Sustainable(ish)

This is Part 2, or a 'double header' episode with the brilliant Sara Grimes from Bath and West Community Energy. Part 1 is all about community energy, and takes a bit of a dive into solar and heat pumps, as well as things like the governments's Warm Homes Plan (it's honestly more fun than it sounds if you haven't already listened to it!)And this is Part 2, where we talking about all things home retrofit, and looking at some of the less technical , perhaps more affordable options for making our homes more efficient, more comfortable, and cheaper to run.Enjoy! Sara Grimes LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Sara Grimes- Linked InBath and West Community Energy (BWCE)- Website- Community benefit- BWCE home energy plans and surveys (for people in the Bath area)- Green Heritage Homes- Linked In- Facebook- InstagramCommunity Energy EnglandCommunity Energy ScotlandCommunity Energy WalesCommunity Energy Northern Ireland[112] - Community Energy with Brighton Energy Co-op[135 ] - The local electricity bill with Steve Shaw (lots of community energy chat in this episode!)Green Open Homes networkVisit a Heat PumpWarm Homes Plan- On the UK government website- Which explainer articleFind energy grants for your home (UK gov)Energy grant helpline: 0800 0987950Boiler upgrade scheme (for heat pumps)Find an energy certificate (EPC)Historic England - Energy efficiency and retrofit in historic buildingsHeat GeekEnergy Saving TrustCentre for Sustainable EnergySustainable(ish) Clubhouse - doors opening again soon!Carbon Literacy- Carbon Literacy with me!

This week's episode is the first ever two parter!This was supposed to be an episode on home retrofit, and I'm chatting to SaraG Grimes from Bath and West Community Energy about some of the brilliant work that they're doing, and what people can do in their own homes.This first part is looking bigger picture and is quite a wide ranging chat! We cover community energy generally, as well as hearing about some of the specific projects that BWCE are working on; solar; heat pumps; the UK government's Warm Homes Plan; and support for renters amongst other things.In the second part (available to listen to now!) we look more specifically at home retrofit and some of the lower cost retrofit measures available, like draught proofing and insulation.I'm very aware that both of those potentially sound more than a little dull and dry as podcast episodes, but I really hope that they're interesting and useful! Do let me know!There we go - I did warn you it was quite a wide ranging chat, but I really hope it was interesting and there were some nuggets there that you can take away.Part 2 is much more focussed on home retrofit, and some of the lower tehc, more affordable options, and should be available to listen to now if you want to dive straight in, or save that particular treat for another day!Thanks so much for listening - do let me know any thoughts, comments or questions from this episode, amd I'll catch up in Pt 2Sara Grimes LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Sara Grimes- Linked InBath and West Community Energy (BWCE)- Website- Community benefit- BWCE home energy plans and surveys (for people in the Bath area)- Green Heritage Homes- Linked In- Facebook- InstagramCommunity Energy EnglandCommunity Energy ScotlandCommunity Energy WalesCommunity Energy Northern Ireland[112] - Community Energy with Brighton Energy Co-op[135 ] - The local electricity bill with Steve Shaw (lots of community energy chat in this episode!)Green Open Homes networkVisit a Heat PumpWarm Homes Plan- On the UK government website- Which explainer articleFind energy grants for your home (UK gov)Energy grant helpline: 0800 0987950Boiler upgrade scheme (for heat pumps)Find an energy certificate (EPC)Historic England - Energy efficiency and retrofit in historic buildingsHeat GeekEnergy Saving TrustCentre for Sustainable EnergySustainable(ish) Clubhouse - doors opening again soon!Carbon Literacy- Carbon Literacy with me!

If you were to google 'how to be more sustainable' you would get a slew of posts sharing 'ten top things to do to cut your carbon footprint' or similar.Very few (if any) mention the huge potential influence that we can all have, by sharing the things that we're doing, talking to other people, voting etc etc.Which is why when I first came across a paper called 'Choices for climate action: a review of the multiple roles individuals play', and it included these very things, I was super excited, and promptly used it as a framework for diving into climate action in my Carbon Literacy courses.I was delighted to be able to dive into this in more detail with one of the paper's authors, Dr Sam Hampton, who is an academic at not one, but two universities, Bath and Oxford! We discuss not only the paper I mention above, but a new paper that has just been published about the role of hairdressers as 'everyday influencers' - a phrase I absolutely love! We are ALL everyday influencers, and our choices matter and shape the decisions of those around us. I find this hugely empowering, and I hope you do too!Sam Hampton LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Sam Hampton- Website- Linked InChoices for climate action: a review of the multiple roles individuals play[188] - Money, money, money with Lisa Stanley-MannHousehold contributions to global greenhouse gas emissions- This paper says 60%- This paper says 72%Katharine Hayhoe- Saving Us (book)- Katharine on the Sustainababble podcast- TED talkGlobally representative evidence on the actual and perceived support for climate actionExperimental evidence for tipping points in social convention[118] - A beginners guide to COP26 (I reference this episode with Laura on the podcast)Hairdressers as 'everyday influencers' on climate change and sustainability Green Salon Collective[154] - Leading by example, does it work? With Steve WestlakeGreen and Healthy Frome[185] - Is it all b*llocks?Outrage and Optimism podcast episode with Lorraine WhitmarshIpsos Perils of perception studyOxford University Climate Leadership Research CentreLarger Us - Lets Talk Climate projectSustainable(ish) Clubhouse - doors opening again soon!Carbon Literacy- Carbon Literacy with me!Pie chart showing the six domains for individual action on climate change I'd love to hear your thoughts on 'everyday influencers' , and if this episode has helped you to think more broadly about the impact we can all have.Let me know!

Football and sport don't perhaps at first glance seem like a natural 'in' for climate action. But did you know..?- Over 100,000 grassroots football matches are cancelled every year due to bad weather such as flooding- Over 80% of football fans want are concerned about climate change- 65% of football fans want their clubs to take more climate action It was such a joy to get the opportunity to chat to Katie Cross all about Pledgeball - an award winning sports sustainability charity who do an amazing job of empowering sports fans to take action for climate and nature, often framing it around the idea of 'protecting where we play'.I wouldn't count myself as a football fan, but I took so much inspiration away from this episode and from Katie.  So many clever ways of taking something that people are passionate about and using it as a way in to talk about climate and how it's impacting on that thing that they love, and then harnessing the power of the community that they are already involved in to take action, and to see how their one action contributes to a much greater impact.Even if you're not a football fan, I think there will be lots to take away from this episode - some way to take a little bit of the work that Plegdeball are doing with football, and in sport more widely, and apply it to the communities that you're already a part of. Katie Cross LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Katie Cross- Linked InPledgeball- Website- Instagram- Linked In- Facebook- You Tube- The Pledgeball podcast- Add your club (or school, or workplace etc)- Sustainable Travel CharterEp 154 - Leading by example - does it matter? With Steve Westlake (podcast ep)David WheelerClimate Outreach- Britain Talks Climate and NatureEFL Green ClubsCarbon Literacy- Carbon Literacy with me!Ep 175 - Climate Play (including Lego Serious Play) - podcast with Lisa HawthorneEp 193 - The power of swapping with Sam Drury ShoreReading FC's kit with the warming stripes on the sleeve I'd love to hear if you get your local club signed up, or get your kids school involved, or start something at work around this - do let me know!

To change the world, you've got to throw a better party than those destroying it". This is a quote from Louisa Ziane at Toast ale, and is one of my faves, and something I try and keep front of mind. 'Sustainability' has an image problem and is very often seem as something that is dull and dry and bleak, and for the keen greenies over there wearing lots of hemp, or for the lone Sustainability Manager at a company.It's not really something we'd bring up in conversation down the pub. Or is it..?Adam Bastock is the founder of People, Planet, Pint - a simple concept of getting like-minded people together 'down the pub' for a chat. From a What's App message at COP26 asking if anyone fancied a pint, People, Planet, Pint now hosts around 80 events every month, in 120 locations around the world! It's such a brilliantly simple idea - one of the things that many of us struggle with is feeling like we're on our own, at the same time perhaps as feeling like the more traditional forms of 'activism' aren't really for us or feel out of our comfort zone. People, Planet, Pint is a great way to connect with other people locally, and to recognise that it's not just you, and that you're not on your own, and who knows what might come of a conversation over a pint (or glass of wine/diet coke/insert other drink choice here!) down the pub. LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Adam Bastock- Linked InSmall 99- Small business carbon footprint estimator- Digital emissions calculator- Action Box- Pub mini-game- Linked In People Planet Pint- Find an event- Become a host- Wine Tastings- Linked In- InstagramCarbon Literacy- Carbon Literacy with me!Ep 175 - Climate Play (including Lego Serious Play) - podcast with Lisa HawthorneEp 193 - The power of swapping with Sam Drury ShoreThe People Planet Pint map! Do let me know if you have been to your local People, Planet, Pint event, if you're a host, or if you're now thinking about finding an event local to you, or perhaps even finding out more about hosting!If you've enjoyed this episode, please do leave a rating and a review wherever you listen, and tell all your friends!

I can't wait for you to dive into this week's episode with Samantha Drury Shore who is the Chair of Sustainable Devizes, not too far from me in Wiltshire, and who has spear-headed their brilliant swap events that now run on a regular basis. Sam shares with us how they got started with their first event and shares her experiences of what works for these kind of events, and the nitty gritty of the logistics and organising. It's another wonderful example of, in the words of listener Tamasin, "perfectly normal people discovering they can change things". I found it really inspiring and despite being someone who really isn't good at, or particularly enjoys, organising events, it's really got me fired up and thinking about whether I can persuade a couple of friends to help me organise something locally!Samantha Drury Shore LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Samantha Drury Shore- Website- Substack- Instagram- Linked In- Swap Shops ToolkitSustainable Devizes- Links- Facebook pageFires and Facism filmNothing New in '22Clothes piling up in Atacama DesertChippenham Uniform Exchange[187] - No Crap Parties with Charlotte Mason-Curl

Is AI bad for the planet?Should I feel guilty if I use ChatGPT?What is the carbon and water footprint of an AI search?These were some of the questions I was looking for answers for when I posted on Linked In a while back. I got a lot of great replies, and it turns out there's a LOT of information out there. But oh my goodness it's confusing!In this episode I'm chatting to Tam Hussey, who has a background in digital strategy and now runs her own strategic consultancy, Halo By Design, utilising behaviour change principles to help companies meet their sustainability targets. We dive into some of the facts and figures, looking at where the biggest impacts come from with internet usage, and some of the things that we can do to reduce our own digital footprints, and influence wider change as well.For full disclosure, some of the editing of this podcast, the generation of transcripts, and some of the short clips I share on social media are all done with the assistance of AI. Which feels hugely hypocritical, but I guess comes down to the mindful and targeted use of it..?!Tam Hussey LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Tam Hussey- Halo by Design (website)- Linked In-Green your Screen - GEC case studyEp 189 with Ash GoddardDigital CollageHidden Treasure Hunt - for old tech and electrical itemsDigital Clean Up Day - 21st MarchFind secondhand and refurbished tech:- Backmarket- Music Magpie- 'Which' article on buying secondhand techEcograderWesbite CarbonRenewable hosting - a couple of suggestions:- Green Hosting- KrystalEcosiaQuit GPT - a campaign to encourage people to stop using ChatGPT (for a whole host of reasons, not just environmental!)Halo by Design Very aware this episode might result in more questions than answers! Do let me know if you have any questions you'd love answered, and we can always to a follow up! […]

I think we're all pretty familiar with the term carbon footprint, but there's a new kid on the block when it comes to talking about the full impact of the actions that we take when you come together. Isabelle Sparrow is Head of Comms, and the podcast host, at Carbon Copy - a platform that champions collective action, and the power it has to help turn our individual concern about the climate into a collective impact. In this episode we chat about what collective action is, how you can join in if you're not someone who likes joining in, and how we've all got something to offer. And we also dig into the new concept that Carbon Copy have created, called the Changeprint - here's the explanation of what that is from the Carbon Copy website: "A Changeprint is the collective impact created when you join with others to make something happen. While a carbon footprint is about doing less harm, a Changeprint is about doing more good. It’s a positive approach to addressing the climate and nature crisis, centred on the place and the people around you".If you are ever in need of a spot of inspiration for practical do-able projects that work in local communities up and down the country, do check out the Carbon Copy website - there are literally hundreds of examples on there, and each of them has had their Changeprint added on, to give an idea of the sum of the different impacts that they have had on their local community and on the environment more broadly. I love the concept of the Changeprint - I'm going to think about how I can introduce it into my Carbon Literacy courses, and also how I could apply it to this podcast; to the Sustainable(ish Clubhouse - my membership community - which is re-launching soon, watch this space; and to all my Sustainable(ish) work. Isabelle Sparrow LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Carbon Copy- Website- Find your local area's emissions and climate action plans- 25 Big Local Actions- Podcast- Changeprint-Carbon Copy podcast episode - Introducing Changeprint- Changeprint Action Pack- Stories of local action along with their Changeprints- Instagram- Facebook- Linked In- [083] - Think Global Act Local - with Ric Casale from Carbon Copy (podcast episode)Warming StripesClimate Emergency UK Climate Council Scorecards- [164] - Your Council and Climate Action - with Annie Pickering from Climate Council Scorecards (podcast episode) Social tipping points - paper in NatureClimate ShadowVeganuaryFlight Free UKGreen RunnersClimate Outreach- Insights report What do you think? Do you like the concept? Are you excited to think about how you might be able to apply it to some of the groups, organisations, or projects you might be involved with?  Do let me know! […]

Today we are diving into all things plastic, and specifically counting plastic with Daniel Webb, founder of Everyday Plastic and the drive behind The Big Plastic Count. Longer term listeners might have noticed that I am mildy obsessed with people's back stories and one of my first questions is always 'how did you get here'. I'm genuinely fascinated to hear the journey that people go on to get to the point they're at, and Dan has the most amazing back story..! And it's not just Dan's back story that is super interesting, there's loads of stats and facts in this chat about plastic, and the thorny issue that it has become, not only in terms of it's environmental impacts, but in terms of health, and also social justice. It's a brilliant chat - I hope you enjoy it. And there's a very clear call to action at the end, which, spoiler alert, is to sign up for the Big Plastic Count, and get all your friends and colleagues to as well!Daniel Webb LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Everyday Plastic- Website- The Everyday Plastic Mural- The Hard Truth About Soft PlasticThe Big Plastic Count- Website- Sign up- For Schools- Instagram- FacebookBlue Planet 2Plastic Free JulyRecoupWholly Shrink soft plastic compactorHow do microplastics in our bodies affect our health?Plastic Free CommunitiesPlastic Free SchoolsThe Everyday Plastic Mural Sign up to The Big Plastic Count and get counting!Let me know how you get on. […]

Could you really explain climate change to your kids, or to your nana if you needed to?By and large, I think the vast majority of people are aware of climate change, understand that it means the planet is warming and that it's bad, but if pushed for detail beyond that, we might struggle. Climate Fresk is an interactive card based workshop that invites participants to uncover the science of climate change and it's impacts, by working together, and then holds a space to unpack some of the emotions that might come with this new understanding, and then moving on to look at solutions and things we can do. It's a concept that started in France, and has now had over 2.3million participants worldwide, and what I really like about it is that we can all get involved. You can join a workshop online, or there might be one happening in person locally to you, and then you can quickly move on to becoming a facilitator and delivering the workshop in your own community or workplace.In today’s episode I’m chatting to Ash Goddard from Climate Clarity who is one of the most experienced Fresk facilitators in the UK, who also facilitates a whole host of related workshops such as the Biodiversity Collage, and the Adapting to Climate Change workshop. I've been lucky enough to attend a couple of Ash's workshops, and he is a brilliant facilitator -who makes it look easy. And while we might not all be able to be as good as Ash, at least not straightaway, I love the fact that anyone can start to deliver the Fresk in their own communities, schools or workplaces pretty quickly, and I hope that maybe a few people who listen in to this episode might be tempted to join a Climate Fresk, and then even take the next steps to spread the knowledge to people they know. Ash Goddard LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Climate Clarity- Website- Workshops- Events- Facebook- Instagram Climate Fresk- Website- Find a workshop- Become a facilitator- Facebook- InstagramIPCC reportsDigital CollageBiodiversity CollageAdapting to climate change CollagePlanetary Boundaries FrescoFind a FreskWorkshops for the planet Are you going to do a bit of investigating into your money, and your current accounts and savings after listening? Or have you already moved your money? Do let me know! […]

Money makes the world go around, or so the saying goes. But did you know that YOUR money, might be making fossil fuel companies go round (aka fund them!), without you knowing?Do you want a few bonkers stats?- The “Big 5” UK high-street banks – Barclays, HSBC, Santander, Lloyds andNatWest – have financed the fossil fuel industry with more than $556 billion between 2016 and 2023 (1)- In 2023 alone, they provided $55 billion to fossil fuel companies (1).- For every £10 you put into your pension, £2 is invested in deforestation (2).In today’s episode I’m chatting to Lisa Stanley-Mann, from Good with Money. We dive into all things money, and more specifically, the power of our money, and what it might be being used for when we think it’s all tucked up nice and safe and innocently in our bank accounts or pensions.I was convinced that Lisa had been on the podcast before, but I scrolled back through the archives and couldn’t see an episode, someone please correct me if I’m wrong! But Lisa and I have previously chatted ‘off air’ quite some time ago as it turns out, when I hosted some podcasts for Good With Money – we got chatting about the 2016 craze that is/was sweeping the internet at the time of recording, and that I was blissfully unwaware of as I’m not cool enough! Inevitably I hopped straight onto the bandwagon pretty much as soon as my call with Lisa ended, and if you’re in any way interested (it’s genuinely not that interesting, so I won’t be offended if you’re not!), I did my own 2016 post – I’ll pop a link to it below if you want to have a nose.PS. We should have said this in the chat, but hopefully it's blindingly obvious that I'm not a financial advisor, and Lisa isn't either! Do take proper professional advice before moving your money.References:(1) https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Banking-Guide-2025.pdf(2) https://makemymoneymatter.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Green-Pensions-Guide-2025.pdfLisa Stanley-Mann LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Good With Money- Website- Instagram- Facebook- The Good Egg accreditation- The Good Guides- The Good ListsMake My Money Matter- E-mail template to email your employer about their pension providerBank TrackPension BeeZeroRelated podcast episodes from the archives:- [015] - Money as a Force for Good with Triodos Bank- [091] - Make My Pension Matter - with Make My Money Matter- [169] - How green is your money - with Dan Sherrard-Smith from MothertreeBank.GreenEthical ConsumerB-CorpNaturesaveMy 2016 post on Instagram Are you going to do a bit of investigating into your money, and your current accounts and savings after listening? Or have you already moved your money? Do let me know! […]

In this episode, I'm chatting to Charlotte Mason-Curl, who is the founder of No Crap Parties and the Kids Party Pact campaign. Charlotte has a background in marketing and comms, and not only does this help to explain how she's done such a bloody great job with getting her message out there, also means she's written herself a really good bio. I had to write myself a bio when The Sustainable(ish) Living Guide was published, and I found it really cringe-inducingly difficult, but Charlotte's done a fab job, so I'm just going to copy and paste her words as an intro:Charlotte Mason-Curl is a marketing and comms consultant and the person behind The Kids Party Pact. She believes children’s parties are overlooked as a place to spark change. What started as a few Instagram posts has grown into a campaign that’s reached millions of parents. Thousands have now changed how they approach gifts and party bags, sending ripples through their communities. The campaign has secured National Lottery funding and featured in The Times, BBC Newsround, Positive News and more. With 13 years of marketing experience and a sharp understanding of behaviour change, Charlotte builds campaigns that cut through. Powered by strategy, creativity, and a fierce commitment to leaving the world less of a mess for her kids.How is that for kick-ass! In the first episode of the re-boot, I dived into the debate around individual change vs system change, and how it can feel really hard as an individual to feel like you can change 'the system;,whatever that really is, and what it means. And then in the last episode I was chtting to the fabulous Nick Oldridge who is going all out for getting MPs on board with the urgency of aciton on the climate crisis, to effect system change from the government, which is ultaimtely what is needed. But for systems to change, we need people to recognise where things are broken, and to do something differently, which starts to shift social norms. This is somethign that Charlotte is doing brilliantly. She saw that not only was there an issue around kids parties in terms of plastic tat, and waste, and ultiamtely I guess, excessive consumptiuon, but that most parents aren't really that comfortable with it, but well feel like everyone else must be on baord with it, so we don't say anything. Charlotte says at one point in the podcast, that it's 'just a few party bags', but it's absolutely not. What Charlotte has done, really cleverly, is tapped into her knowledge of behaviour change and comms, and utilised it brilliantly, to help make it really visible that it's not just you, and that you're not alone, and that thousands of other parents would love to do kids parties differently.  And if you're not a parent, or if your kids are out of the party phase, there is still so much in this episode for you - so much of what Charlotte has done can (and should be!) applied to other campaigns and movements, so while you're listening have a think about what social norm you would love to challenge, and what you might be able to replicate from what Charlotte is doing. Enjoy!Charlotte Mason-Curl LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:No Crap Parties- Website- Instagram- Facebook- Sign the Kids Party Pact- Email templates to share the Party Pact- Sustainable Party Bag alternatives- How to host a toy swapParty Kit Network- Podcast ep with Isabel Mack - founder of The Party Kit Network If you've got young kids, have you signed the Pact? What are your plans for the next kids party in your household? Do let me know! […]

In this episode, I'm chatting to Nick Oldridge, founder of Climate Science Breakthrough, and co-founder of the National Emergency Briefing. What Nick has done with both of those projects, as you will here, is incredible, but I'm also really fascinated in his back story and his journey to where he is now (side note, really think I need to do an episode on insurance as a lever for climate action!).I ummed and ahhed about whether to publish this episode so early in the re-launch, as (spoiler alert) some of it is pretty bleak, almost right out of the gate. I'm a big fan of focussing on action and the things that we can do, and I'm very aware that confronting the reality of where we are can be overwhelming and paralysing. However, as Nick says, I think it's important that we don't hide from that reality, and that we find a way to channel our anxiety into action, and use it as motivation to keep taking the next steps. The Climate Science Breakthrough videos are brilliant - I've linked to them all below. They're all just 4 or 5 minutes long, and do that really clever thing where they're delivering a pretty brutal message, but somehow making you laugh at the same time. The National Emergency Briefing videos are now all online - I'm working up the courage to watch them if I'm totally honest, and trying to figure out a way to maybe host a 'watch party' so we can all be in it together. If you're interested in that, let me know!I do think it's important that the videos are watched and shared and that we all understand quite what is at stake. But even more important I think, is that the Briefings result in action, ideally from the Government, but we 'ordinary people' will need to take action to make that happen. I've linked below to the Take Action page, the good news is that all of them can be done from the sofa! In the first episode of this podcast reboot, I dived in a little bit into the individual change vs system change debate. And as an individual, system change often feels like this nebulous thing that we agree needs to happen, but that we're not quite sure how that happens, or the role that we can play. The National Emergency Briefing is a route to system change, and gives us really clear ways that we as individuals can get involved. And as I said, they're not big asks, doing all of them would take less than 10 minutes and you don't even need to leave your house. And in the podcast, Nick shares that apparently once MPs receive around 20 emails (from different people!) on the same subject, it makes them start to sit up and pay a bit more attention. That number feels do-able - how many people do you know local to you, who you might be able to encourage to send your MP an email? Finally, a quick mention of the Crowdfunder, which at the time of this podcast dropping, is at over £70,000 and nearly halfway to the target. Frustratingly (but good news for the crowdfunder!) the cheaper rewards have all sold out, but that doesn't mean you still can't donate whatever amount you might feel able to. And as Nick says in the podcast, times are tight, and if you aren't able to donate, please do share it on your social feeds.Nick Oldridge LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Climate Science Breakthrough- Kiri Pritchard-McLean meets Prof Bill McGuire- Jonathon Pie meets Prof Joanna Haigh- Nish Kumar meets Prof Fredi Otto- Jo Brand meets Prof Mark Maslin- US version - David Cross meets Prof Michael OppenheimerNaturesaveHeat by George MonbiotThe Stern Review - the Economics of Climate ChangePlanet solvency: study by reseachers at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and the University of ExeterThe Utopia BureauAngus Rose podcastZero HourMP WatchNational Emergency Briefing- Take action- The videos on You TubeClimate OutreachLiquefied natural gas footprint is worse than coalThe People V Climate Change - doesn't seem to be currently available on iPlayer Your Brain on Climate - how to talk about the climate emergencyMPs underestimate support for climate policies - GuardianClimate Change: The Facts - David Attenborough documentaryRutger Bregman - Reith Lectures 2025 Have you watched any of the videos - either the Climate Science Breakthrough ones, or the National Emergency Briefing ones? What do you think of my idea of online watch parties. And most importantly, have you done any of the 5 things on the Take Action page of the National Emergency Briefing website? Do it now! […]

Well this is exciting isn’t it? As it turns out I was wise to say never say never when I said back in April 24 that that was probably the last ever Sustsainable(ish) podcast episode, because I’m back! And in this first episode back after a looong old break, I’m answering a pretty fundamental question… is it all just bollocks?Does individual action really matter, or is it, in the words of Green party leader Zack Polanski in a 2025 interview just bollocks.Tune in to hear my thoughts, as well as my explanation for where I've been and what I've been doing since the last episode the best part of two years ago, and why the podcast is back!Enjoy! LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Sustainable(ish) socials - come and say hello!- Instagram- Facebook- Linked InLet's Go Zero I'd love to know what you think, and where you sit on the 'individual change vs system change' debate. Also do let me know your thoughts on the podcast’s return, and whose story you’d love to hear. […]

Hello and welcome to episode 184, and as it turns out, the last episode of the Sustainable(ish) podcast! I wanted to try and get to 200, and I’m annoyed not even to be ending on a nice round number like 185, but often in life things aren’t tied up in a nice neat bow. Long term listeners will know that at times the podcast has been very stop start, and the time has come for an intentional stop. For now at at least. I’m not going to say that it will never be back in some form, as I genuinely love having these conversations and will miss the opportunities that the podcast has given me to speak to so many extraordinary and inspiring people. However it’s reached the point where the joy of the conversations is starting to be outweighed by the work involved organising and scheduling everything, editing it all, creating the blog posts and the socials etc etc, so time to put this particular project to bed, for a while at least. I am so delighted to be going out with such a bang and having the amazing opportunity to interview one of my absolute heroes, Clover Hogan. Clover is a 24-year-old climate activist and the founding Executive Director of Force of Nature - the youth non-profit mobilising mindsets for climate action. She has worked alongside the world’s leading authorities on sustainability, consulted within the boardrooms of Fortune 50 companies, and counselled heads of state. Her TED talk, 'What to do when climate change feels unstoppable', has been viewed 2 million times. As we’ll hear in the chat, she started her activist journey at the age of just 11, and attended the instrumental Paris COP in 2015 at the age of just 15. She genuinely is a force of nature, and is the kind of person who you just want to be able to download everything that is in their head. We talk about her own journey, what we can do as parents to support our young people, and what we can do ourselves to move beyond individual action and to be a bit more activist. We discuss what the word activist even means, acknowledging that it’s an uncomfortable word for many, but that it encompasses such a wide range of things, and that an ‘in’ for many people is thinking about their workplace and what they might be able to to do to encourage their workplace on a sustainability journey.I’m pretty sure it’s obvious from the chat, but this was a massive fan-girl moment for me,  I loved this chat and totally want Clover to be my new BFF. Ooh and just a quick warning if you tend to listen with kids around, I do drop an F-bomb towards the end – apologies in advance.Enjoy!Clover Hogan LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Clover Hogan- Website- Instagram- Linked In- You Tube- Twitter/XForces of Nature- Website- Instagram- Tiktok- Twitter/X- Linked In- Podcast- Season 1- Season 2 - We need to talk about Eco Anxiety- Season 3 - Confessions of a climate activist- Climate CafesAn Inconvenient Truth by Al GoreExxon Mobil wants you to feel responsible for climate change so it doesn't have toKatharine HayhoeGlobal Action Plan - Bringing the values-perception gap to lifeGlobal Action Plan - United in compassionIt's Not That Radical - Mikaela Loach Carbon Literacy trainingForces of NatureForces of Nature podcast Has this episode sparked a few ideas for you? Or helped you to think a bit differently about what activism looks like for you? Do let me know in the comments, and I'd also love to hear about any of your own 'activism', big or small, do share! […]

In the spirit of London buses, ie nothing for ages and then two come along in close succession, this week’s episode is another foodie one, hot on the heels of Episode 180 - Food and climate change without the hot air with Professor Sarah Bridle. I’m chatting to Frank Holleman who is the co-founder of Fork Ranger, a platform and app that aims to help us to explore how to eat for the climate. I was super aware of the recent food episode, and wanted to avoid simply repeating the same messages from that, so alongside diving into what Fork Ranger does, we also talked about climate communications, story telling and messaging, all of which Fork Ranger does incredibly well, and hopefully there’s a lot in this episode for all of us around how we talk about food and climate with friends, family and colleagues.Enjoy!Frank Holleman LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Fork Ranger- Website- Instagram- Linked In- You Tube- App- Frank on Linked InAn Inconvenient Truth by Al GoreProject Drawdown- Drawdown book- The powerful role of household actions in solving climate change[180] - Food and climate change without the hot airHooked by Nir EyalDon't even think about it by George MarshallDavid Foster-Wallace - This is water (commencement speech)Saving Us by Katharine Hayhoe Carbon Literacy trainingThe Sustainable(ish) Clubhouse I’d love to hear how you get on with the Fork Ranger app, any new facts you’ve learned, if you’ve tried out the recipes etc etc - do let me know below! […]

One of the things that frustrates many people, is a lack of action from governments around the world to protect nature and mitigate the worst impacts of the a warming and rapidly changing climate.The UK government was one of the first to come up with a Net Zero target back in 2019, and declared a ‘climate emergency’ that same year. However the problem with both of these commitments is that they often don’t translate into the urgent and radical action that is needed. Apparently half of the world's population is heading the polls for elections in 2024, including the UK, making this a crucial year for climate action.In this week’s episode I’m delighted to be chatting to Amy McDonnell and Oliver Sidorczuk, co-directors of Zero Hour, a campaign that is working to get a new bill, the Climate and Nature Bill, passed into law, which would ensure that UK government  policies are in line with the latest science. With an election looming at some point this year, support for this bill in the run up to that, not only shows MPs and prospective MPs that this is an issue that the electorate care about, it will also mean that the campaign will have the momentum it needs to hit the ground running, when a new parliament sits after the election.Studies repeatedly show that most people are concerned about the climate and nature crises, but especially when it comes to politics and elections, it can feel like we can make a difference, due to our electoral system. Supporting the Climate and Nature Bill is a brilliant (and very easy!) way make your voice heard  by your local politicians, and we can amplify our own individual support by asking businesses and organisations that we’re involved with to support it to. Dr Amy McDonnellOliver Sidorczuk LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Zero Hour- Website- Instgram- Facebook- Twitter/X- Linked In- Constituency pages- Campaigner pack- Crowdfunding campaignAmy McDonnell on Linked InOliver Sidorczuk on Linked InThe Big Ask campaignUK Climate Change ActUK Environment ActCOP 15 - Paris AgreementBiodiversity COP 15[166] - Climate 101 with Dr Adam LevyClimate Change Committee[144] - Hunger strike for climate with Angus RoseGreen Alliance - Working with MPs on climate changeCitizens AssembliesUK Climate AssemblyThe People V Climate Change - on iPlayerClimate Majority Project[177] - The power of your vote with William Eccles from The CommitmentThe CommitmentGreenpeace's Project Climate Vote[135] - The Local Electricity Bill with Steve ShawPower for People - Local Electricity Bill Carbon Literacy trainingThe Sustainable(ish) ClubhouseZero Hour's 2024 Election CampaignAsk your local politicians to support the Climate and Nature Bill! Have you done it yet, have you done it yet, have you done it yet..?!!Please do head over to the Zero Hour website and show your support, and then have a think about who you could share this with.Do comment below if you've signed and if you've shared it with anyone else! […]

This week’s episode feels a little bit liking coming full circle on an episode from nearly 5 years ago! If you’re a long-time listener, and have an excellent memory, you might remember, way back in 2019, I interviewed the wonderful Tillie Mabbutt who runs Frome Eco Party Kit, renting out a party kit of reusable plates, cups and bowls to avoid the waste associated with disposable partyware. At the time, Tillie was one of the first people in the UK to be running a reusable party kit and we dived into the idea, how it works, and how she got started. Well… today’s guest Isabel was listenting to that episode, and not only started her own Party Kit off the back of it, but went on to create the Party Kit Network, which now has 360 kits listed in the UK, over 100 in Australia and is starting to branch out into North America too.I Could. Not. Love. This. More!In this episode we dive into party kits, what they are, how they work, how to find one, as well as how to start one if you’d love to have near you and there isn’t one. We also talk more broadly about the sharing economy – so this is the idea of an economy based on renting and sharing things rather than the linear buy, use, dispose model we currently have. We explore some of the difficulties around trying to do business in a different and lets face it, conter cultural way and Isabel’s ambitions for the Party Kit Network.I hope you enjoy listening to this one as much as I enjoyed recording it!Isabel MackCheck out Isabel's Party Kits stacked up behind her!A party kit complete with decorations and Pass the Parcel bags! Image: Party Kit NetworkRe-usable Pass the Parcel bags (these are genius!) Image: Party Kit NetworkRe-usable paper pompoms Image: Party Kit Network LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Party Kit Network- Website- Find a Party Kit- Facebook- Party Kit Network Owner Facebook group- Instagram- Twitter/X- Pinterest- Annual Impact Report 2023- Getting started guide- How to ask for no gifts when hosting a kid's birthday party (Isabel's blog post)[037]- How and why to set up a reusable party kit for kids birthday parties with Tillie from Frome Eco Party PackagesWho Gives a Crap toilet rollBrothers Make - plastic recyclingCitizens by Jon AlexanderErin Rhoads aka The Rogue GingerPeople Planet PintPlastic-free(ish) party bags Carbon Literacy trainingThe Sustainable(ish) ClubhouseThe Party Kit Global Map! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one Had you heard of Party Kits before? Have you got one near you? Are you now going to rent one for your next party? Or are you tempted to start one if there isn’t one available locally? I would love the ripples to carry on and more party kits to pop up on the map after this episode.Let me know in the comments! […]

In this week's episode I'm chatting to Sarah Bridle, who is possibly our first Professor on the podcast! Professor Sarah Bridle is Chair in Food, Climate and Society at the University of York, researching environmental impacts of the food system and potential impacts of the environment on food availability. She is also the author of Food and Climate Change - Without the Hot Air, an accessible guide to how different foods contribute to climate change, a brilliant book which I would highly recommend!Food is a big part of all of our lives. And it's a big part of the climate crisis too - around a third of all greenhouse gas emissions come from food. When it comes to 'sustainable food' it very quickly gets very complicated - there are so many different things to think about, and often it feels very difficult to make the 'right' decision.I loved hearing Sarah's personal story around her career pivot from Astrophysics to food and climate change, and how she has also had to navigate the difficulties of trying to change family diets and habits in her own household, so understands that what can sound like straightforward swaps on paper, are often more challenging!We cover a LOT in the episode, and I'm very aware that we might have simply opened a whole can of worms and raised even more questions - do let me know if there's bits that you would love to hear more about and dive into a little more detail!Sarah Bridle LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Sarah Bridle- Linked In- Twitter/X- Food and climate change without the Hot Air- Sarah at University of York- TEDx talk - Eating our way out of climate change- Take a Bit out of Climate Change- Fix our Food- UKRI Agri-Food for Net Zero Network+- Climate Food Flashcards- Planet Pizza - free downloadable activity for kidsDavid MacKay - Sustainable Energy without the Hot AirRiver Wye chicken farm pollutionRegenesis - George MonbiotHow Bad are Bananas? - Mike Berners-Lee[134] - How eating seasonally can lower your carbon footprint - with Veg Power[095] - How to make veggie meals our kids might actually eat - with Rachel Boyett[077] - How your freezer can help fight food waste - with Kate Hall[074] - Sustainable Eating[047] - Fighting Food Waste - with Olio[041] - Use your phone to fight food waste - with CozZoNational Food StrategyWWF Live Well Carbon Literacy trainingThe Sustainable(ish) Clubhouse Any clearer about food and climate impacts? Or have we left you with even more questions?!Let me know in the comments! […]

In this week's episode I'm chatting to comedian Stuart Goldsmith. I'm a bit of a comedy fan, so I listen to Stuart's podcast, the Comedian's Comedian where he interviews other comedians about their work and he seems to pretty much be BFFs with everyone on the comedy circuit. It might seem a bit random to be interviewing a comedian on the podcast, but as you will hear, in the last few years Stuart has been 'bitten by the sustainability bug' and has started to explore how he can use his skillset as a comedian and a speaker to help tackle the climate crisis. And oh my goodness, I can't tell you how much I love this!I think that one of the big problems we have when it comes to engaging people in all things climate and sustainability is that as human beings we love to put each other into boxes. So I'm assuming that in the eyes of my friends and family I'm very firmly in the crusty green box. Despite my lack of yoghurt weaving skills. And everyone else kind of feels like the greenies are over there doing their fun green hobby, but it's nothing to do with me. They know what they're expecting to hear from us, and probably in many cases, either avoid conversations with us, or start to zone out a little. So when someone 'normal', a non greenie comedian, starts to talk about climate it somehow has much more impact, as it's not the usual suspects talking about this stuff - and that's hugely powerful.We didn't talk about even half of the things I wanted to dive into. I omitted the most obvious question - how do you make the climate crisis funny? But I really hope that you enjoy this conversation. Right at the very end, Stuart talks about how stepping into the climate space, and starting to talk about climate in his work, wasn't as scary as he thought it would be! Which I would love to be the take home message from this episode. We might not all be stand up comedians, or confident public speakers, but we do all have something we can do, a particular skill set, a superpower that we might not even realise we have, that we can use, to play our part in the tackling the climate crisis.What's yours...? Stuart GoldsmithStuart's climate comedy show Spoilers LISTEN... USEFUL LINKS:Stuart Goldsmith- Website- Climate stuff- Spoilers - dates and tickets for Stuart's climate comedy show- Podcast - The Comedian's Comedian- I Need You Alive - You Tube Special - Speaking- Facebook- Instagram- Twitter/X- Linked InThe Ministry for the Future - Kim Stanley Robinson Matt Winning - Climate scientist and comedian- Hot Mess (a brilliant, and funny! climate book)Oblivia Coalmine - Olivia Coleman starring in a Make My Money Matter clipClimate Science BreakthroughClimate FreskEn-ROADSSustainable(ish) Corporate Talks and Workshops Carbon Literacy trainingThe Sustainable(ish) Clubhouse What's your superpower? How can you use it help tackle the climate crisis?Let me know in the comments! […]