Going Green
119 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 months ago -Welcome to the Going Green Podcast! Our mission is to educate and inspire people to take action on climate change by exploring various environmental issues and discussing practical ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle.Every week, your hosts Philip and Paul will delve into different aspects of climate change and its impact on the planet, from rising temperatures and sea levels to the destruction of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. They will also examine the role that human activities, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, play in exacerbating these issues.But we don't just stop at identifying the problems. We believe that everyone has a part to play in combatting climate change and we will provide practical tips and advice on how you can reduce your carbon footprint and live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. From small changes such as switching to LED light bulbs to bigger decisions like buying an electric vehicle or installing solar panels, we will explore a range of options for you to take action.It's important to remember that time is of the essence. The longer we delay taking action, the more severe the consequences of climate change will be. As a society, we need to act urgently to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and shift to cleaner, more sustainable forms of energy. We believe that everyone has a role to play in this collective effort, and we hope to inspire you to take the necessary steps to become part of the solution.So, join us on this journey towards a more sustainable future. Subscribe to the Going Green Podcast and let's start making a positive impact today.
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Episodes
The Heat is On: The Rising Threat of Heatwaves in the UK
February 20, 2024 06:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBIn this enlightening episode of our video podcast, we dive deep into the pressing issue of heat waves and their alarming impact on the United Kingdom. With an eye-opening discussion inspired by recent warnings from MPs and the Environmental Audit Committee, we explore the potentially dire consequences of inaction in the face of increasing extreme heat events. We dissect a report indicating that up to 10,000 people a year could face fatal outcomes due to heatwaves if comprehensive measures ar...
Freshwater Scarcity and the Microplastics Threat
February 06, 2024 00:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBIn this urgent and eye-opening episode of our video podcast, we delve into two of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time: the world's dwindling freshwater resources and the pervasive problem of microplastics in our water. Our journey begins with an in-depth exploration of the global freshwater crisis. We discuss the alarming rate at which the world's freshwater sources are being depleted, highlighting regions most affected by water scarcity. The conversation includes insight...
A Deep Dive into the Green Claims Code
January 30, 2024 20:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBIn this enlightening episode of our video podcast, we tackle the increasingly relevant and complex topic of greenwashing. As more consumers become environmentally conscious, businesses are under pressure to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. However, this surge in 'green' marketing has led to a concerning trend of misleading environmental claims, often referred to as greenwashing. Our episode begins with an introduction to the concept of greenwashing and its impact on both cons...
On the Brink of Record Heat
December 12, 2023 11:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBwe are delving into the findings of a groundbreaking study conducted by the UK Met Office, in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization. This study, titled the 'Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update', presents a compelling forecast for global temperatures over the next five years. Key Highlights: Record-Breaking Temperatures Likely: The study indicates a high probability, nearly 50%, that at least one of the upcoming five years will surpass 2016’s record as the warmest yea...
Looking Back At Cop26
December 06, 2023 18:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MBReflecting on COP26 from the perspective of COP28 allows for an assessment of the progress made towards the ambitious goals set at the 2021 Glasgow climate conference. COP26 aimed to secure global net zero by mid-century and limit global warming to 1.5 C degrees, underscoring the urgency of climate action. This summary reviews the conference's key outcomes and commitments, providing a basis to evaluate their implementation and effectiveness by COP28. The key goals of COP26 included achievin...
Is North Sea Oil Still Needed In 2050?
November 19, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBin this episode, we explore the complex and often contentious topic of North Sea oil and its role in the current energy landscape. As the world gradually shifts towards renewable energy sources, the need for traditional carbon-based energy, particularly oil and gas, remains a topic of heated debate. This video delves into the reasons why new oil and gas licenses are still being sought and granted, even amidst global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. the crucial r...
The Pie-in-the-Sky ideas to fix our Climate
August 03, 2023 15:00 - 32 minutes - 22 MBThere are several ambitious, "pie-in-the-sky" ideas that have been proposed as potential solutions to climate change. However, these are generally considered speculative and should be approached with caution, as they might have unintended side effects. The scientific community generally agrees that the most effective approach to combating climate change is through reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Here are some spe...
the regular 'once-in-a-lifetime' weather event
July 13, 2023 18:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBWhy are those weather events once considered 'once-in-a-lifetime' happening much more frequently? And what does this tell us about our changing climate? Inspired by articles like "Why Are Extreme 'One-In-A-Lifetime' Weather Events Becoming More Frequent?" and "Rare and Severe Weather Events Are Now More Common Thanks to Climate Change", we explore these alarming questions, delving into the hard-hitting realities of our time. In this video, we break down complex scientific data into an easy-...
Celebrating 100 Episodes - A Climate Journey Retrospective
July 06, 2023 19:00 - 32 minutes - 22.5 MBWelcome to our special 100th-episode celebration video! This milestone would not have been possible without you, our listeners and viewers, who have been part of our journey as we continue to spread awareness and inspire action on climate change. In this video, we take a retrospective journey back through our podcast's rich history, highlighting the diverse range of topics we've explored together. From the basics of climate science to the impact of global warming on our ecosystems, the inno...
Is the UK falling behind it's Climate goals
July 01, 2023 14:00 - 32 minutes - 22.2 MBThe UK government had pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and in April 2021, it even strengthened its commitment by aiming for a 78% reduction by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. This was a significant increase from the previous target of a 68% reduction by 2030. This was considered one of the most ambitious targets among developed nations. However, setting ambitious targets is one thing, and making actual progress in achieving them is another. By 2021, the UK had mad...
Are we in the 6th extinction event
June 24, 2023 16:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBWelcome back to Going Green, your favorite podcast for probing the pressing environmental matters of our era. In this captivating episode, we tackle an issue of growing significance - the purported Sixth Mass Extinction. Our planet's history is scarred by five previous mass extinctions, potent reminders of Earth's susceptibility. Presently, a significant number of scientists posit that we find ourselves in the throes of a sixth event, instigated not by natural processes, but by one species ...
Climate Tipping Point: Have We Reached It?
June 15, 2023 13:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBwe explore the critical thresholds in the Earth's climate system. These tipping points, once crossed, can lead to significant, often irreversible changes. Examples include the loss of the Amazon rainforest and the melting of the Greenland ice sheet, both showing evidence of nearing or surpassing these thresholds. The concept of a climate tipping point isn't binary, with multiple potential points each having its own threshold. The precise levels are still under scientific research. Crossing ...
Is the Future of Lorries, Electric?
June 01, 2023 17:00 - 32 minutes - 22.1 MBIn this riveting episode of our podcast, we’re shifting gears and focusing our headlights on a transformative trend in the automotive world that’s mostly flown under the public radar. This is about the electrification of large vehicles, such as lorries (trucks), buses, and other heavy-duty vehicles. Often overlooked in the electric vehicle (EV) discourse are these formidable giants of transportation. They're quietly undergoing a massive, yet mostly unseen, revolution - trading in diesel for...
UN’s New Roadmap About Recycling should be adopted GLOBALLY
May 18, 2023 20:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBIn this episode, Paul and I explore the ambitious new action plan unveiled by the United Nations Environment Program aimed at reducing plastic waste by a whopping 80% by the year 2040. As doubts rise about the effectiveness of recycling, given the presence of approximately 13,000 potentially toxic chemicals in plastics, it's clear that recycling alone is not the solution. Join us as we delve into the complex and challenging steps outlined by the UN agency to significantly curb our plastic ...
The Thermo-haline is in Decline 😱
May 11, 2023 14:00 - 32 minutes - 22 MBThe thermohaline circulation, also known as the "global ocean conveyor belt," is a system of ocean currents that transport heat, salt, and nutrients around the world. It plays a crucial role in regulating the Earth's climate by redistributing heat and maintaining the temperature balance between the tropics and the polar regions. The Beaufort Gyre, a major Arctic Ocean current, has been storing vast amounts of ice and cold freshwater due to increased Arctic sea ice melt. If this gyre were to...
Dengue Fever: How UK Outbreaks Could Be on the Horizon
May 05, 2023 16:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBIn this episode, we explore the potential impact of climate change on the spread of dengue fever and other infectious diseases, with a focus on the United Kingdom. As global temperatures rise, the mosquitoes carrying dengue fever could find the UK to be a suitable breeding ground, posing a significant health risk to millions of people. We'll examine how factors like temperature, precipitation, and humidity are influenced by climate change, leading to increased dengue transmission during rai...
What a Waste of Good food
April 26, 2023 14:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBFood waste is a significant problem in relation to climate change for several reasons: Production emissions: The production of food, including farming, transportation, and processing, generates greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. When food is wasted, all the emissions associated with its production are also wasted, effectively amplifying the environmental impact of the food system. Methane emissions: When food waste decomposes in landfills, it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a ...
CFCs are increasing, What are we doing about it
April 21, 2023 14:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBMonitoring CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) is crucial for several reasons, mainly due to their adverse effects on the environment and climate. The reasons why CFCs should be monitored include: Ozone layer depletion: CFCs are known to break down the Earth's ozone layer by releasing chlorine atoms when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. A single chlorine atom can break down thousands of ozone molecules, causing a significant depletion of the ozone layer. This thinning of the ozone layer allows...
UK Unprepared about Risks Associated with Climate Change
March 30, 2023 13:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBThe UK is in for a rude awakening as it faces a range of climate risks that could cause significant damage to its infrastructure and communities. In a shocking report, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) has concluded that the UK is "strikingly unprepared" for the looming threats of climate change. From food security to water supply, transport to health, business to agriculture, and finance, adaptation efforts are "lacking across the board". But that's not all - the CCC report also reveals t...
Urgency for Swift and Drastic Action on climate
March 24, 2023 15:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBIn this episode will discuss the urgent need for swift and drastic action on climate change. We will explore the current state of the planet and the impact that human activities are having on our environment. We will also discuss the potential consequences of not taking action and the importance of taking action now. We discuss the UN's new ten actions to Everyone can help limit climate change. these range from the way we travel to the electricity we use, the food we eat, and the things we ...
Peat moss compost being banned
March 16, 2023 15:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBPhasing out the use of peat moss is considered a good thing for several reasons, mainly related to its environmental and ecological impacts. Here are some key reasons why reducing or eliminating the use of peat moss is beneficial: Preservation of carbon sinks: Peatlands, where peat moss grows, are vital carbon sinks, storing vast amounts of carbon over long periods. Extracting peat moss releases stored carbon into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Phasing out peat moss use hel...
Has the UK Power grid reached capacity
March 10, 2023 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBThe UK power grid is facing challenges as more renewable energy sources come online because renewable sources such as wind and solar power are intermittent and can fluctuate in their output depending on the weather conditions. This means that there can be times when there is more renewable energy being generated than is needed, and other times when there is not enough renewable energy to meet the demand. To balance the electricity grid and ensure that there is always enough power to meet th...
The Great tomato shortage
March 03, 2023 14:00 - 30 minutes - 21 MBWe are currently facing a tomato and Salad shortage. Now, this isn't something to really worry about because food shortages can occur for numerous reasons. Due to the Drought that happened last year in Europe causing poor harvests overseas, especially in Spain and north Africa, the UK has been particularly exposed to shortages because of supermarket contracts and high energy costs facing domestic suppliers. Additionally, Europe is facing a vegetable shortage for all the same reasons In sum...
What impact Sewage discharge has on the Environment
February 23, 2023 23:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MBWelcome to our podcast where we explore the critical issue of sewage discharge and its impact on the environment. Our host will take you on a journey to understand how sewage discharge affects the ecosystem and the health of the planet. Sewage discharge is a significant environmental issue that is often overlooked. Many of us are unaware of the magnitude of this problem and its impact on our waterways, wildlife, and the health of our communities. In this podcast, we will shed light on the i...
The Risks of Rising Sea Levels
February 16, 2023 13:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBSea levels have been rising over the past century due to global warming, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming decades. Rising sea levels can lead to a variety of negative consequences, including increased flooding and erosion, damage to property and infrastructure, and loss of habitat for plants and animals. In addition, coastal cities and communities are particularly vulnerable to the effects of more frequent and severe storms, which can be exacerbated by rising sea levels....
Does climate change cause earthquakes
February 09, 2023 15:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBIn general, there is no significant impact of climate change on earthquakes that has been identified by scientists. However, they are not disregarding the possibility of a connection. As the Earth's average temperature increases, the melting of massive ice sheets leads to the transfer of billions of tons of water from land to the ocean, causing land masses to rise. This global change could result in seismic activity, but no such evidence has been observed yet. Earthquakes are caused by the...
Astroturf Lobbying
February 02, 2023 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBAstroturfing is a deceptive practice of creating the appearance of a groundswell of support for a particular agenda by using fake or paid individuals to post positive comments, reviews, or testimonials in a coordinated manner. The aim is to manipulate public opinion by giving the impression that a large number of people hold a particular view when in reality, they are part of a coordinated effort by an interest group or organization. The term "astroturfing" is derived from the artificial tur...
is now the right time to buy an electric car
January 26, 2023 15:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBWe are now another year (to 2030) closer to when petrol and diesel cars will stop being made in the UK perhaps now is the right time to buy an electric car? The debate over whether it is the right time to buy an electric car has been ongoing for a few years now. On one hand, electric cars offer a number of benefits over traditional gasoline-powered cars, including lower operating costs, zero emissions, and the potential to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. On the other hand, there are stil...
Mining into Extinction
January 20, 2023 15:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBOne of the topics taught in GCSE chemistry is looking at the Earth's resources and looking in particular when metals are likely to run out the report they looked at was done in 2011 and suggested that current production levels when it was likely metals would run out. We thought it would be interesting to have a look 10 years on at how much of these metals are left now. So are we running out of metals, are we mining ourselves into extinction
The No Snow Zone
January 12, 2023 11:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBSki resorts in the Alps are being forced to shut down due to a lack of snow because Europe there has no snowfall in the new year. Temperatures for January have reached an all-time high in a number of nations across Europe breaking record minimum winter temperatures in eight countries - and regional records in another three. Warsaw, Poland, saw 18.9C (66F) on Sunday while Bilbao, Spain, was 25.1C - more than 10C above average. so activists have called for faster action on climate change bec...
climate review 2022
December 29, 2022 14:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBWith the new year in sight, we thought it is good to go back over the course of the year and look at all the climate stories that happened. A lot has happened over the last year with 2022 beating several records. it has provisionally been the -on average- hottest year to date and as well as a decade of increasingly bad weather
Dreaming of a White Christmas
December 22, 2022 19:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBA white Christmas is a Christmas celebration that is characterized by the presence of snow on the ground. An "official" white Christmas is defined by the Met Office as "one snowflake to be observed falling in the 24 hours of 25 December somewhere in the UK", but formerly the snow had to be observed at the Met Office building in London. However, Climate change has brought higher average temperatures over land and sea and this generally reduces the chances of a white Christmas. additionally, ...
Is nuclear fusion the future of energy
December 16, 2022 10:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBFusion power has the potential to be a major source of clean, safe, and abundant energy in the future. A new break though has been discovered by a team in America, the team managed to get more energy out from the enormous amount of energy that was required to start the fusion reaction. Fusion occurs when atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This is the same process that powers the sun and other stars. Unlike nuclear fission, whic...
Is nuclear fusion the future of energy
December 16, 2022 10:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBFusion power has the potential to be a major source of clean, safe, and abundant energy in the future. A new break though has been discovered by a team in America, the team managed to get more energy out from the enormous amount of energy that was required to start the fusion reaction. Fusion occurs when atomic nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. This is the same process that powers the sun and other stars. Unlike nuclear fission, whic...
Earthshot prize winners 2022
December 09, 2022 13:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MBThis year Earthshot prize took place at Boston, USA. The Earthshot Prize was designed to find and grow the solutions that will repair our planet this decade. Each Winner of the 5 categories will get £1 million to regenerate the place we all call home in the next ten years.
Make Black Friday, GREEN!
December 05, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBBlack Friday is a day of consumerism so why dont we make it green. We all know that the "throwaway culture" of Black Friday "is bad for the environment" and people should instead consider recycled products and think what they can do for the environment but is it really the consumers that are bad or is it the producers not making things green for the sake of profits
Make Black Friday, GREEN!
December 05, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBBlack Friday is a day of consumerism so why dont we make it green. We all know that the "throwaway culture" of Black Friday "is bad for the environment" and people should instead consider recycled products and think what they can do for the environment but is it really the consumers that are bad or is it the producers not making things green for the sake of profits
plant a tree in '23; plant one more in '24
November 24, 2022 17:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBwe should be updating the old rhyme Plant a tree in '73; plant one more in '74 to "plant a tree in '23; plant one more in '24 " National Tree Week starts Saturday the 27th which marks the annual winter tree planting season and welsh government is offering every household a free tree to collect from over 50 locations in Wales. So what's the point of why everyone should plant a tree in the year 2023, we could reduce the severity of global climate change by removing excess carbon from our atmo...
The Economic Impact of Climate Change
November 18, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBThis year's COP has been about the Economic Impact of Climate Change on the world Economies we thought we go through some of the Economic challenges that countries are facing. Stunning revelations came out about how the host of COP 27, Egypt are Burning more Coal so that they can sell there Gas Imports to Europe for a profit, Short term Economic Gains have apparently out weighted the climate imperative. Now what they do with that money we shall wait to see, if they use it for green investm...
The Economic Impact of Climate Change
November 18, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBThis year's COP has been about the Economic Impact of Climate Change on the world Economies we thought we go through some of the Economic challenges that countries are facing. Stunning revelations came out about how the host of COP 27, Egypt are Burning more Coal so that they can sell there Gas Imports to Europe for a profit, Short term Economic Gains have apparently out weighted the climate imperative. Now what they do with that money we shall wait to see, if they use it for green investm...
what has happened at cop 27
November 10, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBWith COP 27 happening this week, we thought we should give a round up of what has happened. COP 27 is taking place at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his opening speech "We are on the highway to climate hell, with our foot still on the accelerator" He also proposed Debt-for-losses swap as a way for developing countries to recover from climate disaster. Additionally Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Indonesia pull out of the Reforestation bill tha...
Gas Shortage, the Risk of Running OUT!
October 07, 2022 10:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MBThis week Ofgem made a statement about how the UK could potentially run out of gas. Creating a shortage, and that in a emergency there could be a rolling power cut if the UK due to lack gas supplies had to turn off gas turbines that produce electricity, if we get a cold and server winter. The last time this happened was in the 1973 when the Gas supplies switched off for hours due to gas rationing and Electricity rationing was done as well. How did we get here, Russia stopped the gas flowin...
To Frack or not to Frack?
September 29, 2022 19:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBRecently the UK Government halted the moratorium on Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. leading to questions To Frack or not to Frack. Fracking is a technique for recovering gas and oil from shale rock. It involves drilling into the earth and directing a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals at a rock layer in order to release the gas inside. The injection of fluid at high pressure into the rock can cause earth tremors - small movements in the earth's surface. The problems with f...
To Frack or not to Frack?
September 29, 2022 19:00 - 29 minutes - 20.5 MBRecently the UK Government halted the moratorium on Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking. leading to questions To Frack or not to Frack. Fracking is a technique for recovering gas and oil from shale rock. It involves drilling into the earth and directing a high-pressure mixture of water, sand and chemicals at a rock layer in order to release the gas inside. The injection of fluid at high pressure into the rock can cause earth tremors - small movements in the earth's surface. The problems with f...
Five burning climate issues for the 2022 UN general assembly
September 23, 2022 14:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBWith the 2022 UN general assembly taking place this week, we thought it would be good to go through the Five burning climate issues that was identified by the Secretary-general António Guterres These five burning climate issues are; 5. Curbing windfall profits from fossil fuel companies 4. Championing more clean energy and the green transition 3. Funding for the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries 2. Keeping global warming below 1.5C 1. Creating a legal obligation for countries to pr...
The Late Queen's environmental legacy
September 15, 2022 16:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBWith the Death of late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III is the new king of Great Britain and northern Ireland. The Late Queen left a quite a Green Legacy, She was quite frugal and kept a simple diet of local produce and meat that had low food miles. Last year, she expressed her irritation with climate change inaction ahead of the Cop26 conference. unlike the late Queen, King Charles III, As Prince, was well known for his views on climate change, and for many years before this was popula...
The Late Queen's environmental legacy
September 15, 2022 16:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBWith the Death of late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III is the new king of Great Britain and northern Ireland. The Late Queen left a quite a Green Legacy, She was quite frugal and kept a simple diet of local produce and meat that had low food miles. Last year, she expressed her irritation with climate change inaction ahead of the Cop26 conference. unlike the late Queen, King Charles III, As Prince, was well known for his views on climate change, and for many years before this was popula...
New Government, Old Climate Targets
September 08, 2022 13:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MBWe would like to Congratulate @GrahamStuartMP who has been appointed Minister for Climate In Liz Truss's New Government, But the same old Climate challenges and targets still remain. So we thought about going through what he should be focusing on and what his priorities should be for the next few years. The list is quite a long one, but a lot of things are already set in motion, such as 7,000 hectares of new trees are being planted each year, but the problem for Graham Stuart MP is findin...
how does the energy price cap work
September 01, 2022 16:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBLast Friday Ofgem (the UK energy regulator) Announced the increase the energy price cap of both Gas and Electricity from 7p to 15p and 28p to 52p respectfully on a Standard variable tariff and the Daily standing charges of both types of energy are increasing by 1p This is the MAXIMUM an Energy company can charge on a Standard variable tariff. But the energy price cap for other tariff are being changed as well (So consult your bill from your energy company to see what tariff you are on!) ...
Why carbon offsets are worse than you think
August 26, 2022 14:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MBA carbon offset broadly refers to a reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions – or an increase in carbon storage (e.g., through land restoration or the planting of trees) – that is used to compensate for emissions that occur elsewhere. For a Carbon offset to work, we first need to measure and establish how much greenhouse gas emissions that you emit personally or on a organisational level. Once steps have been taken to reduce these, you are then allowed to pay money to offset any emissions that ...