Book of Leaves

**WhatsApp me a voice-note, or e-mail a message to bookofleavespodcast@gmail.com for episode 100 before April 25th!**Welcome back to Book of Leaves! I'm delighted to be coming out of a 3 month hibernation joined by Jana from Kildare Wildlife Rescue no less. As we're fully into Spring, there'll be a huge increase in wildlife calls and rescues needed, so there's no better time to learn how we can help their efforts. Visit their website for more info and don't forget to send a video of any wildlife you find to info@kwr.ie for assistance!You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram @Kildarewildliferescue, or X @WildlifeKildare.[00:15] Quick catch up with Ceara[06:50] Jana introduces herself and her journey[12:50] The training available within the wildlife rehabilitation community in Ireland[14:55] How KWR came about[17:20] What are the main cases of injured wildlife[19:20] The main causes of those cases[22:40] Preventing wildlife attacks from domestic cats[26:30] Preventing the spread of diseases in garden birds[29:50] Helping our mammals[34:10] The truth about seagulls (they're not doing as well as people think)[38:30] How to tell if an ‘abandoned’ animal is really abandoned and needs your help[41:50] How to rescue wildlife outside of KWR’s location[49:10] How to volunteer with and help KWR (e-mail volunteer@kwr.ie)[52:15] Jana’s favourite moments from wildlife volunteering & most difficult animals to hand rear[58:10] How Jana manages her mental health having to sometimes face animal cruelty and upsetting rescue casesWe also mentioned:Irish Wildlife TrustBirdwatch IrelandSeal Rescue IrelandHedgehog RescueBat RehabilitationGrey Abbey Veterinary hospitalAs always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend xPatreon / Buy Me A Coffee

Tom Butler, together with his wife Pam, run an organisation called Astræa, through which they inspire people to think, act, and live in harmony with the planet and each other. They grow food on a small organic farm, host classes, sell books and much more. At their root, they are two people using their time on the planet to create positive change. It was a pleasure to chat to Tom and learn of his fascinating story. My mind was whirring with inspiration through this chat, I'm sure yours will too! You can find their website here or stay up to date with them on Instagram @BreatheThinkFlow.[05:50] Tom introduces himself and his story / leaving the high life.[17:50] Moving to Carlow[20:10] Knowing your ancestors[25:40] Astræa[31:50] Feast Upon The Earth timescape book & exhibition. [47:20] The meaning of ‘Breathe, think, flow’Books mentioned:The Serpent and the GoddessFeast Upon The EarthHumankindFrom What Is to What IfDonate to UNICEFAs always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend xPatreon / Buy Me A Coffee

Bohemian Football Club (BFC) is the first football club in the world to set up a climate action committee and they’ve been doing a stellar job of it. I interviewed two of the people on the team, Sean McCabe and Leo McConnell to get the inside scoop on how they’ve been working. You can follow them on Instagram as @bfcdublin_clico or Facebook. [05:05] Sean & Leo introduce themselves[10:10] When and why did BFC incorporate climate action [12:00] What does that climate action look like[14:15] Why BFC doesn’t focus on carbon emissions generated on match days[19:00] The impact on fans’ mindsets they’ve had so far[20:20] Tips for other sports clubs and club members on incorporating climate action[21:50] What help they need to grow their community spaces[27:10] Other tips for people to take on to live more kindly to the planet[32:00] Imagining the future Donate to UNICEFAs always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend xPatreon / Buy Me A Coffee

**Note from March 1st 2024 - we recorded this interview in November 2023. If you are wondering why Naomi doesn't refer to what's happening in Gaza as a g3noc!de, it's because things hadn't escalated as far as they have today. She now refers to it as a "Level 9 Extermination risk gen0cide". Language is important. Thank you for listening and please keep up the fight for a ceasefire.** "We are at war. The line is drawn between the people and the polluters."Naomi Ní Shíocháin is a sustainability scientist whose main area of research is the 'Planetary Polycrisis' that exist, from climate to health to war. Facing this every day in her home life as well as work life, she has built a resilience that many of us lack - and rightly so because humans are not meant to experience the current ongoing tragedies. In this chat, Naomi shares some tools that has helped her own resilience, as well as giving is an aural hug. Naomi can be followed on LinkedIn, and Instagram @naominishiochain.Trigger warning: Suicide mentioned in the time stamp below.[04:30] Interview begins with an introduction from Naomi.[09:05] Naomi recounts getting caught in the Californian fires in 2018.[12:35] TW. The personal war we experience admits this planetary polycrisis. TW.[26:05] What brings Naomi joy.[30:30] Why we talk about ending war when we talk about having climate justice[40:30] What can we as individuals can do to help[45:25] How war affects emissions and biodiversity[55:05] Imagining the future"The depth of the truth we speak is the depth of the solutions that we can find to all of this"The New Climate War by Prof. Michael MannBright New World by Cindy FordeDonate to UNICEFAs always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend x

It was such an honour to chat to Anja Murray who many of you may know from being the presenter of Eco Eye. She also is a writer (Wild Embrace & a weekly column with the Irish Examiner), a radio show host (Naturefile with RTE Lyfric FM) on top of having worked in policy in the NGO sector for many years. You can follow her on Instagram @miseanja & X @miseanja. I hope you enjoy taking a leaf out of her book and find the wonder in nature.[02:40] Anja begins by introducing herself[04:15] What motivated Anja to get active[07:40] What working in policy & advocacy is like[14:45] Why decision makers are so reluctant and how can we change that[18:10] How Anja began working in broadcasting[23:45] Why she wrote her book and the importance of connecting to the wonder of nature[35:10] Three legged stool metaphor: action, knowledge, wonder[38:45] Tips for spending time in nature[52:15] Imagining the futureAlso mentioned:Eco EyeNaturefileWild EmbraceBirdsong identifying app - MerlinDonate to UNICEFAs always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend x

I've heard of skip diving and second hand shopping, but salvage yards were not something I knew even existed in Ireland until Harry got in touch about the work he does. Euro Salve has been running for 25 years, based in Kilkenny. A wonderland of treasures, high quality timber, garden furniture, you name it! Giving these items a new lease of life and diverting them from landfill is a lovely way to live more kindly on the planet. Follow Euro Salve on Instagram @kilkennyarchitecturalsalvage, TikTok @kilkennyarchsalvage, Pinterest or Facebook.[03:05] Harry introduces himself[06:45] What is a salvage yard?[09:55] The impacts of the fast furniture industry[15:30]Difference between vintage stores and a salvage yard[19:05] How people can sell items to Euro Salve[31:25] Visiting the yard – opening times and walking up[24:10] Interesting & strange items that have passed throughDonate to UNICEF(National Tour Ceara is doing: click here! )As always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend x

Sophia McConnon is a youth activist I saw speaking at a climate conference over the summer. She was raising awareness of the detrimental effects mining has had on her community, which began with a large sinkhole that destroyed the local GAA playing field, community centre, and 3 surrounding fields. New mines are constantly being explored across the country, but Sophia and the rest of Magheracloone Against Mining are trying to keep communities and our environments safe. Support them on 'X' @MiningAgainst and Instagram @magheracloone_against_mining or Facebook.[05:25] Sophia introduces herself[06:35] The sinkhole[12:40] What the relationship between the community and the mining group is like[18:05] What are their aims and what’s been happening since they started as well as advice for other groups[21:05] What non locals can do to help the Magheracloone community[23:15] How landowners can prevent mining under their land[24:55] Was this the main inspiration for Sophia to become and activist or did she have a relationship to the environment before?[29:05] Tips for older activists when interacting with youth activists, & mental health[35:55] Imagining the futureCAIM – Communities against the injustices of miningDrumgossatt/Knocknacran Residents Group FacebookDonate to UNICEF(National Tour Ceara is doing: click here! )As always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend x

If you’ve ever attended a protest for human or animal rights, chances are Laura has been in the crowd every single time. An activist since her teens, they have a wealth of experience and compassion they primarily use to drive the campaigns of NARA (National Animal Rights Association). Their most pressing campaign at the moment is the one to ban hare coursing which we cover in detail. Keep up to date with NARA on Instagram, on X and Facebook by searching @naracampaigns.[04:20] Laura’s journey into activism [08:20] The link between animal and human exploitation.[10:45] How anger can benefit activism[14:20] What Laura thinks is needed between vegan and non vegan environmentalists[22:05] NARA’s Campaign to end hare coursing[28:00] Why is hare coursing also an environmental issue?[33:40] How landowners can stop coursing on their land[34:55] What can the public do to help this campaign?[39:30] When do we expect the bill to be in the Dáil?[41:40] Laura’s imagining of the futureNature Rising Dublin Vegfest(National Tour Ceara is doing: click here! )As always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend xPatreon / Buy Me A Coffee

I've been wanting to cover Doughnut Economics (DE) since I heard of Kate Raworth who coined the theory. Economics is NOT my strong point, so I was delighted to meet Roisin Markham at an even in Cloughjordan Eco Village who has - almost accidentally - become one of the reps for DE in Ireland. She's also a brilliant visual artist and all around amazing, generous individual. Stay up to date with her on @creativedynamix on socials [03:25] Interview begins[04:15] Owning ‘I’m a climate activist’[06:55] Who inspired Róisín’s connection with the Earth[10:25] Getting in to Doughnut Economics & what it means[18:45] Systems thinking explained[22:55] Being agnostic about growth[26:15] Circular economics fitting in to DE[30:55] How IDEN is engaging and educate communities[36:25] Other ‘leaves’ Roisin has for listeners: advocating for climate in the job you’re already doing[45:45] Roisin’s favourite things about the futureDoughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist by Kate RaworthDEAL - Doughnut Economics Action Lab - people can sign upNational DoughnutsGood Life Leeds Study  Ireland's Doughnut IDEN Irish Doughnut Economics Network -  it has a sign up link on the front pageProfile on DEAL Getting started page; has links for more informationWork on Climate - run by ex-Google employeesHurd app - input data on your company's climate actionAs always, don't forget to follow Book of Leaves on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, leave us a review, and share with a friend xPatreon / Buy Me A Coffee