Planet Pod's Podcast

Is nuclear energy safe? Is it clean? Do we need it? We talk to experts from both sides of the debate - Dr Paul Dorfman, Associate Fellow at University of Sussex and Chair of the Nuclear Consulting Group and Jessica Johnson, Communications and Advocacy Director at Nuclear Europe - about how nuclear energy is generated and whether it can play a role in the UK's transition to Net Zero.

Exploring the volatility in the energy sector with Dhara Vyas, Director of Advocacy at Energy UK and Dr Jeff Hardy, Senior Research Fellow at the Grantham Institute of Climate Change. Why are bills so high? Why aren't we solving the crisis by building renewables at pace? What renewables would solve the crisis? What does next year look like? How can communities gain control of their own energy supply? 

In 2020 the government pledged to protect at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 – the ‘30x30’ target. Two years on and they have made woeful progress. What can we, as citizens, do to challenge this inaction? We speak to Kate Jennings, Head of Site Conservation and Species Policy for the RSPB and Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link; a coalition of over 60 environmental organisations and author of the report "Nature 2030 - Habitats".

It has been a tumultuous time for nature in the UK with many of the existing legal protections for species and habitats coming under threat. To kick off our new series we speak to Natalie Bennett, Green member of the House of Lords and former leader of the Green Party and Karla Hill, Associate Director at think tank E3G and former Director of Programmes at Client Earth about the relationship between climate and politics. Will the cost of living and energy crises push the agenda for nature protection right out of the frame? Will climate and nature be the defining issue in the next election? Amanda also talks to Planet Pod Executive Producer Jim Haywood for a new segment reflecting on the natural world and exploring innovations in science and technology that will help us restore the balance.

Award-winning writer Ben Macdonald joins us to discuss his new book Cornerstones, how these species can save our planet and the power of books to shape our lives. We are also joined by Rose Malleson, founder of a sustainability book club, who shares her recommendations for summer reading.

An exploration of the incredible past and a hopeful future of the Dogger Bank and Doggerland, a unique area which once connected the British Isles to Europe. With Julia Blackburn, described as "one of the most original writers in Britain" and author of Time Song, a startling, "funny and often very moving" exploration of life on Doggerland and Dr Tom Appleby, Associate Professor at UWE and a member of the Centre for Architecture and Built Environment Research, where he leads on environment and sustainability. Tom is also a member of the International Water Security Network, the Environmental Law Unit and Chief Legal Affairs Adviser to UK based ocean conservation charity, the Blue Marine Foundation.

We talk to William Kendall, environmentalist, entrepreneur and farmer about the future of farming. Having transformed Green & Blacks and Covent Garden Soup, William now farms organically and conventionally in coastal Suffolk. Where is farming going wrong? How do we keep food affordable? What is the difference between organic and regenerative? How will innovation transform farming? Listen to find out.

In this episode we look at rewilding on both a small and a large scale - from the 'Best in Show' garden at The Chelsea Flower Show to an ambitious new wilding project at West Chevington on the shore of Durridge Bay.We chat to Duncan Hutt, Director of Conservation at Northumberland Wildlife Trust about their new wilding site at West Chevington; a 700 plus acre project monitoring both active and natural wilding projects. We also caught up with Professor Alastair Driver, Director of Rewilding Britain, about the amazing 'A Rewilding Britain Landscape' garden designed by Lulu Urquhart and Adam Hunt which won Best of Show at the 'world cup of gardening' - the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Biodiversity is in trouble pretty much everywhere. Our new series explores biodiversity, habitat loss and threats to wildlife. In this first episode we speak to Professor Andy Purvis, Research Leader at the Natural History Museum and take a walk around the magical nature reserve of RSPB Minsmere with Visitor Experience Officer Ian Barthorpe.