Ecolution

Whilst many of us travel over the Liffey regularly, how often have you considered the life the river itself holds? Today we investigate the magic of the Liffey on a Currach. And connect through time with a man who grew up on its waters in the 60s and a family who now live on its banks at Islandbridge.

In this episode of Ecolution we discuss why now is the perfect time for us to truly act on decarbonisation. We speak with Garry Walsh of Oxfam on the impacts felt on the ground and visit the EcoUnesco YEA’s to hear solutions being put forward by the students of Ireland. Plus, Dublin Bus on going electric.

From kayaking on the Lakes of Killarney to discovering hidden adventures, this episode explores why spending time outdoors matters. Featuring photographer Tadhg O'Brien and Irish Adventures founder Noel O'Leary, we look at how nature can boost our wellbeing and inspire us to protect the places we love.

Did you know that Ireland has the lowest level of tree cover in the whole of Europe? Less than 10% of our landmass is covered in trees with less than one percent made up of native woodlands. This week on Ecolution we meet Hometree, a nature restoration charity working to restore resilient habitats.

Did you know that Ireland has the lowest level of tree cover in the whole of Europe? Less than 10% of our landmass is covered in trees with less than one percent made up of native woodlands. This week on Ecolution we meet Hometree, a nature restoration charity working to restore resilient habitats.

Every year, on the 20th of May we take the time to celebrate one of the most important pollinators the world has. The humble bee. And this year we headed to a spot you wouldn’t immediately associate with bees; a Dublin Bus Garage in Phibsborough. There we met Irwin and Paul, two employees turned volunteer beekeepers.

This week’s Ecolution looks into a really positive nature story; how one keystone species can have a wider impact on the broader ecosystem. Dr Colin Lawton from University of Galway talks about how the resurgence of the pine martin over the past 50 years has led to a flourishing of red squirrels, once badly affected by the invasive greys.

We woke before sunrise in Killarney National Park to experience the dawn chorus — nature’s incredible morning concert. Joined by ecologist Irene Sullivan, we discover why birds sing at dawn, how birds help biodiversity, and what birdsong can tell us about the health of our environment

This week we speak to the brilliant Emily Fairfax PHD, an Ecohydrologist at the University of Minnesota, about her work documenting the lives of one of the most important ecosystem engineers in the world; the beaver. And how she came to help in the making of Pixar’s new film “Hoppers”.

We’re back for Season 6! And for the first episode we spent 2 days with this year’s Climate Ambassadors from the Irish Schools Sustainability Network. A hopeful story of taking climate action into your hands and making a difference where you live.

For our hundredth episode Evie spoke with the unstoppable, inspirational and inimitable Liz Bonnin to hear all about her astounding career as a TV presenter and campaigner bringing the wonders of the natural world to our screens. And Liz answered questions from kids across Ireland.

The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization developing and scaling technologies to rid the oceans of plastic. We spoke with Matthias Egger, their Director of Environmental & Social Affairs about how he became involved, how they work so effectively and why he has hope for the future.

Today we look at two differing approaches to conserving whales in our oceans. Melanie White of Clearwater Marine Research Institute talks about their efforts to document the last remaining Right Whales. And we get on board with Neptune’s Navy to hear about their approach to whale protection.

For this episode we give the reins to BiOrbic's Generation Glas, a youth ambassador programme that helps young people across Ireland to lead the way on climate and the bioeconomy. It’s Run with Foróige and funded by Research Ireland. And we let participants Stella and Megan, plus leader Conor loose to record their experiences.

Today we look at the subject of reuse and mending. Arran Murphy of the Rediscovery Centre heads the ReLove Fashion competition. Nathalie Crowley has been running a Repair cafe at Mud Island Community Garden. And Lucy Buckley is starting a “Library of Things”.

We continue our mini series on Nature in schools with a visit to a park with first class from Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna with Caitriona Kenny and GAP Ireland. Plus we join teachers in Herbert Park with Globe Ireland, finding new ways to talk about the environment.

We travel north to Nuuk in Greenland to speak with Mie S Winding Department Head of the Greenland Climate Research Centre to discuss glaciers, ocean ice and more. Plus we meet Zach Labe, an internationally renowned climate scientist looking to untangle climate change patterns from natural variability, providing clearer insights into climate risks.

This week we head to St Patrick’s Primary School in Curtlestown to visit their outdoor classroom. A place nestled under trees where students connect to nature and even do maths!

Professor Pete Lunn is the founder and head of the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit. A behavioural economist, Pete’s primary research interest is how people make judgements and decisions that affect environmental, financial and health outcomes. Today we discuss the climate crisis to ask why we find it so hard to adapt our behaviours.

Stuart Goldsmith is a comedian who has made the climate crisis the main topic of his standup. We spoke with him about how to communicate your fears, help people be better informed about our environment, and create change from a very different perspective.

Today’s episode is all about Disinformation. Particularly around the climate crisis. We discuss how you tell fact from opinion, media literacy, memes and what exactly an “alternative fact” could be.

Last week saw the Dublin City Finals of Junk Kouture, the sustainable fashion event open to 12-19 year-olds that challenges them to create high end Kouture from recycled Junk. And Ecolution was there to speak with just some of the finalists. Plus, Clodagh Ramsey from Wilson’s Hospital School, their World Designer of the year in 2024

It's Bike week from this Saturday, so the Ecolution team wound our way to the foothills of the Dublin Mountains, St. Colmcille's Senior National School in Knocklyon, to meet some of their students at its launch and ask why cycling means so much to them.

On a sunny morning in Fernhill, third class from Stepaside Educate Together National School stepped into the forest to take part in something called forest bathing. Guided by Orlagh from Forest Bathing Wicklow and Cat from Danu Forest Bathing, the students explored nature in a whole new way - through their senses!

Ecolution is back - and we’re switching off the lights to look to the stars! In this first episode, we head to Wild Nephin National Park in Co. Mayo. A haven for wildlife and a certified Dark Sky Park, it's the perfect place to explore nature after dark. From nocturnal creatures to the Night Owl crew - get ready to go wild… in the dark!

We went along to Eco-Unesco's annual, all-Ireland awards programme that recognizes and rewards young people who raise environmental awareness and improve the environment. And what a huge variety of work we found!

This week we shine a light on those projects that attempt to harness nature in a sustainable way. And the in studio discussion turns to the expansion of our native forests and how ready people are for rewilding. All that before a break to prepare the next series.

We’re back in the bustling hub of the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition at the RDS. Join us for a whistletop tour through the exhibits and also an in studio discussion about the internet, AI and how it can be used for both good and bad in communicating the climate crisis. Part 2 next week.

For the last episode of the season we visit the Oireachtas to witness the historic moment when the Children and Young People's Assembly on Biodiversity Loss presented their 58 recommendations to the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action. True proof of the power we can wield when we work together.

Saoirse Exton plus Students from the ISSN and the Childrens Assembly on Biodiversity loss join Evie to discuss their feelings on COP28 and how we could build a better COP. One that acts fast and represents people equally. As well as offering young people a place at the table.

Nicola Davies is the author of almost 100 books for children and today she speaks with us about her Carnegie Medal-nominated book The Song That Sings Us. And she also speaks about how tackling nature loss and climate change in her books is so vital, the power of using our own voice. And of the reasons why she feels hopeful about the future.

For Science Week we decided to try a super opportunity to take part in some citizen science. First Class students from Taney Parish Primary School in Dundrum, leapt at the chance to visit the World of Soil exhibit in the Airfield Estate to discover just how important the earth beneath us is. And you can play a part too.

This week we head to the banks of the Royal Canal with Connecting Cabra in search of a creature synonymous with Samhain. Bats. And Donna Mullen of Wildlife Surveys Ireland proves that they’re not at all as scary as you might think. And Brian Keeley of Bat Conservation Ireland talks about how we can help them.

Today we step outside Ireland and hear from South America. The home of the Amazon rainforest. Juan David Amaya, a 17-year-old climate justice activist from Colombia. And from Brazil, Chief Tuim Nova Era from the Huni Kui Tribe. Both share a common goal. That all of those most affected by Climate Change be heard and their advice acted upon.

This week we celebrate the efforts made by kids, parents and teachers to start Cycle Buses in their neighbourhoods. We meet two highlighted by An Taisce Green Schools in their hunt for the most active groups getting children safely cycling in convoy. Gaeilscoil na Fuinseoige in Churchtown, and the Knocknacarra Cycle Bus in County Galway.

From flooding to heatwaves and beyond, today we’re trying to make sense of the extreme weather our planet has seen over the past few months. Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick, a research meteorologist and the presenter of the Met Éireann Podcast helps unpick what’s happening, and how human caused climate change is impacting our weather systems.

Earth Rising is a festival of eco related programming showcasing the most exciting innovators in the field of eco citizen science, design & creativity. Ahead of this Autumn’s event, we headed to the Irish Museum of Modern Art to talk with the artists and exhibitors that made the first one so magical.

This week Evie got to chat to a giant amongst us. Dr Jane Goodall, DBE answers kids questions on chimpanzees, Nature loss and all that young people can do. As well as her Roots & Shoots programme. It’s a big episode. You can see the whole interview on youtube too.

Today we look at Ireland’s waterways. We visit the Camac River in Clondalkin with Aileen and Sabrina of Globe Ireland and fourth class from Clonburris NS. Hear from Antoin McDermott of SWAN about the state of our waters. And discuss a tiny creature pushed to the edge of extinction in the River Nore with artist Mary Conroy.

In today’s Ecolution we showcase just some of the many young people taking positive and impactful action on their climate worries; those taking part in the Eco-Unesco Young Environmentalist Awards.

Today we talk money. Who has it and how does it impact on our world? With Sociologist Rory Hearne, doughnut economics expert RoisIn Markham, environmentalist Duncan Stewart, PDST young economist Tom Knoblauch and our brilliant Brain Trust.

We headed to Fenit in Kerry to check out local festival. Wild Mind. Scientists, environmentalists, authors, and artists and locals gathered to talk about our natural world, climate change and how we treat the planet. With environmental campaigner Duncan Stewart, Pádraic Fogarty of the IWT and shark expert Louise Overy.

Season 4 returns with a very important episode. We speak to Prof. Matthew England about his teams' latest findings on changes in the oceans around Antarctica. Plus, we visit Clerihan NS in Tipperary to quiz them on what they know about the icy continent.

It's Earth Day and we're delighted to announce the return of Ecolution! If you haven't already, please like, subscribe and review the show wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps!

We return for the second episode and this time food and farming are on the agenda. We found projects on our attitudes to eating insects, the carbon impact of trawling and more. Plus Evie was joined in studio by by students who have a vested interest in agriculture, living and working on farms with their families.

Evie heads to the RDS to meet the young competitors in the 2023 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. Almost half of the projects dealt with clever solutions to the climate crisis. Too much to cover in one episode so part 2 coming next week. 

Ecolution draws to a close for the season, but not without recognizing all those we’ve met and worked with this year.

Today we speak with George Monbiot, who’s new book Regenesis: Feeding the World without Devouring the Planet is all about the soil beneath our feet. Plus we discuss what it means to grow things with students from Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire.

We posed some tricky questions to four scientists about the climate crisis and the place of scientific research in explaining the issues, while also coming up with solutions to mitigate Global temperature rise. With Phil and Julie from “Let’s Dive In”, Dr Shane McGuinness and Dr Niamh Shaw.

For the 2nd year in a row, the Schools Climate and nature Summit offers all children in Primary and Secondary an opportunity to make friends and start climate awareness and action. It takes place in tandem with COP27. We met some of the children and teachers taking part.