In the latest episode of The We Are Innovation Podcast, hosted by Federico N. Fernández, we dove deep into the complex intersections of science, technology, and the global urgency for sustainable initiatives. We had the privilege of hosting Robert D. Atkinson, the founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). As a spearhead of a world-renowned think tank that shapes debates on technological innovation and public policy, Robert is an internationally recognized scholar and a widely published author.

During our engaging discussion, Robert shed light on his latest paper, "Beyond Force: A Realist Pathway Through the Green Transition." He unveiled the inspirations and motivations that led him to write such a significant piece in the current climate discourse. We journeyed through the avenues of how the green transition can be adapted to cater to the needs of developing countries, ensuring that as the world moves forward, no nation is left behind.

Furthermore, we visited the intricate challenges of addressing climate change with scalable solutions that can have a global impact. Robert dispelled the common notion that our present technological arsenal is sufficient to combat climate change. We also deliberated on the existential threat posed by climate change and broached the topic of climate fear and its implications on growth and development. This episode is a treasure trove for those keen on understanding the nuances of technological innovation in the fight against climate change.

Our Guest:

Robert D. Atkinson (USA) is founder and president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), recognized as the world’s top think tank for science and technology policy. He leads a prolific team of policy analysts and fellows that is successfully shaping the debate and setting the agenda on a host of critical issues at the intersection of technological innovation and public policy.

He is an internationally recognized scholar and a widely published author whom The New Republic has named one of the “three most important thinkers about innovation,” Washingtonian Magazine has called a “tech titan,” Government Technology Magazine has judged to be one of the 25 top “doers, dreamers and drivers of information technology,” and the Wharton Business School has given the “Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award.”

Online you can find him on the ITIF website: https://itif.org

Links and further reading:

Beyond Force: A Realist Pathway Through the Green Transition - https://bit.ly/3Rorbps

The Abandonment of Growth and the Decline of the West - https://bit.ly/3Rm2l9X

Follow We Are Innovation:


TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@weare_innovation
Twitter - https://twitter.com/innovationweare
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/weareinnovation/
Web: https://weareinnovation.global

Music: Summer - Bensoundhttps://www.bensound.comSupport by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/37ILNlu

About We Are Innovation:

We Are Innovation is a network formed by a group of individuals and institutions that believe innovative solutions are how people get involved in solving problems. With more than 30 think tanks and NGOs based in Europe, the United States, and Latin America, We Are Innovation is the voice of a vibrant global civil society that wants to progress through innovation, the adoption of new technologies, and human creativity.