Science
CIWEM
Planet Possible tells the stories of the people paving the way for positive planetary and societal change. Join host Niki Roach as she explores what's possible with practitioners and visionaries working on the big issues like adaptation and resilience to climate change, enhancing our natural environment and improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the environment sector. Everything is connected, follow this series as we explore those connections and discover what's really possible for our planet. Planet Possible is brought to you by CIWEM; a community of environmental professionals creating a more positive world. Season 5 of Planet Possible is sponsored by Accordion - find out more at Accordion.live Not enough time to listen to a full episode? Choose the length of pod to fit the time you have with Accordion by clicking the link above.
Total 59 episodes
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29/02/2024

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 strategic road network and the Environment Agency, the environmental regulator in England.  We explore how we manage these flows and what the future looks like - and of course we’ll offer our guests the Planet Possible magic wand too.Post-interview clarification on behalf of National Highways:”National Highways developed its water runoff risk assessment tool in partnership with the Environment Agency, and it was agreed it was fit for purpose. Similarly, on the M6 J21A-26, seven Vortex Separation Chambers have been installed as part of upgrade work to keep pollutants in check. Along with drainage, these devices use hydrodynamic separation to capture and retain insoluble particles such as silt, hydrocarbons and debris from the surface water systems.” Our 2024 season is supported by Atkins Réalis Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 
52m
06/07/2023

Neurodiversity

*Content warning: This podcast contains brief mentions of experiences around mental ill-health and miscarriage which some listeners may find upsetting.Many different types of neurodivergence exist, and it can be hard to understand what workplace adjustments we can make that will support everyone. What constitutes a reasonable request? Whose responsibility is it? Niki Roach is joined by Lea Nightingale, JBA Consulting & CIEEM; Zoe Brunswick, RSK;  Rai Hastie, The Environment Agency; Francesca Brahmbhatt, CIWEM; and Emily Clarke, Binnies to try to unpick some of those questions and provide tips to help shape a better work environment for all. Harnessing neurodiversity in the workplaceWorkplaces and practices have been designed around neurotypical thinking, but the changes we can make to support neurodivergent thinking make the workplace more supportive for everyone. This podcast explores how we can create more inclusive cultures for neurodivergent colleagues. We also discuss why networks are so important for both employees and employers and how to support these networks in your workplace.Inclusive principles:Learn from those with lived experiences Be an employer of choiceLook for barriers to inclusionDiscuss what reasonable adjustments look likeWhat neurodiversity networks enable:Allow people who face common challenges to come together Sharing of personal stories and ways or working Shaping new policies and HR best practice CIWEM is dedicated to sharing knowledge on neurodiversity, to get involved, please contact Francesca at [email protected] more from CIWEM on neurodiversity below: Work, neurodivergence and me  https://www.ciwem.org/news/work-neurodivergence-and-meCIWEM celebrates neurodiversity within the team: https://www.ciwem.org/news/ciwem-celebrates-neurodiversity-within-the-teamSupport neurodiversity in the workplace: https://rskgroup.com/life-at-rsk/supporting-neurodiversity-in-the-workplace/This special episode of Planet Possible is sponsored by RSK. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 
39m
20/06/2023

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.A fresh water future?You can read more from the conversation in CIWEM's new series, A Fresh Water Future - just click the below.A Fresh Water Future - HomeIn the UK our freshwaters are under stress like never before. Pollution from farming, wastewater and sewage, and impermeable urban surfaces is precipitating a steady decline in our water’s health despite a raft of existing regulation aimed at protecting it.On top of this, climate change is exacerbating these challenges through droughts, floods and extreme weather.The public and politicians are gradually waking up to this. But what can be done? We need food, we need housing, we need infrastructure. But above all we need a healthy environment – with freshwater as its lifeblood – to sustain us.So how do we achieve healthy rivers, lakes and seas and a resilient water system for people?From sewage pollution to flood and drought resilience, A Fresh Water Future is a space for CIWEM research, opinion, interviews and guest features on how we can manage water better in the future.This special episode of Planet Possible is sponsored by Skewb. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 
24m
09/02/2023

Future Generations

With a remit set out in law to be “the guardian of the interests of future generations in Wales”, Sophie Howe is the world’s only Future Generations Commissioner. Her role is to provide advice to the Government and other public bodies in Wales on delivering social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being for current and future generations and assessing and reporting on how they are delivering.Sophie, a mum of five named number five on Radio Four's Woman's Hour's Power List, took up post in 2016 and has led high profile interventions around transport planning, education reform and climate change challenging the Government and others to demonstrate how they are taking account of future generations. Her interventions have secured fundamental changes to land use planning policy, major transport schemes and Government policy on housing – ensuring that decisions taken today are fit for the future. Co-hosted by Alex Sobel MP, Shadow Environment Minister to the UK Government, in this episode we explore the role of the Future Generations Commissioner in Wales, what the plans are for similar roles in the devolved nations of the UK and more broadly, how we consider our future generations through our policy and legislative routes. Hear Sophie's TED talk here - https://www.ted.com/talks/sophie_howe_lessons_on_leaving_the_world_better_than_you_found_it?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare We discuss the Office for Environmental Protection Report - you can read it here - https://www.theoep.org.uk/report/progress-improving-natural-environment-england-20212022This episode has been audio transcribed. Visit PlanetPossible.eco to read the transcript. Credits Presented & Produced by Niki RoachExecutive Producer Andy Taylor - Bwlb LimitedWith thanks to Alastair ChisholmHonorary Executive Producer Jane Boland 
45m