In this first episode, Host Ed Whittingham dives into the world of Direct Air Capture (DAC), a technology that extracts carbon dioxide directly from the ambient air. Ed explores the early history of carbon dioxide removal, why it could be useful in fighting climate change, and challenges the technology has faced along the way.

Episode 1: Carbon Removal: Engineering Earth’s Cooling

• Hosted by: Ed Whittingham, Canada-based environmental and public policy professional
• Guest: Klaus Lackner, professor at Arizona State University and often referred to as the “Grandfather of DAC”
• Guest: David Keith, professor at the University of Chicago and a DAC pioneer who founded the company Carbon Engineering
• Guest: Paul McKendrick, author of the book that inspired this series

ESG News Podcast Review: Scrubbing the Sky – Episode 1
Reviewed by Matt Bird, CEO of ESG News

The debut episode of Scrubbing the Sky is a compelling listen for anyone at the intersection of climate innovation, sustainable finance, and global policy. Right from the start, the podcast captures the urgency and complexity of carbon removal, not just as a climate imperative, but as an emerging industry that will define the next chapter of global economic transformation.

What stood out most to me was the balance between scientific insight and strategic realism. The hosts and guests didn’t shy away from the hard questions: Who’s going to pay for carbon removal? Can these technologies scale equitably? And how do we avoid repeating the mistakes of past extractive models while trying to fix a problem caused by them?

From an ESG News perspective, I appreciated how the episode navigated the fine line between aspiration and accountability. The storytelling was sharp, data-informed, and driven by a clear mission—to unpack not just the “what” and “how,” but also the “why now” of carbon removal. These are precisely the kinds of conversations we need to normalize across industries and boardrooms.

For investors, innovators, and policymakers alike, Scrubbing the Sky offers more than just awareness—it’s a call to action wrapped in smart dialogue. I’ll be tuning in for episode two and recommending this to our ESG News audience as required listening for anyone shaping the future of climate solutions.

Rating: 5/5
Impactful, timely, and expertly produced. A strong start to what could be a pivotal series for the climate economy.

Special Acknowledgments: Produced by Amit Tandon & Bespoke Podcasts – and to Katie Lyons for her PR support.

Learn more at www.scrubbingthesky.com | Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/scru