In the debut episode of Burned: The Price of Oil, host Shady Khalil speaks with Tasneem Essop, Executive Director of the Climate Action Network, to explore what it means to fight for justice in the era of climate crisis. From her roots as an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa to leading one of the world’s largest climate coalitions, Tasneem shares how decades of organizing, persistence, and people power reshape the global conversation on fossil fuels and justice.As the world faces a widening gap between climate commitments and Global North countries driving oil and gas expansion, Tasneem and Shady unpack how the Global South can chart a path beyond fossil fuels. Together, they discuss the meaning of a truly just transition, lessons from the UN climate talk’s breakthrough on fossil fuels, and how people power is building a just transition.Host: Shady Khalil, Oil Change InternationalGuest: Tasneem Essop, Executive Director, Climate Action Network InternationalAbout Tasneem Essop:A lifelong activist from South Africa, Tasneem began her journey during the anti-apartheid struggle, later serving as a provincial minister and global environmental advocate. Her leadership continues to bridge the fight for climate justice with broader struggles for equity and liberation, from the streets of District Six in Cape Town, to Palestine, and the halls of the UN climate talks.Links:Oil Change InternationalFollow @Priceofoil and @TasneemEssop on XFollow @PriceOfOil and @CAN.international on InstagramLearn more about Climate Action Network (00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Its Mission (01:05) - Tasneem's Activism Journey: From Anti-Apartheid to Climate Justice (06:01) - The Evolution of Climate Action Network (CAN) (12:26) - Reflections on COP28: Achievements and Challenges (20:13) - Power Dynamics in Climate Negotiations (25:40) - Understanding Climate Debt and Financial Responsibilities (30:56) - The Intersection of Justice and Climate Action (36:16) - Connecting Climate Justice with Global Injustices

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related