We Need To Talk (559)

Stefan starts the show with a discussion around public-private partnerships, specifically a hypothetical proposal regarding removing paved roads as car-use declines over time in exchange for property rights. It's just an idea, but it could solve multiple problems at once and has positive outcomes for citizens, governments and the companies involved. This is informed by more tangible ideas being discussed in Toronto by TransformTO, and the difficulty of actually doing anything about it.

• Breaking Roads, Making Bank: Roadbed Solutions sees a huge opportunity in the nation’s failing roads
• TransformTO Community Engagement
• Council Defers Vote on TransformTO
• Toronto city council approves 2017 budget after marathon meeting
• City staff recommend budget freeze for 2018

Saryn hosts an "oil update" for Canada and internationally discussing various shareholder 'revolts' at the worlds largest oil companies. Shareholders are attempting to force companies in various ways to take climate change more seriously as it pertains to the risk involved in their current and future valuations as companies.

• Financial firms lead shareholder rebellion against ExxonMobil climate change policies
• Imperial Oil Ltd downgraded despite possible share buyback
• Canada pushes for oil sales to China as it seeks climate leadership
• Saskatchewan cries foul over ‘punitive’ exclusion from $2-billion low-carbon fund

In the final section, the hosts discuss some interesting sounding tcechnologies in the works including paint that can generate hydrogen fuel, and instantly rechargeable batteries.

• Solar paint offers endless energy from water vapor
• New “Instantly Rechargeable” Battery Deals a Fatal Blow to Fossil Fuels
• Airborne particles cause more than 3m early deaths a year

This Weeks Music:

Mother Mother "Hey Loft" & Rush "Subdivisions"

What do you think?

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