Planet Possible
49 episodes - English - Latest episode: 22 days ago -Planet Possible tells the stories of the people paving the way for positive planetary and societal change.
Join host Niki Roach as she explores what's possible with practitioners and visionaries working on the big issues like adaptation and resilience to climate change, enhancing our natural environment and improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the environment sector.
Everything is connected, follow this series as we explore those connections and discover what's really possible for our planet.
Planet Possible is brought to you by CIWEM; a community of environmental professionals creating a more positive world.
Season 5 of Planet Possible is sponsored by Accordion - find out more at Accordion.live
Not enough time to listen to a full episode? Choose the length of pod to fit the time you have with Accordion by clicking the link above.
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Episodes
Bioresources
March 28, 2024 07:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBWe'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, ...
Highway Runoff
February 29, 2024 07:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBThe 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 s...
Flood Ready?
January 19, 2024 06:45 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MBAre 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 operatio...
COP28
December 20, 2023 06:45 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MB2023 is set to be the hottest year on record with temperatures 1.4 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average and sea surface temperatures for the polar oceans reaching almost 21 degrees C in October. In recent years we’ve seen the climate COPs making headline news - so what was it like to attend COP28, how significant were the outputs - and how did the paradox of a fossil fuel economy hosting COP hosting a COP play out? Join Niki and her co-host and Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commi...
Plastic Grass
November 23, 2023 06:30 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBYou might already have a view on whether it’s a helpful way of bringing some greenery to a tricky space – or that it should be banned entirely. Either way, we’re going to explore in this episode some of the science and evidence behind the use of plastic grass, think about why it’s proving so popular and explore some great alternatives for people to think about. We’re joined by a fantastic co-host, Dr Chloe Sutcliffe of the Royal horticultural Society, and we speak with Professor Ross Camer...
How To Fix The UK Water Sector
October 20, 2023 04:05 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBWater in the UK has become both a political football and a source of vast public anger. Storm overflows, sewage spills, dying rivers and dividend payouts have dominated debates everywhere from parliament to the pub. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and clearly there are huge and complex issues... but what are the answers? CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm is in a unique position of objectivity and influence. He's across the detail and the breadth of the issues. Niki Roach, with her vas...
Nutrient Neutrality
September 13, 2023 06:00 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBIf you’re in the UK you’ll have heard about recent proposed changes to nutrient neutrality. Adding to the wider debate about the health of our rivers across England in particular, we explore the proposed changes & what they could mean for river health. Niki is joined by Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow and the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee who in 2021 put forward the private members bill that kickstarted much of the debate around river health. Dr Gabriel Connor-Streich joins Niki to...
Uruguay
August 22, 2023 06:00 - 32 minutes - 30.1 MBUruguay has been facing the longest drought the country has ever recorded in it’s capital Montevideo, leaving the city almost completely dry and the Paso Severino reservoir, supplying over half the country’s 3.4 millions people, at 2.4% capacity in late June. This is especially fascinating for a country that in 2004 enshrined access to water as a fundamental right in it’s constitution. To help us understand more about how Montevideo got here, what’s happening now and crucially, what lessons...
Neurodiversity
July 06, 2023 06:00 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MB*Content warning: This podcast contains brief mentions of experiences around mental ill-health and miscarriage which some listeners may find upsetting. Many different types of neurodivergence exist, and it can be hard to understand what workplace adjustments we can make that will support everyone. What constitutes a reasonable request? Whose responsibility is it? Niki Roach is joined by Lea Nightingale, JBA Consulting & CIEEM; Zoe Brunswick, RSK; Rai Hastie, The Environment Agency; Frances...
A Fresh Water Future?
June 20, 2023 07:48 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBWhat does the future of water look like? Do we need a single organisation managing our water catchments and do we need more resources to regulate the quality and quantity of our water? Join the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, John Curtin and CIWEM's Director of Policy, Alastair Chisholm as we explore these topics - and find out what John's biggest environmental concern is. A fresh water future? You can read more from the conversation in CIWEM's new series, A Fresh Water Future -...
The WaterUK apology storm
May 18, 2023 21:11 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBOn the day we hear an apology from WaterUK on behalf of the water sector for sewage pollution from storm overflows, we wanted to explore what this really means for customers and the environment and whether there are any unintended consequences. We’re joined by the acting CEO of the Environment Agency John Curtin and Niki’s co-host and CIWEM Director of Policy, Al Chisholm to discuss their reflections.
Valuing our land
May 04, 2023 06:28 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MBJoin us for the Season Finale of the pod and our first on-location episode! Niki and co-host Alastair Chisholm head to Spains Hall Estate in north Essex to meet Archie Ruggles-Brise and explore some of his innovative approaches to managing the land - and water - across the estate. Listen as we explore the estate, hear about the approaches to natural flood management, biodiversity net gain, natural capital agroforestry and topped off with a visit to one of the beaver lodges. You can find o...
The business of climate change
April 13, 2023 06:00 - 45 minutes - 41.4 MBJoin Niki and her co-host, Susan Stockwell, Managing Director of Skewb Green, as they explore how business are approaching the challenge of climate change. Our guest interview is with the Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change and formerly the longest serving Secretary of State for the Environment for UK (1993-97). We explore the legacy of COP27 and what actions we need our Government, businesses and us as individuals to take to adapt and increase our resi...
Mentors, friends and allies
March 23, 2023 07:00 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBJoin Niki in conversation with Hannah Coogan, Emma Sherburn and Clare Rodgers as they celebrate the role that mentors, friends and allies have played in their careers to date. Find out what advice they'd give to their 21 year old selves and as ever - we pass them the Planet Possible 'magic wand' to see what they'd want to make possible. This is perfect listening if you're thinking about a career in the water and environment sector or an opportunity to reflect on your own career path. If yo...
Living with Water - Belfast
March 02, 2023 07:30 - 40 minutes - 37 MBWhat does it take to make a step change to the water environment when so many organisations are responsible for individual parts of it? Join us as Niki speaks to Paddy Brow, Head of the Living with Water Programme for Wastewater Treatment for Northern Ireland Water & find out how they’re tackling some significant pollution challenges in Belfast Lough. This episode is co-hosted by Lee Pitcher, Head of Partnerships for Yorkshire Water and a Board Member for the Living with Water programme in...
Future Generations
February 09, 2023 07:00 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBWith a remit set out in law to be “the guardian of the interests of future generations in Wales”, Sophie Howe is the world’s only Future Generations Commissioner. Her role is to provide advice to the Government and other public bodies in Wales on delivering social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being for current and future generations and assessing and reporting on how they are delivering. Sophie, a mum of five named number five on Radio Four's Woman's Hour's Power List, took up...
Nature Recovery
January 19, 2023 07:00 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBWelcome to a brand new season of Planet Possible! We’re back with a season packed with insightful guests and were pleased to introduce our new season sponsor - Skewb - whose support enables us to bring the pod to you. In this first episode join Niki and her co-host Sara King from Rewilding Britain as they discuss all things rewilding, including what Rewilding really means. In our main interview hear the thoughts of Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England, on the need for nature recover...
Water Reform in Aotearoa - NZ
December 30, 2022 16:39 - 19 minutes - 17.5 MBFor more information on Water New Zealand - https://www.waternz.org.nz/ For more information on Te Mana o te Wai - https://environment.govt.nz/acts-and-regulations/freshwater-implementation-guidance/te-mana-o-te-wai-implementation/
An insiders view of COP27 & COP15
December 14, 2022 16:48 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBWhat's it really like to be an observer at a COP? As COP15, the UN Biodiversity Conference, heads towards it's conclusion, join Niki and her guest and Arctic Angel, Margherita Barbieri as they step behind the scenes to explore what was discussed at COP27 and what Margherita hopes to hear as outcomes from COP15 in Montreal. Find out more about the work of Global Choices and Arctic Angels here... https://www.globalchoices.org/arctic-angels
The War On Nature
October 22, 2022 00:49 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MBThe short-lived Truss government's push for growth at all costs sent shockwaves through the environmental sector as green policies were abandoned, reversed or shelved... potentially leaving UK nature in crisis. In this special episode of Planet Possible, host Niki Roach is joined by two sector heavyweights and key players in the coalition of environmental organisations that spoke up in opposition to the so-called 'War On Nature' and mobilised - Beccy Speight, CEO of the RSPB and Craig Bennet...
6. Innovation
October 20, 2022 07:20 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBJoin Niki and her co-host Angela MacOscar, Head of Innovation at Northumbrian Water as they explore the innovation landscape in the water sector. Paul O'Callaghan, Founder and CEO of Bluetech Research gives a global perspective on latest trends, what we can learn from pre-Incan civilisations and how the water sector is the 'Neville Longbottom' of innovation! Planet Possible is a Bwlb production & is sponsored by Binnies.com An audio transcript of this episode is available.
5. Barriers to climate adaptation
October 06, 2022 15:14 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBJoin Niki and her co-host, Md Shamsuddoha, the CEO of the Centre for Participatory Research & Development in Bangladesh as they explore the barriers to communities adapting to climate change & the secondary and tertiary impacts of climate change. In this episode we hear from Tim Wainwright, CEO of WaterAid as he reflects on why the world is still not making access to water and sanitation a priority - and crucially what needs to happen to support communities to be able to adapt. Each episod...
Storm overflows - a political football?
September 12, 2022 18:45 - 16 minutes - 15.1 MBThanks to Planet Possible's Season Sponsors, Binnies, for enabling us to bring this podcast to you. Binnies.com
Forever Chemicals
July 21, 2022 06:00 - 35 minutes - 32.9 MBJoin Niki and her co-host Mark Challoner as they explore the world of Forever Chemicals. If you've heard of PFAS and want to know more - or want to get an overview of this critically important topic, this episode is for you. All of our episodes in Season 3 are audio transcribed & contribute to your CPD points. Huge thanks to our Season Sponsors Binnies for enabling us to bring Planet Possible to you.
2042
June 24, 2022 06:00 - 23 minutes - 21.9 MBThanks to our season sponsors, Binnies, for enabling us to bring Planet Possible to you. A transcription of this episode - and all episodes in Season 3 - is available on the Planetpossible.eco website.
Flood & Coast Special: Day 2
June 08, 2022 17:39 - 27 minutes - 25 MBSeason 3 of Planet Possible is supported by Binnies
Flood & Coast Special: Day 1
June 07, 2022 21:01 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBSeason 3 of Planet Possible is supported by Binnies.
The Climate Front Line
May 20, 2022 05:55 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBCoastal communities and those impacted by flooding are on the front line of climate change, already experiencing more frequent and severe events. Join Niki and her co-host Caroline Douglass, the Environment Agency's Exec Director for Flood and Coastal Risk Management as they explore how the Environment Agency are helping communities prepare to adapt and be resilient to the impacts of climate change and more frequent and severe flooding events. Our guest interview is the Special Envoy f...
Healthy Rivers
April 20, 2022 06:00 - 43 minutes - 39.6 MBA full transcript of this episode is available to provide wider accessibility to the content of the pod. Planet Possible is sponsored by Binnies - find out more at binnies.com
What's possible? A pre-season audio special
April 06, 2022 05:00 - 7 minutes - 7.15 MBSeason 3 of Planet Possible launches on the 20th April! in this final pre-season audio special, find out what some of our previous and future guests think is possible for our planet over the next ten years.
The Magic Wand - Pre- Season Audio Special
March 22, 2022 13:09 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBWhat would you do for the environment if you had a magic wand? We look back in this pre-season special on what some of our guests would do.
Pre-season audio special - Al & Niki reflections
March 09, 2022 21:10 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MBLet's talk WEM will be back soon for Season 3 with some superb guests and a new name! Moving forward you'll find us if you search for Planet Possible - but don't worry, subscribe and your podcast player will automatically pick up the new season. Until then, enjoy this series of shorter audio specials...
Pre-Season Audio Special with Mike Wheeler
February 23, 2022 07:00 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBThis audio was recorded as part of the first WEM Pride online event, for members of the Water and Environmental Management LGBTQ+ community and their allies who would like to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues in the WEM sector. WEM Pride provides LGBTQ+ people a safe space to share stories to support their community and increase education on the importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the WEM sector. Speakers aim to focus on how far we’ve come in the WEM world in relation to LGBTQ+ issues, ...
Some of the best bits from Season 2
December 16, 2021 19:24 - 6 minutes - 5.86 MBThanks to our Season 2 Sponsor - Thames Water - for helping us to bring Let's talk WEM to you.
Social Prescribing
November 18, 2021 07:00 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBJoin Niki and her co-host Maya Butler from Natural England and guest Stephanie Smith from Bradford University Teaching Hospital as they explore green and blue social prescribing. What is it, how does it work and why should water and environment professionals think about in their work?
Nature Based Solutions
October 28, 2021 06:00 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBJoin Niki and her co-host and Environment Agency Chair, Emma Howard-Boyd as they explore the topic of Nature Based Solutions. Hear reflections from Beccy Speight, CEO of the RSPB on the importance of working with nature in tackling both the biodiversity and climate crisis and what more we can do to accelerate progress towards these types of solutions.
Greening Cities
October 14, 2021 05:30 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBJoin Niki and her co-host, Anusha Shah, Director of Resilient Cities at Arcadis as they explore how green our cities are - and what's possible. Hear from Dusty Gedge, President of the European Federation of Green Roofs and passionate environmentalist who's mapped all of the green roof potential in London about what he sees are the ways forward to change our citiscapes globally.
COP26
September 22, 2021 05:00 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBJoin Niki Roach as she speaks with Chris Stark, CEO of the Climate Change Committee (CCC). The CCC advise the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and to report to Parliament on progress made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change. We hear what Chris thinks a 'good COP' will look like and his hopes and expectations for COP26 in his home city of Glasgow. Niki's co-host for this episode is Dr Mark Fletcher, the Global...
COP15
September 01, 2021 04:30 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBJoin CIWEM President Niki Roach and her co-host Richard Benwell as they talk about COP - but maybe not the one you'd expect! We interview Craig Bennett, the CEO of The Wildlife Trusts and hear his reflections on how COVID and the nature emergency are linked, our current progress on the nature emergency and what a successful COP15 looks like.
Climate
June 09, 2021 17:03 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MBAre our schools ready to adapt to climate change? How do we engage children about the future of the planet without overwhelming them? Join CIWEM President Niki Roach and her co-host Baroness Brown as they discuss the challenges facing schools as they tackle climate change adaptation and resilience both in the classroom and the fabric of school buildings. Season 2 kicks off with a fantastic line up of guests connecting the water & environment sector and education. Lesley McKay, Headteache...
A few of the best bits
May 21, 2021 08:05 - 4 minutes - 4.08 MBWe've reached the end of Season 1 of Let's talk WEM! Hear a few of our highlights from the compelling, authentic stories that our guests have shared with us and if you missed any episodes then grab a cuppa/ take the dog for a walk/ find your podcast listening spot and dive back into Season 1, before Season 2 gets started! Thanks to our Season 1 sponsor Yorkshire Water for enabling us to bring Let's talk WEM to life. If you'd like to get in touch to be involved with Let's talk WEM or to sp...
Demand
May 05, 2021 06:00 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBJoin Niki Roach as she speaks with key opinion formers and decision-makers from the UK on the topic of reducing our demand for water. This extended final episode of Season 1 tackles the tricky topics of compulsory metering and explores what our other options are to reduce demand for water. We hear what approaches are being taken globally and share what the current situation is like in the UK. As part of CIWEM's ongoing advocacy work, Niki spoke with Rebecca Pow MP, Parliamentary Under-Sec...
WASH (WAter, Sanitation & Hygiene)
March 22, 2021 06:00 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MBCelebrating World Water Day and it's theme of Valuing Water, join CIWEM President Niki Roach as she interviews WaterAid's Country Director, Tripti Rai to explore the water, sanitation and hygiene situation in Nepal. Tripti expains how an innovative partnership with Anglian Water in the UK has led to more than just skills sharing on the ground. Niki's co-host for this episode is Neil Dewis, Chair of WaterAid in Yorkshire and Director of Water Service Delivery for Yorkshire Water. Neil offe...
Resilience
March 02, 2021 01:00 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBJoin CIWEM President Niki Roach and her guest Co-Host Liam Foster from WSP New Zealand as they hear from Catherine Wright and Oliver Harmar of the Environment Agency in England to explore the topic of resilience. Our guests share their experience of major flooding incidents in England in 2019 and how they applied lessons learned to managing Storm Christoph in early 2021. Liam and Niki explore how the approach compares to water management in New Zealand - Aotearoa and what we can learn from...
Pride
February 09, 2021 22:12 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MBJoin CIWEM President Niki Roach and her guest Co-Host & CEO of British Water, Lila Thompson as they hear from the founders of Pride in Water, Jacquie Moon and Brendan Moore. Our guests share their stories of being part of the LGBTQ+ community and their experiences within the Australian water sector. We explore why they set up Pride in Water at Yarra Valley Water in Melbourne and how this initiative is now expanding Australia-wide.
Flooding
January 25, 2021 18:57 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBJoin Niki for a virtual tour of Hull in East Yorkshire with her tour guide and Living with Water’s General Manager, Lee Pitcher. They’ll be joined by Ben Wallis, Kate MacDonald and Martin Budd to explore how the city has recovered after the devastating 2007 floods and how the special Living with Water partnership is helping people move from fearing to thriving around water.
Advocacy
December 16, 2020 05:00 - 34 minutes - 31.2 MBThe science and art of influence. Niki's special guest co-host is Barbara, Baroness Young Of Old Scone, plus her big interview is with Jake Rigg of Affinity Water and Alastair Chisholm from CIWEM. Join them to hear why advocacy is even necessary in the water and environment sector, hear first hand examples of advocacy in action and listen to their top tips for getting advocacy right.
Series Trailer
December 08, 2020 11:39 - 2 minutes - 2.27 MBPresident of CIWEM Niki Roach introduces a brand new podcast series - 'Let's Talk WEM', supported by Yorkshire Water. Listen to this trailer to find out more.
Let's Talk WEM Series Trailer
December 08, 2020 11:39 - 2 minutes - 2.27 MBPresident of CIWEM Niki Roach introduces a brand new podcast series - 'Let's Talk WEM', supported by Yorkshire Water. Listen to this trailer to find out more.