A wave of climate action is building across the UK as organisations, researchers, environmental groups and businesses join forces with local councils to tackle the climate crisis where they live. This monthly series will share stories from a research project helping to power that wave by putting climate policy into action on the ground – the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN).
From global negotiations to local action | Jamie Brogan, Simon Moore and Rosanna Harvey-Crawford
In episode six, two special guest hosts report back from COP26 in Glasgow. Jamie Brogan, from Edinburgh Climate Change Institute and Simon Moore, from the University of Leeds, talk to a variety of delegates about the relationship between global negotiations and local level climate action.
Gill Rodrigues from the International SeaKeepers Society explains how global pledges help encourage individuals to take action in their own lives. Glasgow resident Alex Horsburgh gives a local’s perspective, arguing that Glaswegian residents are more open to change than most politicians.
Activists Annwen Thurlow and Daisy Earl discuss the power of local communities to create change, and the importance of centring people in global climate talks.
Actor and musician Keith Bartlett tells his story of co-writing the Mothership Earth Song – a plea from Mother Earth for governments to combat climate change. We hear six different versions of the song, which has now been translated and performed in 25 different languages by female vocalists from around the world.
Bobby Holdbrook from Advanced Bacterial Sciences gives his perspective on the role small businesses can play in the transition to a green economy.
Tracy Irvine from Oasis Hub describes how communities working to protect themselves from flooding can set an example that can be scaled up nationally and across continents. David Richardson discusses a film he’s working on about what he sees as a key issue in the climate crisis, overpopulation.
And finally, Simon wraps up the episode alongside PCAN Associate Rosanna Harvey-Crawford, discussing the ups and downs of their experiences at COP26.
Find out more about the work of the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN) by following us on Twitter @PCANcities or visiting our website: https://www.pcancities.org.uk/
You can follow @JamieBrogan, @Simon_C_Moore and @RoseHCrawford on Twitter.
Credits
Recorded, produced and edited by Simon Moore from the University of Leeds.
Intro and outro music by Lloyd Richards. The Mothership Earth Song was co-written by Keith Bartlett and Paddy Cunneen and the versions included in this episode were performed in English, Greek, Urdu, Indonesian and Turkish.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
20 Oct 2021
Climate action in theory and practice | Candice Howarth, Matt Lane and Amanda Slevin
In episode five Kate and John talk to three members of the PCAN family about their new book ‘Addressing the Climate Crisis: Local action in theory and practice’.
The book is co-edited by Candice Howarth from Grantham Institute at the London School of Economics, Matthew Lane from the University of Edinburgh, and Amanda Slevin from Queens’ University Belfast.
Hear the story and events that inspired the book, and how a team of three academics from different corners of the UK managed to coordinate 35 authors to contribute to this endeavour.
The book offers hope, inspiration and analyses for multi-level climate action, demonstrating how the energy and dynamism of local scales are a powerful resource in turning the tide on climate change.
Join co-hosts Professor John Barry, from Queen’s University Belfast, and Kate Lock, from the University of Leeds, as they delve into this new, open access publication.
Find out more about the work of the Place-based Climate Action Network by following us on Twitter @PCANcities or visiting our website: https://www.pcancities.org.uk/
You can follow @DrCHowarth, @DrAmandaSlevin, @ProfJohnBarry and @KlockworksKate on Twitter.
Download the new open access PCAN book for free online: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-79739-3#toc
Credits
Produced and edited by Simon Moore from the University of Leeds.
Music by Lloyd Richards.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
29 Jun 2021
Belfast climate action | Clare McKeown and Amanda Slevin
In episode four Kate and John catch up with two core members of the Belfast Climate Commission, Clare McKeown, Sustainable Development Manager from Belfast City Council, and Amanda Slevin, PCAN Policy Fellow from Queens University Belfast.
Clare explains what it’s been like to work in close partnership with academics, and outlines the Council’s “absolute commitment” to tackling the climate emergency.
Amanda discusses her involvement in Northern Ireland’s first Climate Change Bill, which is currently making its way through Stormont. And she explains why her activist approach to work gives her the energy to keep pushing for positive change.
Join co-hosts Professor John Barry, from Queen’s University Belfast, and Kate Lock, from the University of Leeds, to hear how climate action is helping to bridge divides across the Irish Sea, in Northern Ireland.
Find out more about the work of the Place-based Climate Action Network by following us on Twitter @PCANcities or visiting our website: https://www.pcancities.org.uk/
You can follow @DrAmandaSlevin, @ProfJohnBarry and @KlockworksKate on Twitter.
Credits
Produced and edited by Simon Moore (@Simon_C_Moore) from the University of Leeds.
Music by Lloyd Richards.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
28 May 2021
Leeds climate action | Andy Gouldson and Polly Cook
In episode three we talk to two key players in the PCAN story, Andy Gouldson, Professor of Environmental Policy at the University of Leeds, and Polly Cook, Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality from Leeds City Council.
Andy set up the independent Leeds Climate Commission in 2017, which works closely with Leeds City Council. The Leeds Commission has led to the formation of ten other climate commissions around the UK, through PCAN, the Place-based Climate Action Network. Andy and Polly have also been instrumental in setting up one of the newest, and largest yet - Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission.
Co-hosts Professor John Barry, from Queen’s University Belfast, and Kate Lock, from the University of Leeds, talk to them about the thinking behind these novel climate partnerships.
Andy discusses some of the ongoing challenges around ensuring the voices of all communities are heard in addressing climate action, and his vision for financial tools that let people invest in a green future for their city.
Polly explains the importance of a climate emergency declaration for the day-to-day work of a council, and describes their attempts to communicate hyper-locally, so people can inspire each other to become more sustainable.
Find out more about the work of the Place-based Climate Action Network by following us on Twitter @PCANcities or visiting our website: https://www.pcancities.org.uk/
You can follow @Andy_Gouldson, @ElsieC51 (Polly Cook), @ProfJohnBarry and @KlockworksKate on Twitter.
Credits
Produced and edited by Simon Moore from the University of Leeds.
Music by Lloyd Richards.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
29 Apr 2021
Edinburgh climate action | Jamie Brogan
In episode two of this series by the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN), meet a co-investigator for the PCAN project, Jamie Brogan, from Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI).
Co-hosts Professor John Barry, from Queen’s University Belfast, and Kate Lock, from the University of Leeds, talk to Jamie about the Edinburgh Climate Commission and his work on the interface between academia and industry.
Jamie explains some of the challenges of launching a climate commission amidst a global pandemic, and their recommendations for a green recovery. He discusses the upcoming opportunity for Edinburgh and Scotland to lead the way as COP26 approaches. Plus, he shares his love of cycling and hill-walking, and of whisky (without the ‘e’).
Find out more about the work of the Place-based Climate Action Network by following us on Twitter @PCANcities or visiting our website: https://www.pcancities.org.uk/
You can follow @JamieBrogan1, @ProfJohnBarry and @KlockworksKate on Twitter.
Credits
Produced and edited by Simon Moore from the University of Leeds.
Music by Lloyd Richards.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
30 Mar 2021
Introducing the PCAN project | Sam Fankhauser
In the first episode of this series by the Place-based Climate Action Network (PCAN), meet the founder of the PCAN research project, Professor Sam Fankhauser, from the University of Oxford (formerly LSE).
Join co-hosts Professor John Barry, from Queen’s University Belfast, and Kate Lock, from the University of Leeds, to find out how the project was born and how it has managed to help drive local climate action across the UK.
Sam, the first Principal Investigator for PCAN, explains how the project has helped to set up climate commissions - collaborations between the public, private and third sectors. He also discusses his route into studying climate change, what keeps him motivated and his love of yoga.
Find out more about the work of the Place-based Climate Action Network by following us on Twitter @PCANcities or visiting our website: https://www.pcancities.org.uk/
You can follow @SamFankhauser, @ProfJohnBarry and @KlockworksKate on Twitter.
Credits
Produced and edited by Simon Moore, from the University of Leeds.
Music by Lloyd Richards.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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