What the Next Government Should Do for Water and the Environment

Agriculture has a major role in determining water availability and quality, especially in a region like Yorkshire where a large amount of catchment water moves over and through farmland.In this episode, host Niki Roach visits the Biohub at Ings Farm near Harrogate to see a load of innovative farming practices being trialled. The aim is to increase biodiversity, enable sustainable and commercially viable food production and improve water quality, flood resilience and future water supplies.Claire Green from Yorkshire Water is Niki's guest co-host to introduce the concept of the Biohub and place it in a strategic context.On site at Biohub at Ings Farm, Niki Roach speaks to tenant farmer Dr Vincent Walsh plus Lisa Harrowsmith and Andrew Walker (both from Yorkshire Water)Find out more about Biohub at regenfarmco.com Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to our MiniPod!It's an extra once-a-month update episode that will react to current events in water, climate and nature. It's a MiniPod because it'll only take about 15 minutes of your time.. and it means you get a Planet Possible episode every two weeks.Each mini pod you'll hear from an environmental expert guest and together we will discuss 3 key current talking points that will keep you up-to-date with the latest planet positive developments.And in this episode hear from the Chief Executive of Water New Zealand, Gillian Blythe as she choses three topics that have been in the news in Aotearoa New Zealand including some big changes to the proposed water reforms.SponsorOur 2024 season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis  Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Join Niki and her co-host Julie Foley, Director of Flood Risk Strategy and Natural Adaptation at the Environment Agency in England to explore how to manage a moving coastline.With one of the fastest changing coastlines in Europe, we focus on North Norfolk and hear from Councillor Harry Blathwayt on how communities prepare for coastal erosion and the potential loss of their homes to the sea.This season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Welcome to our first MiniPod!It's an extra once-a-month update episode that will react to current events in water, climate and nature. It's a MiniPod because it'll only take about 15 minutes of your time.. and it means you get a Planet Possible episode every two weeks.Each mini pod I will be joined by an environmental expert guest and together we will discuss 3 key current talking points that will keep you bang up-to-date with the latest planet positive developments.And in our first episode hear from Director of Policy at CIWEM, Alastair Chisholm, as he chooses the 3 topics that have been in the news over the last couple of weeks - and no surprise that there's a water and UK political focus in this first episode.SponsorOur 2024 season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Realis  Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

What does the cleanliness of England's longest river say about the debate around river quality the role of the UK's biggest water company, Thames Water? This episode aims to find out by telling two sides of the story - what the campaigners say... and what the company itself says.We're joined by broadcaster and environmentalist, Steve Backshall and the CEO of River Action, James Wallace to hear their experiences of river water quality sampling and what they hope for the future of the river.  Then hear Alex Nickson, Head of Environmental Compliance, Partnerships and Catchment Management respond to some of the challenges Steve and James raise, bust some myths and share plans for the future.Co-hosted with Alastair Chisholm, CIWEM's Director of Policy, you'll hear the passion and the commitment from all sides of the debate around river water quality and learn what each of our guests would make possible with the Planet Possible Magic Wand. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Everyone got a bit of a shock when a General Election was announced for July 4th. So, we know there is going to be a new government. Whoever ends up in power, what should they be doing - in the first 100 days and beyond - to do right by water and the environment?Host Niki Roach and CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm pick their 3 wishes (they actually end up with 4) for the new incoming government... plus there are things that need finishing and following through on. Water and environment have never been higher up the political agenda, nor more important to the public, so the whoever forms the next government, they need to get it right. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Can you be an activist and an environmental professional? How do we tackle eco-anxiety, especially for the next generation and is activism be something everyone can get involved in?In today’s episode we’re exploring the role that activism plays in driving positive environmental and                                                                    climate outcomes. Increasingly we’re seeing and hearing individuals and groups looking to drive faster action on slowing the speed at which our planet is warming. What are some of the unintended consequences of activism - and how can we support youth activists more effectively?To explore this - and much more - we're joined by a 24-year-old climate activist and the founding Executive Director of Force of Nature - a youth non-profit mobilising mindsets for climate action - Clover Hogan.Listen to Clover's TED talk - viewed over 2 million times - here https://www.ted.com/talks/clover_hogan_what_to_do_when_climate_change_feels_unstoppable?language=en  Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

We're exploring the topic of bioresources - sometimes called sewage sludge - and our interview is with Georgia Elliot-Smith, who's heading up 'Fighting Dirty' - a campaign to ensure environmental regulation around sewage sludge - last updated in 1989 in England and Wales - remains effective. Niki's co-host is the Director of Innovation & Delivery at CIWEM and supported the creation of the National Biosolids Strategy in 2023 - Paul Shaffer.Find out what Fighting Dirty are aiming to change, how bioresources are currently managed in England and Wales and what our guests would make possible with the Planet Possible Magic Wand...You can find more about the Fighting Dirty Campaign at https://fightingdirty.org/This season of Planet Possible is supported by Atkins Réalis - https://www.atkinsrealis.com/ Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

The water that runs off our traffic-filled roads ends up in our rivers, but we know little about it, it's hardly monitored and improving the quality of that runoff is a huge task.Join us for this special episode of Planet Possible in collaboration with Watershed Investigations as we dig into the realities of highway runoff . . We’re joined from the front line by Jo Bradley from Stormwater Shepherds as she carries out water quality testing and hear from both National Highways, who own the strategic road network and the Environment Agency, the environmental regulator in England.  We explore how we manage these flows and what the future looks like - and of course we’ll offer our guests the Planet Possible magic wand too.Post-interview clarification on behalf of National Highways:”National Highways developed its water runoff risk assessment tool in partnership with the Environment Agency, and it was agreed it was fit for purpose. Similarly, on the M6 J21A-26, seven Vortex Separation Chambers have been installed as part of upgrade work to keep pollutants in check. Along with drainage, these devices use hydrodynamic separation to capture and retain insoluble particles such as silt, hydrocarbons and debris from the surface water systems.” Our 2024 season is supported by Atkins Réalis Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 

Are you flood ready? How do you find out if your home is at risk of flooding? What can you do to protect your home and if water does suddenly come through your door, what should you do next?With much of England and Scotland experiencing rainfall 70% above average for December, flooding has impacted thousands of homes and businesses. Join Niki and her co-host and Environment Agency Environment Manager, Ian Withers as they explore the role of the EA in flood forecasting, warning and operational response.We hear the first hand impact of flooding from Mary Long-Donaugh OBE, who after experiencing significant flooding in 2007 is now a property flood resilience advocate.And as ever, find out what our guests decided to make possible with the Planet Possible Magic Wand…We mentioned these in the pod…If you’re in the UK you can check your risk of flooding here: https://www.gov.uk/check-floodingCheck out Mary’s free flood guides here: https://floodmary.comWarch the sandbag test here: https://floodmary.com/2022/02/23/when-a-flood-occurs-everyone-shouts-for-sandbags/ Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy TaylorWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland