Today’s show may sound much the same, but producing it was much, much different. We all get so much out of doing The Sustainable Hour that when our radio station The Pulse shut down on Monday, we were determined to continue to get The Hour to air.

Zoom came to the rescue. 

Last year, Mik spoke at conferences and seminars of the role that the London railway tunnels, which doubled up as air raid shelters during the Battle of Britain, played in firming the British people’s resolve to not give in to Hitler’s constant bombing by planes through the nights. While sitting in these tunnels, they came together, supported each other and planned what to do when they went home again. Richard Overy, a professor of history at University of Exeter, noted that “British society became in many ways strengthened by the blitz, and more, rather than less, determined to stay the course.”

Zoom really has the potential to play this role as our modern-day ‘tunnel’, as we chart our course through the Covid19 crisis.

As usual we start with Colin Mockett joining us – this time for a general discussion around the impact that the Covid19 virus pandemic. Four of us each in a separate location chatting away as if we were in the same room. We know right from the start of the hour that Zoom will be the way to go while we don’t have access to our FM radio climate bunker in Geelong.

Our first guest is Joseph Barnes-Hill from Save for the Planet. Joe has teamed up with Dave Maher and Elly Tucker from Ecosystems Restoration Camps – a group we’ve featured before. Ecosystems Restoration Camps have big plans to establish on-ground regenerative farming teaching and learning places where people can come and get hands-on experience using regenerative farming techniques.

Joe uses his experience in the solar industry as well as his tree planting business to help raise the necessary finances to get the camps up and running. Exciting times for these guys – so much potential to play a huge role in helping us navigate the climate emergency we are already facing.

We then hear from Peter Andrews, the Australian father of restoring ecosystems who explains what we need to do – plus expresses his frustration at the slow uptake of his ideas. He also explains the science which fortifies his work. The importance that plants play in regulating rain in these times when droughts have a firm grasp of much of our country.  

Our first zoom-edition of The Sustainable Hour concludes with Jackie Matthews excitedly explaining how she is going to home school her kids while they aren’t able to go to school. This starts a spirited discussion on the use of technology like Zoom and Skype to provide endless possibilities for people to learn and interact while in self-isolation.

We hope that you enjoy the show as much as we did in putting it together...