Tom Rivett-Carnac is a political strategist, author, and influential voice who has dedicated over 20 years to addressing the climate and ecological crises. As Co-founder of Global Optimism, he works at the intersection of government, business, and civil society, with a mission to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis with the conviction and speed that science demands. His work is defined by the strategic application of "stubborn optimism" to the world's most daunting environmental challenges.
His career in strategic diplomacy culminated in his role as Senior Advisor to the Executive Secretary of the UN Climate Convention from 2013 to 2016, a position from which he directly contributed to the strategy leading to the landmark Paris Agreement. Since leaving the UN, he has maintained his influence, serving as a co-founder of The Climate Pledge with Amazon, bringing together over 200 companies committed to reaching net zero by 2040. He also serves as a Strategic Adviser to the Earthshot Prize.
Rivett-Carnac brings a unique, cross-disciplinary background to his current work, having served as Climate Strategist at X, the Moonshot Factory (formerly Google X), and spent two years serving as a Buddhist monk in Thailand and Myanmar early in his career. This blend of spiritual discipline and high-stakes political strategy gives his message a singular depth. He is also the co-host of the popular podcast Outrage + Optimism, covering the stories behind the climate crisis headlines. As a speaker, Rivett-Carnac delivers a profoundly empowering message: that our attitude makes a profound difference to our chance of success in this "most consequential decade in history." He provides leaders and individuals with a strategic blueprint for building transformative partnerships and embracing a sense of purpose that comes from living at the crossroads of one of the great transitions in human history. His presentations are a powerful call to action that transforms the monumental nature of the climate crisis into a privilege of opportunity.
