We look at how the combination of solar; wind and batteries will give us very cheap and nearly unlimited energy.  AI, robotics and autonomous vehicles will change our working lives.  Finally, the threat to our food supply from climate change can be addressed by precision fermentation.  Each of these technologies offers ways to address climate change comprehensively, yet they present a major threat to our lives if we do not take great care. 

The COP 30 being hosted in the Amazon means that world leaders will pay particular attention to highlighting the vital role of Indigenous communities in protecting the rainforest and combating the climate crisis.  Since the beginning of time, they have used their deep knowledge of the forests to harvest them sustainably and protect them.  

On today’s show, our guests, Gabby and Mike, will call on the UK government to demonstrate global leadership at this vital summit by championing Indigenous Peoples.  We will hear from indigenous people themselves about the violence and intimidation they face, and the threats to rainforest biodiversity.  We will examine how the UK government can help by preventing British companies from contributing to rainforest destruction and how the government can promote biodiversity protection at the COP.

Talk is cheap; listening and acting seem to be too difficult.  In 2021, Bristol City Council spent £250,000 on a Citizens Assembly on Climate Change, Transport and Health, but then ignored the recommendations.  In 2024, a representative of the Bristol Green Party said on this radio programme that they were committed to enacting the recommendations. However, by August 2025, Bristol City Council had still not started to do this.     

The Deputy Leader of Bristol City Council is interviewed and challenged on the Council’s failure to act on the recommendations.  We hear from ordinary people about why we need politicians to listen to us, and an expert on what a Citizens' Assembly is. 

We talk to George and Charlotte about their project to fit an Air source Heat Pump, solar panels and a battery to their terraced home – From Retrofit West about the advice they can give and making your home warm on a low budget -  finally, we hear from someone who got a grant to pay all of the costs of retrofitting her home. 

Hear a brief recording from each candidate in the race to become the next Mayor of the West of England combined authority, before the election on 1st May 2025.

How we relate to other animals...Nature, 'wildlife', animal companions, animals who are farmed. What are the stories we are told and tell ourselves about other animals?

This is an interview with Paul Hoggett, who recently wrote a book called Paradise Lost? The Climate Crisis and the Human Condition. He describes climate distress and disavowal, which is when you know about the climate crisis but do not think about it, so you both know about and ignore it. He also discusses climate denial and how some politicians are pushing it.  Finally, he discusses how we can help ourselves with climate distress.    

Featuring composer Benji Bower talking to Anneka Sutcliffe about his album Terra Coda - a Symphonic Love Letter to the Earth.  

‘Terra Coda’ has been a lifelong project for Benji, intertwining exceptional musical depth with his unwavering commitment to pivotal environmental concerns. Conceptually rich, it explores musical, political and environmental dimensions, reflecting Benji’s journey and meticulous attention to detail. The Terra Collective Orchestra boasts an impressive array of experience, having worked for, produced, engineered or toured with renowned artists such as The Heritage Orchestra, Portishead, Bonobo, PJ Harvey, Massive Attack, This Is The Kit, Alice Russell, Anoushka Shankar, Peter Gabriel, Elbow, Madness, John Rutter, Sam Cooke, John Williams, Cinematic Orchestra, Paraorchestra and many more. The collective debuted in May 2022 with a three-night residency in Bristol at “The Mount Without”, part of the Mayfest Arts Festival. This residency, featuring 50 orchestra members, sold out every night with 200-250 attendees. Following this success, they performed at the Falmouth Arts Festival, delivering two sold-out shows for 300 people each night, again with 50 performers.

https://benjibower.bandcamp.com/album/terra-coda

MUSIC:

Extracts from Terra Coda performed by the Terra Coda Collective Orchestra

7'13" Leviathan featuring Harriet Riley

17'50 Descent featuring Melanie Marshall

27'44 Sylvan

Our Earth Week Special - How can we as individuals contribute to reducing carbon emissions?  Sangeeta Dewan and Penny Southgate talk about the different levels of action we can take, from making small practical changes, to bigger levers such as voting and where we put our money, and finally to the more fundamental shifts in the way we think about the world. 

Music: Rainy Eyes - produced by Tom Southgate

As part of this year's Our Earth Week, Charlie Morris from BCfm's Saturday Edition show talks to composer David Adams about the Bozarts World's End Poetry Competition 2024, inviting people to craft climate change-inspired poetry to one of two iconic melodies. 

David Adams creates, produces and manages projects under the Bozarts umbrella.  Based in Bristol UK, Bozarts is a collective of leading live performance and creative artists assembled and directed by David.  The Bozarts team is available for performances and concerts, education workshops and sessions, outreach programmes, concert programme and event design.

Poetry Competition: https://www.bozarts.co.uk/worldsendpoetrycompetition

Music: extracts from Holst's The Planets Jupiter (I Vow To Thee My Country), performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras, and the Third Mode Melody by Thomas Tallis. 

Saturday Edition: https://www.bcfmradio.com/show/saturday-edition

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