeoning sustainable investment sector and find out just how big an impact it can have on our future.

A woman’s right to decide over her own body is a cornerstone of gender equality and sustainable development but remains a battlefield across the globe. Even discussing issues related to sex and reproductive health is often taboo. What will it take to get to a point where all women have control of their own lives and bodies? In this episode, we hear from activists, ministers, and global organizations who discuss what actions need to be taken. They underscore why it is crucial to start talking about sex, freedom and bodily autonomy to achieve the sustainable future we are aiming for. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event hosted by the Mind Your Business sustainable business consultancy in cooperation with UN Women.

Darkness, lousy weather, and a sleepover in the middle of nowhere. Sound fun? Apparently yes! The Nordic countries have successfully branded their remoter edges as desirable tourist destinations. Is it luck because the far north is 'in' right now? Or does it reflect a growing longing for alternatives to well-known, popular destinations? In this episode, we find out how the Nordics attracted visitors to their outer rural regions and why Scotland is now following suit. And we ask  just how long the coolness of the Nordic fringes can last. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event jointly arranged by Finland's Åbo Akademi University and the Swedish Literature Society in Finland.

Bees are dying out and that’s a big problem for us human beings. If bees and other pollinators disappeared altogether, we would lose a third of our food supply. Half of all the fruit and vegetables on our supermarket shelves would vanish. And the impact on our planet's biodiversity would be catastrophic. So what's our Plan Bee? How do we save the world's pollinators? In this episode, we dive into an example from the Nordic countries where work is under way to save the local brown bee from extinction. And we look at what is being done around the world to protect bees and the global food supply. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event organized by the National Nordic Museum in Seattle.

Education is a fundamental human right, yet only 70 percent of children worldwide are in school. How can we bridge this gap to reach the goal of free quality education for all by 2030? The Nordic countries are among the world leaders when it comes to supporting education in low- and middle-income countries globally. They also have the most experience to share in providing free public education for their own populations. In this episode, we look at how education is key to shaping our future and why education should take priority on political agendas worldwide. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event, arranged by the Danish development NGO Oxfam IBIS and the Norwegian Embassy in Ethiopia.

Achieving gender equality in all aspects of society isn't just ethically right, it's also economically smart. Numerous studies show that increasing gender equality increases economic growth, making it a win-win situation. Women make up half the global population and half the workforce, meaning that society is missing out on a lot of valuable ideas if they are not properly included. In this episode, we hear how economic justice and empowerment can drive prosperity for all and how businesses can push these issues to the top of the agenda. We also look at how public and private initiatives from the Nordic countries are accelerating global progress towards gender equality. This episode comes from an online Nordic Talks event hosted by Mind Your Business, a Danish sustainable business consultancy, and the Danish government’s representation at the UN in New York.

More short-term or freelance work. Less steady employment with fixed pay. The labor market is undergoing massive changes, creating uncertainty for millions of people. Why is this happening? And is it possible to reverse this trend?   In this episode we examine possible solutions to the global increase in job insecurity, looking at Nordic experiments with a government-paid basic income. We also seek predictions on what the future of work will look like.   This episode comes from a Nordic Talks online event, live-streamed from the Hanken School of Economics in Helsinki as part of the annual Responsible Organising Stakeholder Conference.

You can't see it, but you still breathe it in: Air pollution is an invisible threat to millions of people living in urban areas, and many lives are lost prematurely because of it. Increased efforts are being made, not the least in the Nordics, to tackle this health issue through urban design. Researchers are cooperating with urban developers to change transport systems, reduce pollution around schools, and help citizens by measuring the air quality from neighborhood to neighborhood, even from street to street.   In this episode, we examine some of these efforts and ask the question: How can we increase the livability of our cities by improving the air quality?

The rollout of 5G, the superfast fifth generation mobile internet network, is underway. But will it mean more than just better networks and faster downloads? Can this more accessible technology be used to change society for the better and improve our everyday lives? In this episode, we hear from three female leaders working with technology and 5G, who share their understanding of the key megatrends that will drive 5G and digitalization in the next 10-20 years. They discuss how a faster, better network can break down social barriers, empower female leaders, and enable older people to make full use of digital technologies. This episode comes from a Nordic Talks online event arranged by the 5G Techritory Forum in Latvia.

Should more houses be built from wood? Yes, say some urban planners and architects. They believe the construction industry could drastically reduce its environmental footprint by using wood as a building material instead of concrete. This is already a trend in the Nordics, driven partly by concern for the climate, but also thanks to a long tradition of using wooden materials – because of the belief that wood can make us happier and bring us closer to nature. In this episode, we discuss the benefits of building with wood and also look at the challenges of making this switch – in Europe and globally. This episode is the result of a Nordic Talks online event arranged by the Nordic Visit Organizations in France, hosted by the French newspaper Les Echos and livestreamed from Paris.

Can we change our economic behavior? With the planet's resources being increasingly overstretched, the warnings are coming loud and clear that the old, linear economic model must go. Experts want us to switch to a circular economy. This means ending the drive to produce and sell as many products as possible, while encouraging consumers to buy secondhand whenever possible. In this episode, we ask just how difficult it is to make that transformation and we take a look at some successful Nordic attempts to promote circular consumption. This episode is the result of a Nordic Talks online event livestreamed from Luxembourg. It was arranged by NOBELUX and the Swedish and Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Here's the paradox: To shift away from fossil fuels and toward renewable energy sources, we need more raw materials for things like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric cars. But how can we ensure we have a steady supply of the metals and materials we need – some of which are quite rare – without causing more damage to the environment? Is there a greener way to mine minerals or should we be focusing more on recycling? In this episode, we look at Nordic attempts to develop "green mining", European initiatives to improve recycling, and we examine the global need for a sustainable raw material supply.

COVID-19 forced us to move our entire lives online almost overnight. Around the world it changed how students are educated, how we work and how we socialize. As adults, we've gotten used to remote working and online meetings. But what about our kids? Are they sinking or swimming faced with this extensive use of technology? In this episode, we hear about the side effects of online learning and explore the broader consequences of digitalizing such large parts of our children's lives. This episode is the result of a Nordic Talks online event arranged by Innovation Centre Denmark in Shanghai and Innovation Centre Denmark in Seoul, together with CopenX, and livestreamed from a virtual reality Nordic Talks conference room.

They may be too young to vote – but can the up-and-coming generation of climate activists, embodied by Sweden's Greta Thunberg, push governments to take real action? In 2018 a global movement hit the planet when young people worldwide began to speak up on a scale never seen before. Inspired by 15-year-old Greta Thunberg from Sweden, they demanded climate action.    In this episode, we hear from former and current activists from Generation Greta about how young people have become an enduring voice in the fight against climate change.   This episode comes from a Nordic Talk held in Lithuania and broadcasted live on Facebook. The event was arranged by The Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania.

Let’s face it – there’s an ugly side to the rapidly growing beauty industry. Take the excessive packaging of personal care products: 140 billion units a year that are rarely recycled – meaning a major problem for the environment. And this is before you add in the impact of polluting ingredients and waste created by the products themselves. With consumers worldwide clamoring for change, companies are now trying to clean up their acts. In this episode we look at these emerging trends and ask how we as consumers can help give the beauty industry a sustainable makeover.   This episode comes from a Nordic Talk held in Sweden during The Transformation Conference, run by Scandinavian MIND magazine.

Do tech giants like Google, Apple or Facebook have too much power? They gather enormous amounts of information about us, which is often sold and distributed for commercial purposes. And their platforms are used by hate campaigns and for sharing disinformation in a way that many people believe is putting severe pressure on democracy as we know it. In this episode we hear how the Nordic countries have become a high-profile battlefield in the defining power struggle of our digital age and ask what can be done to protect our rights as citizens. You will meet the leading international tech-professor, Shoshana Zuboff, EU Commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, and president of the Union of Journalists in Finland, Hanne Aho.

What role can culture play in countering climate change? A growing number of artists are using their work to tackle this issue, challenging concert, theatre and museum goers to act. In this episode we take a closer look at how culture and the performing arts can inspire creative solutions and get audiences involved in climate action movements. And we ask why the arts sector – especially in the Nordic countries – sees itself playing a key part in the push for a more environmentally sustainable world. This episode comes from the live Nordic Talk "Sustainability in the Arts", chaired by Cut the Cord theatre in London, United Kingdom, as part of International Leadership Week.

Can the UN Sustainable Development Goals drive businesses to help the planet? The key role companies can play in making the world a better place was highlighted at the launch of the goals five years ago. And there is also a financial incentive. Estimates indicate that achieving them could unlock business opportunities of 12 trillion US dollars for the private sector. In this episode we take a closer look at the potential of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to act as business drivers, strengthening the link between purpose and profit. This episode is a product of a Nordic Talk held in Denmark during the Global Goals Week 2020. The event was arranged by the think tank Monday Morning.

How can we fix the food industry and get more sustainable food products into our shopping carts Food production accounts for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, so the food industry, in particular the meat and dairy sector, needs to change radically if we want to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In this episode, we hear how food producers and retailers are working to change the system by promoting food choices that are kinder to our planet, and about the role you – the consumer – can play in this. This episode is a product of a Nordic Talk held in Estonia during the Food Innovation Summit, arranged by Taimne Teisipäev – a public health campaign in Estonia.

Will it soon be cooler to rent, swap or buy secondhand clothes than to fanatically follow ever-changing fast fashion trends? More and more consumers are becoming aware of the fashion industry's substantial climate footprint. Some are trying to reduce their impact on the planet by buying clothes that last longer, while others are choosing to cut back on their fashion consumption. In this episode we examine new Nordic initiatives for responsible clothes production and get insider tips on how to create a more sustainable wardrobe. This episode is a product of a Nordic Talk held in the Netherlands during Sustainable Fashion Days 2020. The event was arranged by the Nordic embassies in the Netherlands.

Do countries that have a positive global impact have a special responsibility to share ideas and act as role models? The Nordic nations regularly top the yearly rankings of countries that are either doing good in the wider world or setting first-class standards at home. The region's international image is overwhelmingly positive. Yet instead of just basking in the glory, the Nordics have decided it is their duty to inspire others, especially in the push to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In this episode we explore the region's positive global contributions and look at how these are being used to inspire others.

Does a tiny cluster of islands on the border between Sweden and Finland hold the key to conflict resolution? For years people have been flocking to the Åland Islands to study peace. Almost 100 years ago, Sweden and Finland were on the verge of a full-blown conflict over who owned these islands. They were pulled back from the brink by an internationally mediated solution that gave the islanders autonomy and protected their culture. Known today as the “Åland example”, this solution has since inspired a whole range of peace processes, such as those in Israel and Palestine, and the Balkans. In this episode, we explore the Nordic way to peace and ask the fundamental question: How can we achieve a more peaceful world?

Is there a greener way to fly? We know that air travel is bad for the planet, with emissions from the aviation industry contributing substantially to global warming. But it is impossible to imagine a future without flying – at least every now and again. So how can we solve this dilemma? If ongoing work to develop electric planes succeeds, then by 2030 we could all be flying more sustainably. In this episode we take a closer look at the efforts to make electric passenger aircraft a reality, and find out what we can do in the meantime to travel in greener ways.

Can we game our way to a sustainable future? There are now more than 2.6 billion active users of video games around the world, meaning the gaming industry reaches one in three people on the planet. So, can this huge virtual community be inspired and mobilized to fight for a greener world? Apparently yes - and this is already happening! In this episode we find out how an alliance of gaming companies is introducing environmental issues into popular games and how tech pioneers are using extended reality (XR) to highlight sustainability topics in new ways.

Can we store data in plants? Sending an email, streaming a video, uploading photos to the cloud, or simply just listening to this podcast. All these apparently trivial everyday actions have one thing in common: They come with a hidden environmental cost. The greenhouse gas emissions from the data centers that make all these things possible now equal those of the air industry and are spiraling rapidly. In this episode, we take a closer look at ways of storing data more sustainably, including in what is perhaps the greenest way of all – in plants!

Governments around the world are exploring ways of getting citizens more involved in making complex policy decisions. Can this trend toward "deliberative democracy" lead to braver decisions for a more sustainable world? To find out, we spoke to a democracy activist and a political researcher and discovered some of the innovative ways that individual citizens can get involved in democratic decisions in their own communities.

What do you throw on the grill when you are having friends over for a barbeque but still want to stay sustainable? How about a seaweed sausage or a burger literally made out of thin air? The range of game-changing, climate-friendly proteins is expanding rapidly as calls to eat less meat to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and deforestation increase. We explore this food revolution, talking to those taking part in the drive to change products and perceptions to move the world's population away from animal products towards the sustainable foods of the future.

Is saving the planet good for business? Consumers are increasingly demanding that companies do more to tackle to world’s most critical challenges, from environmental issues to modern-day slavery. In response, the business world is switching from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to Total Societal Impact (TSI) as a way of having a positive impact on people and the planet. But have they just swapped one acronym for another, or are there substantial differences between the two? We asked the experts if TSI really does make for better business and make businesses better or whether it is just an expensive form of green PR.

Will the corona crisis lead to a more sustainable life – even after travel bans are lifted and social distancing is just a distant memory? Or will countries and communities simply go back to business as usual? Our host asks a climate activist, the head of the European Environment Agency, and a former European Commissioner for Climate if the pandemic is a unique window of opportunity for change – or if Covid-19 has put Europe's plans to go green in lockdown.

Food waste is a major environmental challenge. If food waste were a country, it would be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gasses in the world. And yet one third of all fruit and vegetables are tossed away before they even reach the shop shelves, deemed too ugly, bumpy, or scarred for a consumer to love. We take a closer look at the beauty standards at play in the food industry and find out: Can embracing ugly vegetables cut greenhouse gas emissions? What do curly carrots and the Game of Thrones have in common? And why is the market for misfit vegetables suddenly taking off in Norway and China?

Can the US draw inspiration from the Nordic model of paid parental leave for all? We explore the differences between the Nordic and US systems and ask how changes to parental leave provision can make the lives of all working parents easier.