Coffee & Geography

In this on‑location special, Kit Marie travels to the east coast of England to spend a spring morning at East Norfolk Sixth Form College, speaking with Principal Dr Catherine Richards about the intersection of community, place‑identity, and sustainability.The conversation blends human geography with practical leadership: the real challenges of Great Yarmouth, the spirit of its people, the region’s shift towards renewable offshore wind, and the ways education can anchor a community in hope rather than decline.Catherine shares how ENSF has become a model for college‑level sustainability — from solar‑panel investment and curriculum change, to innovative food‑chain choices, water‑awareness projects, student‑driven ideas, reprographics reform, composting strategies, and the upcoming near‑net‑zero new building.But the heart of the episode lies in community pride. In the belief that young people in coastal towns deserve world‑class futures. And in the idea that climate education is not separate from subject teaching — it’s woven into each discipline’s responsibility to the future.This episode is a love‑letter to Great Yarmouth, a celebration of local leadership, and a blueprint for what educational institutions can be.Interesting links:🔗 East Norfolk Sixth Form College: To explore EN’s programmes, ethos, and sustainability work. https://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk🔗 Virtual Campus Tour: https://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk/Applicants-Students-Parents/Virtual-Campus-Tour🔗 Water Resources East (WRE): Referenced in Catherine’s discussion of water security and the region’s future challenges. https://wre.org.uk🔗 Peel Ports – Port of East Anglia (Great Yarmouth): Relevant to Catherine’s comments about port redevelopment and regional economic strategy. https://www.peelports.com/marine/our-ports/port-of-east-anglia/🔗 Scroby Sands offshore wind farm https://uk.rwe.com/locations/scroby-sands-offshore-wind-farm/🔗 Norfolk FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group): Referenced regarding sustainable food choices, deer management, and local ecology. https://www.norfolkfwag.co.uk#CoffeeGeogPod #Sustainability #EducationLeadership #FurtherEducation#ClimateEducation #GreatYarmouth #RenewableEnergy #OffshoreWind#CommunityEmpowerment #PlaceBasedGeography #NetZeroColleges #ukcoast Theme music: "Spark of Inspiration" by Shane Ivers (silvermansound.com)

In this uplifting and heartfelt episode, Kit is joined by Marvee Sambajon, a documentary producer and marine science communicator from the Philippines. What follows is a warm, generous conversation about place, respect, culture, creativity, and the small moments that reveal who we are.Marvee reflects on growing up across several Philippine provinces, moving between communities as a “blank slate” ready to listen. She shares the profound experience of being welcomed by Ifugao Indigenous peoples in the famed rice terraces — a moment of deep humility and gratitude that still resonates years later.The episode travels through her remarkable years documenting marine scientific expeditions: three summers at sea aboard military ships, navigating storms, isolation, hunger, exhaustion — and even the occasional shark. These raw, vivid stories show the human side of science: the patience, courage, improvisation and humour that research crews rarely talk about.Marvee also explains why marine science communication is crucial in an archipelagic nation. From algal blooms to plastic pollution, she highlights the gap between public perception and ecological reality — and why awareness, respect and context‑specific solutions matter.Finally, she shares the comfort she finds in crochet: the counting, the repetition, the making and remaking of garments as both creative outlet and sustainable practice.Connect with Marvee over on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marveeambi.bsky.socialLinks to explore further:🔗 Ifugao Rice Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage Site): https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/722/🔗 Philippine Marine Science Institute (UP MSI): https://msi.upd.edu.ph/🔗 Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) Expedition: https://ph.oceana.org/expeditions/benham-expedition/🔗 Plastic Pollution in Philippine Coastal Waters: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251582

In this joyful, wide‑ranging conversation, forest ecologist and science communicator Dr Robin Hayward joins Kit Marie for a celebration of trees, identity, science, and storytelling.Robin shares how growing up on Dartmoor shaped their love of horizons, how Malaysian rainforests revealed the long‑term impact of selective logging, and why hugging trees is both a scientific method and a source of soul‑level joy.Other themes include:• Measuring rainforests, from canopy lizards to multi‑decade seedling studies• How restoration succeeds (or doesn’t) across generations• Whether tropical or boreal forests should be prioritised — a playful debate• Star Trek, Thunderbirds, and the magic of weaving sci‑fi into teaching• The social camouflage queer scientists navigate in fieldwork• Creative science communication: live shows, art, code, and cake• Building inclusive fieldwork environments and resources for LGBTQ+ geographersFind Robin everywhere online as @canopyrobin, including Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, Mastodon and LinkedIn.🔗 Dr Robin's website: https://canopyrobin.com/🔗 Inclusive Fieldwork at University of Leeds: https://inclusivefieldwork.leeds.ac.uk🔗 ESC (Ecological Site Classification) for UK Tree Suitability GIS tool: http://www.forestdss.org.uk/geoforestdss/🔗 SAFE Project, Malaysia: https://atlas.smartforests.net/en/logbooks/safe-project/🔗 The International Society of Nonbinary Scientists: https://atlas.smartforests.net/en/logbooks/safe-project/

Season 6 opens with a rich, engaging conversation with environmental researcher and EDIA advocate Gadfly Stratton, joining Kit Marie from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.Gadfly explores how their work on aquatic invasive species intersects with equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, showing why inclusive science produces better research, better engagement, and stronger community outcomes. They explain how invasive species management relies on trust, representation, and public participation — and why the Great Lakes are a fascinating case study in ecology, policy, and human behaviour.The conversation also dives into:🌎 Place identity (Toronto, Halifax, Northern Ontario)🌊 Sea lamprey, goldfish invasions, and citizen science♿ Why accessibility must be part of EDI🧠 Science denialism & the dangers of exclusion🐶 Boots & Muffin 🎮 1200+ hours of Warhammer 40K Rogue Trader✨ And the joy of learning from different lived experiencesFind Gadfly at inclusivescience.ca and on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/inclusivescience.caLinks for further exploration:🔗 Great Lakes Fishery Commission – Sea Lamprey Control: https://www.glfc.org🔗 USGS Non‑Native Aquatic Species (NAS) Database: https://nas.er.usgs.gov🔗 Environment & Climate Change Canada – Aquatic Invasive Species: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/ais-eae/index-eng.html🔗 Inclusive Science (Gadfly’s website): https://inclusivescience.ca🔗 Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader: https://roguetrader.owlcat.games

Join Kit Marie at the Denver Complex in the East Anglian Fens—one of the UK’s largest tidal and fluvial management systems, second only to the Thames Barrier yet hidden in plain sight. In this special field episode, Environment Agency experts Louise Wilson (Strategy Advisor, Fens 2100+) and Amy Shaw (Fens Flood Risk Manager & Fens 2100+ Programme Director), alongside Katie Teesdale-Ward (Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Future Fens: Integrated Adaptation, based at Anglian Water), reveal how this 24/7 operational marvel sustains an area of almost half a million hectares; protects infrastructure, people, property and agriculture to the tune of £58bn; and redirects water almost 100 miles into south Essex, against gravity’s pull.We explore:🔗 Why this 400-year-old plus engineered landscape is a national lifeline, guarding against sea-level rise and water shortages while feeding the UK.⛈️ The "perfect storm" of climate threats: By 2040, a 2°C temperature rise could trigger compounding floods, droughts, and ecological collapse.🤝 How the Fens 2100+ partnership pioneers adaptation—balancing farming, biodiversity, and community resilience.🎓Why educators of all sorts, not just Geographers, must spotlight this hidden hero: "Without Denver, Cambridge would be underwater."Featured Links:- Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk)- Fens 2100+ Programme (https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/fens2100)- Denver Complex Visualised Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk1Kir8rJqw)- Fens Climate Risk Assessment - Tyndall Centre (https://tyndall.ac.uk/reports/the-uk-fens-climate-change-risk-assessment-big-challenges-and-strategic-solutions/)- The Ely-Ouse-Essex Water Transfer Scheme (https://greatbradley.weebly.com/water-transfer-scheme.html)Connect with Louise, Amy & Katie via their linked in profiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-wilson-7889a472/https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-shaw-64036734/https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-teesdale-ward-4b76929/#FloodResilience #WaterSecurity #ClimateAdaptation #Fens2100 #EastAnglia #GeographyTeacher #EnvironmentalEngineering #UKInfrastructure #ClimateAction #Podcast #Fens #DenverSluice #ClimateAmbassadors### About Coffee & GeographyThe aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit https://geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/)### How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation- Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod- Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew- Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform.- Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley- Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: https://share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.

On location at the UK's premier agricultural event! Kit Marie explores how Norfolk's farming heritage intersects with cutting-edge STEM innovation and youth climate action.Hosted by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA) – a charity advancing food production and rural education – the STEMM Village's 2025 theme "STEMM in the Food Chain: From Field to Future" showcases vital links between agriculture, science, and sustainability. Discover how soil health, renewable energy, and biodiversity shape our climate-resilient future!Get the full experience of this episode over at YouTube: https://youtu.be/s0tH4Vu07WsFeatured Highlights:🌊 Tim Fisher (Norfolk Rivers Trust): Working with farmers to protect Norfolk's rivers including globally rare chalk rivers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae6XeifHdWA, just 220 worldwide!) from farm runoff while boosting drought resilience: https://norfolkriverstrust.org/🐸 Henry Walker (Norfolk FWAG): "Ponds are biodiversity oases!" – 30+ species in one scoop, restoring medieval habitats. Pond restoration miracles: https://www.norfolkfwag.co.uk/pond-restoration/🔄 Dr. Joanna Tippett (Roundview): Why holistic design prevents wind turbines from becoming tomorrow's landfill. Systems thinking toolkit: https://www.roundview.org/✈️ Hannah Colledge (Saxon Air): Electric planes, offshore wind shuttles (35k flights/yr!), and the aviation sustainability paradox. Green skies initiative: https://www.saxonair.com/sustainable-aviation/🌱 Youth Power: Drake Primary’s recycled school fairs, Roydon’s "Green Crusaders," and Thorpe St Andrew’s soil detectives. Student climate action: https://www.drake.norfolk.sch.uk/page/?title=Sustainability&pid=27RWE Mini-COP’s 20+ schools debating climate pledges: https://uk.rwe.com/press-and-news/2025-06-19-norfolk-schools-join-mini-cop-2025-initiative/Previous podcast chat with Dr Sam Fox and husband Simon about the Youth STEMM Award and more: https://soundcloud.com/geogramblings/coffee-geography-408#FieldToFuture #STEMinAgriculture #ChalkRivers #BiodiversityOasis #SustainableAviation #YouthClimateAction #RoyalNorfolkShow #ClimateEducation #NorfolkInnovation #GeographyPodcast #CoffeeGeogPod #YouthSTEMMAward### About Coffee & GeographyThe aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit https://geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/)### How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation- Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod- Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew- Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform.- Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley- Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: https://share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.

A season-long special interviewing #ClimateAmbassadors across the UK! Why did they become Ambassadors? How do their unique backgrounds empower climate action?Joining Kit Marie from the Yorkshire & Humberside region is Ray Butchart, a retired RAF aircraft engineer (22 years) and industry veteran (31 years) with 58 years of scuba diving expertise. Ray shares profound insights from recovering WWII aircraft (like the Halifax bomber in Norway!) to studying marine ecosystems worldwide. Discover how deep observation of nature—from Caribbean coral reefs to Saharan dust storms—fuels his climate advocacy. Ray discusses bridging generational gaps, empowering schools through STEM, and why "being a small cog" matters in the fight for our planet.Key topics:• Engineering the recovery of a sunken Halifax bomber (now at RAF Hendon Museum).• Marine biology mysteries: The escape artist octopus "Inky" and coral reef resilience.• How slow observation combats climate disconnection.• STEM outreach: Teaching semaphore, green-power cars, and underwater surveys.Links mentioned:• Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk)• RAF Hendon Museum (https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/)• Inky the Octopus’ Great Escape (https://www.npr.org/2016/04/16/474412283/inky-the-octopuss-great-escape)#GeographyPodcast #ClimateAction #MarineBiology #RAFEngineer #ScubaDiving #STEMEducation #Yorkshire #Hull #EnvironmentalObservation #NatureConnection #ClimateEducation #PodcastInterview #Sustainability #EcosystemConservation #GeographyTeacher### About Coffee & GeographyThe aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit https://geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/)### How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation- Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod- Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew- Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform.- Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley- Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: https://share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.

‘Espresso’ & Geography is a #MiniGeogs #podcast short where Kit Marie and special guests talk current geographical affairs for a maximum of 15 minutes. This shot of geography-laden caffeine welcomes the wonderful Phil Humphries back to the #CoffeeGeogPod coffeehouse to talk about today (21st June 2025) being #ShowYourStripesDay. What are the climate/warming stripes and how do they help communicate what #ClimateChange actually is and enable action?Links:- #ShowYourStripes: https://www.showyourstripes.info/- Newcastle University Sonification of the stripes: https://data.ncl.ac.uk/articles/media/Sonification_of_Warming_Stripes/28030463- Show Your Stripes Day: https://www.reading.ac.uk/planet/events/show-your-stripes-dayListen back to Phil's previous appearance as a Coffee & Geography post guest here: https://soundcloud.com/geogramblings/coffee-geography-s02e03-phil-humphreys-uk### About Coffee & GeographyThe aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit https://geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/)### How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation- Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod- Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew- Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform.- Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley- Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: https://share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.