The People's Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast

"I was listening the other day when you were asking about discussion questions, and wondered what you thought about the rise in use of drones? A great tool for agriculture and photography, or a real pest, danger to the public and animals, and an invasion of privacy?" This podcast is about having conversations that need having. It's in a conversational style, with real opinions, real discussions, where we hope to break down the big issues into bite sized chunks. In this episode Stuart and William delve into, investigate, and explore the question above, which was sent in by listener Hedley Thorne, from Oxfordshire, England. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"You’ve been talking a lot about this, but please keep going. The green economic revolution is an illusion! If the hidden values, morels and agendas are about perpetual growth, it will mean more mineral extraction and the levels of unsustainability we witness in the current system. Its not about capitalism or communism, even though both are closer bedfellows than they may have us believe. Both focus on constant growth. To me, it seems to be about finding a new framework to live by, with elements of both these systems. Its true, I believe, that the fossil fuel industry have helped people out of poverty, but has already placed some in poverty. For example, there are endless cases of societies being evicted from lands, in pursuit of mineral extractions etc. Its not just in colonial days, its still happening now, but pushed under the carpet. The current value system we collectively hold will see more and more of us saying hello to poverty and destitution. No one yet has a system to replace what we have, but its about getting all the big thinkers, around a table, to find that new adaptable system, to organize our varied societies around. We need to find better ways to sustain human wellbeing, and increase it, as both communism and capitalism have failed us to a degree." Stuart and William record face to face again as they discuss, investigate, and explore a question from listener Ahana, in Assam, India. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"Growth in the green economy, low carbon industries as it were, isn’t necessarily the success people suggest. There are indeed more cycles, but there are also more planes. There are indeed more electric cars, which you’ve discussed on the podcast, but there are also more petrol cars. No matter how many good things we do, unless we stop expanding the bad, there’s no chance of reversing the ecological, climate and societal breakdowns we potentially face. Low carbon industries within the fossil fuel driven economy, fuels the fossil fuel industries in my view. Money generated by green economies fuels the high carbon industries. The example I observe and offer up is those made rich by the green economy, spend their wealth on flying and on other unsustainable elitist past times. Green industries are driving new resource rushes, Lithium extraction and pollution etc. I’ve heard somewhere that the oil industry reports it will keep growing well into the 2030’s. Where are we going wrong? Its true, economic growth pulled some societies out of poverty, cured desperation and even some diseases and child abuse. But, ignoring that beyond a certain point, that same constant growth and use of natural resources, will soon put many pack into poor situations. Reducing life expectancy. Chew on that lot guys, make of it what you will." The above is a question that has been sent into by a long term listener Alex from Poland, and once again Stuart and William were able to record face to face, leading as always to a very unique feeling conversation. They aren't experts, they just speak their truths, as they see them, at this point. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"Is it a good idea to dissolve personal assumptions now and then, and shine a fresh light on personal perspectives?" Stuart and William once more embark on a roaming, natural style of conversation, with a healthy dose of humour as they explore a question from listener Dave in Cheshire, England. They're not experts, they will however explore this question, in a relatable way, for you, the listener. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"I love you don’t prepare too much for the questions you cover, it makes your exploration, from the starting point, the same as the listeners. I don’t want you guys to be the go to experts, more the go to relatable explorers. My question is, Belgium philosopher Ingrid Robeyns coined the phrase ‘Limitarianism’. She argues there should be an upper limit to the amount of income and wealth a person can amass, just as there’s a line of poverty we recognise no-one should fall below. We should recognise both a poverty and riches line. Surplus money enables too much power to be exerted over others, and over earth's resources. We can just aim for continued growth, but equally, for more people to increase their wellbeing going forward and flourish, we can no longer afford the super rich. Super rich exist, because others are poor. Growth has drawn people out of poverty, but unchecked, can put people back into poverty. The super rich and rich are likely to be the last affected by climate breakdown, if it comes. The poor are more likely to be affected more and suffer worse. Please explore this in your usual unprepared style, and speak your truths, as you see them, at this point. Thanks". Stuart and William were once again able to record face to face, which leads to a very real, and intimate conversation as they discuss, examine, and delve into a question from long time listener Rory in Darwin, Australia. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

In today's bonus episode, your hosts Stuart and William, discuss questions from the first ever Environmental Debate Live & Unscripted event that happened in the Autumn of 2021. The podcast format, expanded and evolved, then set in front of a live audience. During the pilot live event, that took place on the 25th September 2021, the audience were given the opportunity to place a question, that they would like to be discussed in the second half of the show. The questions were placed in Stuart's hat, and then drawn out at random. Unfortunately, we only had time to discuss two of the seven questions received. These were; Neil Rowe asked: Is it the cow or the how? Badger Cull, Pro's and Con's? Sue Roberts asked: Building 100,000 houses in Oxfordshire will use up most of the carbon budget Oxfordshire can emit to keep its climate contribution below 1.5c. How can we stop the juggernaut of unneeded homes for greed not need? The questions we didn't get around to discussing were: Richard Harding didn't get around to asking: How can we engage more people in sustainable living? Most people want to but seem unable to take action? Laura didn't get around to asking: Should we cook with electricity or gas? Lyn didn't get around to asking: Electric cars need to have disposal of batteries sorted out b4 change to electric. The components need to be disassembled and this needs more research as the current batteries can't be taken apart. Disposal/recycling has not been thought through? Martin didn't get around to asking: What's the environmental footprint of manufacturing batteries for EV's? Carol didn't get around to asking: I'm worried about the impact of housing development on Warren Meadow on Town Furze in Oxford will have on Lye Valley. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"Is the culture we’re born into the main factor in blocking self determining thought? Thoughts that lead to decisions, actions etc that lead to better quality of life, individually and collectively. Is it that habits and comfort zones, which may indeed be a product of culture, are blocking us instead? Or, is it a lack of guided pathways out of the current trajectory? What impacts do attitude, perception and mindsets have on our decisions? Maybe you think its something not set out above that is the main factor in blocking self determining thought? Is what led us to human consciousness, the same thing that limits us, or is it humanities frailty that we are creatures of habit that limits our ability to truly self analyse and thus tap into the awesome power of said human consciousness? Is human evolution lagging behind the abilities human consciousness offers us, and can these ever align? Meaning the innate specie traits cease to also block the potential opportunities that human kinds understanding, consciousness, awareness, perception, offers us?" Stuart and William were once again able to record face to face, which leads to a different feel to the episode don't you think? In this iteration of the podcast they delve into, discuss, and philosophise around a question from listener Ahana, in Assam, India. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"I’ve not sent in a question since early 2020, and you actually covered it on Aug 4th 2020. I’m back though! I’ve heard during the Extinction Rebellion protests in the UK, a handful of Police have taken XR stickers, and stuck them to the inside of their helmets. Is this a turning point?" In another out and about recording at the East Oxford Farmers' and Community Market, with a small audience watching on, Stuart and William launch into another exploration of yet another a listener question, from Dave in Cheshire, England. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

It's a Happy New Year from your hosts, Stuart and William. Thanks for being with us throughout 2021, we look forward to seeing you again in 2022. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"Do you consider yourself an intellectual podcast with a political left leaning view, or more open minded in essence? In this episode, we find Stuart and William, out and about, recording at the East Oxford Farmers' and Community Market, where they discuss, and digest a question from listener Devan in Jamaica. The first time we've heard from her, and we hope she'll send another searching question in soon. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"Is human survival a niche interest, proactively marginalised by those wanting to distract us away from the biggest threat man has to face?" Once again, Stuart and William, delve into, discuss, and perhaps slightly overanalyse a question from a long-term listener, which this time comes from Ivy in Worthing, West Sussex, England. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

Stuart and William wish you a Merry Christmas in their own unique and particular way, with lots of silliness and humour. We hope you have a great festive period. Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

"Is meandering conversation the best way to go for the podcast or should it be more focused? Are you trying to educate or entertain?" Stuart and William once more embark on a roaming, natural style of conversation. They're not experts, they will however explore this question, in a relatable way, for you, the listener. Today they're discussing a question from listener Alex in Poland. During this episode Stuart and William mention the Tommy's Outdoors podcast. You can find out more about this by going to https://tommysoutdoors.com/  They met Tommy at an online networking event for podcasters, organized by The Mic's Club, details here https://twitter.com/MICsPodcastClub Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts  https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

In this final of three consecutive re-releases, William is looking back and celebrating our top 3 performing episodes. The episode you're about to hear, is our third best performer, ever. Originally released on the 24th January 2021, this will be the second time this episode has been released. The question that we explored, and mulled over during this episode came from listener Rupert in Tring, Hertfordshire, England: "When it comes to arguing for human caused climate change, or against it, is it possible to base either viewpoint on facts, when much of what we face is still an unknown?". Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message

In this second of three consecutive re-releases, William is looking back and celebrating our top 3 performing episodes. The episode you're about to hear, is our second best performer, ever. Originally released on the 13th September 2020, it was a follow up to a pervious episode released on the 16th August 2020, and is the only time we've ever revisited a listener question on the podcast. The question we revisited was from listener Bartek, in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England: "Are electric cars really the future?" Do you have a question you'd like Stuart and William to examine, mull over, explore, discuss, delve into or debate? Send us an email thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com with your name, where you're listening from, and your question. Or you can record your question in your own voice by going to https://anchor.fm/thepeoplescountryside/message Support this work through Patreon or just 'follow' so you don't miss any of the public posts https://www.patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepeoplescountryside/message