Conservation and Science 2024 Recap

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/1YXjcJOfmY0p9DdJJZ6kWa If you're new to the podcast or would like to refresh your memory of last year's episodes, here's a recap of all the episodes from 2024. Which was your favourite? Reply to this email and let me know. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqQxthEE6U8

Christmas Wishes and a Peek into 2025

Sunbeams pierce through evergreen branches adorned with bright red poinsettia flowers, creating dramatic rays of golden light. The sunburst effect illuminates dust particles in the air, whilst the green foliage and red flowers are beautifully backlit, creating a magical Christmas atmosphere. The composition features rich bokeh effects in the background, adding to the festive warmth.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vzqPAmSBy92gbbXAe7XyO Unlike many podcasters who take a break over Christmas, I'm not taking breaks. Instead, as I do every year, I'm publishing a special episode with seasonal wishes and, most importantly, with a big thank you to all of you for being here with me, subscribing to the podcast whether on a podcast app or … Continue reading Christmas Wishes and a Peek into 2025 →

Let’s Talk About Europe’s Wolf Protection Laws

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As you may have heard, the Standing Committee of the Berne Convention (an international legal instrument for nature conservation) decided to lower the protection status of wolves. This opens the way to lower their protection status across the EU through the Habitats Directive. The move had been on the cards for over a year, and … Continue reading Let’s Talk About Europe’s Wolf Protection Laws →

192: EU Green Policy – The Science-Politics Divide with Faustine Bas-Defossez

An abstract digital network or circuit design overlaid on a vibrant green background. The design features light green geometric shapes - primarily circles and rectangles - interconnected by straight lines and paths, creating a pattern reminiscent of a circuit board or network diagram. The background has a soft, organic bokeh effect with varying shades of green and subtle blue tints, creating a contrast between the natural, blurred background and the precise, technical overlay. This combination suggests a theme of technology harmonising with nature, or digital systems existing within an organic environment. The overall composition has a modern, technological aesthetic while maintaining a natural, organic feel through its colour palette and background texture.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/504BGYFynHK6IWxMuEljWL How much influence do personal experiences of high-ranking officials have on EU environmental policies? What happens when science-based conservation collides with political interests? Can farmers and environmentalists find common ground in nature restoration? In this episode, I talk to Faustine Bas-Defossez, Director for Nature, Health and Environment at the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), who … Continue reading 192: EU Green Policy – The Science-Politics Divide with Faustine Bas-Defossez →

191: Rewilding Myths and Misconceptions with Ian Parsons

Book cover of 'Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and Misunderstandings' edited by Ian Parsons. The cover features a nature photograph of golden grass or wheat stalks backlit by sunlight, creating a warm, ethereal atmosphere. The text is overlaid on a dark navy blue panel at the bottom of the image.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3EJuOQQZYq7IDewk89lFrQ?si=2e974059d8234521 What exactly is rewilding? Does it simply mean bringing back wolves, lynx and bears, or is there more to it? Can we balance food production and rural community needs with land left to natural processes and wildlife conservation? To answer these questions, I talk with Ian Parsons, editor of "Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and … Continue reading 191: Rewilding Myths and Misconceptions with Ian Parsons →

190: The Geopolitics of Whale Conservation with Peter Corkeron

Commercial whaling vessel docked at a harbor, showing large red circular harpoon reels and a yellow A-frame structure mounted on deck. The ship flies a Greenlandic flag and has industrial whaling equipment visible. The harbor scene includes a modern city skyline with a distinctive building visible in the background across calm waters on a partly cloudy day. Image by Bernd Hildebrandt from Pixabay.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5i1mWPIBkTzOErZo25fszA Is the resumption of commercial whaling inevitable? What hidden geopolitical forces are shaping international whale conservation efforts? Let's dive (pun not intended) into the complex world of whale conservation with marine scientist Dr Peter Corkeron. In our conversation, Peter uncovers the surprising connections between military bases, national security, and the fate of the world's … Continue reading 190: The Geopolitics of Whale Conservation with Peter Corkeron →

Scottish Salmon Industry’s Environmental Nightmare Exposed

An aerial view of an industrial aquaculture operation showing two vessels working at a large circular fish farm pen. The main vessel is painted green and white and appears to be a well boat or service vessel, positioned alongside the fish farm cage. A smaller blue work boat is also visible. The circular fish farm pen is constructed with black floating pipes and netting, with visible water movement/aeration within the pen. The scene is captured from above, showing the vessels and infrastructure clearly against dark water. Photo supplied by and courtesy of Corin Smith. Copyright Corin Smith.

Scotland's salmon farming industry aims to double its production to 300,000-400,000 tonnes by 2030. This ambitious target comes despite a 2018 parliamentary inquiry concluding that expansion shouldn't proceed until environmental and welfare issues are addressed. As we examine the industry more closely, the problems become increasingly apparent, and they're far more serious than most consumers … Continue reading Scottish Salmon Industry’s Environmental Nightmare Exposed →

189: Climate Anxiety and Presence Activism with Lynne Sedgmore

https://open.spotify.com/episode/31zMPFPcPwU8M7xEonLpHm Do you feel climate anxiety? Is it overwhelming you? How do we find peace while being bombarded with dire environmental predictions? In an attempt to answer these questions, I talk with Lynne Sedgmore, a well-known educator, leadership coach, activist and the author of the book "Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety". https://youtu.be/FAKnYJU0ziQ … Continue reading 189: Climate Anxiety and Presence Activism with Lynne Sedgmore →

188: Peer Review Reimagined – How Stacks Journal is Transforming Scientific Publishing

A dimly lit office or archive room with towering stacks of papers and documents scattered across a desk. The centrepiece is a precariously tall pile of white papers, illuminated by soft, diffused light streaming through unseen windows. The background shows blurred outlines of bookshelves and filing cabinets, suggesting a vast repository of information. The image evokes themes of bureaucracy, information overload, or investigative work.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4EpYoUA7VQxkIBZM2g3Hrn?si=9107bdefa8dc4510 Is scientific publishing broken? How can we make it more accessible and inclusive? And what if peer review could be collaborative and efficient instead of opaque and burdensome? In this episode, we dive into the world of academic publishing with Dr David Green, founder of Stacks Journal. We talk about how the current system … Continue reading 188: Peer Review Reimagined – How Stacks Journal is Transforming Scientific Publishing →

Conservation Grazing: Balancing Food Production and Biodiversity

Elise Sutton on the left, a smiling woman in outdoor attire with a colourful knit hat, standing next to a large, shaggy-coated Highland cow in a grassy field. Elise is resting her hand on the cow's back. The cow, with impressive curved horns, stands prominently in the centre. The backdrop shows bare trees and a clear sky, suggesting a crisp autumn or winter day on a farm or rural setting.

Conservation grazing is an increasingly popular approach to land management that's catching on across the UK. It's a method that uses livestock to meet conservation objectives, primarily by removing dominant vegetation to allow threatened species of plants, birds and insects to thrive. This technique is becoming more common on nature reserves throughout the country, with … Continue reading Conservation Grazing: Balancing Food Production and Biodiversity →