For What It’s Earth

Zoos: The good, the bad and the frozen

Zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, and seed banks: Is keeping animals and wild creatures in captivity for entertainment ever ok? Or are zoos the conservation powerhouses and the biodiversity arks that we need as wildlife declines across the globe?
Get in touch
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support through Ko-fi.
& subscribe so you never miss an episode!
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

[Listener Questions] Book recommendations, Vinted and search engines

We're back with another episode in which we answer your burning eco-living questions. Find out whether Vinted is as good for the planet as it seems, what the climate impact of search engines may be, and what we're loving reading.
 
Get in touch
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support through Ko-fi
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

Climate-friendly Food Choices: Is vegan always best?

We're brushing away the crumbs of Christmas, readying to weather the month of Veganuary spam, and trying to get to the bottom of the big heavy question: What should or shouldn't I be eating, if I want to be kind to the planet?
Get in touch
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

[Listener Questions] Sustainable Christmas gift ideas, plastic grass and road salting

Left your Christmas shopping to the last minute? We've got you. This episode is packed with environmentally friendly gift ideas, from experiences to things to look out for in charity shops before the big day. We also answer listener questions on the environmental impact of both plastic grass, and of salting our roads during icy weather this winter.
We're taking a break over the Christmas week, so will be back in your feeds on January 1st. Happy holidays!
Get in touch
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

Hen & Stag Dos: How to throw a sustainable party

Like many a party, hen and stag dos (or bachelor/bachelorette parties) can come with a big carbon footprint and create a lot of waste. But they can still be special events without being polluting. 
We’re looking at these milestone gatherings and trying to help you throw one in ways that don’t leave the planet with a sore head too. This episode contains a toolkit, and many of our top tips can be applied to any event on your horizon.
Get in touch:
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

[Listener Questions] Not-so-eco things, gyms as energy generators, and big green career choices

We're asked whether gym equipment could actually generate enough electricity to power the gym, we try to divulge some useful career advice to a climate-concerned listener, and our classic 'what one good thing have you done for the planet this week?' prompt gets flipped on its head.
Get in touch
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

Black Friday: Glad I wasn’t born a teeshirt

We're zoning in on Black Friday; the holiday that celebrates binge-shopping and leaves the environmental credentials of the retail sector in tatters. For the sake of the planet, put your bank cards away! Do you really *need* that thing that's on a super duper exclusive promotion and will never (wink wink) be that cheap again? Sure, you might, and that's fine. But if you're keen and able to try to participate less, or better, in Black Friday, here's our guide to trying to reduce the environmental impact of this international consumption-fest.
References from the episode
Green Pear Eco low waste and refill store: https://greenpeareco.com/ 
Support The Wildlife Trusts purchase of Rothbury Estate for nature restoration: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/rothbury-estate-nature-and-nation 
Psychology Today on why we shop Black Friday: https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/consumption-and-lifestyles/202411/why-we-shop-on-black-friday 
Forbes did some Black Friday research:
 https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/11/24/this-is-how-black-friday-hurts-the-planet-but-attitudes-are-changing/?sh=66b069f92863 
And so did Good Energy: https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/blog/black-friday/ 
 
Get in touch
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

[Listener Questions] Staying hopeful, plogging, and picking up dog poo

This week we're answering your questions. Join Emma and Sophie for a grand tour of 'plogging', an investigation into whether dog poo is natural enough to be left in the environment, and a chat about how we remain hopeful in the environment sector despite all the bad news.
Get in touch
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

AI: A climate solution or a concern?

This week, we’re diving into one of the most rapidly evolving fields of our time: artificial intelligence. AI takes many forms and is rapidly transforming many industries and sectors - from helping to optimise international supply chains to smarting up energy grids and predicting climate patterns.
But alongside the many celebrated efficiency and problem-solving benefits that AI can offer, there are also many concerns lurking around every virtual corner - including concerns about the massive environmental footprint of AI.
Episode notes:
UNEP World Environment Situation Room: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/how-artificial-intelligence-helping-tackle-environmental-challenges 
Smart Farming: https://www.bsigroup.com/globalassets/localfiles/en-gb/bsi-knowledge/bsi-knowledge-food/bsi_smart_farming_report.pdf 
AI e-waste: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rise-ai-looming-threat-e-waste-how-automation-can-save-day-exnfc/ 
TUBERSCAN: https://www.harper-adams.ac.uk/research/project/1285/tuberscan-using-deep-learning-and-data-science-to-improve-agronomy-decisions-in-the-potato-industry 
 
Get in touch:
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

Trump: A backwards step for climate change?

What impact will the incoming President have on the climate? The US Election result this week has left many of us in a spin, and in this bonus episode, we take a trip to BCFM's show Love and Science to chat with the lovely Andrew Glester. We share a few of our initial thoughts on the news and explore ways to remain optimistic, look after ourselves and galvanise as a community to ensure climate action isn't forgotten. 
Episode notes:
Email your MP: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/
The Climate and Nature Bill: https://www.zerohour.uk/climate-and-nature-bill/ 
Stop Rosebank and take action on fossil fuels: https://www.stopcambo.org.uk/ 
Cop 29: https://cop29.az/en/home 
BCFM's Love and Science: https://www.bcfmradio.com/show/love-science 
 
Get in touch:
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

[Listener Questions] Eco-bafflement, biogas, and teaching kids about climate

How do we teach children about climate change without causing eco-anxiety? What supposedly environmental thing absolutely baffles you? Is biogas actually carbon neutral? Three hot topics on the table today as we sit down to answer your For What It's Earth listener questions.
Episode notes:
The Adventures of Scout children's books: https://theadventuresofscout.com/ 
 
Get in touch:
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).

The Olympics: Was Paris 2024 really the greenest games ever?

The 2024 Olympics in Paris aspired to be the first Games ever to be fully aligned with Paris Agreement - but can the world's biggest international sporting event ever really be considered sustainable? From incredible eco-design decisions to the energy and food choices made with the planet in mind, to the burden of private aviation and wasteful merchandise and athleisure, we're taking a metaphorical dive into the bold claims, innovative steps and downright failures associated with Paris 2024. 
Episode Notes:
British Association for Sustainable Sport: https://basis.org.uk/2024/07/26/paris-2024-the-greenest-games-ever/
Designing the aquatics centre: https://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/making-buildings-paris-olympic-aquatics-centre-costs-flexible-design 
https://aurorasolar.com/blog/2024/04/17/the-2024-paris-olympics-solars-role/
Coca-cola's soda fountain greenwashing: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/07/greenwash-games-french-public-points-finger-at-coca-cola-over-olympics-plastic-waste
Plastic: https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2024/8/20/are-efforts-to-green-the-olympic-games-enough
Offsetting and clean energy: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/energy-transition/072324-feature-paris-olympics-to-lean-heavily-on-offsets-clean-power-to-hit-carbon-targets 
 
Get in touch:
We're on Instagram, Bluesky, Twitter and email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com. Send us your Listener Questions and weekly One Good Thing For The Planet.
Support the show:
Organic cotton FWIE tees & merch: https://forwhatitsearth.teemill.com/ 
Help us cover our running costs with a one-off donation or sign up for monthly support using Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/forwhatitsearthpodcast 
Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
For What It’s Earth is hosted and produced by Emma Brisdion and Sophie Pavelle, and edited and mixed by Mark Skinner (2024).