We talk to Laura Bottin from the Avon Gleaning Network all about the ancient practice of gleaning, which is seeing a resurgence, and how this benefits our mental health while also tackling food poverty and food waste. We even get into the details of different types of pumpkins and which ones are best for cooking! You can find out more about them he…

Chris and Maurice, founders and co-directors of the Friends of Lyncombe Hill Fields, tell us all about the volunteer project to preserve wild space in the centre of Bath - and different mowing techniques, and how local schools have been able to get involved! https://friendsoflyncombehillfields.co.uk/…

We talk to Dr Adrian Cooper, one of the founders of the Felixstowe Community Nature Reserve, a reserve set up by local residents after they got sick of waiting for the government to take action on nature and biodiversity. They've also been carrying out their own Citizen Science and have launched their own Climate Justice Agenda to push for wider ch…

We speak with Levar Jackson, Founder and CEO of Yogh Group, and previous president of NEWH New York, about the exciting scientific developments happening in the hospitality industry to make it more sustainable! We also talk about how to make eco-friendly choices easier for everyone, and why seaweed makes surprisingly good curtain fabric! Find out m…

What do environmental lawyers actually do? How can a company be treated as a person in the court of law? And how can nature actually sit on a company board??? We cover all of this and more with Brontie Ansell from Lawyers For Nature! https://www.lawyersfornature.com/By southgatepenny

We speak to veteran activist, author, podcaster and co-founder of the Transition Network, Rob Hopkins - about the psychology of activism and grassroots organising, and how we collectively imagine a better future to fight for. Rob's website: https://www.robhopkins.net/By southgatepenny

We catch up with the award-winning director and producer of this powerful documentary about the execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa, an anti-Shell activist in Nigeria. The trailer can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhxUpxsSN8M Tickets to the Bristol Independent Film Festival are here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol-independent-film-…

Nohelia joins us to talk all about Easton Community Garden and how anyone can pop along with no commitment! Plus, Kim from Houria tells us about Salha's Sudanese Kitchen. Easton Community Garden: http://eastoncommunitygarden.org.uk/ Sudanese Supper Club tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sudanese-supper-club-fundraiser-tickets-721107400647…

Henry Coleman, one of the organisers of the Planet Local Summit in Bristol this weekend, tells us all about localisation and the role it can play in tackling the climate crisis.By southgatepenny

Last time we heard from local folk who support the controversial proposed Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme - now we hear from Abdihakin Asir as to why other residents in Barton Hill are opposed to it!By southgatepenny

There's a Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme proposed for the Barton Hill and St George areas in East Bristol, and it's proving quite controversial in the community. We hear from locals Rob and Tom who support the scheme - and in a future show very soon we'll be hearing from a local resident opposed to it.…

We catch up with Marian Hill, illustrator and insect enthusiast, all about her project of inspiring both young and old to learn about insects. From school workshops to working with councils, Marian is busy using her artistic talents to teach hundreds if not thousands about these crucial little critters. https://www.buzzandscuttle.com/…

We talk to Deborah and Simon from St Matthews Church in Kingsdown all about their brand new chandelier heating system that's saving them money as well as saving the planet, and is taking the Anglican Church by storm!By southgatepenny

Thomas Doggett comes into the studio to tell us all about the upcoming Great Ant Exhibition, touring the country and coming to Keynsham on 5th August. We find out the role of cotton wool in antkeeping, which ants eat their own wings, and what's really the cause of Flying Ant Day. www.antsonarock.comBy southgatepenny

We speak to Linda Benfield, one of the organisers of the Green Gathering, happening 3rd-6th August 2023 - a long-established off-grid festival of music, workshops, activism, and low-impact living. What on earth is danger bunting, or moon loos?? https://www.greengathering.org.uk/By southgatepenny

We speak to three young people from the Grassroot Activators Programme, a course in Bristol that aims to support young folk from disadvantaged backgrounds, upskill them and connect them with nature. We also visit the Re-Fuse project in Sparks in Broadmead, where schoolkids from St Barnabas are busy doing some hands-on learning all about recycling e…

We talk to visual artist and PhD scientist Chris Perry about his time in the Amazon, his upcoming exhibitions, and the relationship between science and art. Check out Chris' website here: www.cjperryart.comBy southgatepenny

Translation consultant Michael Jemphrey tells us all about the work SIL is doing with speakers of indigenous and minority languages, and how the knowledge passed on through specific words may have a role to play in fighting the climate crisis. BBC Ideas - Can Saving Languages Save Nature? https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/can-saving-languages-save…

Caroline Dennett very publicly quit her contract at Shell a year ago in a video that went viral. This year, she addressed their Executive Committee at the AGM and presented a report on their epic fails in safety performance which she says have contributed to leaks and spills in the Niger Delta, as well as grave impacts on the safety of the workers …

We have two interviews on this week's show! One with Rachel Moffat from Bristol Energy Network, telling us all about community-owned energy as well as projects and tips that can reduce energy and fuel use... ...and another with Katie Clubb from Future Leap, talking about the upcoming Festival of Sustainable Business and how you can get involved.…

We chat with Dr Rosa Vasquez Espinoza all about her work in the Amazon jungle (including the natural phenomena of the Boiling River and stingless bees); science communication; respecting and promoting local knowledge; and what's it's like to be an indigenous woman in this field! Dr Espinoza's website: https://www.rosavespinoza.com/…

We have two more interviews this week: firstly speaking to Steve Woods, local litter-fighting legend, all about flytipping, why it's a problem, and how to tackle it. We then hear from Anneka from the Pernambuco Group - a new strings collective raising support for Trees of Music, and the endangered Brazilian pernambuco trees that provide the beautif…

We have not one but two interviews this week! The first is with Danica Priest, who is part of the Friends of the Western Slopes - a group of residents who ran an inspiring successful campaign to stop valuable meadowland being built on - and who may have discovered a brand new greenfly in the process! The second is with Rich Felgate, a journalist wh…

We hear from Miriam all about sonification - the process of turning climate data into sonic artwork - and chat about her recent project Bristol Burning, which does this with air quality data from St Paul's. We also catch up with all the climate news headlines and look at a foraging handbook which can help you identify edible food out in the wild!…

Dougal joins us as we catch up on the news around the elections, the arrests that happened at the coronation, and what's next for Brislington Meadows! We also find out all about the Bristol Postcode Wildlife Groups where you can share your observations of local wildlife, and the iNaturalist app where you can record them and share them with the worl…

We speak with Zoe from Sustrans all about active travel in Bristol and nationwide! What are the barriers that stop us walking and cycling more? Should new housing developments have off-road parking? Which is the best (and worst) nation in the UK for active travel? As always, we also cover the environmental news locally, nationally, and internationa…

We speak to Lizzie - an adventurer, activist and author and first woman to paddleboard solo across the English Channel! She tells us all about her endurance paddleboarding, and the Planet Patrol campaign to clean up our waterways using citizen science! https://planetpatrol.co/By southgatepenny

We talk to Heather Mack from Avon Needs Trees all about their project to plant thousands of new trees and how people can get involved; and speak to Eve Woods, director of the documentary 'The Felling', which tells the story of how Sheffield residents faced arrest to save thousands of their street trees.…

We have not one, but two interviews this week! One with Philip Cox from Cramele Recas all about a new environmentally-friendly wine bottle, and one with 10-year-old Peggy and her dad Adam about a protest they participated in at St Werburgh's Primary School against car idling!By southgatepenny

Bristol's own cajun band, The Bayou Tapestry, tell us all about their music and the role they play on protest marches; and we get into the debate about the efficacies of different protest tactics! All songs during this podcast created and performed by The Bayou Tapestry and included with their permission.…

Becca and Eva join us in the studio to update us all about the campaign to get Designated Bathing Water Status for Conham River Park & Eastwood Farm Nature Reserve. They've been to the council, created a sewage data dashboard, and held a swimming rave! We also speak to Janis Fry all about her new book on the historical (and sometimes spiritual) imp…

We catch up on local and global climate news; hear from Nigel at Extinction Rebellion about what they feel they've accomplished so far, the lessons they're learning and what their focus is next; and discuss Dale Vince's book 'Manifesto: The Battle for Green Britain'.By southgatepenny

Neil Simpson from Bank Green tells us how we can check if our banks are investing our money in fossil fuels; why it matters; and what easy steps we can take about it. We also check out a new book that's all about flora in one of the most unique biodiverse areas of the UK.By southgatepenny

We speak with Rich Felgate, director of the award-winning documentary 'Finite: The Climate of Change' (in cinemas now) which follows local communities trying to fight back against fossil fuel companies. We also review the book 'The Case for the Green New Deal' by political economist Ann Pettifor.By southgatepenny

We find out from Ed Morrison all about how Roots Allotments is making allotment growing more accessible to more people; as well as talking about the documentary The Seeds of Vandana Shiva and the role seeds have to play in combating the climate crisis.By southgatepenny

We find out what's actually going on with Brislington Meadows. Why do they need saved anyway? We also hear about the film The Oil Machine, being shown at the Cube Microplex on 27th Feb.By southgatepenny

We catch up with Bristol's brand new councillor Patrick McAllister from the Green Party, and review the book 'Hope in the Dark' by Rebecca Solnit.By southgatepenny

We all know that that the same foods - in this case carrots - can taste very different from each other, and that taste is often a guide to its quality. There is a device for measuring the quality of nutrients in foods, and it's called the Brix Refractometer. It's something that each of us could be using at home if we wanted, in our gardens and allo…

Philippa Bayley is the Co-Creator (along with Neville Bayley) of the artistic project living-language-land. The project which was showcased at COP26, uses words from endangered languages that reveal an important element of that people's relationship with the land and with nature. This podcast also features a short piece on Robin Wall Kimmerer's boo…

Part 2 of Bcfm's Earth Week Special! In November 2022 to coincide with COP27, BCfm devoted a week of its programmes to our planet. Lots of programmes took part, and this podcast features some of the highlights. This was first broadcast on One Love One Planet on Tuesday 17th January 2022 at 11am on BCfm Radio. MUSIC Course Ground Main by Marscott Sp…

In November 2022 to coincide with COP27, BCfm devoted a week of its programmes to our planet. Lots of people took part, and this podcast features some of the highlights. This was first broadcast on One Love One Planet on Tuesday 10th January 2022 at 11am on BCfm Radio. INSERTS: Nobby and Jim from Bristol Climate Stories produced by Bristol City Cou…

Diana Warner talks about a defiant act in court, her imprisonment, and the way the criminal justice system is being misused to punish climate activists. Produced and presented by Penny Southgate. This podcast is taken from the live show which was broadcast on Tuesday 13th December 2022 between 11am and midday on BCfm Radio. GUEST: Diana Warner, Ret…

Vassili Papastavrou is one of the co-founders of the Bristol Tree Forum, a campaigning organisation which is fighting to protect Bristol's trees from being cut down. He says the culture within the council needs to change if Bristol is to remain a liveable city. Produced and presented by Penny Southgate. This podcast is taken from the live show whic…

Music has phenomenal power; it can move us profoundly without us even understanding why. It inspires and it unites us. Anneka Sutcliffe, violin teacher, orchestra leader and activist talks about the role of music in activism and how it can help tell the story of the climate emergency and its effect on life on earth. Produced and presented by Penny …

Over the last few years, digital advertising has been steadily increasing throughout Bristol and now BT wants to install 27 more of these energy intensive monoliths on our streets. I talked to the campaign group Adblock about the creeping corporatisation of our cities and their mission to rid the city of their presence. Produced and presented by Pe…

What does the music of magic mushrooms sound like? Alex H Duncan talks about his latest album, Subcubensis, where the music (or at least the composition) is generated by magic mushrooms growing near his father's grave. Once you hear plants, you will never look at them in the same way again. Plus Dr Sarah Robertson gives us a brief glimpse into the …

How would you like to help govern the country, be given a decent salary for two years, and then get your job back afterwards? This is the plan of the Sortition Foundation, to replace the House of Lords with a House of Citizens. Rich Rippin explains all. Produced and presented by Penny Southgate. This podcast is taken from the live show which was br…

Writer Lia Leendertz talks to us about the newly published 2023 Edition of the Almanac: how it began, what it contains, next year's theme, and the artists. These could be collector's items in a few years time! Produced and presented by Penny Southgate. This podcast is taken from the live show which was broadcast on Tuesday 1st November 2022 between…

Produced and presented by Penny Southgate. This podcast is taken from the live show which was broadcast on Tuesday 25th October 2022 between 11am and midday on BCfm Radio. Featuring: Georgia Elliott Smith, Sustainability Consultant and Engineer Chloe Naldrett Theatre Producer and Campaigner CONTENT 20" - Coca Cola Petition to remove company as Spon…

Produced and presented by Penny Southgate. This podcast is taken from the live show which was broadcast on Tuesday 27th September 2022 at 11am on BCfm Radio. What if we were able to spend 99% of our time taking action for the planet, rather than 99% of our time trying to figure out how to do it? This is what Ellie Young wants people to be able to d…