Book of Leaves

Gary Tyrrell works for An Taisce's educational unit as part of the Climate Ambassador Programme. You'll have heard me chat about this programme over the past year as it's one I was accepted onto myself, plus I interviewed a few ambassadors from it! They open applications for the following year usually every September so make sure to check out their website if you're interested in taking part (click here for their application page).You can stay up to date of various talks and workshops by signing up to their newsletter here or following them on Twitter @climate_ambass, Facebook or Instagram @climateambassador too. Watch back their online events on their YouTube and check out their podcast!We chatted about:[04:45] A bit about Gary & his climate activism journey.[10:35] What the CA Programme is.[16:25] Examples & statistics of events held.[20:50] How to apply to be a CA.[24:35] What Gary's journey to veganism was like.[29:15] Tips for communicating the climate crisis.[37:00] Random questions!Also mentioned:CA Podcast communication episode.Inconvenient Truth documentary.Veganuary.

Episode 54 is coming from the vaults as I interviewed fellow activist Paul McCormack Cooney a few months ago. Paul is another absolutely wonderful human I got to know through Extinction Rebellion. He recently started a blog called Climate Dad which despite being a work in progress, I definitely recommend checking out! And you can follow Paul on Twitter @PaulMcCC or Instagram @climatedad.ie.We cover some everyday topics like parenting, but we also touch on the ever-lasting, controversial CETA, a trade agreement you may have heard of… Have a listen and let me know what you think![04:15] A bit about Paul & what sparked his eco consciousness.[10:10] Cool Planet & Extinction Rebellion.[18:00] Linking Paul’s work in the Pension sector to our climate action perception.[23:30] Starting his blog, Climate Dad.[25:35] Talking to his kids about Climate Change.[31:35] Dealing with burnout.[34:50] A quick guide to CETA.[41:30] Random questions!As mentioned, CETA is a big, complicated topic but I recommend checking out Paul's blogpost on it, and searching and signing all the petitions you can find about it, & emailing TDs.Also mentioned:Al Gore Inconvenient Truth.David Wallace Wells article The Uninhabitable Earth.YouTube Interview with David Wells and Michael Man.Shannon LNG.Greta Saves the World game.I Am Greta Documentary.Kiss The Ground Documentary.

For episode 53 I go back to the basics of environmental issues and talk about the infamous single use polluter: disposable coffee cups. For this, there's none other to talk to other than Sorcha Kavanagh from The Conscious Cup Campaign. This is a programme not just encouraging individuals to bring a reuseable cup, but encouraging cafés and businesses to drive the change forward and lead by example. Follow the Conscious Cup Campaign on Twitter @CCCampaign_Irl or Instagram @consciouscupcampaign.Stay tuned behind the scenes of this podcast by following on Instagram @Bookofleavespodcast, Twitter @BookofLeavesPod or Facebook. Don't forget to rate, review, share, and if you can, please support this podcast on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bookofleaves). More on:http://bookofleavespodcast.com/We cover:[05:10] How the Conscious Cup Campaign started.[08:20] Sorcha’s personal journey to being eco-conscious.[11:50] Disposable cup statistics in Ireland.[16:25] Where we currently stand regarding reuseable cups and COVID.[21:45] Advice for customers on how to encourage cafés they frequent to join the campaign.[28:00] Are compostable cups much better?[31:55] In the grand scheme of the climate crisis, is having a reuseable cup really going to solve things?[35:10] Reuseable cup brand/type favourites.[37:30] Lucy O'Sullivan's 2.4km cycle for Jigsaw & The Conscious Cup Campaign along the Wild Atlantic Way Cycle. Click this link to donate!Also mentioned:Zero Waste Ireland Facebook group.Timi Nicholson.Elaine Butler.The Body Shop.Huskee cup.The Keepcup.Stojo Cup.Gather & Gather – Julia Murray.#ContactlessCoffeeDoughnut Economics by Kate Raworth book recommendation.Examples of cafés currently accepting reuseables (and many small, independent cafés are too!):StarbucksSproutCostaLolly & CooksButlers

I can't believe it's taken me until episode 52 to dedicate an interview to trees! Shocking behaviour, but this lovely chat with Orla makes up for it. You can follow Orla on Twitter @NaturallyOrla & don't forget to listen to her podcast The Broad Leaf! You can find out more about The Native Woodland Trust on their website and stay up to date with them on Twitter @NativeWoodTrust.Stay tuned behind the scenes of this podcast by following on Instagram @Bookofleavespodcast, Twitter @BookofLeavesPod or Facebook. Don't forget to rate, review, share, and if you can, please support this podcast on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bookofleaves). More on:http://bookofleavespodcast.com/[04:10] An intro from Orla and her journey to working with woodlands.[09:15] Who The Native Woodland Trust are and what they do.[11:20] How people can get involved.[14:15] Finding local seeds and where to plant (or IF to plant!).[24:15] The new 'Robot Trees' built in Cork.[30:55] Ireland’s historic foresty & 'ancient' woodlands.[37:55] Systemic changes that need to happen to help preserve & restore woodland in Ireland & how farmers/land owners can benefit.[41:50] CAP.[44:30] Random questions!Also Mentioned:Teagsc for people with large amounts of land.The Down Survey complete map of Ireland.Killarney National Park.Stopping by Woods book by Donal Magner.Coillte.

In episode 51 I chatted to artists Eva O'Connor and Hildegard Ryanabout using the world of theatre to spark discussion and inspire change. Their theatre company,Sunday's Child, has a play called Afloat,streaming all this month(August 2021) as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I'd advise you to support it and hopefully this discussion will inspire you to make more art, or bring more art into your life!You can follow Sunday's Child Theatre on Twitter @SundaysCTheatre, Facebook or keep up to date with Eva on Instagram @evaclaireoconnor. Stay tuned behind the scenes of this podcast by following on Instagram @Bookofleavespodcast, Twitter @BookofLeavesPod or Facebook. Don't forget to rate, review, share, and if you can, please support this podcast on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bookofleaves). More on:http://bookofleavespodcast.com/[04:00] A bit about Eva & Hilde and what sparked their eco-consciousness.[08:20] Their journey to veganism.[11:40] What Afloat is about.[13:20] Stand-out climate facts found in researching the play.[21:45] A piece of art that moved them.[26:00] Other swaps to be eco conscious & how they manage their climate anxiety.[29:00] Random questions.Mentioned:Extinction Rebellion(Ireland).Black Lives Matter.Iphigenia in Splott by Gary Owen - playThe Giant Dark by Sarvat Hasin- Book.This Is Not A Drill, Extinction Rebellion Handbook.The End We Start Fromby Megan Hunter - book.

Tess is a 17 year old activist with many projects up her sleeve! I got to talk to her about these as well as how the climate crisis is impacting India & what we can, and should, do to help. She is also a fellow Climate Ambassador! You can follow her on Instagram @tessie.ie.hungry. Don't forget to rate, review, share, and if you can, please support this podcast on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/bookofleaves). More on:http://bookofleavespodcast.com/[04:35] Tess’s introduction and what prompted her to be a climate justice activist.[07:50] What prompted social justice activism.[12:10] Examples of how climate change has affected India.[18:00] How the climate crisis is a gender issue.[20:40] Tess’s advice for how we can help these communities in India.[23:50] The Re-Earth initiative & the many other projects Tess works on like Able2Change app & Climate Assembly Eire.[30:20] What obstacles Tess has met as a young person in the climate movement.[35:20] How people can get involved with the project she’s involved in.[38:10] What would you ask of older generations?[40:20] Random questions!