Planet Possible

Andy Taylor, Niki Roach

Planet Possible gets behind the headlines and straight to the facts of global environmental issues.

Join host Niki Roach as she meets practitioners and visionaries working on the big issues in water, nature and climate change - and finds out what they would make possible with the Planet Possible Magic Wand!

Planet Possible is brought to you by CIWEM; a community of environmental professionals creating a more positive world.

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111 episodes
Updated Thursday

Episodes111

Newest first

Jul 19, 2024 · 15 min
New! MiniPod July (Draft Determination, King's Speech and Sustainable Homes)
Welcome to our first MiniPod! It's an extra once-a-month update episode that will react to current events in water, climate and nature. It's a MiniPod because it'll only take about 15 minutes of your time.. and it means you get a Planet Possible episode every two weeks. Each mini pod I will be joined by an environmental expert guest and together we will discuss 3 key current talking points that will keep you bang up-to-date with the latest planet positive developments.
Jul 3, 2024 · 43 min
The Thames: Campaigners and Company Have Their Say
England's longest river. The UK's biggest water company. What standards are acceptable? What does the cleanliness of England's longest river say about the debate around river quality the role of the UK's biggest water company, Thames Water? This episode aims to find out by telling two sides of the story - what the campaigners say... and what the company itself says.
May 30, 2024 · 29 min
What the Next Government Should Do for Water and the Environment
CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm and host Niki pick their 3 wishes (well, 4) for the next government in terms of water and environment
Apr 25, 2024 · 36 min
Activism
Can you be an activist and an environmental professional? How do we tackle eco-anxiety, especially for the next generation and is activism be something everyone can get involved in? In today’s episode we’re exploring the role that activism plays in driving positive environmental and climate outcomes. Increasingly we’re seeing and hearing individuals and groups looking to drive faster action on slowing th
Mar 28, 2024 · 41 min
Bioresources
We're exploring the topic of bioresources - sometimes called sewage sludge - and our interview is with Georgia Elliot-Smith, who's heading up 'Fighting Dirty' - a campaign to ensure environmental regulation around sewage sludge - last updated in 1989 in England and Wales - remains effective. Niki's co-host is the Director of Innovation & Delivery at CIWEM and supported the creation of the National Biosolids Strategy in 2023 - Paul Shaffer.
Feb 29, 2024 · 52 min
Highway Runoff
The water that runs off our traffic-filled roads ends up in our rivers, but we know little about it, it's hardly monitored and improving the quality of that runoff is a huge task. Join us for this special episode of Planet Possible in collaboration with Watershed Investigations as we dig into the realities of highway runoff . We’re joined from the front line by Jo Bradley from Stormwater Shepherds as she carries out water quality testing and hear from both National Highways, who own the strate
Jan 19, 2024 · 41 min
Flood Ready?
Are you flood ready? How do you find out if your home is at risk of flooding? What can you do to protect your home and if water does suddenly come through your door, what should you do next? With much of England and Scotland experiencing rainfall 70% above average for December, flooding has impacted thousands of homes and businesses. Join Niki and her co-host and Environment Agency Environment Manager, Ian Withers as they explore the role of the EA in flood forecasting, warning and operational
Dec 20, 2023 · 37 min
COP28
2023 is set to be the hottest year on record with temperatures 1.4 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average and sea surface temperatures for the polar oceans reaching almost 21 degrees C in October. In recent years we’ve seen the climate COPs making headline news - so what was it like to attend COP28, how significant were the outputs - and how did the paradox of a fossil fuel economy hosting COP hosting a COP play out? Join Niki and her co-host and Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commissio
Nov 23, 2023 · 46 min
Plastic Grass
Join Niki and her co-host Dr Chloe Sutcliffe of the Royal Horticultural Society as they explore the often controversial topic of plastic grass. Hear from Professor Ross Cameron who recently called for a “radical changes” in the way we think about our gardens.
Oct 20, 2023 · 35 min
How To Fix The UK Water Sector
CIWEM Director of Policy Al Chisholm and host Niki Roach put the UK water sector to rights.
Sep 13, 2023 · 38 min
Nutrient Neutrality
If you’re in the UK you’ll have heard about recent proposed changes to nutrient neutrality. Adding to the wider debate about the health of our rivers across England in particular, we explore the proposed changes & what they could mean for river health. Niki is joined by Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow and the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee who in 2021 put forward the private members bill that kickstarted much of the debate around river health. Dr Gabriel Connor-Streich joins Niki to co-
Aug 22, 2023 · 32 min
Uruguay
Uruguay has been facing the longest drought the country has ever recorded in it’s capital Montevideo, leaving the city almost completely dry and the Paso Severino reservoir, supplying over half the country’s 3.4 millions people, at 2.4% capacity in late June. This is especially fascinating for a country that in 2004 enshrined access to water as a fundamental right in it’s constitution. To help us understand more about how Montevideo got here, what’s happening now and crucially, what lessons can
Jul 6, 2023 · 39 min
Neurodiversity
Would you say you have an inclusive culture for neurodivergent colleagues? This special episode of Planet Possible explores how we can all create better practices and ways of working. Hear first hand stories from Lea Nightingale, JBA Consulting & CIEEM; Zoe Brunswick, RSK; Rai Hastie, The Environment Agency; Francesca Brahmbhatt, CIWEM; and Emily Clarke, Binnies and a panel discussion on the dos and don’ts of managing a neurodiverse workplace with tips for employers and line managers. *C
Jun 20, 2023 · 24 min
A Fresh Water Future?
What does the future of water look like? Do we need a single organisation managing our water catchments and do we need more resources to regulate the quality and quantity of our water? Join the Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, John Curtin and CIWEM's Director of Policy, Alastair Chisholm as we explore these topics - and find out what John's biggest environmental concern is.
May 18, 2023 · 14 min
The WaterUK apology storm
On the day we hear an apology from WaterUK on behalf of the water sector for sewage pollution from storm overflows, we wanted to explore what this really means for customers and the environment and whether there are any unintended consequences. We’re joined by the acting CEO of the Environment Agency John Curtin and Niki’s co-host and CIWEM Director of Policy, Al Chisholm to discuss their reflections.
May 4, 2023 · 46 min
Valuing our land
Join us for the Season Finale of the pod and our first on-location episode! Niki and co-host Alastair Chisholm head to Spains Hall Estate in north Essex to meet Archie Ruggles-Brise and explore some of his innovative approaches to managing the land - and water - across the estate. Listen as we explore the estate, hear about the approaches to natural flood management, agroforestry and topped off with a visit to one of the beaver lodges. Thanks to our season 4 sponsors Skewb for supporting Plan
Apr 13, 2023 · 45 min
The business of climate change
Join Niki and her co-host, Susan Stockwell, Managing Director of Skewb Green, as they explore how business are approaching the challenge of climate change. Our guest interview is with the Rt. Hon John Gummer, Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change and formerly the longest serving Secretary of State for the Environment for UK (1993-97). We explore the legacy of COP27 and what actions we need our Government, businesses and us as individuals to take to adapt and increase our resilie
Mar 23, 2023 · 40 min
Mentors, friends and allies
Join Niki in conversation with Hannah Coogan, Emma Sherburn and Clare Rodgers as they celebrate the role that mentors, friends and allies have played in their careers to date. Find out what advice they'd give to their 21 year old selves and as ever - we pass them the Planet Possible 'magic wand' to see what they'd want to make possible.
Mar 2, 2023 · 40 min
Living with Water - Belfast
What does it take to make a step change to the water environment when so many organisations are responsible for individual parts of it? Join us as Niki speaks to Paddy Brow, Head of the Living with Water Programme for Wastewater Treatment for Northern Ireland Water & find out how they’re tackling some significant pollution challenges in Belfast Lough. This episode is co-hosted by Lee Pitcher, Head of Partnerships for Yorkshire Water and a Board Member for the Living with Water programme in Hul
Feb 9, 2023 · 45 min
Future Generations
Ensuring we think about the needs of future generations is something Sophie Howe has been doing on behalf of the Welsh Government for the past 6 years. As the worlds first Future Generations Commissioner Sophie's remit has been wide ranging, from transport to health, the environment to education. Join Niki and her co-host and Shadow Environment Minister for the UK Government, Alex Sobel MP as they hear Sophie's reflections as she finishes her term and discuss how the UK Government are planning f