As series 1 of Imagining Tomorrow draws to a close, presenter Emma Newman reflects on the battle against despair and what the podcast has revealed about the entrepreneurs, scientists, innovators and communities she's interviewed. Emma explores the key lessons they've imparted, and whether they're enough to tackle the climate.

Resources:
Research on new onshore wind and solar sites: https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/mapping-england-could-produce-13-times-more-clean-energy

https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/richest-1-emit-much-planet-heating-pollution-two-thirds-humanity

https://policy-practice.oxfam.org/resources/climate-equality-a-planet-for-the-99-621551/

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/government-pulls-defence-cumbria-mine-legal-challenges

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/supreme-court-judgment-horse-hill-oil

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/climate/no-gas-caverns-legal-win-protecting-larne-lough

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/take-action/take-action-join-local-group-groups-website

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Seaweed has long been touted as an important resource in the battle against climate change, thanks to its rapid growth and ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

Inspired by conversations with a community garden group in Scotland and the founder of a company producing sustainable materials from seaweed, Emma Newman imagines a world in which new materials replace plastics and fossil fuels are replaced by different types of biomass, including seaweed.

In episode 9 we heard from:

• Professor Chris Chuck from Kelpi
• Danielle Banks from Seaweed Gardens
• Lewis Hou from Science Ceilidh
• Author Gary L. Powell

Additional resources

Guide to using seaweed as fertiliser [PDF], shared with kind permission by Danielle Banks

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Recent council decisions to cut down trees in Sheffield and Plymouth have prompted outcry from local residents and demonstrated how passionate we can be about preserving trees in urban environments. Research carried out on behalf of Friends of the Earth shows the dramatic impact trees have on bringing down temperatures in urban areas, and calls to increase our woeful tree cover in the UK are gathering momentum.

Inspired by conversations with the CEO of one of the most ambitious rewilding projects in the UK, and a data scientist who specialises in the interpretation of mapping data, Emma Newman imagines a future where trees are valued more in both rural and urban environments and reflects on how that could benefit people and planet.

In this episode we hear from:

• Trees for Life, a charity working to rewild the Scottish Highlands
• Author Justina Robson
• Terra Sulis, a community interest company that uses open data to conduct research and pilot nature-friendly projects

Additional resources

• The relationship between heatwaves and premature births
• First major study examining the link between heat, pollution and premature births
• Urban heat map of the UK
• Woodland opportunity map for England
• Chew Valley Plants Trees

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