TORCH Talks 2025

This new series will debate some of the most urgent and topical issues of our time from a cross-disciplinary perspective. Practitioners from radically different disciplines and fields will share their views and insights on major global challenges.

Global challenges cannot be addressed comprehensively by a single discipline. TORCH exists to enable cross-disciplinary research and collaboration for greater impact.

On Wednesday, 29 January, TORCH hosted four practitioners from different disciplines to bring their personal and professional insights into a timely conversation: the task of treading the fine line between optimism and despair in the face of the climate crisis.

We were delighted to welcome Hannah Scott (CEO, Oxford Greentech), Professor Shadreck Chirikure (Department of Archaeology), Professor Bernhard Malkmus (Department of Modern Languages), and Jon Taylor (Director, Conservation Optimism). The conversation was moderated by TORCH Director Professor Christine Gerrard. Each speaker shared three aspects of the climate discourse that give them hope and three that cause them concern.

Climate Technology and the (Digital) Shifting Finger of Blame

Hannah Scott highlighted an increasing shift in the green funding ecosystem, where investors are increasingly prioritising software technology (notably Software as a Service or SaaS products) over physical technologies like solar panels. While this trend reflects growing interest in digital solutions, she emphasised the need for governments and investors to reinforce their commitment to physical climate solutions and adopt a long-term, holistic approach.

She also addressed the dyad constructed by statist discourses between development and the climate crisis: governments frequently prioritise conflicting goals that have profound negative environmental consequences (such as encouraging green belts but also focussing on expanding the number of airports in the country), making it crucial to rethink this relationship in a more holistic way. Additionally, she pointed out that many tech companies still treat achieving net-zero or reducing environmental harm as an incidental benefit rather than a core priority in their innovation and deployment strategies.

Decolonising the Climate and Developmental Discourse

Professor Shadreck Chirikure highlighted a fundamental issue in climate and development discourse: much of the framework applied to the Global South is shaped by Global North-led models of demand and supply, rooted in a knowledge system dominated by the latter. He argued that indigenous knowledge systems offer valuable solutions to addressing the challenges of a changing climate—citing, for example, how the Ancient Egyptians developed methods to regulate salt levels in their rivers.

He posited the need for a community-based approach that integrates local knowledge systems, rather than relying solely on external, Global North-imposed frameworks. He critiqued academic discourse on climate change for mirroring capitalist structures, often generating an oversupply of information rather than drawing on existing and historical knowledge that has long provided effective strategies for environmental adaptation.

The Need for Transformative Change : A Polycrisis and How to Reckon with It

Jon Taylor from Conservation Optimism underscored the importance of maintaining hope in the face of an often-overwhelming climate discourse, reminding the audience that “hope is empowering”. He stressed that addressing climate change requires transformative shifts in behaviour across all levels of society, reiterating that meaningful change is possible when collective action is prioritized.

Echoing this sentiment, Professor Bernhard Malkmus framed the climate crisis as a polycrisis—a deeply interconnected web of challenges that exacerbates into multiple aspects of our existence. He argued that overcoming this crisis requires moving beyond individualistic mindsets and fostering a collective approach to tackling the biospheric precarity we now face.

Overall, the session was both thought-provoking and encouraging, with participants raising insightful questions that challenged and engaged with the speakers’ perspectives. The conversation reinforced a crucial message: integrating climate consciousness into our daily lives is the first step toward a more sustainable future.

Find more information about future TORCH Talks on the TORCH website.