Coffee & Geography

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.

A season-long special of the podcast interviewing #ClimateAmbassadors up and down the country! Why did they become Ambassadors? How can they help communities and education settings to take climate action?Joining Kit Marie based in the East of England is Willem Buttinger, a retired community organiser and passionate environmental advocate. Willem shares how a sudden spike in his home insurance premium led him to discover the hidden flood risks in his Norwich neighbourhood—and how that moment sparked a new chapter of climate activism.From organising local climate events to supporting schools as a Climate Ambassador, Willem reflects on the power of community, the importance of climate literacy, and why we need a new story for our civilisation—one that nurtures the planet rather than exploits it.Some links to things mentioned in the chat:Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk)Environment Agency Flood Risk Maps (https://check-long-term-flood-risk.service.gov.uk)CPRE Norfolk Climate Conference (https://www.cprenorfolk.org.uk/news/norfolk-climate-change-conference/)Sponge City concept (https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/24751136.norwich-become-spongy-city-global-flooding-events/)Connect with Willem via the Climate Ambassadors programme.### 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.#ClimateAmbassadors #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Geography #Education #EnvironmentalEducation #FloodRisk #CommunityEngagement #ClimateChange #GreenLiving #GeographyTeacher #Podcast #Storytelling #ClimateJustice #SurfaceWater #SpongeCity

A season-long special of the podcast interviewing #ClimateAmbassadors up and down the country! Why did they become Ambassadors? How can they help communities and education settings to take climate action?Joining Kit Marie for this episode is Professor Andrew Charlton-Perez, co-lead of the Climate Ambassadors Scheme and Head of the School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences at the University of Reading. Andrew shares his journey from growing up on a strawberry farm in Wisbech to becoming a leading voice in climate science and education.WATCH the conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMt8lPu3nggThey explore the power of collaboration, the importance of empowering schools and educators, and how the Climate Ambassadors scheme is helping to drive meaningful, community-led climate action. Andrew also reflects on the joy of weather nerdiness, the value of humility in leadership, and why this project is one of the most fulfilling of his career.Some links to things mentioned in the chat:- Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk)- National Climate Education Action Plan (https://www.reading.ac.uk/planet/climate-education/climate-education-plan)- University of Reading (https://www.reading.ac.uk)- Royal Meteorological Society (https://www.rmets.org)- National Bowls Championship (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_national_bowls_championships)Connect with Andrew via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-charlton-perez-a7515330/ and https://research.reading.ac.uk/meteorology/people/andrew-charlton-perez/#ClimateAmbassadors #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Geography #Education #EnvironmentalEducation #CommunityEngagement #ClimateChange #GreenLiving #GeographyTeacher #Podcast #Leadership #Empowerment #Collaboration #STEMEducation #CoffeeGeogPod

‘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 climate guru, harpist and stereophotographer Dave Wynn back to the #CoffeeGeogPod coffeehouse to talk about news that today, 20th May 2025, is the UK's #OvershootDay. Dave and Kit Marie discuss what this means for us and the planet, and how it can be a useful measure in working towards true #sustainability and living within the means of our biosphere.WATCH the conversation here: https://youtu.be/PW-Vk1xy-PQLinks:- Earth Overshoot Day (https://overshoot.footprintnetwork.org/)- Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Overshoot_Day)- York University Canada Global Footprint Network Map (https://data.footprintnetwork.org/#/)- UK Gov Environment Agency article on Overshoot Day 2021 (https://environmentagency.blog.gov.uk/2021/07/29/earth-overshoot-day-movethedate/)Follow Dave on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/scowlingmonkey.bsky.social, and listen back to Dave's previous appearance as a Coffee & Geography post guest here: https://soundcloud.com/geogramblings/coffee-geography-409#OvershootDay #Biosphere #EarthOvershootDay #Sustainability #ClimateChange #MoveTheDate #UK #Overconsumption ### 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 of the podcast interviewing #ClimateAmbassadors up and down the country! Why did they become Ambassadors? How can they help communities and education settings to take climate action?Joining Kit Marie based in the North East region is Dr Elle Young, reflecting on her time as Regional Hub Manager and her next chapter as a postdoctoral researcher at Durham University. Elle shares her passion for empowering young people, building networks of educators, and creating joyful, hands-on climate learning experiences.WATCH this chat! https://youtu.be/qnytlHXItzcFrom her deep connection to Newcastle and the Northumberland coast to her love of Real Housewives and biodiversity, Elle brings warmth, honesty, and insight to this episode. She also opens up about imposter syndrome, the power of authenticity, and the importance of celebrating small victories.Some links to things mentioned in the chat:- Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk)- Opportunity Areas Programme (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-mobility-and-opportunity-areas)- Ministry of Eco Education (https://www.ministryofeco.org/)- Young Green Briton Challenge (https://www.genearth.uk/ygbc)- Real Housewives Franchise (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Real_Housewives)Connect with Elle via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-young-389379139/### 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.#ClimateAmbassadors #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Geography #Education #EnvironmentalEducation #NorthEastEngland #Newcastle #SocialMobility #CommunityEngagement #ClimateChange #GreenLiving #GeographyTeacher #Podcast #ImposterSyndrome #Empowerment