129. Navigating Overshoot & The Polycrisis Through Transformative Adaptation / Rupert Read

In Conversation with Nathalie Nahai

Today, I speak with Professor Rupert Read – eco-philosopher, academic, author, campaigner, UK Green politician, and environmental activist.

An incisive and respected thought-leader, Rupert has influenced public and academic opinion on issues including climate, genetic engineering, technological development and advertising to children. Having (co-)authored books including A Film-Philosophy Of Ecology And Enlightenment and This Civilisation Is Finished, he was a key spokesperson for the Extinction Rebellion movement, and now co-directs the ‘Moderate Flank’ Incubator.

Until recently, Rupert served as Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia, but after 26 years in this position, he recently took voluntary severance to dedicate himself to the Climate Majority Project as its Co-Director.

While many of us might know Rupert through his work as a spokesperson and political strategist for XR, he has also worked as a national and European parliamentary candidate, and councillor for the Green Party of England and Wales, and he formerly chaired the ecological think tank Green House.

With extensive experience arguing for ecology in media, Rupert has written for The Guardian, The Independent, The Ecologist and many other newspapers and websites. A frequent guest on the Today programme, he has also been a panellist on QuestionTime, Newsnight, and Good Morning Britain. Rupert has made regular contributions on Radio 4’s Free Thinking, BBC’s Politics Live, several shows on LBC Radio and various podcasts, and he is a sought-after speaker at many events.

Recorded on 17th October 2023.

WEBSITES

• https://rupertread.net/
• https://climatemajorityproject.com/

LINKS

• Accidental Gods – Rupert Read in conversation with Manda Scott: https://bit.ly/AG-RupertRead