My Favourite Environmental Podcasts
Podcasts are a perfect way to learn about the world, but with so many science and environmental podcasts out there, it can feel overwhelming. I've chosen my favourite podcasts I listen to on the go or at work to help pass time and understand what is happening in our world.
Still TBD — Matt Ferrell
Matt Ferrell the producer of Undecided with Matt Ferrell's co-hosts Still, TBD. Videos are released weekly on his YouTube channel and the podcast. The podcast discusses the themes raised in the prior video, discussing comments from the audience. Each episode is 20–30 minutes, except featured interviews normally, allowing you to follow along easily. While the video does help with understanding the podcast, it is not strictly necessary. Matt and his brother have covered a wide selection of technological advances to help our transition to a cleaner world.
The Rewild Podcast
The Rewild podcast is hosted by James Shooter, who, for the last 10 years, has been working for a rewilding charity in the Highlands of Scotland. Through books, articles, and documentary films, James has been helping to tell stories from the natural world.
James teamed up with Rewilding Europe to produce The Rewild Podcast, where he travelled across the continent, shining a light on the passionate people and inspiring initiatives fighting back for nature. Each episode of Rewilding Europe lasts 40 minutes, with full-text transcripts available for each episode helping you revisit any missed information.
In the first episode, James went to the Affric highlands, where he spoke about a study from 2021. This study found that Scotland ranked a desperately bad 212 out of 240 countries and territories which were measured for their biodiversity intactness. James also mentioned how native woodland covers just 4% of Scotland. A total woodland cover sits around 18%, meaning more than three quarters is made up of non-native forestry plantations.
Ocean Calls — Euro News
Ocean Calls have started a new series after a prolonged break. The new series consisting of two episodes has looked at the complicated problem of dumped munitions and unexploded bombs in both the Black Sea and the Baltic. The second episode analysed the use of AI helping to uncover the mysteries of the deep sea.
In the past, Euro News has talked about, whether it is OK to eat fish if you love the ocean, can we end ocean plastic pollution, and should we eat wild or farmed salmon?
Buried — BBC Sounds
Wanted a true-crime podcast and an environmental story in one? Buried, by BBC Sounds, has so far uncovered two stories, documenting the horrors that have been conducted. Along the way, the husband, and wife researchers meet a range of people who are committed to seeking justice for the actions that have taken place. In series one we learn how the mafia has been infiltrating our waste, in the second series forever chemicals are centre stage. More specifically, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and how they have impacted our environment and far beyond.
Each podcast episode is around the 15-minute mark, with a new story (series 2) added in June 2024. If you'd prefer to read what the series is about, the BBC has an article that summaries the latest series.
Discontinued/Infrequent Uploads
The Big Green Money Show - BBC Sounds
In this limited podcast, Deborah Meaden (Dragon's Den star known for her eco-friendly business stance) sat down with her co-host and talked to the owners of leading companies. With episodes featuring Unilever, Rolls-Royce, Primark, and Vauxhall, you can see what the CEOs are planning for their business. Alongside these episodes feature what smaller companies are doing for the future. Each episode is around 40 minutes to one hour, with episodes on hydrogen, carbon offsets and Electric Vehicles there is something for anyone. Sadly, the series finished in April 2023, with no follow-up episodes announced.
Call of the Wild - WWF
Call of the Wild is produced by the WWF, (World Wide Fund for Nature) and hosted by Cel Spellman. Cel has discusses what brought people's love of the great outdoors and how their love of the environment changes as they do their job or vice versa. The first episode features David Attenborough, with other guests such as Steve Backshall, Lily Cole and Ellie Goulding. In these episodes, Cel has spoken about technology & nature, food & farming and fast fashion. Episodes feature statistics to help understand the enormity of the problem and raise awareness.
Each podcast episode is around the 30-minute mark; however, there has only been one new episode since April 2023.
