Sustainability Forward

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 boundaries — including climate change, biodiversity loss, and chemical pollution — are now beyond the safe zone. But this episode isn’t about despair. It’s about direction. Wrishi and Carmine unpack what each boundary means for ecosystems, economies, and people — and highlight the real-world actions that can bring us back, from restoring forests and protecting water systems to accelerating decarbonisation and circular economy solutions. Because understanding the boundaries isn’t just science — it’s about redefining how we live within them. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. 🌐 sustainabilityforward.com

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 getting oil and gas companies, policymakers, and investors to take methane seriously. We dig into the challenges of scaling climate action, the rising wave of pessimism around sustainability, and why he believes cutting methane emissions is one of the biggest “quick wins” available to the world right now. If you want to understand how data, verification, and trust can reshape climate markets, this conversation is for you.

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 conversation offers a candid look at AI's climate promise—and its pitfalls. Drawing from new insights in the Global Electricity Review 2025 by Ember and projections from Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, we examine how AI could help cut up to 5.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2035—but only if used wisely. Whether you're in tech, policy, or simply climate-curious, this is the episode to understand how AI is shaping the future of our planet—one algorithm at a time.

What does a loaf of sourdough have to do with fighting climate change? In this episode, we sit down with Maddie Hamann, co-founder of PACHA Bread, to explore the unexpected connections between regenerative farming, food allergies, zero-waste packaging—and the future of sustainability. Maddie shares how she made the leap from ocean science to sourdough, and what it’s really like building a purpose-driven business while raising a young family. We talk about sourcing from regenerative farms, designing compostable packaging, and why your grocery list might be one of the most powerful climate tools you have. It’s a grounded, inspiring look at how climate action can begin right in your kitchen.

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 the evolution of solar energy, the hard truths about renewable adoption across sectors, and what’s still missing in how we talk about energy and climate. The conversation ends with a deeply personal take: what individuals can do to contribute to a more resilient, sustainable energy system—and how we can build a better public narrative around it. Keywords: energy transition, Nicola Armaroli, solar energy, renewables, science communication, climate action, energy systems, sustainable future, circular economy, sustainability podcast