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Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away

Politics &
Economics

When we throw things ‘away’, what does that actually mean? Where does it go, and who deals with it when it gets there?

When we throw things ‘away’, what does that actually mean? Where does it go, and who deals with it when it gets there? Award-winning journalist Oliver Franklin-Wallis has spent the last number of years investigating the global waste industry. In June 2023 he came to Intelligence Squared to tell us the truth about Britain’s overflowing sewers and hollowed-out mining towns, the mountainous landfills of New Delhi, Ghana’s flooded second-hand markets and what it all means for the future.

He told us about the people on the frontline of our waste crisis – both those being exploited, and those determined to make a difference. On the way, we discovered the corporate greenwashing that started the recycling movement; the dark truth behind our second-hand donations; and came face to face with the 10,000-year legacy of our nuclear waste.

Event Name

Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away

Intelligence Squared+
Online Event
WATCH ON DEMAND
Speakers for the motion

  • Oliver Franklin-Wallis

    Journalist and Author of Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters

Chair

  • Dr Güneş Taylor

    Postdoctoral fellow at The Francis Crick Institute and freelance science communicator

Speakers

Speaker

Oliver Franklin-Wallis

Journalist and Author of Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters

Award-winning magazine journalist, whose writing has appeared in GQ, WIRED, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Times Magazine, The Sunday Times Magazine, The Economist’s 1843 magazine, and many other publications. He is currently the Features Editor of British GQ and his new book is Wasteland: The Dirty Truth About What We Throw Away, Where It Goes, and Why It Matters.     
Chair

Dr Güneş Taylor

Postdoctoral fellow at The Francis Crick Institute and freelance science communicator

Postdoctoral fellow at The Francis Crick Institute and freelance science communicator. Güneş conducts cutting-edge research on the processes driving the formation and function of reproductive systems, and in particular, ovaries. Güneş’ passion for discussing the future of human reproduction, together with an ability to captivate audiences while disseminating scientific findings, has also led to a role as a sought-after science communicator and host.