Our fast-moving world throws up continual challenges; genetic modification is among the latest, and we continually need to contend with the rights and wrongs of Artificial Intelligence. Setting limits is a key part of modern life: not everything that can be done, should be done. In respect of climate change, western democracies struggled hard to set limits in the first place; but they have found it even harder to maintain a consistent focus when political allegiances change. Environmental degradation is particularly threatened by such oscillations. Background music: 'People Watching' by Sir Cubworth
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Original Broadcast: Thought for the Week
Climate change deniers may be in the hot seat across the Atlantic, but there is still a real determination to tackle global warming here in the United Kingdom. Harnessing sunlight is at the heart of new initiatives to build on the natural process of photosynthesis: much better that attempting to tamper with the atmosphere to dim sunlight. Meanwhile tidal flow generation has already given us a very reliable source of power generation — could tidal rise and fall bring us yet more benefit from the Moon's orbit of the Earth? Background music: 'Solar Power' Ashley Shadow
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Original Broadcast: Modern Mindset
Adam Cox is joined by Emilio Rimini, Director at The Green Company, to discuss new research which suggests mixed feelings amongst the British public when it comes to maintaining environmentally conscious shopping habits during a cost-of-living crisis. Emilio explains the misconceptions around budget shopping in an environmentally friendly way and provides tips on how to be more environmentally conscious when shopping. https://www.thegreencompany.online/
Guests: Emilio Rimini
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Dire warnings about the damage from climate change, plus the war in Ukraine, mean that we need to wean ourselves quickly off fossil fuels. However the investment markets are very slow in re-aligning opportunities in quoted investment markets: personal investors need to be able to invest in massive renewable energy projects such as Xlinks, but private equity and institutions have got in there first. We need a thorough overhaul of the investable energy sector to provide socially acceptable alternatives to fossil fuels. Background music: 'Boundless Energy' by Nate Blaze
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Lord Rees, Astronomer Royal and former Master of Trinity College Cambridge, has just published a new book called ‘If Science is to Save Us’, which he discussed at a Topos Institute seminar at the Royal Society in London on Wednesday 27th September. Our 'Thought' for this week reflects on his analysis of the mega-challenges which confront us, picking up links to commentaries on his themes which we have provided over recent years, and which are accessible from the website commentary link below. Background music: 'Ether Oar' by The Whole Other Share Radio webpage for links: https://www.shareradio.co.uk/thinkingaloud/newsletters/comment-wc-2022-10-03/
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It's fair to say environmental issues have moved to the forefront of the agenda in recent times. This week, editor Simon Lambert, assistant editor Lee Boyce and host Georgie Frost take a look at potential changes you can make to help the pound in your pocket turn a little greener. Simon explains his rallying cry for us to be his acronym 'Layby' rather than being labelled 'Nimbys'. Layby – or look after your back yard – is a movement to look after the country we live in. When it comes to investing, there is a growing movement where savers who want to combat climate change invest a small amount of money in the very companies eco-activists traditionally rally against, such as fossil fuel giants Shell and BP – so why? What can you do to be a more eco-friendly tourist? And finally… it's hard enough trying to predict how rapidly a normal car will depreciate, but estimating the loss of value of an electric vehicle is a whole other ball game. We reveal all.
Guests: Lee Boyce,Simon Lambert
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The high street, once a popular choice for shoppers, has faced many changes in recent years. The increase of online shopping is a clear indicator, as 1 in 3 of us will exclusively use the internet to shop this Christmas. Annette Picardo, Managing Director in the UK for Etsy, explains how people are moving towards a more mindful and conscious way of shopping. New independent research finds that people feel happier when supporting their local community and local businesses.
Guests: Annette Picardo
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Adam talks to Anthony Coumbe, Senior Environment Manager for the HS2 – the UK’s largest ever infrastructure project, about why making environmental concerns a priority are so crucial to the process. They discuss how communities have been involved in environmental decisions and how animals, trees and organisms unique to specific towns and areas are being fully considered throughout construction.
Guests: Anthony Coumbe
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Adam Cox leads a discussion into whether banks actually meet our psychological and emotional needs. Banking has experienced a shake-up, a rapid evolution since the credit crunch, and open banking is set to enhance that even more. Will modern banks tap into our human needs? Joining the show to further discuss these questions and more is Rich Wagner, CEO of Cashplus, one of the newest banks entering the UK market.
Guests: Rich Wagner
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Last month the Co-operative Bank put itself up for sale because it hasn't managed to improve its finances in the way it needs to. There's no immediate threat to the Co-op Bank, and the The Co-operative Bank has been at pains to say that it is not abandoning its principles. It was and is the first - and only - high street bank to have an ethical policy. But what is the future for the bank and what are the alternatives if you want to bank somewhere that does have some principles. Sarah Pennells was joined in the studio by founder of Fairer Finance James Daley, Anthony Elliot from the Fair Banking Foundation and Huw Davies, Head of Retail Banking at Triodos Bank.
Guests: James Daley,Huw Davies,Antony Elliott
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