Conservation and Science

What exactly is rewilding? Does it simply mean bringing back wolves, lynx and bears, or is there more to it? Can we balance food production and rural community needs with land left to natural processes and wildlife conservation? To answer these questions, I talk with Ian Parsons, editor of "Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and Misunderstandings", a new book that explores common assumptions and misconceptions about rewilding.

In our discussion, we address aspects of rewilding that are often misunderstood or misinterpreted, sometimes innocently and at other times deliberately or even maliciously. We explore three topics commonly associated with rewilding that often spark heated debate: species reintroductions, community engagement, and the choice between tree planting and natural regeneration. This discussion draws on the collective wisdom of renowned authors who contributed distinct chapters to the book.

In the end, Ian emphasises that rewilding shouldn't remain just another niche concept but needs to be integrated into how we live our lives, from urban planning to politics or even business practices. He challenges the notion that rewilding is anti-rural, arguing instead that it can revitalise rural economies and provide new opportunities for communities. The episode provides valuable insights for anyone interested in conservation, land management and the future of our relationship with nature.

Buy Great Misconceptions: Rewilding Myths and Misunderstandings

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What drives two friends to create a weekly podcast about fly fishing? How do they manage to keep it fresh and engaging week after week? Ireland on the Fly started as Daire's passion project about four years ago, combining his media background with his newfound love for fly fishing. The podcast took on new life when Tom, an experienced angling guide and former Hardy and Grays sales manager, joined the team two and a half years ago.

The show explores the rich culture and history of fly fishing in Ireland, featuring diverse topics from technical fishing advice to environmental issues. Each episode brings unique perspectives through interviews with historians, scientists, and fellow anglers. The hosts maintain a careful balance between practical fishing content and broader environmental concerns, often addressing current issues like the recent Killery Harbour salmon farm escapees, while staying true to their role as custodians of rivers and lakes.

As media veterans, Daire and Tom understand the challenge of keeping environmental content engaging for their audience. They work to find fresh angles on recurring issues like fish kills and salmon farming, while still delivering the practical fishing content their listeners desire. Their approach combines awareness-raising with entertainment, proving that educational content can coexist with engaging storytelling.

Ireland on the Fly

Is the resumption of commercial whaling inevitable? What hidden geopolitical forces are shaping international whale conservation efforts? Let's dive (pun not intended) into the complex world of whale conservation with marine scientist Dr Peter Corkeron. In our conversation, Peter uncovers the surprising connections between military bases, national security, and the fate of the world's largest mammals.

From the history of industrial whaling to the current state of whale populations, our guest provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing whale conservation today. He explains how some whale species are making an impressive comeback while others teeter on the brink of extinction. But the real story goes beyond biology! Learn how US military interests in Japan may be influencing whaling policies, and why anti-whaling efforts that seemed successful for decades may now be faltering.

As commercial whaling threatens to resume, we argue for a new approach to whale protection. We discuss the limitations of current conservation strategies, the complex motivations behind pro-whaling interests and why simply allowing whaling to "fizzle out" is no longer a viable option. Finally, Peter offers his perspective on potential solutions, addressing underlying geopolitical factors and advocating for policy changes to protect whale populations more effectively.

Further reading:

• Losing the Whales: How the Anti-Whaling Narrative Has Failed
• The Return of Whaling
• What US Militarism Has to Do With Japan's Quest to Slaughter More Whales

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Listen to my conversation with John Aitchison from the Coastal Communities Network Scotland to learn about the devastating effects of salmon farming on the marine environment and coastal communities. Toxic waste, pesticides, diseases and parasites are just the tip of the iceberg.

I knew that salmon farming was bad but I didn’t realise quite how bad it really is. Salmon aquaculture creates massive ecological and welfare issues for the fish. Both farmed fish as well as wild fish populations are negatively affected by open-net aquaculture. And that is even before I mention the impacts the industry has on coastal communities. The massive amounts of toxic waste, misuse of pesticides, diseases and spread of parasites that negatively affect wild salmon are just the tip of the iceberg.

To better understand the issues examined in this episode, I talk with John Aitchison. John is an acclaimed wildlife filmmaker but he is also an environmental activist at the Coastal Communities Network Scotland NGO. During our conversation, we take a closer look at the Scottish salmon farming industry. However, the issues we discuss apply equally to Ireland, Norway or anywhere salmon aquaculture is present.

I am pretty sure that after listening to this episode you won’t buy farmed salmon again, which you shouldn’t, or you will at least take a pause and consider your choices.

Cover image courtesy of Corin Smith - Copyright Corin Smith.

Special guests in this episode: Ireland on the Fly

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Mentioned in this episode:

This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.

Ireland on The Fly

I sit down with Tom and Daire from Ireland on the Fly podcast to explore the intersection of angling, conservation, and environmental storytelling. As fellow podcasters focused on outdoor pursuits and environmental issues, we discuss the challenges of balancing technical fishing content with crucial environmental coverage. The conversation delves into how both our shows strive to bridge divides and foster understanding between different stakeholder groups in environmental debates. From salmon farm escapees to the future of recreational fishing, we examine how podcasting can help tackle complex environmental topics while maintaining audience engagement.

Ireland on the Fly

Do you feel climate anxiety? Is it overwhelming you? How do we find peace while being bombarded with dire environmental predictions? In an attempt to answer these questions, I talk with Lynne Sedgmore, a well-known educator, leadership coach, activist and the author of the book "Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety".

To set the scene, we start with a discussion about peaceful but disruptive climate protests. We discuss their effectiveness, the reception by the wider public, and the recent governmental clampdown resulting in excessively long prison sentences for protesters. I also asked Lynne about ways to communicate with older generations about environmental issues. From my observations, it's usually more difficult than with younger people.

During our discussion, Lynne talks about the challenges of immersing herself in climate change literature and the importance of finding a balanced perspective. As in the book, in the podcast we explore the concept of "presence" as a tool for managing anxiety, and how practices like meditation have a calming effect on our nervous systems. Lynne emphasises the need for empathy in climate discussions, even with those holding opposing views.

We finish with a reminder about the value of staying present, rather than getting lost and upset by predictions for the future. This episode offers a unique mix of practical advice and philosophical wisdom for anyone grappling with climate concerns. And if all this sounds interesting to you, buy Lynne's book using the link below. That way, you will also support my work on the podcast.

Buy "Presence Activism: A Profound Antidote to Climate Anxiety"

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The guest featured in this episode paid a nominal guesting fee. This fee did not influence the content of the episode. The guest had no editorial control, did not review the episode before publication, and did not influence the questions asked during the interview.

Tommy’s Outdoors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk

Last week I published a blog post where I set out to answer the question of whether polar bears are facing impending extinction due to climate change or are they, in fact, doing better than ever. Around the time when I was investigating this question, I got in touch with Professor Andrew Derocher from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, who has studied polar bears for over 40 years. He specialises in ecology, conservation, and management of large Arctic mammals with a particular focus on polar bears. So, of course, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to sit down with him for a comprehensive chat about all things polar bears.

During our conversation, we talk about the limiting and regulating factors of polar bear populations. Those include habitat use, predator-prey relationships, the effects of climate change as well as the accumulation of toxic chemicals in the bears' bodies. We also explore the issue of polar bear hybridisation with brown bears and how this might impact their population. We ended our conversation with an attempt to predict the future of polar bears in the rapidly warming world.

You may also be interested in checking out my blog: “Are Polar Bears Going Extinct or Are Their Populations Doing Better Than Ever?”

Finally, you might want to check Andrew’s book: “Polar Bears: A Complete Guide to Their Biology and Behavior”. And, by purchasing it using the link provided, you will help support my work since I receive a tiny commission on each sale made.

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Tommy’s Outdoors is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk

Mentioned in this episode:

This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.

Is scientific publishing broken? How can we make it more accessible and inclusive? And what if peer review could be collaborative and efficient instead of opaque and burdensome? In this episode, we dive into the world of academic publishing with Dr David Green, founder of Stacks Journal. We talk about how the current system is failing researchers and science enthusiasts alike, with over half of all research never getting published and exorbitant costs imposed by a handful of publishers who monopolise the industry.

David describes how Stacks Journal is revolutionising peer review through a community-based, transparent approach that empowers scientists by eliminating gatekeepers, reducing bias, and making publishing affordable. We also explore known issues like the publish or perish culture, resistance to paradigm-shifting ideas, and the impact of AI on academic writing. Finally, we try to answer the question of whether science really progresses one funeral at a time.

This episode offers valuable insights into the changing landscape of scientific publishing. David shares his vision for the future of open access and provides inspiring advice for early-career researchers feeling discouraged by the system. Whether you're a seasoned academic or simply curious about how scientific knowledge advances, this episode is a must-listen.

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The European Commission is deliberating on lowering the protection status of wolves in the EU. It seems like this decision has been taken after the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen’s pony was killed by wolves. Is this really the reason for what many have dubbed “a new European wolf hunt”? To unpack this issue I talked to environmentalists, farmers, top-tier scientists and last but not least, hunters.

Our guests are a wildlife biologist, Professor John Linnell, a goat breeder, Bruno Lecomte, a social scientist, ​​Professor Erica von Essen, an environmentalist, the Head of EU Policy at BirdLife International, Ariel Brunner and, last but not least, the Secretary General of the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation, Dr David Scallan. Special thanks to hunting journalist and blogger Denis Plat for his help in ensuring that opinions from rural France were voiced.

While making this episode I recorded many hours of material and understandably not all of it made it into the episode. If you would be interested in listening to the individual interviews with the guests in this podcast, please click here.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual participants and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any organisation. The participants are expressing their personal opinions and perspectives.

Subscribe to Tommy's Outdoors: Conservation and Science Newsletter

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Recommended Books: tommysoutdoors.com/books

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Mentioned in this episode:

This is the Conservation and Science podcast Replay series, a curated collection of best episodes from last year. If you are new to the show, this is an excellent opportunity to catch up with the most popular episodes from the back catalogue. And if you’re a regular listener, maybe you missed one of those or want to listen to one of them again. Don’t worry! The new episodes are being published on the regular fortnightly schedule, so keep tuning in for the new content every other Tuesday.

Can farming and conservation coexist harmoniously? How can farmers produce high-quality food while protecting biodiversity? Elise Sutton, a passionate conservationist and livestock manager at Cherry Lodge Farm, shares her experience in balancing food production with nature conservation. Elise talks about conservation grazing using English Longhorn cattle on a 650-acre farm that includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest. She explains how this method maintains biodiversity and produces top-quality, grass-fed beef.

We talk about the intricacies of managing a nature-friendly farm, focusing on the importance of soil health, dung beetles, and adaptive grazing techniques. Elise describes how the farm has transitioned from intensive practices to a more holistic approach, integrating livestock with conservation objectives. I also asked about the challenges faced by farmers attempting to adopt more sustainable methods.

Further, our conversation extends to broader topics such as the future of farming, the potential of rewilding, and the importance of connecting habitats across landscapes. Elise offers insights into making nature-friendly farming economically viable through diversification and direct-to-consumer sales. She expresses optimism about the next generation of farmers embracing more environmentally conscious practices while acknowledging the hurdles that still need to be overcome in balancing food production with conservation efforts.

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What are the latest advancements in gene editing for crops? How can genetic engineering help plants withstand climate change? Is genetically modified food safe for consumption? To answer these questions, I talk with Ido Margalit, a co-founder and the CEO of BetterSeeds, a plant genetics company focused exclusively on using genome editing/CRISPR technology for their breeding activities. Ido explains the differences between GMOs and gene editing, highlighting how CRISPR allows for precise modifications without introducing foreign genetic material. He discusses the potential of gene editing to create drought and heat-resistant crops, addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change.

Ido talks about the specific traits his company is developing, such as plants that can reduce water usage by 70% without compromising yield. He explains how these advancements can contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing energy consumption in irrigation and greenhouse temperature regulation. Our conversation also touches on the regulatory landscape for gene-edited crops. Ido notes that many countries treat gene-edited plants similarly to conventionally bred varieties due to their low-risk profile.

We finish discussing the broader implications of climate change for agriculture and the role gene editing can play in ensuring food security. Ido emphasises the safety of gene-edited crops and encourages farmers to embrace this technology as a solution for the future. He also mentions ongoing work to develop an enabling technology that would make CRISPR more accessible and applicable across a wider range of crops, potentially revolutionising plant breeding and agricultural practices.

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The guest featured in this episode paid a nominal guesting fee. This fee did not influence the content of the episode. The guest had no editorial control, did not review the episode before publication, and did not influence the questions asked during the interview.