The EcoCentrics

PK & Tom discuss consumerism and Christmas, from advent calendars to jolly jumpers, how can we embrace the festivities in a sustainable guilt free way? And when it comes to trees, which is the most eco-friendly, the fake fir or a real replantable?  Rent A Tree https://www.thechristmastreecompany.com/rent-a-christmas-tree Sustainable Christmas https://www.wwf.org.uk/top-tips-sustainable-christmas Waste Free Christmas https://www.gov.uk/government/news/24-ways-to-waste-not-this-christmas The Not So Jolly Stats  https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/christmas-waste-facts-its-not-very-jolly/ Christmas Wrapping https://www.gwp.co.uk/guides/christmas-packaging-facts/ Lidl Rental Jumpers https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/23/lidl-christmas-jumper-loan-scheme-nspcc 

PK & Tom catch up for the first time since The King's Speech and discuss the licensing of new oil and gas fields. Is this a political move? Do the economics add up? And what impact could this have on the nation's spirit?     The Nish Kumar Climate Breakthrough film is here ... www.climatesciencebreakthrough.com   Petrostates planning expansion of fossil fuels ... https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/08/insanity-petrostates-planning-huge-expansion-of-fossil-fuels-says-un-report   The International Energy Agency say no to new coal mines or oil & gas fields ... https://priceofoil.org/2023/08/16/shut-down-60-percent-existing-fossil-fuel-extraction-1-5c/  Five Times Faster by Simon Sharpe  https://fivetimesfaster.org/ Green Swans, John Elkington https://www.greenbiz.com/article/green-swans-and-exponential-decade-conversation-john-elkington

After the announcement that UEFA will expand its football tournaments in 2024, PK & Tom discuss what impact this will have on the environment. They also look at how climate change is impacting UK football clubs today, the teams that are leading the way when it comes to green credentials, plus why PK is thinking of taking up plogging.     More about European football and its impact on the planet ...  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67159156    Carlisle United affected by flooding...  https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2021/november/chief-exec-it-does-cause-real-concern/    Forest Green Rovers and their green credentials...   https://www.fgr.co.uk/eco-park    Reading FC climate stripes kit...  https://www.readingfc.co.uk/news/2022/july/25/home-kit-2022-23-showyourstripes-hoopsforthefuture/    Crewe Alexandra solar farm ...  https://www.crewealex.net/news/2023/february/reds-to-go-green-with-ambitious-solar-farm-scheme

PK & Tom chat about some of the brilliant projects in the UK, where the local community have taken decarbonisation into their own hands and helped regenerate their area. Take a listen for some real inspiration on how to make a difference where you live.  Inspiring examples discussed in this episode...  DTE Derby https://www.dtederby.org/ Gwynedd https://www.deg.wales/about-deg/?lang=en Civic Square https://civicsquare.cc/ Atlanta Free Food Forest https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/22/us/atlanta-free-food-forest-trnd/index.html https://www.aglanta.org/urban-food-forest-at-browns-mill-1/ Plus support on getting started ...   https://www.cse.org.uk/my-community/ https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/cpdandleadership/cpd-bootcamp/skillsbootcampinplace-baseddecarbonisation/ https://www.cse.org.uk/resource/community-retrofit-guide/ https://www.gov.uk/government/news/18-billion-awarded-to-boost-energy-efficiency-and-cut-emissions-of-homes-and-public-buildings-across-england

PK & Tom reflect on the last few days of flooding in the UK and they discuss the scary stats around halloween, why you shouldn't feed pumpkin to hedgehogs, plus Tom's spooky upcycled costume. Here is some extra reading on halloween waste ... https://www.wastemanaged.co.uk/halloween-waste/ https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/halloween-waste/ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/25/uk-expected-to-waste-terrifying-number-of-halloween-pumpkins Plus some tips on having a more sustainable halloween  https://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/10-green-halloween-tips 

PK & Tom discuss why we're obsessed with building more stuff, the impacts this can have on the environment and what are the lower carbon solutions? From green steel to carbon capture, using waste material and the benefits of AI - no stone is left unturned. The problem with concrete... https://www.fairplanet.org/story/concrete-climate-change-environmental-injustice/ Demand for sand ... https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/rising-demand-sand-calls-resource-governance Carbon capture & storage .... https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/carbon-capture-usage-and-storage-market-engagement-on-cluster-sequencing The Peak Cluster project ... https://www.peakcluster.co.uk/

PK & Tom discuss fast fashion, charity shops and consumption habits. Plus guest Kate Kenneally talks sustainable swimwear and why legislation is needed to make the industry more ethical. To get in touch with PK & Tom email hello@theecocentrics.com To find out more about Kate's Swimwear https://gen-reswim.com/ Other useful links https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change/AralSea https://changingmarkets.org/portfolio/fossil-fashion/ https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/ That company Tom mentioned at the end of this episode https://laagam.com/pages/our-way Sustainable Superstars https://eu.patagonia.com/gb/en/home/ https://www.rei.com/ We don't make money from this podcast, but if you'd like to support a cause then please donate here https://www.givedirectly.org

PK & Tom take a trip to a Derby City allotment where they meet plot-casters Elaine & Julia, who demonstrate that growing your own food is not only good for the tastebuds, but it's also great for the planet.  From helping wildlife to thrive, reducing food miles, to capturing carbon in your garden, growing a few vegetables might be the most eco hobby you could have.  To hear more from Elaine & Julie take a listen to their Potty Plotters podcast https://thepottyplotters.podbean.com Or check out their website... https://thepottyplotters.uk

PK & Tom break down Rishi Sunak's recent announcement to shift the goalposts of UK green policies. From Heat Pumps to Electric Cars, what has the Government pushed back and how will this affect Britain? Useful Links Net Zero: what is it?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_zero_emissions Carbon Brief estimates actual cost of the rollbacks by the government: https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-qa-what-do-rishi-sunaks-u-turns-mean-for-uk-climate-policy/?_thumbnail_id=48111&utm_content=buffer8643c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer# Boiler Upgrade Scheme https://www.gov.uk/apply-boiler-upgrade-scheme Aarhus Convention https://aarhus.osce.org/about/aarhus-convention Quiz Sources https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-66872792 https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/sep/20/uk-net-zero-policies-scrapped-what-do-changes-mean https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-on-net-zero-20-september-2023

From global heatwaves to the UK’s polluted waters, Climate Change has dominated headlines. PK & Tom return from their August break and discuss the summer's news, the updated shift in planetary boundaries, plus the governments u-turn on nutrient neutrality.  The podcast that Tom recommends you listen to… https://tippingpoint-podcast.com/the-problematique-part-1/ The book that Tom couldn’t put down … https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/braiding-sweetgrass-indigenous-wisdom-scientific-knowledge-and-the-teachings-of-plants-robin-wall-kimmerer/2981482?ean=9780141991955 Plus some extra info that you might find useful… Nutrient Neutrality - https://www.ft.com/content/5558364c-e40c-42e9-bbf4-837b1f57a4d1 The Cost Of The Heatwaves https://www.allianz.com/en/economic_research/publications/specials_fmo/global-heatwave-implications.html The Global Stocktake - https://unfccc.int/topics/global-stocktake Updated Planetary Boundaries - https://www.stockholmresilience.org/research/planetary-boundaries.html

Sewage leaks and weeks of rain mean the health of our rivers is low, plus our seas are too polluted to swim in. So what's to be done about the UK's muddy waters?  See how the ocean's colour is changing  https://eapsweb.mit.edu/news/2023/Study-The-oceans-color-is-changing-as-a-consequence-of-climate-change Tietê River in Brazil https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/07/08/brazil-river-foam-pollution-cprog-orig-ff.cnn UK Parliment report on the water quality of rivers  https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5802/cmselect/cmenvaud/74/report.html

PK & Tom discuss Hydrogen and the role it might play in our climate friendly future. From heating homes to off-road vehicles and why it has its own colour chart.   If you want to know more about Hydrogen ... https://about.bnef.com/blog/liebreich-separating-hype-from-hydrogen-part-two-the-demand-side/ https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-hydrogen The views in this podcast are of Tom Bedford and PK, not the companies that they are affiliated with. 

PK & Tom discuss the heatwaves sweeping Europe and America, how it compares to previous years and the impacts this is having on biodiversity, other weather events and human health.  Useful links and extra reading ... https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/impacts-climate-change-one-point-five-degrees-two-degrees/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01132-6 https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/12/us/florida-ocean-heat-coral-bleaching-climate/index.html https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/oceans/el-nino https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jul/18/women-greater-risk-heatwaves-men-extreme-weather-study

PK & Tom discuss why the UK is no longer a leader on climate action, what the UK needs to do to get back on track, plus the uproar around Wimbledon's sponsorship.    Here is that Climate Change Committee report...  https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/2023-progress-report-to-parliament The views in this podcast are of Tom Bedford and PK, not the companies that they are affiliated with. 

It's festival season so PK & Tom discuss their carbon impact. The festivals with the best green initiatives, why travelling to a festival is more carbon intensive than the events themselves and why you should always take your tent home.  Useful Links  Big Green Coach: https://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/why-are-we-green Vegan Campout https://www.vegancampout.co.uk/environment Shambalafestival https://www.shambalafestival.org/essential-info/sustainability/ Glastonbury Green Policies https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/information/green-glastonbury/our-green-policies/ DGTL Festival Netherlands https://dgtl.nl/sustainability/ Environmental impact of abandoning you tent at a festival: https://theconversation.com/the-environmental-cost-of-abandoning-your-tent-at-a-music-festival-120198 Festival Safety:  https://www.festivalsafe.com

PK & Tom discuss eco anxiety, why we may feel overwhelmed when reading climate news and the proactive things we can to abate those feelings.  Extra reading ... Climate Anxiety in Children and Young People: A Globe Survey: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542519621002783 The Children of the Anthropocene, Bella Lack https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-children-of-the-anthropocene/bella-lack/9780241501085 Caroline Hickman, Eco Anxiety & Climate Psychology https://www.caroline-hickman.com/climate-psychology Science Based Targets Initiative https://sciencebasedtargets.org/ 21 Climate Anxiety Resources: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/climate-anxiety-resources-to-energise-action/

PK & Tom explain climate tipping points. From permafrost, coral reef die-offs and melting ice sheets - which have we crossed, are they irreversible and what's happening behind laboratory doors with regards solutions.  And here are some useful links referred to in the content of this episode, plus some extra reading if you want to know more.  Carbon Brief Tipping Points: https://www.carbonbrief.org/explainer-nine-tipping-points-that-could-be-triggered-by-climate-change/ Ice Sheets 10% lose per decade: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-18934-3 Coral Reefs: 1 billion people depend... https://sciencepolicyreview.org/2020/08/coral-reefs-are-critical-for-our-food-supply-tourism-and-ocean-health-we-can-protect-them-from-climate-change/ 10th of Mountain Glaciers... https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/29/world-lose-glacier-ice-climate-targets Anthrax-Reindeer (aka - the name of PK’s band) https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0209140 Austrian Permafrost mountain summit collapse: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/14/europe/austrian-mountain-fluchthorn-rockslide-climate-intl/index.html Plus … https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/08/world-on-brink-five-climate-tipping-points-study-finds

PK & Tom kick of season 2 with a discussion about the 1.5C limit. Where did the figure come from? What happens if we exceed it? And how does El Nino affect global temperatures?  Show Notes Since recording this episode El Nino made the headlines, read the latest at time of release. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65839060  That IPCC report Tom mentions in this episode.  https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/ A great website if you’re looking for ways to reduce your carbon footprint. https://takethejump.org That pilot project PK mentions about living a 1.5 lifestyle https://1five.org/ To find out how many miles you’ll really get out of your Electric Car https://ev-database.org/ That documentary about The Paris Agreement  https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement A great book about The Sixth Extinction https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17910054-the-sixth-extinction Plus that recommended podcast from Tom on the 2000 US Election  https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00081t7?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile The views in this podcast are of Tom Bedford and PK, not the companies that they are affiliated with. 

PK and Tom discuss how some brands may not always be as climate friendly as they make out. They explain what greenwashing is and share tricks and tips on how to spot the offenders.  Recommended Reading - Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M Conway Research for the quiz came from https://thesustainableagency.com/blog/greenwashing-examples/ The views in this podcast are of Tom Bedford and PK, not the companies that they are affiliated with. 

PK & Tom discuss the frightening normality of hyper consumerism, why buying stuff doesn't necessarily make us happier, plus the benefits of a circular economy. Recommened reading - The Spirit Level: Why Equality Is Better For Everyone by Kate Pickett & Richard Wilkinson To find out more about the Circular Economy go to https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy-diagram The views in this podcast are of Tom Bedford and PK, not the companies that they are affiliated with.