Planet Possible

Vast kelp beds once supported a wondrous diversity of marine life, off the coast of Sussex in the UK. They filtered the water, protected the coast from storms and supported local fisheries. By the mid-1980s, 96% of Sussex kelp had disappeared. However, there is an ambitious project underway to bring it back. 

This is an example of rewilding - an approach that can enable progress in the face of today’s biggest global issues, from biodiversity loss to the climate crisis.

In this episode host Niki is joined by two expert guests.

Rebecca Wrigley (CEO, Rewilding Britain) and George Short (Sussex Kelp Recovery Project), to discuss rewilding as a concept... and see how it works in action.

By understanding the case study of taking a nature-led approach to the recovery of kelp beds, off the Sussex coast.

In this episode, topics discussed include:

- What rewilding is and how it can offer a "buy one - get five free" list of additional benefits.

- How the Sussex kelp beds got so degraded, and what the process is to enable them to recover.

- Early signs of hope in the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project, and the emotional impact they have had on the passionate delivery team.

- How rewilding can work, at both vast and tiny scales, enabling anyone to get involved.

- A fascinating provocation for those living in the British Isles, to get more in touch with an island mentality (and how that could help environmental progress).

Find out more about Rewilding Britain here

Find out more about the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project here

Credits

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach
Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited
With thanks to Alastair Chisholm
Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland

Originally published in June 2025, this interview with one of the UK's most influential voices on nature - Tony Juniper - is well worth a revisit.

In this episode, host Niki and Tony discuss:

- How there can be a "both and" approach to nature and economy, not an "either or".

- The scale of the challenge facing the planet, and what can be done.

- The vital roles of media, and culture, in enabling people and politics to make the changes necessary.

- How environmental challenges and inequality are linked, (and how addressing one helps the other).

- Where there is hope, and what people listening can do (plus how they can influence people in power to do more).

(The original episode has been abridged with some time-specific references removed).

Credits

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach
Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited
With thanks to Alastair Chisholm
Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland

Guy Thompson is an expert in clean energy transition, nature positive economy and environmental policy and regulation, having worked at Natural England, Wessex Water and EnTrade (environmental market/credits startup). 

In this episode, he discussed with Niki the challenges facing the new Burnham-led government, particularly in terms of addressing the root causes of environmental issues, as opposed to addressing the symptoms with surface-level policy tweaks.

Credits

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach
Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited
With thanks to Alastair Chisholm
Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland

In this episode of Planet Possible News, Emily Blaney and Niki Roach discuss: 

- Extreme weather becoming the new norm in the UK.

- Whether water-saving campaigns work?

- and why do animal "characters" go viral, without the wider environmental message connecting?

Credits

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach
Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited
With thanks to Alastair Chisholm
Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland

Our climate is changing. When it rains, it’s often more frequent, heavier and likely to cause flooded roads, gardens or even properties.

In this episode, we explore how we can create homes, cities and infrastructure that can cope with these changing rainfall patterns.

Niki is joined by expert and subject champion, CIWEM’s Director of Policy and Projects - Paul Shaffer, and Cristina Refolo - Founding Director of Refolo Landscape Architects.

Credits

Presented & Produced by Niki Roach
Executive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb Limited
With thanks to Alastair Chisholm
Honorary Executive Producer Jane Boland