Blue Earth Summit Podcast

Blue Earth Summit

A podcast from the Blue Earth Summit, a movement and community driving positive action for our natural world.  In October 2021, we brought together over 800 changemakers, business leaders, content creators and activists for our inaugural Blue Earth Summit event in Bristol. It involved 2 days of talks, workshops, inspiring conversations and outdoor activities around 3 big ideas:  Living and working sustainably  Protecting our outdoor playgrounds And Inspiring a healthy outlook This podcast shares those ideas with you. In the first series we'll bring you all the best talks and panel discussions from Blue Earth Summit Year 1 at The Old Marble Factory To see filmed versions of all these talks and sign up for Blue Earth Summit 2022 visit blueearthsummit.com read less
BusinessBusiness

Episodes

Why all businesses should consider investing in nature
05-10-2022
Why all businesses should consider investing in nature
“Biodiversity is finally getting a seat at the table.” Lorenzo Curci and Oliver Bolton are the co-founders of Earthly, a platform which helps businesses invest in nature. Alongside their team of entrepreneurs, engineers and scientists, they’ve come up with a world first biodiversity score which helps businesses better understand their impact on the world and gives them the confidence to invest in the right kind of projects. The pair tell host Laura Nesbitt why investing in nature provides so much more than just environmental benefits and discuss why it’s taken so long for governments to recognise that biodiversity needs a place in climate decisions. Plus we hear a sneak peek into what Earthy will be revealing at this year’s Blue Earth Summit.  Follow Earthly on Twitter. Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com  Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter  Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here.
Tom Kay on breaking down barriers to accessing the ocean
30-09-2022
Tom Kay on breaking down barriers to accessing the ocean
“For me, being an able bodied, white, male I don’t have any barriers to accessing the ocean but it’s become clear that not everyone has that opportunity.”  Tom Kay is the founder of Finisterre, a Cornwall-based outdoor clothing brand which designs functional and sustainable products for those that share a love of the sea. Tom has long been committed to protecting the environment and the people that use it so we’re pleased to welcome him as a brand partner at this year’s Blue Earth Summit.  Tom tells host Laura Nesbitt why he’s so passionate about making the ocean accessible to everyone including through their involvement in the seasuit project which worked to create a full-coverage Seasuit and Hijab made from recycled sea waste. He also discusses how his company has evolved in the past twenty years to match consumption habits and how he hopes his business will inspire more people to get involved in protecting our oceans.  Follow Tom on Twitter. Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com  Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter  Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here.
“We can’t continue extracting from the planet.” Gail Bradbrook, Extinction Rebellion
28-09-2022
“We can’t continue extracting from the planet.” Gail Bradbrook, Extinction Rebellion
“This crisis is not something that’s going to happen to somebody else, somewhere else, at some other time.”   Gail Bradbrook is a British activist and co-founder of the environmental social movement Extinction Rebellion. Gail believes that civil disobedience on a large scale can bring about the change that is needed. She explains why she believes we all have a role to play in building a better system and repairing some of the damage humans have caused to our planet.  In a powerful moment between Gail and host Laura Nesbitt, the pair also discuss the worrying theme of “forever chemicals”, which Gail says stay in our bodies and are passed onto babies through the placenta or breast milk.  Follow Gail on Twitter.  Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here.
Hugo Tagholm on what “net-zero” actually means and how to achieve it
24-09-2022
Hugo Tagholm on what “net-zero” actually means and how to achieve it
“We need to make sure this country is truly committed to reducing emissions.”  Hugo Tagholm is a co-founder of the national marine conservation and campaigning charity Surfers Against Sewage. He’s spent the last 14 years taking action from “the beach front to the front benches of Parliament” and mobilising more than 100,000 people to clean up the UK’s beaches and coastlines. Hugo tells host Laura Nesbitt what he believes the UK government needs to be doing to meet its legal obligation for action on climate change. He also spills the tea on what he’ll be talking about at this year’s Blue Earth Summit, plus more about his newest adventure leading Oceana, an organisation dedicated to protecting & restoring the world’s oceans on a global scale. Follow Hugo on Twitter Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here.
Sir Tim Smit on how ‘muscular localism’ could save our planet
21-09-2022
Sir Tim Smit on how ‘muscular localism’ could save our planet
“Despite its bonkersness, I believed other people would want it to come true. That’s how the Eden Project was built. And that’s how we can change the world.” Our guest on the Blue Earth podcast this week is Sir Tim Smit, the co-founder of the Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall. We’re delighted to welcome Tim as a keynote speaker at this year’s summit and in this episode he teases us with what he’ll be talking about when he joins us in October.  He also tells host Laura Nesbitt why he believes muscular localism is the way forward when it comes to creating a healthy, happy planet. He touches on the future of agriculture - plus, why he believes 3D printing could put an end to supply chains.  Follow Tim’s work at the Eden Project on Twitter  Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here
Mike Weeks on the flaws of Environmental Social Governance
07-09-2022
Mike Weeks on the flaws of Environmental Social Governance
Mike Weeks is the lead for global business development at Laconic Infrastructure Partners, an American ESG company that is developing the world’s largest organic regenerative eco-culture projects alongside the company’s proprietary environmental sensing platform, SADAR. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Mike discusses the principle of Environmental Social Governance, including how he believes it’s been hijacked by big companies to make themselves look good - and explains what consumers can do to cut through the potential fake use of the need for ESG activities and governance.  He also tells host Laura Nesbitt about some of the amazing projects he’s working on in Bali, including restoring polluted rice paddies, cleaning river systems and developing a centre of excellence for regenerative agriculture.  Follow Mike on Twitter Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here
Phil Young on race, black history and the power of brands to shape how people think
27-07-2022
Phil Young on race, black history and the power of brands to shape how people think
Phil Young is the founder of outdoor lifestyle agency The Mighty Mighty. If you were around in the mid 90’s you might recognise his voice as the presenter of TV Show Board Stupid which was all about snowboarding. Since then, Phil has worked with some of the biggest outdoor brands in the world to shape the way they reflect our society.  Phil says brands have a huge responsibility to mould how communities and individuals think. He believes they have the power to create social change at a time when trust in our government is at an ‘all time low’.  He speaks to host Laura Nesbitt about race, black history and authentic representation when it comes to promoting the great outdoors to everyone. He also discusses his own love of the outdoors and the power of community groups.  Learn more about Phil’s work with The Mighty Mighty here.    Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here
The gin distiller working to protect our oceans - Xavier Baker
06-07-2022
The gin distiller working to protect our oceans - Xavier Baker
This week on the podcast we hear from Xavier Baker, the Co-founder of the Isle of Wight Distillery - the home of Mermaid Gin, a proud sponsor of this year’s Blue Earth Summit.  Xav grew up on the Isle of Wight surrounded by the ocean and his love of the sea has travelled with him into adulthood. He tells host Laura why he’s so passionate about protecting his island home and the work he’s doing to make his business as sustainable as possible. He also discusses some of the challenges that go hand-in-hand with trying to create a plastic-free business.  We also hear about Xav’s plans to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic unsupported, to raise awareness about ocean pollution and raise money for marine-focused environmental charities. Links  Learn more about Dan’s work with Brandwave here Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram ___ What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here
The importance of cross-industry collaboration and total authenticity with Dan Macaulay
29-06-2022
The importance of cross-industry collaboration and total authenticity with Dan Macaulay
Dan Macaulay is the founder and CEO at Brandwave, a sports marketing agency based in the South West of England. Dan grew up in Ireland, surrounded by some of the best surfing and windsurfing conditions in the world and spent much of his youth on the water teaching and competing in windsurfing.  He tells host Laura Nesbit how he became the European Marketing Director for O’Neill before working on huge sporting campaigns for the likes of Adidas, BMW and The North Face. We also hear from Dan about some of the challenges brands face today in getting their message across in an authentic way, why he believes many outdoor brands are behind when it comes to sustainability and why he’s so passionate about sport being used as a catalyst for social change. Dan is also a proud ambassador of the Blue Earth Summit and tells us what that means for him. Links  Follow Xavier on Twitter Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram ___ What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here
Harnessing the outdoors for health with Maxwell Ayamba
15-06-2022
Harnessing the outdoors for health with Maxwell Ayamba
Maxwell Ayamba is a journalist, academic and long-standing champion of countryside access for minority communities. In 1996, Maxwell arrived in the UK from Ghana after being awarded a scholarship to study journalism at Cardiff University. He went on to complete his Masters at Sheffield Hallam University and there he stayed as a research academic. In 2004, inspired by wanting to encourage other men to get out there and live a healthier, more active lifestyle, he co-founded the walking group, 100 Black Men Walking for Health (now called Walk4Health Group). Little did he know the impact it would have, it even inspired a play ‘Black Men Walking’ and led him to meet Joanna Lumley as part of her itv series Home Sweet Home. Maxwell’s passion is contagious and his knowledge is seemingly endless, host Laura Nesbitt chats to him about his story, access to the outdoors and gets a lot of book recommendations too! Links Follow Maxwell on Twitter  Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram ___ What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here
The big business conundrum with Richard Walker, MD of Iceland
07-06-2022
The big business conundrum with Richard Walker, MD of Iceland
Given the choice, most of us would opt for a relatively easy life pathway and if your family business was not involved in servicing the needs of the many, then even better. Not so for the Walker family. Not happy with setting up Iceland, Richard’s mum and dad also ran a fish and chip shop Thurs-Sat so when the day job finished, the evening shift began. That work ethic has moved down the tree and after pursuing a career in property away from the family business, Richard made the not-so-easy decision to roll his sleeves up and join the family fray. Iceland has taken a lead position on many issues around business and supply chain sustainability, and this is not done lightly or without controversy. Sticking a head above the parapet always brings fire, but the industry is lazy in general with business and consumers alike quite addicted to plastic. This lead approach from Iceland has moved the widely-accepted, mainstream positions round to Iceland’s way of thinking. Podcast host Laura Nesbitt relates her personal life touch points with Iceland retail and also the prodigious charitable actions by the retailer including with Surfers Against Sewage, Alzheimers Research and Sepsis Awareness. Links Follow Richard on Twitter Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram ___ What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here
Youth, climate and feminism with internationalist Poppy Stowell-Evans
13-05-2022
Youth, climate and feminism with internationalist Poppy Stowell-Evans
At a time when studying for A Levels might be considered the most important moment in your education journey, Poppy is also in the middle of building a serious and high-profile activism career in the fight to highlight and solve climate change. From a young age she has had a strong voice and has naturally put herself forward to speak out about issues that matter. “I’ve always been the one at the front of the class, calling things out, but I think my activism has been rooted in feminism. I’ve always been called bossy or over-opinionated. Someone told me once I’d be more attractive if I was less opinionated. My mum said to me, sit down, google climate change. I learnt that climate justice is social justice and I saw this avenue where once again world leaders, let’s be honest are normally men, were continuing to neglect this fight for social justice.” Poppy is a pupil at Llanwern High School, Newport. She’s an ardent feminist and is a strong advocate for equality, social justice and human rights. She is also a passionate climate change activist and considers herself as an internationalist, believing countries should work together where beneficial. She has been recognised by energy company ScottishPower who compiled the Green Power List ahead of the United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference. The list recognises innovators and leaders in business pioneering positive change. Links Follow Poppy on Twitter and the Youth Climate Ambassadors for Wales Find out more at www.blueearthsummit.com Follow Blue Earth Summit on Twitter Follow Blue Earth Summit on Instagram Follow Laura on Instagram ___ What is the Blue Earth Summit? Blue Earth Summit is a movement. A dynamic mix of communities, redefining how we work and driven by a love for the outdoors. A new way to connect and regenerate our connection to our blue earth. With our eclectic Bristol venue partners the Marble Factory and The Wave, October 2022 will see an extended programme over three days. Two days of inspirational content in central Bristol followed by a final day of activity-led networking at one of Europe’s premier sporting venues. Buy tickets here