Change Oracle

Welcome to the Polycrisis

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 13:34:29 GMT

Earth’s life-support systems are failing. In this episode, we examine the accelerating polycrisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, ocean warming, water scarcity, and soil degradation—converging as humanity crosses planetary boundaries and approaches irreversible climate tipping points. With CO₂ levels at record highs, rising global temperatures, collapsing coral reefs, extreme weather disasters, and escalating water stress, scientists warn the window to keep warming below 1.5°C is rapidly closing. Drawing on the latest 2025 climate reports, planetary boundaries research, and expert analysis, this episode unpacks what it means to breach critical environmental thresholds—and what’s at stake if we fail to act.

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The Best Environmental News Stories of 2025

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 13:46:32 GMT

From rebounding sea turtles and record tiger populations to renewables overtaking coal and the landmark High Seas Treaty, 2025 delivered a wave of real environmental breakthroughs. This episode tracks the year’s biggest climate victories, nature-based solutions, clean energy growth, Indigenous leadership, green tech innovation, and the court rulings that reshaped global climate action, showing how communities, cities, scientists, and nations pushed forward even in the face of political resistance.

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COP30: A Climate Summit Undone by Fossil Fuels

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:55:36 GMT

This episode dives into what really happened at COP30 — the third straight UN climate summit derailed by fossil-fuel obstruction.

From political infighting and infrastructure failures in Belém to the refusal to even name fossil fuels in the final agreement, we unpack why this conference fell so far short of the moment. With climate-driven disasters accelerating worldwide, COP30’s outcome raises a critical question: Is the global process meant to protect our future now incapable of rising to the challenge? Join us as we break down what went wrong, what little went right, and what it means for the shrinking window to secure a livable planet.

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One Big Beautiful Bill or One Big Beautiful Betrayal?

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 13:47:31 GMT

What happens when a single bill hits your wallet, your healthcare, your community—and your democracy—all at once? In this episode, we tear into Trump’s 1,100-page “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a mega-law experts say punishes 80% of Americans while showering the wealthy with massive gains. From gutting Medicaid and SNAP to pollution and Trump sweeping new powers, the OBBBA isn’t just a policy shift—it’s a seismic shock to everyday life. Join us as we expose how a bill branded as “beautiful” became one of the most damaging power plays in modern American history.

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Trump’s Tariff Policy: Economic Masochism or a Power Play for the Wealthy?

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 12:51:56 GMT

Short Term Gains, Long Term Pain is a hard-hitting economic deep dive that exposes what history really tells us about tariffs, who truly pays for them, and how they impact everyday Americans. From rising prices and inflation to retaliatory trade wars, we unravel whether tariffs actually boost domestic spending, reshore manufacturing, or simply grow federal debt and the trade deficit. This podcast reveals the hidden chain reaction of costs, economic vulnerability, and corruption behind protectionism—showing how tariffs threaten democracy, concentrate power, and quietly transfer wealth to political insiders. Are tariffs breaking the American economy, and is Trump’s tariff strategy really about economic security—or consolidating power for the elite? Tune in and decide.

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How Trump is Killing the American Dream and Threatening the Republic

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 13:04:13 GMT

Donald Trump did not appear out of thin air. He is the product of decades of Republican strategies built on disinformation, division, and raw power. In this episode, we break down how the GOP’s cynical agenda paved the way for Trump’s rise — and why the party now bows to the monster it created. From voter suppression to climate denial, and wealth transfers, this story exposes the consequences of the Republican’s craven pursuit of power.

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How the Republican Party Created Donald Trump

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 13:03:18 GMT

Donald Trump didn’t come out of nowhere—he was engineered. In this episode, we trace how decades of Republican strategies built the perfect conditions for his rise, from Newt Gingrich’s cutthroat politics to fossil fuel alliances, voter suppression, and a relentless war on democratic institutions. Featuring insights from political figures, journalists, and strategists, we uncover how the GOP’s embrace of disinformation, wealth transfers to the elite, and climate denial created not just a president, but a political monster. This is the story of a party devoured by its own creation—and what it means for America’s future.

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How Trump Won the 2024 Election

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT

The latest Change Oracle Podcast episode is titled “Why Trump Won.” It confronts the deeply unsettling reality of Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in 2024. Despite a legacy defined by corruption, lies, insurrection, and environmental degradation, Trump prevailed. Why? This episode explores the powerful mix of disinformation, fear, and psychological manipulation that enabled his comeback. From the GOP’s war on truth to Trump’s manipulation of economic anxiety and masculine identity, the podcast unpacks how a twice-impeached, convicted criminal convinced millions to ignore reality. Voters’ craving for security, nostalgia, and authoritarian certainty triumphed over evidence, character, and democratic norms. “Why Trump Won” is a sobering look at how populism, propaganda, and power warped the will of a nation — and what that means for the future of democracy.

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The Inequality Surge is Increasing

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:00:00 GMT

Inequality is surging globally, concentrating wealth among a small elite while the majority struggle with stagnating wages, limited access to resources, and declining social mobility. The Inequality Surge is Increasing by Change Oracle's Richard Matthews explores how this growing divide fuels global instability, undermines democracy, and worsens health and well-being. With data from the IMF, World Bank, and Oxfam, the podcast highlights the massive wealth transfer from the bottom 90% to the top 1%, particularly in the U.S., and examines how financial crises and globalization accelerate the trend. Listen now for a deep dive into today's most urgent economic and social crisis.

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Understanding Societal Inequality: History, Types, Causes and Effects

Tue, 27 May 2025 12:57:03 GMT

Understanding Societal Inequality: History, Types, Causes & Effects: Dive into the deep roots and wide-reaching consequences of inequality in this powerful episode of Change Oracle. From prehistoric hierarchies to modern wealth gaps, explore how economic, social, and political disparities shape today’s global polycrisis. Discover the forces that sustain injustice—and what it will take to dismantle them. Essential listening for anyone seeking clarity in a world of compounding crises.

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Economic Growth is an Unsustainable Monster that is Devouring Us from Within

Thu, 08 May 2025 12:31:00 GMT

In this episode, we challenge the deeply ingrained belief in limitless economic growth and expose how the growth-at-all-costs mindset drives ecological collapse, social inequality, and political dysfunction. Featuring insights from renowned economists and researchers, we dismantle myths like the Environmental Kuznets Curve and explore the destructive ideology of "growthism." If you're ready to question conventional economic wisdom and confront the harsh truths about sustainability, this episode is a must-listen.

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Fossil Fuels as the Cause of the Global Polycrisis

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:22:28 GMT

In this powerful episode, we dive into the fossil fuel industry's pivotal role in what experts now call the polycrisis—the interwoven collapse of our environmental, economic, and social systems. Featuring insights from the Post Carbon Institute’s Richard Heinberg and Asher Miller, and political economist Adam Hanieh, we explore how our addiction to oil, gas, and coal is not only fueling climate chaos but blocking meaningful change through disinformation and political influence. Discover why fossil fuels are at the heart of the global unravelling—and what it will take to break free.

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Psychological Barriers Preventing Us from Addressing the Global Polycrisis

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:58:02 GMT

In this podcast, we explore why, despite overwhelming evidence, action on the global polycrisis remains woefully insufficient. Psychological factors, such as susceptibility to misinformation and cognitive biases, are barriers to change that prevent us from effectively responding to serious threats including the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and social unrest. Tune in to discover why if we are serious about sustainability we need a fundamental rethink of our worldview.

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Economic Incentives and the Polycrisis

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:00:00 GMT

This podcast summarizes the wide array of powerful financial inducements that are driving sustainability efforts. We also ask the crucial question: can these economic incentives tackle the complexities of the global polycrisis? Despite the prodigious growth of sustainable investments and multi-trillion dollar opportunities, market-driven solutions have proven to be grossly inadequate. Tune in to explore why financial incentives will not augur the radical change needed to address global challenges and confront interconnected crises.

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Special Edition: Introducing Change Oracle’s Polycrisis Project (Part 2)

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 10:00:00 GMT

In this the second of two episodes, Tom Schuneman and Richard Matthews examine the relationship between the polycrisis, and the flawed economic assumptions derived from a broken system. They discuss how feedback loops create vicious cycles and why policymakers struggle to make data intelligible. They also explore how the fossil fuel industry manipulates public perception with disinformaton.

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COP 29 in Context: Climate Finance, Carbon Trading, and Fossil Fuel Influence

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 14:14:30 GMT

In this episode, we dive deep into the key moments of COP 29, the 2024 UN Climate Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan. From climate finance and carbon trading to the dominance of fossil fuel interests, we explore the controversies, challenges, and what this all means for global climate action and the Paris Agreement.

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The Interconnectedness of the Polycrisis: Three Current Examples

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:50:31 GMT

In this podcast, we explore the concept of global polycrisis, where interconnected crises create vicious feedback loops that amplify negative impacts. From the far-reaching consequences of war and global inequality to the escalating biophysical threats, the complex interplay of these challenges leads to a downward spiral. Learn how the intersection of these crises intensifies their effects and tune in to discover critical insights into a holistic understanding of some of the world’s most pressing issues.

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How Societal Collapse Can Save Humans From Mass Extinction

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 22:43:42 GMT

What if societal collapse isn’t the end, but a new beginning? In this episode, we dive into How Societal Collapse Can Save Humans From Mass Extinction. We explore the provocative idea that breakdowns in society might be the wake-up call humanity needs to address the crises threatening our survival. From climate change to economic instability, we unpack how historical collapses paved the way for transformation—and why confronting injustice and embracing change could help us rebuild a sustainable, resilient future. This is about finding hope, even as we face a world on the brink.

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20 Reasons Why Trump Should Not be President

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 14:12:18 GMT

In this hard-hitting episode, we provide a point-by-point breakdown of 20 reasons why Trump is not the right choice for America. From psychological fitness, criminal records, and corruption, to his environmental policies and views on science, we dive into the key points shaping this election. Plus, a look at Vice President Harris’ contrasting vision on economic plans, reproductive rights, immigration, and leadership. Join us as we explore the stark choice facing America in 2024. #Podcast #Election2024

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Polycrisis and the Rise of Authoritarianism

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 17:05:59 GMT

This podcast explores the concept of the global polycrisis. This concept illuminates how interconnected economic, social, environmental, technological, and political factors are reshaping societies and putting our future at risk. The combination of globalization and the information revolution has triggered an identity crisis that is fueling cultural conflicts and contributing to the rise of authoritarianism. Tune in to discover how these dynamics are challenging urban elites and sparking anti-immigration sentiments that are driving some of the world's most pressing crises.

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Special Edition: Introducing Change Oracle’s Polycrisis Project (Part 1)

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 18:31:23 GMT

In this special edition podcast, Richard Matthews introduces Change Oracle’s Polycrisis Project in a discussion with Tom Schuneman, the owner of the Planet Watch Group. They drill down on the polycrisis concept using the rise of authoritarianism as an illustration of the interconnections between technological, environmental, economic and social factors. They also explore the preoccupation with growth as both a cause of the polycrisis and a salient reason why we have failed to address the pressing constellation of problems we face.

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Fact Check Reveals Nuclear Energy is Safe and Clean but not Renewable

Mon, 20 May 2024 13:35:10 GMT

The podcast explores the misconceptions surrounding nuclear energy. It compares the safety record and waste generation associated with nuclear power and other forms of energy. Despite accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, an objective analysis reveals that nuclear power is far cleaner and safer than fossil fuels. An impartial review of the benefits of nuclear power, including its role in decarbonization and potential to mitigate climate change, is driving a reassessment of nuclear energy's potential. This reappraisal positions nuclear for a resurgence on the global energy stage.

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Nuclear Power Versus Renewable Energy

Mon, 13 May 2024 15:39:37 GMT

In this podcast, we provide a comparative analysis of the climate impacts associated with nuclear power and renewable energy. While wind and solar may be more cost-effective, nuclear power stands out for its unparalleled reliability. Renewables and nuclear play complementary roles in facilitating the global transition away from fossil fuels. Join us as we navigate the intricate landscape of tomorrow's clean energy mix.

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Nuclear Energy Versus Fossil Fuels

Mon, 06 May 2024 13:00:30 GMT

The podcast compares and contrasts the climate benefits and costs of nuclear energy and fossil fuels. While nuclear power offers emissions-free energy and averts millions of tons of carbon pollution annually, fossil fuels remain the dominant energy source. Despite nuclear power's clear environmental benefits, public apprehension and misconceptions have impeded its widespread adoption. However, perspectives are shifting, as a growing understanding of its safety and efficacy is reshaping the discourse and positioning nuclear energy as an indispensable ally in our critical battle against climate change.

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Types of Nuclear Energy

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:35:22 GMT

In this podcast, we review the evolution, current state, and future prospects of nuclear power. It outlines historical developments, reactor types, and worldwide adoption trends, highlighting the resurgence of interest in nuclear power due to climate concerns. We explore small modular reactors (SMRs) and fusion reactors, heralded by many as the future of nuclear energy. We also explore innovative solutions to the problem of nuclear waste, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance the sustainability of nuclear power.

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The Importance of Earth Day Education

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 14:01:20 GMT

In this podcast, Richard Matthews emphasizes the central role of education on Earth Day. Originating as a response to a devastating oil spill, Earth Day's founders put education at the center of the inaugural event. Today, Earth Day pedagogy focuses on an ever-expanding web of themes. In recent years the event has leveraged the psychology of communications to advocate for the health and well-being of people and the planet.

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How Earth Day Unifies Us and Why This is Critically Important

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 13:59:17 GMT

Dive into the significance of Earth Day as a unifying force that pushes back against societal divisions. Explore how this inclusive event brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, transcending political polarization and economic divides. With the planet facing escalating crises, including climate change and biodiversity loss, Earth Day is a rallying point that amplifies the urgent need for collective action. Discover how Earth Day fosters diverse participation, fuels global cooperation, and promotes scientific consensus to address pressing sustainability challenges. Join the movement to unite around a shared purpose and drive positive change for the future of our planet.

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The Origin of Earth Day and its Evolution Towards Holistic Sustainability

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 16:29:31 GMT

Discover the evolution of Earth Day and its pivotal role in global sustainability efforts. From its inception in 1970 to its influence on policy, regulation, and global governance, this podcast reviews how Earth Day has shaped environmental activism worldwide. It has impacted issues ranging from climate change to social justice. Over the years it has grown in both size and scope. It now encompasses the full range of sustainability issues.

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AI's Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 20:44:52 GMT

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While AI offers significant benefits for advancing sustainable development, it also poses challenges. Solutions to these problems are proposed as an essential part of maximizing the benefits of AI.

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The Illusion of Growth and the Fallacy of Kuznets Curve

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 15:18:12 GMT

Much of what conventional economic wisdom perceives as growth harms both humanity and the environment. The evidence contradicts the conventional economic wisdom that over time, economic growth reduces inequality and benefits biodiversity. The obsession with growth fuels globalization, exacerbating inequality and environmental degradation. Moreover, traditional measures like GDP fail to account for true well-being and progress. We need sustainable economic models that prioritize social and environmental realities over the preoccupation with growth.

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COP 28’s Litany of Loopholes

Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:52:57 GMT

This episode reviews how petrostates and oil producers sneakily added some major loopholes into the final agreement coming out of the most recent UN-sponsored climate summit (COP28). These loopholes include vague language, reliance on carbon capture, restricting the phasedown to "unabated" fuels and the inclusion of the "transitional fuels" loophole that embraces natural gas.

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Who Won the Fossil Fuel War at COP28?

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 14:42:44 GMT

This episode addresses the outcome of the most recent UN-sponsored climate conference (COP28). While many are celebrating the phasedown of fossil fuels agreed to by almost 200 nations in attendance at the conference, others are decrying the fact that we did not get a phase-out. While agreement on a phase-down of fossil fuels is historic, weaknesses in the final draft give us cause for concern.

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Petrostates are Asking the Impossible of Carbon Technologies

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 18:03:06 GMT

In this podcast, we review how petrostates and the fossil fuel industry are advancing widely unrealistic expectations for both carbon capture and carbon removal technologies. There is a yawning disparity between what they are promising and what the technologies can deliver. The sheer scale of the build-out, needed for meaningful impact is simply not achievable. Making false promises about the capacity of these technologies is designed to focus attention on carbon capture mitigation, rather than the only real solution--phasing out fossil fuels.

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The Fossil Fuel Industry’s Decarbonization Ruse at COP 28

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 14:55:13 GMT

In this episode, we unravel some of the disinformation strategies used by the fossil fuel industry at COP 28. Their calls for decarbonization with carbon capture are exposed as a ruse and while they give the impression of climate action, their clever word choices are trying to shift the focus away from phasing out fossil fuel production. If we fall for their carbon capture gambit, it could threaten our efforts to avert a climate catastrophe.

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Top Business Sustainability Trends to Watch in 2024 and beyond

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:43:22 GMT

In this podcast, we review business sustainability trends for 2024 and beyond. After decades of inaction, corporations are now facing unprecedented scrutiny and a tsunami of regulations. Forward-looking companies are engaging sustainability as a risk mitigation strategy and as a bulwark against risks from social issues. In 2024 sustainability-focused companies will leverage AI, ESG, and circularity while fostering a culture of environmental and social responsibility. This may be the year that sustainability transitions from a buzzword to a disruptive force that begins to change the paradigm.

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COP28: A Deal Made in Heaven or a Compact from Hell

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 13:52:49 GMT

As the host of this year's climate conference (COP 28), the UAE will present itself as a nation committed to lead climate action, but statements and planning documents reveal that they are preparing for one of the largest expansions of fossil fuel infrastructure in the world. Despite rhetoric about carbon capture and a transition to renewables, the UAE will leverage COP 28 as a public relations tool to delay phasing out oil and gas.

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The President-Designate for COP28 is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 21:06:45 GMT

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is the president of this year's climate conference, he is also the CEO of an oil major. He has spent millions on PR firms to highlight his impressive green credentials. These efforts are designed to conceal a masterful campaign of deception. If he succeeds he will push the Paris climate targets out of reach.

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Change Oracle

Welcome to the Polycrisis

The Best Environmental News Stories of 2025

COP30: A Climate Summit Undone by Fossil Fuels

One Big Beautiful Bill or One Big Beautiful Betrayal?

Trump’s Tariff Policy: Economic Masochism or a Power Play for the Wealthy?

How Trump is Killing the American Dream and Threatening the Republic

How the Republican Party Created Donald Trump

How Trump Won the 2024 Election

The Inequality Surge is Increasing

Understanding Societal Inequality: History, Types, Causes and Effects

Economic Growth is an Unsustainable Monster that is Devouring Us from Within

Fossil Fuels as the Cause of the Global Polycrisis

Psychological Barriers Preventing Us from Addressing the Global Polycrisis

Economic Incentives and the Polycrisis

Special Edition: Introducing Change Oracle’s Polycrisis Project (Part 2)

Top Environmental Good News Stories of 2024

COP 29 in Context: Climate Finance, Carbon Trading, and Fossil Fuel Influence

The Interconnectedness of the Polycrisis: Three Current Examples

How Societal Collapse Can Save Humans From Mass Extinction

20 Reasons Why Trump Should Not be President

Polycrisis and the Rise of Authoritarianism

Special Edition: Introducing Change Oracle’s Polycrisis Project (Part 1)

Fact Check Reveals Nuclear Energy is Safe and Clean but not Renewable

Nuclear Power Versus Renewable Energy

Nuclear Energy Versus Fossil Fuels

Types of Nuclear Energy

The Importance of Earth Day Education

How Earth Day Unifies Us and Why This is Critically Important

The Origin of Earth Day and its Evolution Towards Holistic Sustainability

AI's Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals

The Illusion of Growth and the Fallacy of Kuznets Curve

COP 28’s Litany of Loopholes

Who Won the Fossil Fuel War at COP28?

Petrostates are Asking the Impossible of Carbon Technologies

The Fossil Fuel Industry’s Decarbonization Ruse at COP 28

Top Business Sustainability Trends to Watch in 2024 and beyond

COP28: A Deal Made in Heaven or a Compact from Hell

The President-Designate for COP28 is a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing