Meliora: a podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute

Luc Phillips (BSc Environmental Science) joins us to discuss this research project on the invasive potential of the Narrow-clawed crayfish within UK rivers. More specifically, we delve into how research methods such as kick sampling, crayfish trapping, stable isotope analysis and species distribution modelling were utilised to uncover different dimensions of this species’ impact. The episode also...

Rosie Watson, BA Philosophy, joins us to discuss her research project “What, if anything, is epistemically criticisable about rhetoric, and when might the use of rhetoric be permissible?”  Rhetoric has frequently been treated as epistemically suspect insofar as it appears oriented towards persuasion rather than truth. Despite this concern, there is a notable lacuna in the literature regarding how...

Mia Wake (BSc Environmental Science) joins us in this episode of the Meliora Student Research Symposium, to discuss her independent research project "An analysis of the fine-scale spatial ambit and habitat utilisation of foraging minke whales in North East Scotland".   In this episode we explore research on minke whales—a highly elusive whale species. We discuss the challenges of studyin...

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we are discussing the environmental impacts of fast fashion, including the production of water waste, carbon emissions and energy usage relative to the garment industry, using Shein and sweat shops in Bangladesh as a case study example for the effects of fast fashion in low-income countries. Along with the environmental impacts, the ec...

In this student takeover episode of the Meliora Podcast we explore the rapid growth of shrimp aquaculture in India within a globalised food system. We examine the economic opportunities the industry creates, including export growth and employment, while critically analysing its environmental and social impacts.  Key issues include mangrove deforestation, water pollution, labour conditions, and the...

From discussions surrounding food packaging waste to food waste itself, this student takeover episode of the Meliora podcast explores the notion of “who is really responsible” for these issues in sustainable food systems. Is there a lack of action on individual and household levels, or is it more corporate and systemic faults? Listen to this episode and find out more about what guest speakers Leah...

This student takeover episode of the Meliora Podcast is hosted by Sandeep and colleagues David, Evelyn, and Dalma. The episode explores some of the major human pressures the coastlines face and how that impacts sustainability, along with potential solutions.  Coastlines are important in a range of contexts from social to economic to environmental making it essential to improve its sustainability t...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Takeover Season, we discuss sustainability in sports comparing the 2022 Qatar and 2026 United States, Canada, and Mexico FIFA World Cups. We discuss similarities and differences in consumption, infrastructure, resources, transport and energy use evaluating their sustainability in relation to the sustainable development goals. Episode host – Mackenzie...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Takeover Season, we address sustainability in our oceans, specifically focusing on how the environmental, economic and social impacts of fishing shape our futures. We discuss mangrove deforestation for fishing and most vulnerable communities affected, overfishing causing population decrease and the impacts of people's diets on fishing and the env...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Takeover Season, we ask 'Is our continued use of AI a sustainability problem solver, or is it just creating new issues'? This episode explores both sides of the debate, investigating the modern-day uses of AI, including its role in education, and the subsequent impacts on sustainability. We discuss AI’s potential to support and sustain clima...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Takeover Season, we explore the sustainability of remote working and whether it is truly a long-term solution or comes with hidden costs. We discuss its social, economic, and environmental impacts, linking to key Sustainable Development Goals including health and wellbeing, decent work, reduced inequalities, and life on land. Through this, we consider...

Why do people say they care about sustainability but struggle to act on it?  In this student takeover episode of the Meliora Podcast we explore the ‘sustainable behaviour gap’- the disconnect between environmental values and everyday actions. Drawing on academic research and real-world examples, the discussion unpacks why awareness alone doesn’t lead to change and how factors like habits, social n...

We know that the COVID-19 pandemic caused an urgent global focus on public health, however what were the costs to our planet? This episode aims to uncover the masked environmental costs of the COVID-19 pandemic, delving into the overlooked costs and the surge in medical plastic pollution. This podcast looks into how these single-use plastics, such as PPE, impacted our environment. The risks of fut...

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season, we explore UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, through the lens of one of the world’s most consumed commodities…coffee.  With an estimated 2.25 billion cups consumed globally every day, coffee plays a significant role in modern lifestyles, cultures, and tourism worldwide. But behind every cup li...

In this student takeover episode of the Meliora Podcast we discuss whether Brazil’s environmental capital Curitiba is a blueprint for sustainable city design, or just too good to be true.   We address the planning and development of Curitiba which has created the city’s sustainability reputation. The episode continues as we discuss how everything may not be as it seems, including flaws in Curitiba...

In this student takeover episode of the Meliora Podcast we discuss the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12, which concerns responsible consumption and production.  We begin with an overview of what SDG 12 is and the critical global issues of unsustainable production and consumption which led to its creation. Discussing the goal itself highlighted the requirements and obligations for cou...

In this student takeover episode of the Meliora podcast, we explore the sustainability issues surrounding the rising trend in weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, to assess the extent to which they align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Framed through SDG 3 (Good health and wellbeing), SDG 5 (Gender equality), and SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), we di...

This student takeover episode of the Meliora podcast explores the effectiveness of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and attempts to answer the following question: “COP: Cop It or Drop It.” ? This is achieved through an investigation into the 2 main COP legislations, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. We discuss the efficacy of these legislations to then evaluate their overall success i...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Takeover Season, Jess and Eden discuss whether plant-based diets are the key to a sustainable future and, if so, whether this change starts with the individual. From climate change to biodiversity loss, to public health and food security, they unpack the evidence linking our food system to growing global environmental and sustainability pressures.  Th...

In this student takeover episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute at the University of Southampton, we investigate a highly important yet easily overlooked resource - sand. What happens when something we assume is limitless turns out to be one of the most exploited materials on Earth, sitting at the heart of a global sustainability crisis? Drawing on global...

In this student takeover episode of the Meliora Podcast from the Sustainability & Resilience Institute (SRI) at the University of Southampton, we are discussing the sustainability impacts of veganism and the barriers that prevent individuals from adopting a vegan diet.  Veganism has been shown to produce the lowest greenhouse gas emissions of dietary styles; however, a mere 1-2% of the UK popu...

In this episode of the Meliora Podcast Student Takeover Season we address student consumer awareness gaps across the sustainability topics of food, sport, music and travel. Analysing the results sent to 34 fellow University of Southampton students, alongside the Knowledge-Attitude-Behaviour Model we explore knowledge-behaviour gaps and possible reasons affecting our choices across these topics. By...

In this episode of the Meliora podcast Student Takeover Season we discuss the complex sustainability challenges hidden within the multi-billion dollar chocolate industry. From widespread deforestation and climate impacts to the stark pay inequalities and human rights issues facing West African farmers, we explore the true cost of chocolate production and who is responsible for driving change towar...

We are absolutely thrilled to be joined by the most impactful Sustainability Leader in the Higher Education sector, the hugely inspirational Jamie Agombar, CEO of Students Organising for Sustainability (SOS) UK! Jamie chats about his career transforming sustainability across the HE sector, his work leading sustainability at NUS and forming SOS-UK, his journey as a neurodivergent person, how workin...

Welcome to Part 2 of our double episode asking ‘if there’s a Zombie Apocalypse, how on Earth will we achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? ’. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, we suggest you listen to that first.  The brilliant Jack Dinham (UG, Meliora producer & editor) and I continue to discuss our nerdy love for zombie books, movies, and tv shows, exploring the sustainability...