As part of the LSE Festival’s “How to Save the Planet” series, I attended several talks exploring sustainability, climate change, economics, and public policy. These sessions brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry experts, offering valuable insights into some of the biggest environmental challenges facing the world today and the ideas being proposed to address them. As a Chemical Engineering student, I found these discussions especially important because they highlighted the vital role engineers can play in developing sustainable technologies and shaping a cleaner, more resilient future.
The Politics of Climate Change: Challenges, Communication, and Public Support
Summary
This LSE Festival discussion explored how climate change is no longer just an environmental issue but also an economic and political one. The speakers highlighted the importance of balancing climate action with concerns such as energy security, the cost of living, job creation, and public trust. They also discussed how governments can encourage the transition to cleaner energy while ensuring that policies remain practical and fair for ordinary people.
Another key theme was the role of communication and public perception. The panel debated how media narratives, political polarization, and messaging influence support for climate policies. A recurring conclusion was that successful climate action depends not only on technological solutions but also on engaging communities, explaining local benefits, and building broad public and political consensus.
My Biggest Takeaway
My biggest takeaway from this session is that solving climate change is not just about developing better technology or setting ambitious targets. It also requires building public trust, communicating policies clearly, and ensuring that the transition is economically fair and beneficial for ordinary people. In other words, successful climate action depends as much on people and politics as it does on science and innovation.
What can we do?
The discussion suggested that meaningful climate action requires cooperation between governments, businesses, and individuals. Investing in clean energy, improving energy efficiency, supporting sustainable industries, making informed lifestyle choices, and communicating policies clearly can all help accelerate the transition to a more sustainable future while maintaining public trust and economic fairness.
How to save the planet with Mariana Mazzucato
Mariana Mazzucato is an economist and Professor of the Economics of Innovation and Public Value at University College London (UCL). She is internationally known for her work on innovation, industrial policy, and the role of governments in driving economic growth and solving major societal challenges.
Summary
This talk challenged the idea that economic growth alone is enough to solve today’s biggest problems. Mariana Mazzucato argued that governments, businesses, finance, and civil society should work together to pursue the “common good” by embedding social and environmental goals into economic systems from the start, rather than trying to fix problems after they arise. She emphasized that markets should be shaped to create long-term public value, not just private profit.
A major theme was the importance of collaboration, mission-driven innovation, and public participation. The talk highlighted examples from climate policy, healthcare, and sustainable development to show that tackling global challenges requires shared responsibility, knowledge exchange, and policies designed around fairness and collective benefit. Rather than viewing government as simply correcting market failures, it should play an active role in guiding innovation and shaping a more sustainable economy.
My Biggest Takeaway
My biggest takeaway was that economic systems should be designed around public value, not just financial value. Solving issues such as climate change, inequality, and resource management requires governments, businesses, and communities to collaborate from the beginning with a shared purpose. Sustainable progress depends not only on innovation but also on creating institutions and incentives that encourage cooperation and long-term thinking.
What Can We Do?
The session suggested that meaningful change starts with rethinking how we make decisions. Governments can adopt mission-driven policies, businesses can prioritize long-term societal value alongside profits, and communities can play a more active role in shaping solutions. As individuals, we can support policies and organizations that promote sustainability, collaboration, and responsible innovation while recognizing that complex global problems require collective action rather than isolated efforts.
Wired to save the planet: rethinking energy in an electrified world
Summary
This panel explored how the transition to clean energy will reshape the way we produce, distribute, and consume electricity. The speakers discussed the rapid growth of electrification driven by renewable energy, electric vehicles, AI, and digital technologies, while emphasizing that future energy systems must remain clean, reliable, affordable, and secure. They also highlighted the importance of modernizing electricity grids and using smart technologies to manage demand more efficiently.
A recurring theme was that the energy transition is not only a technical challenge but also a social one. Public trust, consumer participation, government policy, and market design all play essential roles in ensuring a successful transition. The panel stressed that while renewable energy is becoming increasingly cost-effective, long-term success depends on balancing innovation, infrastructure investment, and fairness so that the benefits are shared across society.
My Biggest Takeaway
My biggest takeaway from this session is that the future of energy depends as much on people as it does on technology. Building renewable infrastructure alone is not enough—we also need smart policies, flexible energy systems, and active public participation to create an energy network that is sustainable, resilient, and affordable.
What Can We Do?
The discussion suggested that governments should continue investing in modern grids and clean energy while encouraging innovation and energy efficiency. Businesses can develop smarter technologies, such as AI-powered energy management and flexible electricity use. As individuals, we can support the transition by adopting energy-efficient habits, using electricity more responsibly, and embracing technologies like electric vehicles or rooftop solar where practical. Together, these actions can help build a cleaner and more reliable energy future.
The green shoots of the new economy
Summary
This panel explored how businesses and economic systems can move beyond a purely profit-driven model toward a regenerative economy that benefits people, society, and the environment. The speakers argued that businesses should not only generate financial returns but also create positive social and environmental impact. They discussed concepts such as stakeholder capitalism, B Corps, alternative ownership structures, and the importance of changing mindsets, governance, and public policy to support long-term sustainability rather than short-term gains.
Another major theme was the role of innovation and collaboration. The panel highlighted examples such as renewable energy, democratic workplaces, and businesses that integrate environmental and social goals into their operations. The discussion emphasized that solving today’s challenges requires cooperation between governments, businesses, researchers, and communities, as well as a willingness to rethink traditional economic assumptions and imagine new ways of creating value.
My Biggest Takeaway
My biggest takeaway from this session is that economic success should not be measured by profit alone. A healthier and more resilient future depends on businesses and institutions creating value for people and the planet alongside financial performance. Achieving this requires innovation, collaboration, and a shift in the way we think about growth and responsibility.
What Can We Do?
According to the discussion, governments can encourage regenerative practices through better policies and incentives, while businesses can adopt models that consider employees, communities, and the environment—not just shareholders. As individuals, we can support responsible companies, advocate for sustainable policies, and encourage innovation that creates long-term benefits for society rather than focusing only on short-term economic gains.
Global sustainability: in conversation with John Kerry
John Kerry is an American politician and diplomat who served as the 68th U.S. Secretary of State (2013–2017) and later as the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (2021–2024). He is widely recognized for his leadership on international climate policy and played a key role in negotiating the Paris Climate Agreement. Before that, he represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate for nearly 30 years and was the Democratic nominee in the 2004 U.S. presidential election.
Saving the planet in an age of geopolitical rivalry
Summary
This panel explored how growing geopolitical tensions—particularly between major powers such as the United States and China—affect global efforts to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development. The speakers discussed challenges including trade fragmentation, competition over critical minerals, energy security, and the difficulty of maintaining international cooperation in an increasingly divided world. At the same time, they emphasized that countries still share a common interest in addressing climate change and advancing the green energy transition.
Another key theme was the relationship between politics and sustainability. The panel highlighted that while geopolitical rivalry can slow collaboration and reduce trust, it can also encourage innovation and investment in renewable energy and clean technologies. The discussion stressed the importance of long-term planning, regional cooperation, and ensuring that developing countries benefit fairly from the global transition to a greener economy.
My Biggest Takeaway
climate change cannot be solved by any country acting alone. Even in times of political competition, international cooperation, trust, and the exchange of technology remain essential for achieving meaningful environmental progress. Sustainable development depends not only on innovation but also on diplomacy and collaboration.
What Can We Do?
The discussion suggested that governments should continue cooperating on climate issues despite political disagreements and invest in renewable energy and resilient infrastructure. Countries with valuable natural resources should manage them responsibly and use them to support long-term development. As individuals, we can support evidence-based policies, stay informed about global challenges, and encourage collaboration rather than division when addressing climate and sustainability issues.
Food futures
Summary
This panel looked at how politics and international tensions can affect climate action. Much of the discussion focused on the relationship between countries like the United States and China and how competition over trade, energy, and critical minerals can make global cooperation more difficult. At the same time, the speakers agreed that tackling climate change is a shared challenge that no country can solve alone.
The conversation also explored the opportunities hidden within these challenges. Investments in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and new technologies are continuing to grow, even in a world with increasing political divisions. The panel suggested that long-term planning, stronger partnerships, and better communication between countries will be essential for a successful green transition.
My Biggest Takeaway
The main thing I took away from this session is that politics and climate change are deeply connected. Scientific solutions already exist, but without trust and cooperation between countries, progress will be much slower. Working together is just as important as developing new technology.
What Can We Do?
One practical message from the discussion is that we should keep supporting clean energy, innovation, and international collaboration, even when countries disagree on other issues. Governments need to keep talking to each other, businesses should continue investing in sustainable technologies, and individuals can stay informed and support policies that encourage long-term environmental progress.
After attending these talks, my overall understanding is that we already have many of the technologies and scientific knowledge needed to tackle climate change. However, the biggest barriers are often human ones—our politics, economic systems, business incentives, and international relationships. Real progress depends not only on innovation but also on cooperation, ethics, trust, and our willingness to work together toward a common goal.
I would highly recommend watching the full lectures on YouTube. They provide valuable insights and perspectives that are difficult to capture in a short summary, and they helped me develop a much deeper understanding of these complex issues.
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