![77: Save the Seagrass, Save Ourselves?]()
May 18, 2022
Take a dive with us into one of the most exciting marine habitats on the planet - and it's often found just a few splashes away from the coast. Seagrass is thought to capture carbon 35 TIMES faster than tropical rainforests, yet it covers less than 1% of the seafloor and we're losing it globally, rapidly. They're also vital habitats for marine life and provide more ecosystem services than we can count (almost). But, In the UK, we've lost more than 90% of our seagrass habitat. What can we do about that, you ask? Listen to find out!
Seagrass restoration volunteering opportunities
Ocean Conservation Trust https://oceanconservationtrust.org/volunteers-needed-to-support-seagrass-conservation/
Recreation Remedies https://saveourseabed.co.uk/get-involved/volunteers/
Project Seagrass https://www.facebook.com/groups/444685045723981
Some of the other things we spoke about
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/seagrass-can-work-as-a-sanitation-service-180980034/
https://seagrassspotter.org/
https://www.projectseagrass.org/
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![76: Concrete: Cutting Construction’s Carbon Footprint with Adam Gittins]()
April 27, 2022
Oh, it's a sexy subject and a half this episode. Concrete is one of the most widely-used building materials in the world, so we're exploring its environmental impact with Adam Gittins from Cemfree. The manufacture of traditional cement, a key component of concrete, accounts for up to 8% of GLOBAL carbon emissions. But, there are innovative ways to reduce this - from creating ultra low-carbon types of cement (like Cemfree) that can be used, to designing buildings that use concrete smarter and have much more thorough 'end-of-life' recycling plans that can re-use building materials once the structure is no longer needed in its current form. And, as Adam points out, persuading the government to make these changes mandated in projects like the construction of all new homes, would make a huge impact on a very carbon-heavy industry.
Extra reading:
Cemfree (DB Group): https://dbgholdings.com/cemfree/
Cement makers across world pledge large cut in emissions by 2030 (Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/oct/12/cement-makers-across-world-pledge-large-cut-in-emissions-by-2030-co2-net-zero-2050#:~:text=The%20industry%20is%20responsible%20for,and%20concrete%20release%20CO2.
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April 13, 2022
Far more than mysterious nighttime creatures of folklore, we dig into why macro bats and micro bats (like this brown long-eared bat here) are fascinating AND important, and what can be done to stop the loss of them from our countryside in the UK.
Enjoyed the episode? Got an idea for another topic? Just want to say Hi? Get in touch with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or by email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.
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![74: Saving Fish and Top Pond Tips, With Wildlife Cameraman Jack Perks]()
March 30, 2022
This week Emma takes a dive into something she knows very little about; fish in UK rivers, the threats they're under and the fascinating projects working to restore their populations. Joining her to head upstream is wildlife cameraman, author, and podcaster (and almost one of the dullest men in Britain...), Jack Perks! Plus, plenty of fantastic advice for anyone keen to put a pond in their garden to support wildlife, as Emma is attempting to do.
Links:
Jack’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fishtwitcher/
Lizzy Daly’s film ‘Billion Pound Fish’ on Scottish fisheries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNypmawFLdI&ab_channel=LizzieDalyWildlifeTV
The Bearded Tit (Jack)’s Podcast: https://beardedtit.podbean.com/
Emma’s episode on Jack’s Podcast: https://beardedtit.podbean.com/e/climate-crisis-engaging-with-gen-z-ft-sophie-pavelleemma-brisdon/
Enjoyed the episode? Got an idea for another topic? Just want to say Hi? Get in touch with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or by email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.
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February 2, 2022
How is climate change impacting plant communities? Are there any winners among the losers? Why are plants just as cool as (if not, cooler) than animals? And how does a broken car actually HELP when you're writing a book? Emma is joined this week by botanist and author Leif Bersweden, who has just announced that he's got another book due out in 2022; Where The Wildflowers Grow.
For more from Leif:
https://www.instagram.com/leifbersweden/
https://twitter.com/LeifBersweden
Pre-order Leif's new book, Where The Wildflowers Grow: https://www.waterstones.com/book/9781529349535
Enjoyed the episode? Got an idea for another topic? Just want to say Hi? Get in touch with us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter or by email forwhatitsearthpod@gmail.com.
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January 19, 2022
We’re digging in to the state of nature in the UK and how the concept of rewilding - restoring land to allow nature to recover and for biodiversity to flourish - could be the key to combating the climate and ecological crisis. In the hot seat this week and bringing a wealth of knowledge with him, is Harvey Tweats, an ecologist passionate about rewinding and one of the founders of Celtic Reptile and Amphibian, a captive breeding programme looking to support the reintroduction of species to the UK landscape.
Find out more about Harvey and Celtic Reptile and Amphibian: https://celticreptileamphibian.co.uk/
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