9 Sustainability Podcasts To Keep Your Queue Green

Apr 26th

Earlier this week, we shared our tips for how to make your podcasting more sustainable and it’s made us think about all of the podcasts that have taught us about climate, sustainability and being green. Podcasting is such a great medium to discuss climate issues, because it lets people delve into the nuances of such a complex issue. It’s been two years since we last suggested podcasts around the topic of sustainability and climate change, so we thought it was time to offer some up-to-date recommendations to make sure your queue is always green.

OUTRAGE + OPTIMISM

The climate crisis can be an infuriating topic, but there are ways to face it head on. This show shares plenty of anger over the problem, but focuses on solving the climate crisis and remaking the world – hence the name, Outrage + Optimism. Former UN Chief Christiana Figueres is joined by Tom Rivett-Carnac and Paul Dickinson get together weekly to delve into the issues at the forefront of the climate crisis and educate listeners on their power to help solve it. The most recent episode at the time of writing (Microplastics, Transition Plans and the Beginning of the End of the Climate Crisis) also features a piece of music by Cosmo Sheldrake called ‘Soil (feat. Nature)’ which credits Nature as an artist, following the UN’s new Sounds Right initiative to recognise the artistic merit of natural sound. Listen here. 

CLIMATE DECODED

Whilst we can all make changes at individual levels, the work and policy around climate at a national and international level can be hard to penetrate. This is where Climate Decoded comes in, as it exists to make climate science and policy accessible and engaging for everyone. With multiple hosts and a diverse array of guests, the show’s first series delved into some of the biggest aspects of climate policy and communication – such as how journalists communicate the dense information in the The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports. The final episode of the series also acknowledged the personal level of such information, by looking at Climate Anxiety, and how that can help lead policy. Listen here. 

DRILLED, RIGGED AND DAMAGES

What do you get when you pair climate change with true crime? Drilled. Reported and hosted by award-winning journalist Amy Westervelt, Drilled has been delving into the crimes against the climate since 2017. From fossil fuels and tar sands to greenwashing and accountability, Drilled is entertaining, informative and, at times, shocking. If you enjoy (if that’s the right word) this type of investigation,  the other podcasts in the Critical Frequency network have since explored other important climate subjects. Rigged explores how the PR industry helps corporations – including oil companies – shape the world to their own design, and Damages looks at law cases involving the climate crisis.

THE YIKES PODCAST

Speaking of law cases involving climate, since taking the UK Government to court over the climate emergency in 2019, Mikaela Loach has become one of the most influential climate activists in the UK. In The Yikes Podcast, Mikaela and her friend Jo Becker analysed the ‘yikes’ topics of the world without overwhelming themselves or their listeners. From the climate crisis to experiences with activism and racism, the pair offered nuanced and accessible takes on important topics. Unfortunately the show is no longer active but the conversations are still worth revisiting. If you’re missing this show, then you can catch-up with Mikaela via the Working Hard, Hardly Working podcast – she spoke to host Grace Beverly last October on ‘Ep.57 So You Want To Educate Yourself On The Climate Crisis? Start Here with Mikaela Loach’. 

MOTHERS OF INVENTION

Feminism and sustainability? Yes, please! Mothers of Invention is a podcast sharing feminist solutions to the man-made climate change problem. The eclectic lineup of hosts – former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, comedian Maeve Higgins, and series producer and co-host Thimali Kodikara – is matched only by the wide range of guests. The show shifts the focus to the stories of black, brown and indigenous women innovating from the front lines, but it is also packed full of love, laughter, and exceptional storytelling. Sadly it’s been more than three years since the series ended, but the mini episode they left us with is a lovely way to help new listeners find their way into the back-catalogue. Listen here.

SUSTAINABLY INFLUENCED

A permanent fixture in our podcast library is Sustainably Influenced. Hosted by Bianca Foley, the show is part of her bigger Sustainably Influenced project to guide people through the minefield of sustainability. Bianca speaks to sustainability experts about a range of specific topics, from ethical and sustainable jewellery to whether the beauty industry has failed the disabled community. The conversations always bring in aspects of cultural and ethical context, offering a variety of ways to build in sustainable living practices. With more than 120 episodes to get through, we suspect Sustainably Influenced will become a firm favourite for you too! Listen here.

SUSTAINABLE(ISH)

Brought to you by Jen Gale, the Sustainable(ish) podcast has been giving us weekly episodes with barely a break since 2018. The premise of the show, however, is about giving ourselves a bit of a break when it comes to trying to be more sustainable.  Jen talks about sustainable living minus austerity, deprivation, or the need to live off the grid in a yurt. Instead, you can expect engaging conversations, accessible and actionable tips and knowledgeable guests. Sustainable(ish) is the pod for you if you’re ready to make small tweaks to do your part. Listen here.

SUSTAINABABBLE

Fancy a good laugh and learn? Then the Sustainababble archive is well worth checking out. Self-dubbed ‘a funny podcast about the environment, sustainability and all the guff people talk in the name of saving the planet’, the show is hosted by Ol and Dave and features tunes, jokes, and babble brandy in the final episode. With 274 episodes, you’ll be spoilt for choice on topics – you could head to the episode about ‘Liz Truss’ or the one about ‘Poo’. Whatever takes your fancy, the pair are as entertaining as they are educational. Listen here.

THE CLIMATE CONSCIOUS PODCAST

Lastly we have a recommendation from Content is Queen Founder, Imriel Morgan. Imriel shared this show in her list of Climate Pioneers for Earbuds Podcast Collective. The Climate Conscious Podcast amplifies the Caribbean perspective on climate change and sustainable development. Hosted by Derval Barzey, the show was launched on Earth Day four years ago, and also has a number of mini-series that dig into local events and topics in more detail – such as the recent Truth Be Told that looked at A Caribbean Call to Action on Climate and Gender Justice. Listen here.