Episode 10: Tomorrow’s World

Gridlocked: Why the 21st Century is Broken and How to Fix It

Welcome to the last documentary-style package show of Season 1. Welcome to the world of tomorrow … which starts today.
This episode, Tomorrow’s World, discusses how a path to combatting climate change can be made possible through the linchpin of dense and clean energy – an abundance of it, supplied through new and advanced energy technologies.
Podcast host Rolake Ojo is joined by Gridlocked creators Nick O’Hara and Mark Havenner who, through presenting a mixture of guest expert contribution alongside their own narration, introduce listeners to some of the key issues in breaking the ‘gridlock’ to a clean energy future.
The episode starts with contributions from the planet’s most prominent architect, Lord Norman Foster, together with space architect, Guillermo Trotti. They discuss some of the ways in which design has always been at the heart of human progress, pivotal to creating a better tomorrow.
We hear from Jacopo Buongiorno, MIT Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering, who introduces listeners to a new, advanced microreactor nuclear energy system, also known as the nuclear battery. This innovative new technology could provide the option to move away from an electrical grid model that is the product of a century-long co-evolution of markets, fossil fuels, and centralized power production.
Jacopo and Norman Foster discuss nuclear batteries and their possible applications in delivering advanced industrial production systems – a combination that can transform the way we produce and consume energy, as well as transform our economies … creating tomorrow’s world, today.
Leading meteorologist and climate scientist, Kerry Emanuel, discusses his optimism for the future decarbonization of our economies as we push for clean energy solutions – a theme picked up by civil engineer and environmental advocate, Kristin Zaitz.
We hear one final time from former NASA deputy administrator and current director of MIT Media Lab, Dava Newman. The show ends with Dava and Nick O’Hara issuing a call to action for humanity, for us to meet the greatest challenge we’ve ever faced: to ensure that our children and grandchildren can inherit a liveable planet.

Suggested Links:

• Gridlocked
• Renovata
• Jacopo Buongiorno
• Center for Advanced Nuclear Energy Systems
• Mothers for Nuclear
• MIT Media Lab
• Norman Foster Foundation
• MIT Lorenz Center