Green Queens Podcast

In this episode of Green Queens, Imogen Bhogal and Abbie Dewhurst step into the Carbon Garden at Kew Gardens— a new space designed to show how the carbon cycle, plants, and fungi shape our climate future.With the help of:

🌳 Joe Richomme – Garden Supervisor and project lead of the Carbon Garden

💧 Justin Moat – Senior Research Leader on carbon capture

🌿 Kevin Martin – Head of Tree Collections

They discuss why it’s not just rising temperatures, but water shortages that really put trees at risk, and how fungi beneath our feet quietly act as nature’s hidden carbon heroes. They dive into the curious phenomena of “false autumn” and summer branch drop—signs of trees struggling to cope with stress—and explain why protecting old, established trees matters so much more for storing carbon than planting new ones alone. The conversation also celebrates the benefits of “messy” gardening, showing how leaving leaves, letting grass grow, and embracing natural cycles can boost soil health and biodiversity. Above all, they encourage us to think long-term, with a 200-year vision for the landscapes of the future. Enjoy!

00:00 False Autumn

00:23 Welcome to Green Queens

03:13 A trip to the Carbon Garden

04:00 What is the Carbon Cycle?

04:44 The head of Trees!

05:28 What will it look like in 100 years time?!

07:54 Water, Autumn and Cracking Branches!

10:21 Not capturing carbon?!

11:51 Fungus?!

13:30 Make more mess...

18:36 What to do at Kew?!

21:10 Plant more trees?

23:31 Why bother?

27:20 Big take home

30:28 Thank you and please subscribe (love you bye xx)

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#greenqueenspodcast #carbonfootprint #climateaction #ecoliving #sustainableliving #podcast #sustainability #climatechange #cleanenergy #netzero #climateadaptation #kewgardens #carbon

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Feeling drained by division, fear, and endless doomscrolling? Could community be the antidote to the anxiety of uncertain times? In this episode, Abbie and Imogen dive into the power of local connections, small acts of kindness, and volunteering—showing how these simple, human moments can help us find hope and grounding when the world feels overwhelming.

Follow the full journey on Instagram @green.queens.pod 💚

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In this week’s episode, Abbie and Imogen chat with broadcaster and second-hand fashion extraordinaire Mary Mandefield. Mary shares how her time at Oxfam shaped her mission to tell powerful sustainability stories—and gives us her ultimate guide to the best spots in London for preloved fashion gems!

💚 Notable mentions go to:

🏆 Barge East: https://www.bargeeast.com/

🏆 Traid: https://traid.org.uk/

🏆 Oxfam: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/get-involved/second-hand-september/

🏆 Reloved Again: https://relovedagain.com/collections/new-arrivals

🏆 Shelter: https://www.shelterhelps.com/who-we-are

🏆 Crisis: https://www.crisis.org.uk/

Follow the full journey on Instagram @green.queens.pod 💚

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#greenqueenspodcast #carbonfootprint #climateaction #ecoliving #sustainableliving #podcast #sustainability #climatechange #secondhandseptember #oxfam #sustainablefashion

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New term, new series, the Green Queens are back!!

Join Abbie and Imogen for a whistle stop catch up of their summers in all things sustainability and a sneak peak into what you can expect in series 3!

Sustainable business shoutout: https://wearerepairs.com/

💚 Portugal Part 1 - https://youtu.be/LmZ6rarkBm4

💚 Portugal Part 2 - https://youtu.be/19VKc0TLLnA

💚 Vinted Episode - https://youtu.be/7-zSPLdAjaQ

Follow the full journey on Instagram @green.queens.pod 💚

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As Series 2 wraps up, we wrangled our oversized husbands and pint-sized dogs onto the tiniest of sofas to look back on the Green Queen’s Guest List, gripes and grands plans so far. Sit back, squeeze in, and enjoy!

Follow the full journey on Instagram @green.queens.pod 💚

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🌍 In a world full of climate doomscrolling and greenwashing, Ben & Ciara—the duo behind  @GoingGreenOfficial  are doing something refreshingly different:

They're telling hopeful and solutions-focused stories to a global audience of over 700K across the world.

🎙️ Recorded live during London Climate Action Week in partnership with  @ExtremeHangout  , this Green Queens episode delves into the ins and outs of what makes Going Green Media possible.

✨ In this episode, Imogen, Abbie, Ben, and Ciara chat about:

💚 Turning a passion YouTube channel into a global storytelling platform

💚 The 21M view viral video filmed + edited in just 30 minutes

💚 The art (and integrity) of vetting green brands

💚 Collaborating with the Paris Olympics, The King’s Foundation, and meeting Prince William

💚 Navigating work, love, and logistics as a couple on a mission

💚 Making conscious trade-offs – from chocolate cravings to diesel vans

Follow the full journey on Instagram @green.queens.pod 💚

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#GreenQueensPodcast #carbonfootprint #climateaction #ecoliving #sustainableliving #podcast #sustainability #climatechange

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✈️ vs 🚄: Welcome to part 2 of Imogen and Abbie's slow and low carbon journey to fellow sustainability presenter friend’s (Hi Jess!) wedding in Portugal. There's carbon calculations, train friends, wine friends, a lot of cheese and a truly exceptional wedding, followed by some truly exceptional hangovers. Thank you to  @InterrailEU  for the very kindly gifted Global pass and allowing us to take the scenic route AND lower our carbon footprint. Enjoy!

📍 Part 2: Assumar → Lisbon→ Albuferia via train

👯‍♀️Recommendations:

🚄 Torre De Palma - https://www.torredepalma.com/en

🚄 Kimpton Atlantico Algarve - https://www.ihg.com/kimptonhotels/hotels/us/en/albufeira/faokm/hoteldetail

🚄 Liv Moore Ceremonies - https://www.livmooreceremonies.co.uk/

🚄 Karater Georgian Bistro - Lisbon

🚄 Interrail - https://www.interrail.eu/en/interrail-passes/global-pass

🚄 Fabric Godmother - https://www.fabricgodmother.co.uk/deadstock-dressmaking-fabrics/

Follow the full journey on Instagram @green.queens.pod 💚

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#slowtravel #GreenQueensPodcast #sustainabletravel #interrail #carbonfootprint #climateaction #ecoliving #sustainableliving #ecotravel #train #destinationwedding #podcast #sustainability

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🚨Over 590,000 Sewage Spills in 2024?!

This week on the Green Queens Podcast, we dive into the murky reality of the UK’s sewage crisis with Dani Jordan, Director of Campaigns & Communities at Surfers Against Sewage.

From so-called “exceptional” spills in dry weather to the massive data scandal behind our polluted rivers, Dani unpacks why water companies are still getting away with it—and how surfers, swimmers, and community activists are fighting back.

Dani shares:

🤢Why the UK’s sewage system is still failing

🫶🏼The power of grassroots action

🔬How tools like the Safer Seas & Rivers Service are protecting the public

⌛️What regulators must do next

💧 If you swim, surf, paddle—or just want clean water—have a little listen!

🚨Note: This episode was recorded shortly before the release of Sir John Cunliffe's 465 report which recommended scrapping Ofwat, the economic regulator for the water industry. In response to the report, Giles Bristow, chief executive of SAS, said the review "utterly fails to prioritise public benefit over private profit". Why SaS are calling for more systemic change is discussed in this podcast.

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#GreenQueensPodcast #sustainability #wildswimming #surf #surfersagainstsewage #campaign #climatecampaign #cleanwater #carbonfootprint #climateaction #ecoliving #sustainableliving #podcast #sustainability

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✈️ vs 🚄: In this special two-part episode, Imogen and Abbie slow-travel to a fellow sustainability presenter friend’s (Hi Jess!) wedding in Portugal. Only, they forwent the fast route, swapped out the budget airline for an  @InterrailEU  Global Pass (very kindly gifted! 😌) and took the scenic route.

What started as a plan to reduce their carbon footprint quickly became an odyssey of missed connections, vintage markets, run in with a rogue dog spa, free ice cream, and a whole lot of wine. Was it smooth? Not entirely. Joyful? Abso-bloody-lutely.

📍 Part 1: London → Paris → San Sebastián → Pamplona → Madrid →Assumar via train

👯‍♀️ Recommendations:

🚅 Interrail Global Pass

🚅 MOB House Hotel, Paris

🚅 Bell's Taberna, San Sebastián

🚅 Radical Storage for luggage drop on the go!

🚅 Café Iruña, Pamplona

🚅 Dear Tee, Cafe and Shop, Madrid

Follow the full journey on Instagram @green.queens.pod 💚

🎙️ Part 2: feat. Hangovers and heatwaves — coming soon.

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#slowtravel #GreenQueensPodcast #sustainabletravel #interrail #carbonfootprint #climateaction #ecoliving #sustainableliving #ecotravel #train #destinationwedding #podcast #sustainability

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"Money is not neutral. It’s always doing something. We exist to challenge what a bank should be in society.”

In this episode of Green Queens, Imogen Bhogal and Abbie Dewhurst sit down with Zoe Ruthven, Director of Marketing and Communications at Triodos Bank UK — one of the world’s leading ethical and sustainable banks — to talk about what it means to bank with purpose.

Zoe shares:

💰 Why money is never neutral

💰 How banks have financed trillions in fossil fuels — even after the Paris Agreement

💰 What makes Triodos different from mainstream banks

💰 And how your everyday choices (including your current account) can drive systemic change.

From care homes to Gympanzees, fossil fuel divestment to farming transitions, Zoe delves into how finance can serve people and the planet — not just profit.

💸 TLDR: You don’t have to be rich to make your money matter. We can redefine value — and who gets to create it.

🎧 This episode was recorded live during London Climate Action Week with Extreme Hangout.

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#podcast #sustainability #greenliving #greenqueens #climatechange #LCAW #triodos #banking #sustainablefinance #finance

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