October MiniPod with Phoebe Weston (Human Microbiodiversity Depletion, Rise Of Renewables & Bird Migration Warnings)
The stories on this week's Minipod are:Finnish researchers have been exploring what happens when we bring a little more wild back into our everyday lives. Their “rewilding” experiment shows the link between increasing our nature exposure and better microbiome biodiversity.There’s good news, and perhaps some not so good news, about renewables. Solar power has now been the largest source of new electricity globally for three years in a row. Some nations are increasing their reliability on fossil fuels. However, solar prices have fallen making it more much accessible for lower income countries.Why the changing migration routes for birds, once defined seasons, are bending, shifting north, skipping stops they’ve made for centuries. Each altered flight path is a living chart of how fast habitats are shrinking and ecosystems are changing.Show Notes:Read the BBC article on renewable energy hereRead the Guardian article on bird migration here
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
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Zac Goldsmith - The Politics of Climate and Nature
Lord Zac Goldsmith has been a voice for environmental issues throughout his political career. He has held vital positions of power in government that have made him able to move the needle on climate and nature. His insights take us inside the cabinet meetings, international negotiations and global summits where progress can be encouraged and delivered... but also stifled.In this wide-ranging interview he talks candidly about:His opinion on current Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's desire to repeal the Climate Change ActWhy he felt he had to resign from the Rishi Sunak-led Conservative government over a move away from green issuesHow he judges the current UK government to be doing on climate, nature and waterWhat the biggest global challenges are and how to solve themHow - done right - governments and campaigners can work together to bring about meaningful changeWhat he thinks lies behind the current trend for right-leaning political parties to de-prioritise the environmentWhy he believes it is possible for us to make the progress we need to on the environment
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
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September MiniPod with Al Chisholm (New Environment Minister, Drought & Sponge Cities)
Emma Reynolds has been appointed the new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the UK. How will she sort through all the recent reports and reviews into the highly contentious future of the water sector in the UK? What actions will she take from the various recommendationsThere is drought in many parts of the UK. Should it be water companies that decide (and announce) when things like hosepipe bans are implemented or could there be a better process?What are Sponge Cities? How has China had so much success with them and should the approach be replicated in other parts of the world?Host Niki Roach and CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm discuss all of the above current issues in this month's Planet Possible MiniPod.If you want to find out more about the 'A Fresh Water Future Conference' in December, visit:www.ciwem.org/events/a-fresh-water-future-conference-2025
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
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On Location at Britain's First new Reservoir in 30 years
This episode explores Niki's visit to Havant Thicket, the first new reservoir to be built in the UK, in 30 years.Niki spoke to Terry Fuller from Future Water, Robert Taylor CEO of Portsmouth Water and other key members of the delivery team about this ambitious project.The site is owned by Portsmouth Water, who will store and supply Southern Water, as part of a water cooperative.Once complete, the site will hold 9 billion litres of water and will serve 160,000 customers. It’s also the first of ten further reservoirs that are planned to be built across the country, in the next 20 years.The project balances the difficult trade-offs, such as loss of ancient woodland, against major rewilding, habitat restoration, and reduced pressure on water supply.As a sustainability lead project and with a collaboration focus between water companies and environmental groups, the huge build plans to leave a strong legacy of education, recruitment, training, and a new recreational space for the local community.
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
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August MiniPod with Hannah Burgess (Flood Funding, Global Plastics Treaty, Updated UK Sustainable Drainage Standards)
In this month's MiniPod, we're joined by CIWEM President Hannah Burgess and we discuss...1. The consultation on how flood funding is awarded and how that opens the door to more voluntary groups, and environmental NGOs, directly accessing funding.2. The news that a global plastics treaty is being debated, alongside some ideas for individual actions.3. We also consider the updated national sustainable drainage standards which should drive more consistency in what's delivered. Useful LinksJoin our mailing list to be the first to hear about new episodes - http://eepurl.com/i7VmiA
Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland
Planet Possible tells the stories of the people paving the way for positive planetary and societal change.
Join host Niki Roach as she explores what's possible with practitioners and visionaries working on the big issues like adaptation and resilience to climate change, enhancing our natural environment and improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the environment sector.
Everything is connected, follow this series as we explore those connections and discover what's really possible for our planet.
Planet Possible is brought to you by CIWEM; a community of environmental professionals creating a more positive world.
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