Imagining Tomorrow (Emma Newman with Friends of the Earth)

Coming soon, a new podcast, Imagining Tomorrow shows how we can create a future that is good for people and for nature, based on innovations in technology and community action that are already having a positive impact. 

Join Emma Newman as she pieces together the roadmap to utopia by interviewing amazing inventors, communities and award-winning science fiction authors. 

We can’t build a better future until we can imagine it, so let’s imagine it together.

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Most homes in the UK are still heated by burning fossil fuels. Struggling households are faced with unnecessarily high bills and cold winters, or bearing the financial burden of replacing old-fashioned central heating.

So is there a better way to heat and cool our buildings, accelerate decarbonisation and reduce fuel poverty?

Inspired by talking to a Welsh community, a scientist and award-winning author Anne Charnock, Emma Newman imagines a future in which ex-industrial towns can be regenerated, thanks to the intriguing idea of flooding mines...

In episode 1, we hear from:
Green SCIES (Centre of Excellence in Smart Local Energy Systems)
Cym Arian Renewable Energy (CARE)
Author Anne Charnock
Presenter Emma Newman 

For inspiration and guidance on starting your own community energy project, visit the websites listed below:
Welsh Government Energy Service
Community Energy Wales
Regen - Local and community energy support
Centre For Sustainable Energy 

Additional resources mentioned in the episode:
Friends of the Earth's guide to heat pumps and other eco-friendly heating
The Ogwen Valley social enterprise group (video)

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Over the past couple of years, extreme weather events, the energy crisis and Brexit have put a visible strain on the UK’s food supply chain and increased prices for the consumer.

What if we increased the amount of food that we grow in cities, and thus increased biodiversity and reduced food miles?

Inspired by talking to a community gardens group in Reading, a horticultural engineer who has co-founded a vertical farm in London and an award-winning author and screenwriter, Emma Newman imagines a future in which communities grow so much food together on their doorstep that the UK no longer needs to import fresh fruit and veg...

Resources

In episode 2 we heard from:

• Reading Food for Families 
• Harvest London 
• Temi Oh 
• Reading International Solidarity Centre 
• Presenter Emma Newman 

The quote from Safia about her experience of growing food at Aisha Mosque garden was taken from this video and used with the kind permission of Andrea Berardi from COBRA Collective.

Get inspired by existing community gardening projects

• Postcode Gardener scheme (by Friends of the Earth and The Co-operative Bank)
• Incredible Edible movement (which Reading Food for Families is joining). Check out their campaign to establish a Right to Grow 
• Community food-growing initiatives highlighted by the COBRA Collective (PDF)

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Across the UK there are thousands of faith buildings playing important roles in their communities. Churches, mosques, gurdwaras, all host gatherings for worship and for community activities such as playgroups, choirs, support groups and many more. Recently, many have been serving as warm banks, providing a space for people struggling to heat their homes in the energy crisis. How can these buildings, often huge and sometimes hundreds of years old, afford to provide these critical spaces in times of energy price hikes and still meet net-zero goals? Inspired by talking to an interfaith group in Birmingham, an innovative infra-red heating company in Bristol and an NYT bestselling science-fiction author, Emma Newman imagines a future in which community groups redesign the function of former shopping malls to create third spaces that repair the fabric of society.

Who we hear from in this episode: 

Footsteps: https://footstepsbcf.org.uk/

Herschel Infrared: https://www.herschel-infrared.co.uk/heating-heritage-buildings/churches/

Una McCormack: https://unamccormack.co.uk/

My own website: www.enewman.co.uk 

https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/design/faith-buildings-and-local-communities/ - Interesting post about working with Bow Church to expand community activities

http://www.empoweringdesign.net/ - all about the research project looking at community engagement in the use of faith buildings

 https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/enabling-community-based-leadership-in-design-sustainable-development-of-historic-faith-buildings/1  - An Open University course designed to help people to consult with communities on the use of faith buildings

 A video about the Halo heater, in which the diagram about bubbles of heat mentioned in the episode can be seen: https://youtu.be/eqnZF2uYMz4

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When the average person can’t control how the funds in their own bank accounts or pensions are used by institutions, is there any way to stop terrible things being done with our money?

Inspired by conversations with the leader of a grassroots movement empowering women to take control of their finances, a community farm in Wales raising funds to keep the farm in the service of the local people it feeds, and an award-winning science fiction writer, Emma Newman imagines a world in which fossil fuel companies are starved of funds and ethical companies are able to thrive thanks to sensible, sustainable community investment.

Who we hear from in this episode:

Money Movers: https://www.wearemoneymovers.com/

Tydden Teg Farm: https://tyddynteg.com/

Adrian Tchaikovsky: https://adriantchaikovsky.com/

My own website: www.enewman.co.uk 

Resources:

Friends of the Earth article about the World Bank:

https://foe.org/blog/finance-to-fossil-fuels-world-bank-imf/

The Tydden Teg Community Share offer document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/14eQEnnrDs7Bws7eFP8-IAme_gtoOZlFu/view

Report by Urgewald on World Bank Trade Finance: https://www.urgewald.org/sites/default/files/media-files/Urgewald%20-%20Trade%20Finance%20Paper%20-0923.pdf

Friends of the Earth article about UK Pension Funds:

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/revealed-ps16bn-local-government-pensions-fuelling-climate-crisis

Tydden Teg’s Crowdfunder page - now finished, but you can see how they did it: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/tyddyn-teg-community-shares

foe.uk/community-groups

Co-operatives UK - Helped Tydden Teg to do their community share offer: https://www.uk.coop/

The origin of Money Movers: https://experiments.friendsoftheearth.uk/projects/money-movers-get-your-friends-or-colleagues-together-take-climate-action-your-finances

Climate Town video on banks financing fossil fuel projects: https://youtu.be/NJ7W6HFHPYs

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One day, a man in Salford Quays awoke to find a duck nesting on his balcony, 150 ft above the water. Once born, her ducklings had to be lowered down in a bucket. With over 20 acres of water at her disposal, why did that mother duck decide to nest there? And why did thousands of fish in the same location die overnight?

Inspired by talking to the duckling rescuer, the inventor of cutting-edge water monitoring equipment, and an award-winning science fiction author, Emma Newman imagines a future where communities help to keep waterways across the UK clean enough to swim in thanks to a nifty monitoring system.

In episode 5 we heard from:

• Steve Stuttard, duckling rescuer (watch Steve's rescues on YouTube)
• Glynn Cotton from WATR, the environmental monitoring system
• Rachelle Atalla, author of "The Pharmacist" and "Dirty Animals"

Additional resources related to the episode

Join a local action group

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In recent years, young people have been at the forefront of campaigning on climate change. How does it feel to spearhead a campaign? How is it possible to campaign with busy lives and academic pressures? What keeps you going in these times of hostile politics, an adversarial press and toxic social media? Emma Newman talks to a young activist who has spearheaded an amazing campaign for clean air in London and a youth campaigning mentor from Friends of the Earth.

In episode 5 we heard from:

• Destiny Boka-Batesa from the Choked Up campaign
• Rowha Mohid, Climate Youth Society peer mentor from Friends of the Earth

Additional resources related to the episode
Destiny's article in Cherwell (Oxford's oldest student newspaper)
Survey on the mental health impact of eco-anxiety [PDF] published in The Lancet
Friends of the Earth's Climate.Youth.Society programme.

Do you want to tell Emma about a project or idea linked to this episode? Email podcast@enewman.co.uk

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The decline in pollinator numbers is a frightening trend that needs to be reversed as soon as possible. If you live in a city, is there anything you can do? And if you're a farmer, how can you tell if the changes you're making to increase numbers of pollinators that food production depends upon are actually working?
Inspired by conversations with an ecologist who has an ambitious plan for pollinators in London, the founder of a UK start-up using smart listening devices and AI to monitor pollinator numbers in real-time, and a science-fiction author, Emma Newman imagines a future in which pollinators can flourish in both urban and rural environments, thanks to old- fashioned approaches melded with cutting-edge technology.

In the episode we hear from:

Gerry Tissier and the Hackney Buzzline
https://www.ecoactive.org.uk/hackney-buzzline

Casey Woodward, CEO of Agrisound
https://agrisound.io/

Allen Stroud
https://www.allenstroud.com/

Additional resources

 https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/sites/default/files/2022-06/MHAW21-Nature-research-report.pdf 

 https://experiments.friendsoftheearth.uk/projects/postcode-gardeners-how-hiring-postcode-gardener-can-bring-nature-back-your-street

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Recent council decisions to cut down trees in Sheffield and Plymouth have prompted outcry from local residents and demonstrated how passionate we can be about preserving trees in urban environments. Research carried out on behalf of Friends of the Earth shows the dramatic impact trees have on bringing down temperatures in urban areas, and calls to increase our woeful tree cover in the UK are gathering momentum. 

Inspired by conversations with the CEO of one of the most ambitious rewilding projects in the UK, and a data scientist who specialises in the interpretation of mapping data, Emma Newman imagines a future where trees are valued more in both rural and urban environments and reflects on how that could benefit people and planet. 

In this episode we hear from: 

• Trees for Life, a charity working to rewild the Scottish Highlands
• Author Justina Robson
• Terra Sulis, a community interest company that uses open data to conduct research and pilot nature-friendly projects

Additional resources

• The relationship between heatwaves and premature births
• First major study examining the link between heat, pollution and premature births
• Urban heat map of the UK
• Woodland opportunity map for England
• Chew Valley Plants Trees

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Seaweed has long been touted as an important resource in the battle against climate change, thanks to its rapid growth and ability to absorb carbon dioxide. 

Inspired by conversations with a community garden group in Scotland and the founder of a company producing sustainable materials from seaweed, Emma Newman imagines a world in which new materials replace plastics and fossil fuels are replaced by different types of biomass, including seaweed.  

In episode 9 we heard from: 

• Professor Chris Chuck from Kelpi
• Danielle Banks from Seaweed Gardens
• Lewis Hou from Science Ceilidh
• Author Gary L. Powell

Additional resources

Guide to using seaweed as fertiliser [PDF], shared with kind permission by Danielle Banks

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As series 1 of Imagining Tomorrow draws to a close, presenter Emma Newman reflects on the battle against despair and what the podcast has revealed about the entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators and communities she's interviewed. Emma explores the key lessons they've imparted, and whether they're enough to tackle the climate.

Resources:
Research on new onshore wind and solar sites: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/mapping-england-could-produce-13-times-more-clean-energy

https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/richest-1-emit-much-planet-heating-pollution-two-thirds-humanity

https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/climate-equality-a-planet-for-the-99-621551/

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/government-pulls-defence-cumbria-mine-legal-challenges 

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/supreme-court-judgment-horse-hill-oil

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/no-gas-caverns-legal-win-protecting-larne-lough

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/take-action/take-action-join-local-group-groups-website

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

Since 2018, schoolchildren across the world have been striking on Fridays to draw attention to the worsening climate crisis. 
On 20 September 2019 they were joined by millions of adults for the Global Climate Strike.
Friends of the Earth's Muna Suleiman interviewed the youth climate activists at the heart of the school strikes just days before the historic event. 
This is their story.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

Councils, countries and climate activists are all declaring a climate emergency.

But what about industries?

Host Muna joins DJ and radio presenter Erica McKoy to discover what the music industry is doing to save the planet.

The episode features interviews with the founders of Music Declares Emergency and Mercury Prize nominee Sam Lee.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

A General Election gives us the chance to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most.

And with increased understanding of the climate emergency - and ever more frequent strikes - will this election turn out to be the UK's first climate election?

Muna speaks to Creative Lead Louisa and Political Campaigner Rosemary about election fatigue, how to register to vote and what we should be asking our local candidates.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

After a long and uncertain campaign, 2019 finally became the year we've seen the fracking industry fail. It's been a big win for local campaigning, and the environmental movement as a whole. 

But why, and how? 

This episode Muna is joined by Friends of the Earth's lead fracking campaigner, Jamie, and our website guru Fran. They talk through why fracking is bad for the climate, how the win happened, and how every form of activism is needed to save the planet. 

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

With Australian fires dominating the news, alongside floods in Indonesia and the shocking devastation to The Amazon last year, it's no wonder many of us are feeling more than a little on edge about the environment. But with terms like eco anxiety gaining traction, what does it really mean? Why do we feel it? And what should we do about it?

This episode we speak to journalist Emma Beddington and psychotherapist Caroline Hickman about their own feelings of stress around the climate emergency, how they deal with them, and why feelings of despair might actually be a good thing. For you, and the planet. 

This week your resident climate campaigner Muna is joined by Isobel from Friends of the Earth's video team in her search for answers, reassurance, and change. 

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

With international women's day around the corner, Muna and Fran meet with Helen Pankhurst to discuss how climate impacts women and girls, and why we're partnering with Care International on their annual March for Women. We also hear from Sostine in Uganda about a grassroots movement to stop rural livelihoods being destroyed by sugar farming.

Join Friends of the Earth at the March for Women on 8 March, and stand in solidarity with women around the world. You can find the details at careint.uk/m4w

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

Our special bonus episode today comes hot on the heels of Friends of the Earth's historic win in the Court of Appeal. On Thursday 27 February, government plans to expand Heathrow airport were ruled illegal, on the grounds that they did not full consider the climate impacts of the project. 

But what happens now with Heathrow's expansion? And what does this ruling mean for holding the government to account on their promises to take climate action? 

Muna and Louisa chat to Friends of the Earth lawyer, Katie de Kauwe, who has been working on the case. She is more than a little thrilled with the result, and talks us through some of the wider implications it could have.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet

Muna catches up with a few Friends of the Earth staff to see how they're coping and staying connected as we enter life on lockdown. We discuss how we're looking after ourselves, what social distancing means for activism, experiences with homeschooling, and of course what we're binge watching.

 As we grapple with the complexities of life in a global pandemic, it's more important than ever that we find ways to stay connected and support the most vulnerable. We'll be here over the next weeks and months as the situation unfolds, keeping you up to date with how you can stay involved in your local and global community.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet

So the UN climate talks are postponed, but what really happens there anyway? And does the delay mean anything for climate breakdown?

This episode, Muna and Fran chat to Friends of the Earth's international campaigner Rachel. As a regular at the talks, she shares what really goes on there, the highs and lows of the conference, and the impact of a delay to COP 26. All whilst trying to avoid the endless acronyms.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

Ramadan has kicked off for Muslims around the world, a time of fasting, reflection and family. This week Muna is talking to 3 British Muslims, Magid Magid, Lamees Hafeez, and Zunaira Malik. They chat about how lockdown has impacted their fasting, cooking channel addictions and advice for making your Ramadan as eco friendly as possible.

 Visit friendsoftheearth.uk for more tips.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

Lockdown may mean we're spending more time at home, but there's still a lot of the natural world we can look out for (and enjoy) from our doorstep. 

In this episode Muna and Isobel speak to 14-year-old RSPB Youth Ambassador, Kabir Kaul, who's on a mission to transform the way we look at urban landscapes and get us all looking out for nature nearby. 

We had a couple of tech issues with the mics, so please forgive the sound quality in parts.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

The UK claims to be a climate leader, but the truth behind where our tax money goes tells a different story. 

Muna and Louisa are joined today by Adam McGibbon, an investigator with Global Witness. We discover how our money is being used to damage our climate and destroy the communities and livelihoods of those most impacted by climate breakdown in the global south. And how we can stop it. We’ll also hear from Ilham Rawoot in Mozambique, who is part of a group fighting one of these damaging projects.  

Sign our petition to stop the damaging project in Mozambique: https://act.friendsoftheearth.uk/petition/stop-funding-climate-wrecking-fossil-fuels-overseas.

Find our more about Global Witness at: https://www.globalwitness.org

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

Caring about the climate doesn't always mean it's easy to talk about. We know it can be a tricky conversation to have, whether with friends, family or your least favourite coworker. We're here to help, so we asked Cassie Flynn to share some wisdom.

Cassie is the Strategic Advisor on Climate for the United Nations Development Programme, and joins Muna and Fran to talk us through key lessons she's learned from a long career of having those difficult conversations.

Ask the UK government to take action on climate in the wake of Covid19, with a green and fair recovery plan at friendsoftheearth.uk/climate-change

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

Outside of our major cities, the UK is reliant on cars to get us around. We know they're huge contributors to climate breakdown, but what are the alternatives? Could we really aim for the bike culture of Holland? Could our public transport system ever be accessible enough to challenge the car's rule?

In this episode, Muna talks to Haf, Ian and Ridhi, all of whom are working on making our approach to transport that bit greener.

Check out their work at:
Haf Elgar: www.foe.cymru and @foecymrucydd
Ian Taylor: www.transportforqualityoflife.com
Ridhi Kalaria: @SustransWMids on twitter

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

As fashion week draws to a close, we take a look at one of our most problematic faves - new clothes.
Muna and Louisa speak to fashion insiders Ros and Marie to get useful tips about how we can look good sustainably, what we can do as consumers to push the fashion industry to be better, and what companies and our government should be doing to make the important changes we need to see.

Ros Studd worked as a buyer in the fashion industry before leaving to teach textile design. She's now on a new mission to get everyone mending to save the planet and some cash. Earlier this year she launched  repairwhatyouwear.com to give people the confidence and skills to sew by hand.

Marie, founder of CONGREGATIONcollective, had a similar experience of working in the fashion industry and wanted to experiment and find a way which worked better for everyone, the designers, makers and the world. The collectives latest collection is 100% up-cycled.  https://www.instagram.com/congregationdesign/

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

What is environmental justice?
How are black and brown communities impacted by climate breakdown differently?
Why do equality and anti-racism need to be central to the environmental movement?

To mark Black History Month, campaigner Muna Suleiman chats to MP David Lammy, MEP Magid Magid and activist Mikaela Loach about how climate and race are connected, and what we can do to make the environment movement more inclusive.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

You've signed petitions and shared posts, but what next? How can you make an actual difference to the climate?

It’s easier than you think: start in your backyard!

We speak to local campaigner Ian Bowler and Wigan Council's Climate Change Manager Kerrell Walley, to find out how working with your local council can have a massive impact. 

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

The holiday season is barrelling towards us, and it can be a high stress time of year, even as we try to relax.
So, Muna and Louisa spoke to Tori Tsui, a climate and mental health activist. Tori came loaded with tips on how we can look after ourselves, each other and the planet as we make it through the final hurdle of 2020.

Head to Instagram to follow Tori @toritsui_

If you'd like to give the gift of a donation to Friends of the Earth this year, head to https://act.friendsoftheearth.uk/donate/christmas-gift-to-the-planet 

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

As we make our way through the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a lot of talk of building back better and a new normal. We have heard campaigners and politicians talking about a green and fair recovery or a green new deal. But what do any of these things really mean? What parts of our society need to change? What would that look like in your life? 

This episode kicks off the new year with a new series and a new presenter. Joing Danny and Isobel as they talk to Connor, a Friends of the Earth climate lead, about what a "Green and Fair Recovery" actually is and outline the topics we'll be diving into over the coming months.

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Part of our plan for building  a greener and fairer future as we recover from the pandemic is to fix the broken economy. But what's broken about it? What might a different approach look like? And what difference would that actually make to your life?

Fran and Danny talk to Adrienne Buller from think tank Common Wealth who answers all of these burning questions. 

Want to hear from us on a specific topic? Tweet us @friends_earth or email podcast@foe.co.uk and let us know.

Find out more about Common Wealth at https://www.common-wealth.co.uk/

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

A green, low carbon future means new jobs and industries that are good for the environment and the people in them. But what counts as a green job? Do people really want them? How do you get one? And what should government be doing to create more?

We're joined today by Clare Linton from Urban Transport Group and Lola Fayokun from Teach The Future to talk all things green jobs.


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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

On 6th May polls open for local elections around England and Wales, for communities to vote for their next Mayor, Metro Mayor, local council and Senedd representatives. 
But interest in local elections can be low, with the power of your local representatives to make big decisions for our planet often get overlooked. 

This episode we spoke to Connie and Jackie, local campaigners in Friends of the Earth's network of grassroots groups. They talk to us about what they want to see as a priority for local candidates, how they got involved in local action and what gives them hope.


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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

We explore the governments controversial new Policing Bill, speaking to our Head of Political Affairs, Dave Timms about the risk to peaceful protest and Mattey Mitchell from Friends, Families and Travellers about its potential devastating effects on the rights of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities.

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

As lockdowns ease and we're able to get out again we look at groups working to address the under-representation of black and brown people in the outdoors. Over a couple of future episodes, we speak to people who are challenging this. 

Louisa and Danny speak to Rhiane Fatinikun. In 2019 Rhiane set up a small walking group Black Girls Hike, which today has thousands of members, providing a safe space for black women to explore the outdoors and reconnect with nature.

Find Black Girls Hike here: https://www.bghuk.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bgh_uk/ 

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An episode from Friends of the Earth podcast series, How to Save the Planet.

This summer, in a ground-breaking ruling, a Dutch court ordered Shell to reduce its emissions. This is the first time a company has been made to take action to prevent climate breakdown.  

The case was brought by Friends of the Earth Netherlands, alongside 17,000 co-plaintiffs and other organisations.

In this episode Fran and Finn speak to Nine de Pater, from Friends of the Earth Netherlands, to hear more about the case and how these changes can have a wide impact on our planet. 

This is the last episode in the current season, How to Save the Planet podcast will be taking a break until the new year. Thanks for listening! 

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