Rebel Energy - Dan Bates

In our penultimate episode of the series, Katy and Babita are joined by the comedian and environmental economist Dr Matt Winning. Matt performs live stand-up comedy about climate change as well as juggling his career as a climate researcher. We find out why he decided comedy was his way forward to take action in the climate crisis. Matt is the author of a book called, Hot Mess: What On Earth Can We Do About Climate Change? Details of Matt's book can be found here: https://mattwinning.com/book/

In this episode, Katy and Babita chat politics with Clive Lewis MP who campaigns to put climate action at the centre of the political agenda. We find out whether it is all blah blah blah as Greta Thunberg said, or if there is hope for concrete change? Clive chatted to us from his constituency of Norwich South in the east of England. 

In this episode we chat to Professor Sarah Bridle who traded in her high profile career as an astrophysicist to focus on food and what we eat. She is now the Professor of Food, Climate and Society at the University of York. Sarah told us how the battle of food in the climate crisis is not about vegans versus farmers, but enabling better food choices to bring about change. Sarah's book - ‘Food & Climate Change Without The Hot Air’ provides an invaluable perspective on the reality-versus-perception of the impact on climate change that our diet actually has.Click here for more info about Sarah and her work: http://sarahbridle.net/faccwtha

In today's episode, Katy and Babita are joined by Alistair Griffiths, Director of Science at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Alistair chats to us about the power of gardening for our mental health and the planet, and how plants, nature and people can join forces to accelerate change in the battle against the climate crisis. Some useful links with more info following on from our chat with Alistair:RHS Sustainability strategy: https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/sustainability Mains2Rains: https://www.mains2rains.uk/RHS Plants for Pollinators: https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/conservation-biodiversity/wildlife/plants-for-pollinatorsRHS Composting: https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/compostingThe National Education Nature Park: https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/News/News-results/National/2022/November/National-Education-Nature-Park

In this episode of Mum, Will The Planet Die Before I Do? Babita chats to Britain's youngest MP Nadia Whittome about climate education and her mission to integrate climate change and sustainability into the education curriculum. Nadia explains why she believes if the education system isn't preparing young people to help deal with the impacts of climate change then it is failing them.To read the Climate Education Bill click here: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3070

In this episode, Katy & Babita chat to Guy Singh-Watson, a farmer and the founder of Riverford - a farm collective that has developed into a national organic veg box scheme delivering to around 50,000 customers a week across the UK. He joins us to talk about food, organic farming in the climate crisis, and his passion for truly sustainable agriculture.

This week, Babita and Katy meet poet and former climate activist Emma Must. Emma was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for her efforts towards land protection, which included a period of detention in Holloway Prison as one of the ‘Twyford Seven’. She explains her decision to stop front-line campaigning and why she has turned to the power of the written word in the battle against the climate crisis.In the episode, Emma reads from her first full length poetry collection, "The Ballad of Yellow Wednesday". https://www.emmamust.com/To see some photos of the Twyford Down protests, click here:https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2012/sep/28/twyford-down-m3-protest-picturesTo read Emma's story click here: https://cusp.ac.uk/themes/s1/kg-imprisoning-a-poet/

In this episode, Babita and Katy meet CEO Dan Bates who set up his own energy company - Rebel Energy, to address inequality and the climate crisis. Dan spent over 15 years working at BP before deciding it was time to focus on clean energy. We find out what motivated him to go-it alone and whether big business can mean good business in the effort to battle the climate crisis.

In this episode Babita and Katy talk to Lucy Siegle, author and broadcaster who has spent much of her career helping us understand the perils of fast fashion and what ethical living looks like. Lucy explains that we are not 'consumers' - we are citizens with agency. She also shares her tips on living ethically by sharing resources and plugging back into our communities. You can follow Lucy on Instagram @theseagull To see the picture "More Fashion Mileage Per Dress" by Lillian Bassman please click here: https://www.holdenluntz.com/magazine/photo-spotlight/lillian-bassman-more-fashion-mileage-per-dress-barbara-vaughn-harpers-bazaar-new-york/

In our second series, Babita and Katy meet people taking action against the climate crisis in unique and brilliant ways. In this episode they meet Oli Cook, co-founder of EKKO bank. Oli is tackling the climate crisis in a way Babita and Katy would never had thought of ... through debit cards.Oli talks to them about fatherhood, how he spotted a way to help people make better consumer choices, and why he has chosen data analysis and financial services to help turn the tide on the climate crisis.  You can find out more about Ekko here: https://joinekko.earth/