Could a Ministry for the Future solve the climate crisis? | Kim Stanley Robinson interview

Could a Ministry for the Future solve the climate crisis? | Kim Stanley Robinson interview

Author: The BMJ January 9, 2026 Duration: 42:44
This episode is available in video form on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1cGrD47eZSk American science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson joins Kamran Abbasi to discuss climate disaster, the need for political imagination, and science fiction's vision for health. Kim Stanley Robinson is the acclaimed author of a trilogy of novels, exploring the terraforming and settlement of Mars. His most recent novel, 'Ministry for the Future', was published in 2020. 'Ministry for the Future' sets out a vision for real solutions to our climate crisis, covering global finance, the animal kingdom, rising sea levels, energy production and much more. The book imagines a Ministry that begins its work in 2025. Five years after publication, with 2025 past and gone, The BMJ spoke to Robinson to explore how closely the novel's vision for the future has reflected reality. 01:00 BMJ's New Climate Change Initiative01:21 Kim Stanley Robinson's Ministry for the Future04:02 The Role of Political Violence in Climate Action10:50 The Concept of the Carbon Coin12:51 The Importance of Global Collaboration27:32 The Role of Medicine in Climate Change32:33 Youth and Climate Activism37:53 Hope and Despair in Climate Action41:29 Conclusion and Future Works Read more about The BMJ's climate coverage in the latest issue: https://www.bmj.com/content/392/8479

Produced by The BMJ, this weekly audio series delves into the pivotal research and urgent clinical debates shaping modern medicine. Each episode moves beyond the published page, bringing together the authors, critics, and practitioners directly involved to dissect a new study or a pressing health question. The conversation is rigorous and nuanced, designed for those who appreciate the complexity behind headlines. You’ll hear unscripted discussion about methodology, implications for practice, and the occasional healthy disagreement that drives science forward. This isn't just a summary of the latest findings; it's a critical appraisal in real time, offering listeners a front-row seat to the evolving discourse that defines evidence-based care. The Medicine and Science from The BMJ podcast serves as an essential audio companion for clinicians, academics, and anyone keen to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind medical news. It transforms the latest evidence from the journal into an accessible, thought-provoking dialogue, ensuring that busy professionals can stay deeply informed. Tune in for a direct, intelligent, and often surprising take on the science that matters most.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Medicine and Science from The BMJ
Podcast Episodes
Climate leadership - knowledge is power [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:08
It’s an often cited statistic that if healthcare was a country, it would be the fifth largest carbon emitter. At The BMJ we want to change that, and move healthcare towards a more sustainable future. In this week’s episo…
Getting science into policy for gun control and NHS reform [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:34
How science can be transformed into policy? One of the seemingly intractable issues when it comes to legislative change in the US is gun control. One reason policy change is so difficult, is the US specific evidence vacu…
Nutrition for health and conflicts of interests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:49
Under-nutrition harms health, but so does over-nutrition. The Bill and Melinda Gate’s foundation has just released their Goalkeepers' report - highlighting the detrimental impact that poor nutrition is having on children…
Improving data for quality care when resources are stretched [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:58
There's a real drive to strengthen quality of care in facilities around the world. However, no matter where you are, improving healthcare depends on quality data—and collecting and using that data can be challenging with…
GPs' industrial action, and the olympians after the games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:47
The news that GPs in England have voted for industrial action has spooked the healthcare system - Katie Bramall-Stainer, the chair of the BMA's General Practice Committee explains what's lead to this, and why trust in th…
Multi-cancer detection and NHS HIT Lists [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:43
This week we're questioning the effectiveness of the Galleri Test for early cancer detection with investigation authors Margaret McCartney and Deborah Cohen. They delve into the decision-making and politics behind this t…
Ensuring an Olympic legacy, and fixing primary care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:55
The Paris games have just started - and France has made a concerted effort to ensure that this year's Olympics will have a legacy of physical activity for the whole population. However, mega sporting events don't always…
The patient issue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:14
We celebrate 10 years of patient and public partnership strategy at The BMJ with a patient-centred podcast.We ask how should the new Labour government engage patients in shaping the future of the NHS. We also dive into t…
Extending access for breast cancer, and epidural outcomes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:10
Women's Health, breast cancer screening, epidurals, and GP voices New U.S. guideline on breast cancer screening have been extended to women in their 40s - Katy Bell, from the University of Sydney, and Stacy Carter, from…