#113
Turning Climate Anxiety Into Climate Action with Dr. Tara Shine
Dr. Tara Shine is a climate change expert with over 20 years of experience in climate science, science communication, and policy. Her work has focused on shaping international and national policy to advance equity, gender equality, inclusion, and environmental protection.
A seasoned scientific adviser, Tara has worked with a range of influential organisations, including the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, the OECD, The Elders, SIDA (Sweden’s development agency), the World Bank, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
For a decade, Tara served as a climate negotiator at the United Nations and contributed as a reviewer to the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C. She is a guest lecturer on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across Irish universities and sits on the Board of Trustees of the International Institute for Environment and Development. She is also an alumna of Homeward Bound, the global leadership initiative for women in science.
Tara holds a BSc in Environmental Science and a PhD in Geography from the University of Ulster, Northern Ireland. Her work in research, policy, and education has spanned countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Summary
01:31 What was the moment or experience that made sustainability and climate action so personal for you?
- There wasn’t a single moment; it was a gradual development rooted in a love of nature and curiosity about how things work, influenced by her father, a geography teacher, and National Geographic magazines.
- Childhood activism included issues like whaling and animal testing in the 1980s, long before terms like “sustainability” or “climate change” were in common use.
- None of her career roles existed as job options during her youth, highlighting how the field has evolved.
05:05 How do you see careers and opportunities evolving in sustainability and climate change?
- Sustainability is a major future area for job creation, with roles in innovation, design, reporting, philosophy, arts, and social justice connected to climate.
- The field is exciting for those who enjoy problem-solving and creativity; it is not about “preaching”.
- Gen Z sees sustainability careers as purposeful and meaningful – a reason to get out of bed in the morning.
06:37 You’ve advised world leaders on global policy. What sets you apart from others who started with the same motivations?
- Her focus wasn’t on abstract climate change, but on people, fairness, and social justice.
- Views climate as an injustice, particularly how the richest are least affected while the poorest suffer most.
- She is drawn to climate work as a human and social problem, not purely a scientific one.
- Argues for framing climate as a human and social issue to broaden engagement beyond the “green” label.
10:30 The dynamic of global climate negotiations: What’s it like behind the scenes?
- UN-level negotiations reveal the shifting geopolitics of climate action, with alliances critical for outcomes.
- Recounts how Obama’s lack of ambition at Copenhagen in 2009 led to a collapse in agreement; contrasting with the successful coalition-building in Paris.
- Individual leaders’ stances can make or break negotiations, with years of diplomacy needed for success.
14:29 What was it like working with Mary Robinson’s team, and did it shift your perspective on effective climate action?
- Mary Robinson shared Tara’s conviction that climate is a human and social problem.
- Working together, they bridged human rights and climate communities, embedding fairness and justice in climate action.
- Their work helped enshrine human rights language in the Paris Agreement, reinforcing a justice-based approach.
16:26 How do you balance scientific urgency, economic realities, and human psychology when communicating about climate?
- In her work at Change by Degrees, she focuses on making sustainability accessible and jargon-free for everyone at work.
- Advocates for a human-centred, non-preachy approach – acknowledging imperfection and trial-and-error as normal.
- Suggests starting conversations around what people already care about (family, hobbies, etc.) to make climate relevant.
18:48 How has fieldwork in places like Mauritania, Borneo, and Antarctica shaped your understanding of the climate crisis?
- Field experiences and documentary work bring the impact of climate change to life through storytelling and emotional connection.
- Contrasts the vibrancy of untouched environments with the silence of degraded ones, like palm oil plantations.
- Views fieldwork as key to making distant or abstract issues human and relatable.
21:01 How does the “unknown frontier” of undiscovered species and ecosystems shape your climate advocacy?
- Many discoveries remain to be made both globally and locally – adventure and exploration aren’t just for faraway places.
- Expresses concern that we are losing unknown species and natural solutions before realising their value.
- Stresses the critical, underappreciated role of nature in regulating the planet and aiding climate resilience.
24:22 Do you worry that businesses and governments see sustainability as a passing trend? How do we maintain momentum?
- Sustainability isn’t a fad; it’s an essential business opportunity and risk consideration, backed by very precise forecasting.
- Leaders who leverage accurate climate and economic data for long-term decisions will outperform those focused on short-termism or compliance.
- Warns that seeing sustainability as merely compliance is a losing strategy; leadership and vision are crucial.
29:02 How can the perception of ESG (environmental, social, governance) as “just optics” be changed so impact is real and lasting?
- Some companies misuse ESG, but growing anti-greenwashing regulation and citizen vigilance are raising the bar.
- Employees, being close to company operations, are key to identifying greenwashing; the new generation is less tolerant of superficial efforts.
- The main challenge is building the human skills needed to turn sustainability data into transformative action – not just ticking compliance boxes.
32:16 What does Change by Degrees do, and why did you set it up?
- Change by Degrees was founded to empower adults – especially at work – with sustainability skills and knowledge, closing the gap left by focusing education only on children.
- Every employee, not just a small team, needs to be involved in sustainability efforts for real cultural transformation.
- The platform offers accessible learning to support organisations in building sustainable skillsets across all roles.
35:30 What first steps should leaders or organisations take to engage with Change by Degrees?
- Contact Change by Degrees for tailored support; they assess your starting point and help you introduce sustainability skills into your workplace step by step.
- Warns against relying on just a couple of people to lead cultural change – whole-organisation engagement is critical.
- The goal is to embed sustainability into every role, making compliance and positive impact natural outcomes.
37:16 Some say focusing on individual actions distracts from the real culprits – major corporations. How do you respond?
- Big corporations are powerful and resistant to change, but all individuals are in their supply chains – our choices and demands matter.
- Real systemic change requires political pressure from citizens, which can drive legislative change and corporate accountability.
- While individuals shouldn’t carry all the blame, especially in consumer societies like Ireland, we are collectively high-impact and share responsibility.
41:04 What’s the most counterintuitive reason people resist sustainability, especially in workplaces?
- Human psychology resists change; people prefer familiar habits and convenience.
- Fear and overwhelm can paralyse action, so it’s vital to make sustainable choices easy and clear.
- Providing actionable steps rather than focusing solely on the scale of the crisis can empower people to move beyond fear and inertia.
43:52 What will be the single biggest shift in corporate sustainability over the next decade?
- The biggest change will come from employees driving sustainability from within organisations, rather than solely from investors or top-down directives.
- Focus on employee engagement, purpose, and values will shape future leadership and organisational evolution.
46:25 What’s one everyday object or habit from your book that people might be surprised has a big environmental impact?
- The most sustainable items are those you already own; longevity, repair, and sharing are better than buying new replacements.
- Encourages keeping goods in use, repurposing, and circulating items within communities.
47:46 Are we on track to address the climate crisis, and what would you change globally right now?
- She is worried about the current progress and lack of leadership; we’re behind and at increased risk.
- Calls for more women in leadership as an experiment to drive better climate outcomes.
Links mentioned:
How To Save Your Planet One Object Time – Book
The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: The Best Short Works of Richard Feynman – Book
Dr Tara Shine’s scientific publications
36 Fossil Fuel Giants Responsible For Half of World’s CO2 Emissions: Report