Planet Pod's Podcast

For our last podcast of the season we are in conversation with two beacons of hope. We talk to Professor Professor Richard Templer, who led the climate innovation centre at Imperial College and went on to found Undaunted in partnership with the Royal Institution and look back over his career and the huge impact he has had on students, businesses and start ups with Tom Robinson, CEO of Adaptavate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should solicitors or barristers turn down work from fossil fuel companies? What is the role of law in the transition from an oil based economy? We explore the changing face of accountability with Haley Czarnek, National Director of Law Students for Climate Accountability, Alexander Rhodes, Partner and Head of Purpose at corporate law firm Mishcon de Reya and Paul Powlesland, Barrister and Founder of Lawyers for Nature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three species go extinct every hour. We talk to zoologist, wildlife TV presenter and photographer Megan McCubbin and Dr John Ewen, Senior Research Fellow at ZSL's Institute of Zoology about their work to highlight and tackle threats to wildlife, how far we should go to stop a species going extinct and the painstaking work, hope and courage it takes to bring a species back from the edge of extinction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A conversation with author Nicola Chester about her life, shaped by the landscape she has fought so hard to save. Author of the Wainwright Prize-nominated 'On Gallows Down', Nicola talks protest, nature, belonging, hope and the future of climate action. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Insects - pollinators, major carnivores, herbivores and recyclers. They sustain our diet. Most animals eat insects. Our food relies on insects. The ecology of the world has evolved around insects. Yet they are in crisis, the situation is dire. We speak to Matt Shardlow, the Chief Executive of Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, and Dr George McGavin, television presenter and author, whose recent book “The Hidden World” offers a fascinating insight to how insects sustain life on earth today and will shape our lives tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We take a deep dive into the threats facing our waterways and why it matters with Feargal Sharkey, former frontman of punk band The Undertones and de facto figurehead of the battle to save Britain's rivers, author and Right to Roam activist Amy-Jane Beer and author, academic and campaigner Mark Wormald. To mark the conference Owned By Everyone? Chalk Streams in Culture and Crisis, we explore the scandal behind the terrible state of our rivers and find out what we can do to be part of the solution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the meaning of geese? This podcast explores what climate change, personal action and hope hold in store for our local spaces through the story of Nick Acheson, renowned naturalist and conservationist, who cycled 1,200 miles during lockdown, the exact length of the pinkfeet's migration to Iceland, to try and discover what geese mean to communities, landscapes and the future of the planet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Migratory birds are in sharp decline. We talk to pioneering conservationist Sacha Dench about her work to raise awareness of the threats facing these incredible creatures and efforts to create systems to protect them and their flyways. We talk about her recent expedition, the Flight of the Osprey, her recovery following the tragic accident on the Round Britain Climate Challenge and the future of her conservation work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do we need to rethink farming? Farmers are not just food producers; they are custodians of the land, businesses, innovators and our partners in the hunt for solutions to climate change. What does the Government's new payment scheme mean for them? We catch up with Martin Lines, arable farmer in South Cambridgeshire and UK Chair of the Nature Friendly Farming Network and Dominic Buscall, Project Manager at Wild Ken Hill, who aims to restore nature, fight climate change and farm regeneratively at his family farm in Norfolk. In our Animal, Vegetable, Mineral slot - where we explore the many astounding facts and feats of the natural world - we find out how a certain bird can survive bashing its head against a tree 20 times a second, each time withstanding deceleration 1000 times the force of gravity! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We speak to Sasha Abraham, Senior Analyst at the UK's Climate Change Committee and formerly a member of the COP26 President's team, about her hopes and fears for 2023. How does the CCC hold Government to account? What did the UK achieve in 2022? Was COP27 a success? Also, in Animal, Vegetable, Mineral we talk to Jim Haywood about the latest incredible green tech. What do seaweed, squid and dandelions have in common? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We hear from Sally Bunce, seal protection officer at Teesside about the collapse of the local marine ecosystem which many believe is due to constriction to service an offshore wind project and Isobel Morris, Senior Policy Officer for Energy at the RSPB about how the UK can prioritise nature during an energy crisis. We also hear some very good nature news from Charlie Zakss of Suffolk Wildlife Trusts and have a chat with Jim Haywood for Animal, Vegetable, Mineral - what was it that Darwin found in the rigging of the Beagle? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What price is nature paying for the UK's transition to clean energy? We talked to Joan Edwards OBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at The Wildlife Trusts and Dr Tom Appleby, Chief Legal Affairs Advisor at The Blue Marine Foundation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is nuclear energy safe? Is it clean? Do we need it? We talk to experts from both sides of the debate - Dr Paul Dorfman, Associate Fellow at University of Sussex and Chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group and Jessica Johnson, Communications and Advocacy Director at Nuclear Europe - about how nuclear energy is generated and whether it can play a role in the UK's transition to Net Zero. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Exploring the volatility in the energy sector with Dhara Vyas, Director of Advocacy at Energy UK and Dr Jeff Hardy, Senior Research Fellow at the Grantham Institute of Climate Change. Why are bills so high? Why aren't we solving the crisis by building renewables at pace? What renewables would solve the crisis? What does next year look like? How can communities gain control of their own energy supply? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 2020 the government pledged to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 – the ‘30x30' target. Two years on and they have made woeful progress. What can we, as citizens, do to challenge this inaction? We speak to Kate Jennings, Head of Site Conservation and Species Policy for the RSPB and Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link; a coalition of over 60 environmental organisations and author of the report "Nature 2030 - Habitats". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It has been a tumultuous time for nature in the UK with many of the existing legal protections for species and habitats coming under threat. To kick off our new series we speak to Natalie Bennett, Green member of the House of Lords and former leader of the Green Party and Karla Hill, Associate Director at think tank E3G and former Director of Programmes at Client Earth about the relationship between climate and politics. Will the cost of living and energy crises push the agenda for nature protection right out of the frame? Will climate and nature be the defining issue in the next election? Amanda also talks to Planet Pod Executive Producer Jim Haywood for a new segment reflecting on the natural world and exploring innovations in science and technology that will help us restore the balance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning writer Ben Macdonald joins us to discuss his new book Cornerstones, how these species can save our planet and the power of books to shape our lives. We are also joined by Rose Malleson, founder of a sustainability book club, who shares her recommendations for summer reading. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An exploration of the incredible past and a hopeful future of the Dogger Bank and Doggerland, a unique area which once connected the British Isles to Europe. With Julia Blackburn, described as "one of the most original writers in Britain" and author of Time Song, a startling, "funny and often very moving" exploration of life on Doggerland and Dr Tom Appleby, Associate Professor at UWE and a member of the Centre for Architecture and Built Environment Research, where he leads on environment and sustainability. Tom is also a member of the International Water Security Network, the Environmental Law Unit and Chief Legal Affairs Adviser to UK based ocean conservation charity, the Blue Marine Foundation. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We talk to William Kendall, environmentalist, entrepreneur and farmer about the future of farming. Having transformed Green & Blacks and Covent Garden Soup, William now farms organically and conventionally in coastal Suffolk. Where is farming going wrong? How do we keep food affordable? What is the difference between organic and regenerative? How will innovation transform farming? Listen to find out. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode we look at rewilding on both a small and a large scale - from the 'Best in Show' garden at The Chelsea Flower Show to an ambitious new wilding project at West Chevington on the shore of Durridge Bay.We chat to Duncan Hutt, Director of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust about their new wilding site at West Chevington; a 700 plus acre project monitoring both active and natural wilding projects. We also caught up with Professor Alastair Driver, Director of Rewilding Britain, about the amazing 'A Rewilding Britain Landscape' garden designed by Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt which won Best of Show at the 'world cup of gardening' - the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Biodiversity is in trouble pretty much everywhere. Our new series explores biodiversity, habitat loss and threats to wildlife. In this first episode we speak to Professor Andy Purvis, Research Leader at the Natural History Museum and take a walk around the magical nature reserve of RSPB Minsmere with Visitor Experience Officer Ian Barthorpe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The global population is sustained by fragile food systems that are wreaking havoc with the environment and public health. Food systems contribute to and are significantly affected by climate change but they are also a crucial part of the solution. In this final episode of Spilling the Beans we spoke to Patrick Holden, Founding Director of the Sustainable Food Trust and Patty Fong, the Program Director for Climate and Health & Well-being at Global Alliance for the Future of Food about how and why we need to rethink food systems. Produced in partnership with Sustainable Foods Event. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the UK we face a triple threat of climate change, energy scarcity and cost of living crisis. What did the Spring Statement mean for climate action? Why are our pensions a superpower? We spoke to Simon Mundy, Moral Money Editor at the Financial Times and author of The Race for Tomorrow, Kenneth Green, Campaigns Manager at Make My Money Matter and Alex Smith, Senior Associate at Eversheds Sutherland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Planet Pod talks to two organisations who are tackling the damage our food system inflicts on the planet in very different ways. Sofia Condes is the Investor Outreach Manager at FAIRR, a collaborative investor network that aims to harness the power of capital market to drive transition in the food system. Lana Zivanovic is the CSO at InnovoPro, who have developed an extraction process to concentrate protein from chickpeas in such a way that it can be used as an alternative to animal protein. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How can we produce the right food in the right place, the right way and in the right amount? We spoke to Ivo Mulder, Head of Climate Finance Unit at UNEP and Dorothy Shaver, Global Food Sustainability Director for Unilever's food and ice cream brands about the issues with our complex food supply chains and how we can address them - both with producers and consumers. This is the first podcast in our series Spilling the Beans; produced in partnership with The Sustainable Foods Conference. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Every second of every day one rubbish truck of fashion goes to landfill. 150 million tonnes of second hand clothing arrives in Ghana's market every week. 40% of those clothes are unsellable and are dumped. We explore where our clothes really end up, the catastrophic damage they are causing and what we can do about it with Betty Osei Bonsu, Project Coordinator at Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), George Harding-Rolls of The Changing Markets Foundation and Amy Nguyen of Sustainable and Social. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fashion has a dangerous addiction to fossil fuels. 67% of our clothes are made out of plastic, most of which ends up in landfill. Synthetic fibres are energy intensive to produce and, according to a report by Ellen MacArthur Foundation, produce six times more CO2 emissions than cotton, not to mention the threat of microfibre pollution. So why is this such a fast growing industry? In this first podcast we look at how we can tackle the devastating relationship between fossil fuels and fast fashion without making fashion a luxury only accessible to the rich. With George Harding-Rolls, Campaigns Advisor at The Changing Markets Foundation and Amy Nguyen, writer, strategist and founder of Sustainable and Social. Part two will look at the clothes we discard - where do they end up? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Climate activists of all shapes and sizes will be affected by the proposed amendments to the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill. All forms of peaceful protest from linking arms while walking in the road to making a noise could be banned and potentially criminalised. Estelle Dehon a barrister with expertise in environment & human rights law and Liam Norton campaigner & spokesperson for Insulate Britain discuss what this might mean for civil liberties and climate action. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When does 'normal' concern about the planet become climate anxiety? Who does eco-anxiety affect? What can we do about it? How can we look after our mental health under a cloud of Covid? We explored these questions and more with Dr Patrick Kennedy-Williams, a Clinical Psychologist specialising in Climate Anxiety, Dr Emma Lawrance, Mental Health Innovations Fellow at the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI) at Imperial College London and Rowenna Davis, Director of Global Future, a think tank dedicated to using psychological insight to pursue progressive politics. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this final episode in our COP Conversations series @TheGreen Amanda and co-host Chris White from the University of Strathclyde catch up with Chris Stark, Chief Executive of the UK's Climate Change Committee who sounds a positive note about the likely final outcome from COP26. We discuss how this COP has established a clear pathway to limiting global heating to below 2degC, if not the targetted 1.5deg C. With positive engagement of corporates and financiers in the debate along with mounting pressure from the younger generation and other concerned citizens, could COP26 be the tipping point to give global governments the confidence to enact tougher legislation and provide greater incentives to decarbonise? Have we finally recognised that adaptation and building resilience is a key part of mitigating climate change and are we on the way to achieving a fair transition? Listen to this final episode to find out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Solving the climate emergency will need a host of innovative ideas and new business models. In this special episode recorded at COP @TheGreenAmanda meets up with Hugo Spowers - entrepreneur, former motor racer and MD of Riversimple, producers of affordable, hassle free, fun-to-drive hydrogen powered eco cars and Earthshot prize winner Vaitea Cowan, co-founder of Enapter, manufacturers of the first scalable electrolyser that replaces fossil fuels with green hydrogen. Together they discuss how they are breaking mould and reshaping our thinking on sustainable personal and larger scale transport. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As we reach the end of two weeks of debate and dialogue, @TheGreenAmanda asks guest Seema Joshi from Global Witness to reflect on some of the key themes at this year's COP. Since the Paris agreement global banks have lent $157bn to businesses which drive deforestation, so are we really serious about protecting global rainforests? With the 503 delegates representing the interests of fossil fuel companies outnumbering those from the largest country, did this COP duck the challenge of cutting our ties with fossil fuels? Will the non-binding words of commitments made be backed by hard hitting and rigidly enforced regulation and law? As Green and Blue Zones held separate gatherings, were those whose lives and livelihoods are being affected most by climate change given the opportunity to be part of the negotiations? Did this COP step up to the plate or was it just – in the words of activist Greta Thunburg – just another “blah blah blah”? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is time to rethink our relationship with cars - 30% of the time your car sits unused outside your house. We need a systems change around transport. Our guests understand the changes needed in business models, culture, planning and government policies to set us on the right road. @TheGreenAmanda is joined by Professor Greg Marsden from the University of Leeds' Institute of Transport Studies, Hugo Spowers, reformed racing driver and founder of River Simple and Joe Ravetz from the Manchester Urban Institute at the University of Manchester. The step changes needed cannot be achieved by incremental measures. It's time for big bold thinking. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Covid-19 has left many people tired, dazed and frustrated - there is a danger that we collectively press the ‘pause' button to catch our breath. But accelerator for change organisation After the Pandemic, co-founded alongside Laura McHard by our guests in this episode Fergus Bruce and Graham Hogg (from Lateral North), are passionate about mobilising and engaging communities, particularly young people, to ‘rethink, reimagine and redesign spaces and places to be greener, more resilient and more vibrant'. Joining them in conversation with @TheGreenAmanda is young Glasgow student Colin Li, whose powerful climate change focused mural design was one of seven winners in the Grantham Institute's national competition for young people and now adorns the SWG3 railway arches beside the Clydesdale Expressway. Together they highlight the power of creativity, design and education to stimulate positive grass-roots change for the world's future. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The world's coastlines are dynamic and constantly shifting, providing homes and livelihoods to millions of people whilst playing a key role in nature based solutions for adapting to climate change. With sea level rise - even if every net zero target is met - coastal erosion is set to continue apace. In this powerful episode Amanda is joined by Professor Larissa Naylor, Professor of Geomorphology and Environmental Geography at Glasgow University and postgraduate researcher Uduak Affiah to look at the likely societal, environmental and economic impacts of our disappearing and shifting coastlines. The vulnerability of Nigerian coastal communities serves as a graphic example of how significant numbers of people in many parts of the world are likely to be affected by coastal erosion and why this COP must heed the urgent call for a joined up and properly financed approach to adaptation which engages local communities. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How linked are the Climate Crisis and the Nature Crisis? We talk to Professor Andy Purvis of the Natural History Museum about managing nature rather than mining it, Greta, over consumption, lobbying, shifting baselines and how we can encourage the behaviour change that nature so desperately needs. Amanda goes on location to see first hand the threat to one small woodland rich in biodiversity and a superhighway for invertebrates is at risk of destruction. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Title: Striking for the Planet In this special episode Amanda joins young climate activists on the streets of Glasgow for the Fridays for Future Climate Strike and hears a loud and powerful message about their concerns about the impact of unchecked global heating on the planet and their future. They are the generation that will suffer the real consequences of our collective inaction on climate change. Their message for COP – listen to us, listen to the science and act now before it is too late. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recorded on the eve of the Fridays for the Future Climate Strike and as COP26 talks continue apace, we step out onto the streets of Glasgow to talk with young climate activists who bring their passion and energies to the discussions. University of Strathclyde students Ben Rapson, Ru Wallace and Lewis McDermott voice the concern many young people feel about the climate crisis and the need for action that goes beyond rhetoric. Medical students Lizzie O'Brien and Mehajabeen Farid describe how Students for Global Health is raising awareness about climate related inequalities and health issues which disproportionately affect some of the poorest people and areas of the world. We hear how the charity Reboot the Future helps amplify the call from young people for a more compassionate and sustainable future. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As COP26 moves through Day 3 we hear from Professor Mark Maslin, author and Professor of Earth System Science at UCL and environmental campaigner, Citizens' Assembly megafan and drag comedy artist Alex Bradbury about the politics of this particular COP. How, by talking about the issue - in the workplace, to friends and family, to our politicians - can we ensure that our collective wisdom base is not ignored? The climate doesn't care what political badge we wear but nor does it have a voice. When citizens raise theirs on its behalf are they being heard? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Global heating resulting from climate change is likely to have the greatest impact on those who can do least about it. In this episode Amanda talks with Professor Lisa Vanhala, Professor of Political Science at UCL and Michael Watson, Partner at law firm Pinsent Masons, about the non-economic loss and damage associated with unchecked climate change. We ask where does responsibility lie – in short, who pays the price? What is the role of legislation and non-state actors (including law firms) and will this COP help provide a safe space for meaningful collaboration and constructive discussion? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As COP26 finally kicks off in Glasgow hosts for this special series Amanda and Chris begin to get a sense of how far we've come and how far we have yet to go to sort out climate change once and for all. WWF's Stephen Cornelius highlights the importance of connections and collaborations at all levels whilst, fresh from an epic 500 mile walk from London to Glasgow, Ric Casales from Carbon Copy talks about the many positive examples of practical actions to address this pressing issue he is witnessing. COP is off to a good start - best foot forward for the rest of the discussions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this first podcast in our special COP 26 series we talk with seasoned COP veteran and pioneering scholar Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, a renowned international expert in climate change policy, law and governance about the power of the COP process to bring hearts and minds together to address the pressing issues of climate change. We set the scene for this important gathering in Glasgow, discuss hopes and aspirations and consider the creative, courageous and dynamic actions needed to deliver post COP26. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What are the challenges facing the food industry in the 20th Century? Are our supply chains resilient? Is the food industry sustainable? What role does technology play in more sustainable food production? We explore every aspect of food with Matt Reynolds, science editor at WIRED UK and author of The Future of Food and Sir Charles Godfray, Director, Oxford Martin School, population biologist and Lead Researcher on The Oxford Martin Programme on The Future of Food. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are launching our Autumn podcast series "Climate on Your Doorstep" with an exploration of AR6, the most sobering IPCC report yet, and what it means for the UK's weather. This Sixth Assessment Report is the first major review of the science of climate change since 2013. In the run up to COP26 we spoke to Dr Chris White, Head of the Centre for Water, Environment, Sustainability and Public Health at the University of Strathclyde and Dr Lizzie Kendon of the Met Office about why this report is different, the effect climate change will have on the UK's weather in the near future and what we can do about it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Planet Pod catches up with the inspirational Sacha Dench – aka the Human Swan – as she takes to the skies for an amazing 3000 miles coastal circumnavigation of Britain. For this extraordinary flight Sacha has decarbonised - her paramotor is now electric and during recharging stops she is gathering stories from people on the ground who are devising innovative solutions to the climate crisis.Join Amanda and Jim for this last episode of Planet Pod before the summer break. Happy Holidays everyone!Links:www.climatechallenge.livewww.count-us-in.orgThis episode is supported by global law firm Eversheds Sutherland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our National Parks are in crisis - just when we need them most to help us tackle the climate emergency, boost nature recovery and biodiversity. Rewilding Britain has called for 10% of the parks to rewild but can they or will they? Who owns our parks? Not the nation but private landowners. Are they listening? We talk to Guy Shrubsole, Policy and Campaigns Coordinator at Rewilding Britain (author of Who Owns England?) and Anita Konrad, CEO of The Campaign for National Parks. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ancient art of silvopasture could be set for an explosion, quite literally changing the landscape of British farming. Currently the subject of a 12 year trial run by farmers, Rothamsted Research and The Woodland Trust, silvopasture (a traditional method of farming livestock with trees) is thought to sequester additional carbon, reduce flooding, increase drought-resilience, improve animal health and wellbeing and boost biodiversity. But will it work in the UK? Scientists at Rothamsted Research and farmers in Devon have combined forces to find out. We talked to two key people involved in the trial; Andy Gray, commercial farmer at Elston Farm in Devon and Dr Robert Dunn, a scientist at Rothamsted Research who specialises on reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.This episode is supported by global law firm Eversheds Sutherland. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the aftermath of a pandemic which, for many of us, has fundamentally changed our relationship with nature, we talk to two people building on that capital: Dr Pavel Cenkl, Head of College at Schumacher College and Director of Learning, Dartington Trust and Trewin Restorick, Founder and CEO of Hubbub. We explore creative solutions to the climate crisis and how we can educate and influence behaviour in very different ways. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

How to create an ecological garden that is people and nature friendly with Matt Rees Warren and Brigit Strawbridge Howard share their tips and advice for a friendlier gentler approach to gardening.Perfect for no mow May!This episode has been produced with generous sponsorship from Chelsea Green Publishing See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss the new Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill with Caroline Lucas MP and Dr Richard Benwell from the Wildlife & Countryside LinkThis episode of Planet Pod is supported by leading international law firm Eversheds Sutherland See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We discuss barn owls and beetles, tractors, ploughs and policies, economics and farmers markets. How can rethinking how we manage and live alongside the land and our approach to better stewardship help restore health to the soil, ensure continued productivity and bring back the birds and wildlife?[Owl photo credit: Keith Mullings] See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.