The EcoCentrics

PK & Tom discuss consumerism and Christmas, from advent calendars to jolly jumpers, how can we embrace the festivities in a sustainable guilt free way? And when it comes to trees, which is the most eco-friendly, the fake fir or a real replantable?  Rent A Tree https://www.thechristmastreecompany.com/rent-a-christmas-tree Sustainable Christmas https://www.wwf.org.uk/top-tips-sustainable-christm...

PK & Tom catch up for the first time since The King's Speech and discuss the licensing of new oil and gas fields. Is this a political move? Do the economics add up? And what impact could this have on the nation's spirit?     The Nish Kumar Climate Breakthrough film is here ... www.climatesciencebreakthrough.com   Petrostates planning expansion of fossil fuels ... https://www.theguardian.com/en...

After the announcement that UEFA will expand its football tournaments in 2024, PK & Tom discuss what impact this will have on the environment. They also look at how climate change is impacting UK football clubs today, the teams that are leading the way when it comes to green credentials, plus why PK is thinking of taking up plogging.     More about European football and its impact on the plane...

PK & Tom chat about some of the brilliant projects in the UK, where the local community have taken decarbonisation into their own hands and helped regenerate their area. Take a listen for some real inspiration on how to make a difference where you live.  Inspiring examples discussed in this episode...  DTE Derby https://www.dtederby.org/ Gwynedd https://www.deg.wales/about-deg/?lang=en Civic S...

PK & Tom reflect on the last few days of flooding in the UK and they discuss the scary stats around halloween, why you shouldn't feed pumpkin to hedgehogs, plus Tom's spooky upcycled costume. Here is some extra reading on halloween waste ... https://www.wastemanaged.co.uk/halloween-waste/ https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/halloween-waste/ https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/oct/25/uk-e...

PK & Tom discuss why we're obsessed with building more stuff, the impacts this can have on the environment and what are the lower carbon solutions? From green steel to carbon capture, using waste material and the benefits of AI - no stone is left unturned. The problem with concrete... https://www.fairplanet.org/story/concrete-climate-change-environmental-injustice/ Demand for sand ... https://...

PK & Tom discuss fast fashion, charity shops and consumption habits. Plus guest Kate Kenneally talks sustainable swimwear and why legislation is needed to make the industry more ethical. To get in touch with PK & Tom email hello@theecocentrics.com To find out more about Kate's Swimwear https://gen-reswim.com/ Other useful links https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/world-of-change/AralSea http...

PK & Tom take a trip to a Derby City allotment where they meet plot-casters Elaine & Julia, who demonstrate that growing your own food is not only good for the tastebuds, but it's also great for the planet.  From helping wildlife to thrive, reducing food miles, to capturing carbon in your garden, growing a few vegetables might be the most eco hobby you could have.  To hear more from Elaine...

PK & Tom break down Rishi Sunak's recent announcement to shift the goalposts of UK green policies. From Heat Pumps to Electric Cars, what has the Government pushed back and how will this affect Britain? Useful Links Net Zero: what is it?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_zero_emissions Carbon Brief estimates actual cost of the rollbacks by the government: https://www.carbonbrief.org/in-depth-...

From global heatwaves to the UK’s polluted waters, Climate Change has dominated headlines. PK & Tom return from their August break and discuss the summer's news, the updated shift in planetary boundaries, plus the governments u-turn on nutrient neutrality.  The podcast that Tom recommends you listen to… https://tippingpoint-podcast.com/the-problematique-part-1/ The book that Tom couldn’t put d...

Sewage leaks and weeks of rain mean the health of our rivers is low, plus our seas are too polluted to swim in. So what's to be done about the UK's muddy waters?  See how the ocean's colour is changing  https://eapsweb.mit.edu/news/2023/Study-The-oceans-color-is-changing-as-a-consequence-of-climate-change Tietê River in Brazil https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/07/08/brazil-river-foam-pollu...

PK & Tom discuss Hydrogen and the role it might play in our climate friendly future. From heating homes to off-road vehicles and why it has its own colour chart.   If you want to know more about Hydrogen ... https://about.bnef.com/blog/liebreich-separating-hype-from-hydrogen-part-two-the-demand-side/ https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/energy-explained/what-is-hydrogen The views in this podca...

PK & Tom discuss the heatwaves sweeping Europe and America, how it compares to previous years and the impacts this is having on biodiversity, other weather events and human health.  Useful links and extra reading ... https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/impacts-climate-change-one-point-five-degrees-two-degrees/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-023-01132-6 https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/1...

PK & Tom discuss why the UK is no longer a leader on climate action, what the UK needs to do to get back on track, plus the uproar around Wimbledon's sponsorship.    Here is that Climate Change Committee report...  https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/2023-progress-report-to-parliament The views in this podcast are of Tom Bedford and PK, not the companies that they are affiliated with. 

It's festival season so PK & Tom discuss their carbon impact. The festivals with the best green initiatives, why travelling to a festival is more carbon intensive than the events themselves and why you should always take your tent home.  Useful Links  Big Green Coach: https://www.biggreencoach.co.uk/why-are-we-green Vegan Campout https://www.vegancampout.co.uk/environment Shambalafestival http...

PK & Tom discuss eco anxiety, why we may feel overwhelmed when reading climate news and the proactive things we can to abate those feelings.  Extra reading ... Climate Anxiety in Children and Young People: A Globe Survey: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2542519621002783 The Children of the Anthropocene, Bella Lack https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-children-of-the-anthropo...

PK & Tom explain climate tipping points. From permafrost, coral reef die-offs and melting ice sheets - which have we crossed, are they irreversible and what's happening behind laboratory doors with regards solutions.  And here are some useful links referred to in the content of this episode, plus some extra reading if you want to know more.  Carbon Brief Tipping Points: https://www.carbonbrief...

PK & Tom kick of season 2 with a discussion about the 1.5C limit. Where did the figure come from? What happens if we exceed it? And how does El Nino affect global temperatures?  Show Notes Since recording this episode El Nino made the headlines, read the latest at time of release. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65839060  That IPCC report Tom mentions in this episode.  https://w...

PK and Tom discuss how some brands may not always be as climate friendly as they make out. They explain what greenwashing is and share tricks and tips on how to spot the offenders.  Recommended Reading - Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M Conway Research for the quiz came from https://thesustainableagency.com/blog/greenwashing-examples/ The views in this podcast are of Tom Bedford an...

PK & Tom discuss the frightening normality of hyper consumerism, why buying stuff doesn't necessarily make us happier, plus the benefits of a circular economy. Recommened reading - The Spirit Level: Why Equality Is Better For Everyone by Kate Pickett & Richard Wilkinson To find out more about the Circular Economy go to https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy-diagram The views...

From wind, solar, tidal to hydro, PK & Tom discuss renewable energy and how some are better than others, plus why a renewable future is not only good for the planet, but also our pockets.  To find out more about that cool energy project Tom was talking about go here ... ​​ xlinks.co/morocco-uk-power-project And to read that book about why humans like to consume so much stuff go here ... timjac...

PK & Tom discuss the UK's obsession with SUV's, why trains in Luxemburg are so cheap and how France is tackling internal flights, plus rent-a-cars, autonomous cars, and electric cars. These are the views of PK Whalen & Tom Bedford and not of the organisations they are affiliated with.

PK & Tom discuss how to make our houses more energy efficent, from LED lightbulbs to retrofits, plus Tom explains why he thinks heat pumps are powered by magic.  To find out more about the goverment's energy scheme ECO4 go to https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-of-the-energy-company-obligation-eco4-2022-2026 . To get further advice on heat pumps see heatgeek.co.uk   And to find...

PK & Tom ask if food is bad for the environment, get excited about lab grown meat and explain why you don't have to go Vegan to make an impact. For ideas of using up your leftovers go to myfridgefood.com or realfood.tesco.com/what-can-i-make-with.html

PK & Tom explain what a carbon footprint actually is, the pros & cons of using footprint calculators and why talking to your neighbour about climate change might have a bigger impact than you think. If you're curious about your carbon footprint go to https://footprint.wwf.org.uk/ and to find out why food waste is bad for the planet not just your pocket, see https://ourworldindata.org/food-...