Ecolution: Recent Episodes
RTÉjr
Ecolution is the podcast for kids who want to make a difference in the fight against Climate Change. Evie Kenny, a 14 year old Climate activist, takes a trip into the cloudy waters of our changing planet.
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.
October saw the coming together of Irelands’ first ever Children and Young People’s Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, and Ecolution was lucky enough to follow their journey. We meet some of the children selected, their mentors and TD Malcolm Noonan.
Birds are one of the most visible, and audible members of the biosphere that surround us. But they are in serious trouble. We spoke to Niamh Fitzgerald of Birdwatch Ireland, Birders in Kilkenny and kids across the country to see why they’re in decline and ask what we can do to help.
Today we meet Donal Griffin, marine policy officer for Fair Seas Ireland and Sibéal Regan of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group to shine a light on the creatures large and small that call Irish waters home. Plus, youth IWDG member Alissa hops on a boat out of Baltimore in Cork to see what she can spot on a whale watching expedition.
It’s Green Schools Walk to School Week and last Monday, 150 young people from 10 to 24 gathered as part of the Walk21 IrelandConference. They met to help shape communities of the future, places where walking and active travel is safer for all. And we walked with them.
Evie, along with fellow young people Paddy, Frank, Nora, Rosa, Tom, and willing accomplice Derek spent a morning at IMMA seeing The Anthropocene exhibition, guided by Mark Maguire, Assistant Curator for Schools and Family at IMMA to see what happens when Art meets the Climate Crisis.
This one is all about Energy. Sarah O’Rourke of Eirgrid discusses Ireland’s present and future. John O’Shea of Codema talks Dublin's low-carbon transition. And, Donal Gallagher of Asylum Productions tells us about the Callan Energy Store an exercise in Creative Climate Action. Plus our Brain Trust.
What happens when you watch videos, stream a movie or play online, and how could it be having an impact on our environment? Artist Joana Moll has been asking just these questions.
Today, we visit another Biosphere Reserve, this time in the Maldives. At Finolhu Baa Atoll, Marine Biologist Filipa might have the best job in the world. Here she discusses life below the waves and in particular the endangered Manta Ray. Plus, Brain Trustee Rosa shares her love of the sea.
We head to Bull Island to discuss the Dublin Bay Biosphere with Dean Eaton, Ecologist Pat Corcoran, Niamh Fitzgerald of Birdwatch Ireland and the Scouts of 5th Port Dollymount, the first people in the world to complete the Dublin Bay Biosphere Award.
Just before Covid we visited Ireland's first Democratic School to see how they're changing the way they learn, to fit the world we’ve made. And there we conducted a guided exercise with Kathryn McCabe in coping with Eco Anxiety.
In this episode from way back in December 2019, we joined four inner-city schools visiting Belvedere College to see if they can bring gardens fed by fish into their classrooms.
Evie will be away for a week or two but normal service will resume soon! In the meantime we plan on revisiting older episodes to show that we’ve been at this for some time. Enjoy.
Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland, former UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Chair of the Elders and fellow podcaster joins Evie to answer children’s questions about Climate Justice. How exciting is that?!
For World Oceans Day we met with Marine Biologist Sarah Hegarty of Birdwatch Ireland to hear about the Fair Seas campaign, which launches today.
To celebrate our 50th episode in style, we headed to Glas community garden in Ballymun to meet the students of Virgin Mary National School, Gardener Sharon Harvey, Hans and Alex from Global Action Plan and the Dutch Ambassador. Phew!
A double header episode to celebrate Biodiversity Week and World Bee Day together. We send intrepid bug explorers Sadhbh and Rosa to the Bee Sanctuary with Meadow as a guide. Meet Collie Ennis in his Critter Shed, and investigate why bees and insects are so vital to our planet.
Next week is #BikeWeek2022. We headed to DCC’s Pedalpalooza to meet hundreds of people celebrating active travel. Niamh Ní Cholmain talks school streets, IBike Dublin and Bleeper on Cargo bikes. Plus we joined the #AndSheCycles awards last week and the winning teams putting cycling for teenage girls on the map.
Today’s episode is all about our peatlands. The flora and fauna that call them home but also the farmers and communities that live on and around bogs. Dr Shane brings us to Clara Bog in Co. Offaly to hear about how FarmPeat are working with these communities to change the conversation around turf and the landscape.
Last autumn we took a trip out to a very special place which, at the time, was based in Navan. The WRI Wildlife Hospital. There we met Education Officer Aoife McPartlin who brought us and the Garden Committee of St Anne’s National School on a tour to see the essential work they do caring for sick and injured wildlife.
Today, we look at the latest IPCC report with Dr Shane, visit Castelcomer Discovery Park, speak to author Oisín McGann. We head to Mud Island Community Garden with artist Steve Doody, and check in with the Ecolution Brain Trust, kids across the country who want their say in the future we get to live.
Say hello to Evie Kenny, Ecolution’s brand new presenter, letting you know what we have coming up this season.
This is a shorter episode than usual to highlight two things. Earth Hour, this Saturday, but also a change in the next season. James explains all in a poignant mini show.
We’ve teamed up with the youth organisation Spunout.ie to try and explain what COP 26 is all about. Orla, Peter and Amy, 3 teen volunteers, delve in. Plus, we hear from climate activist Theresa Rose Sebastian and the YMCA Sustainable Sleepover Club Podcast too.
Paddy Shanahan is a 12 year old Climate Activist who got in touch with Ecolution to speak about the Climate and Nature Summit. We met him on Sandycove beach to talk about the importance of the climate crisis being put at the centre of our education system. And, how this Summit would be a great way to get that message across in your school.
Made in conjunction with the schoolchildren of St. John the Baptist Boys’ Primary School for Cashel Arts Week, this episode speaks to future farmers and their parents about how the land is used, and what changes we’ll see in the coming years.
Made in conjunction with the schoolchildren of Holy Trinity, Fethard for Cashel Arts Week, this episode looks at how water influences a town, how we use it and the ways in which people can act to value water more.
Made in conjunction with the schoolchildren of Cashel and Fethard for Cashel Arts Week, to investigate one place in great detail. This episode asks where the town has come from and what it could become.
This week we head back into the wild to ask how wolves could play a part in Ireland’s future. We visit Wild Ireland in Donegal to meet their wolf pack, talk with Rewilding Ireland and meet Tomm Moore to find the inspiration behind Wolfwalkers.
In a time of scary heat and massive flooding, Ecolution talks with some of the young An Taisce Climate Ambassadors who are working so hard to make a better future. For us all. Aiyana Helder, Sam Spillane and Grace Curry talk about how they began and why it’s important to start climate action, at whatever level you can, wherever you are.
Today we meet Karen and Lou, who cycle to school through Dublin. Professor Paul McNally of the National Children’s Research Centre discusses air quality and what it can do to our lungs. And journalist Bob Flavin talks about the future for the motor car. Plus a lot of other families who want better air and safer ways for us to actively travel.
Today’s Ecolution asks can rewilding help in slowing the climate crisis? We’re joined by Dr Una Fitzpatrick of the All Ireland Pollinator Plan. Pádraic Fogarty discusses the big plans contained in Shaping New Mountains. Plus Ray O’Foghlu talks rewilding, land and wild woods.
In the second part we head to Laois to spend time with John McHugh, Farming for Nature Ambassador and Organic Farmer. We meet Brigid Barry who runs FFN. And we talk with Mary Kate and Michael, two kids who live on a dairy farm. Plus Dr Shane and the Brain Trust.
In the first of two parts, we talk farming and biodiversity with Liam Lysaght, visit St Patrick’s School in Galway to see their award winning container garden, and head West to hear how Brendan Dunford and the Burren Programme are helping farmers change for nature in Co. Clare. Plus Dr Shane and you.
In a collaboration with five An Taisce Green Schools, we ask what does water mean to us?
For World Bee Day 2021 and National Biodiversity Week, Ecolution takes a trip to Wicklow to see how one family is trying to help our native pollinators at the Bee Sanctuary of Ireland.
This week, we plunge into the world of art and environment. Katie Holten discusses her Tree Alphabet at Visual in Carlow, and why words matter. Catherine Marshall talks about how art helps us see. Little Button Diaries have tips on green craft, and kids around Ireland talk creativity and possibility.
Today, Eamon Ryan, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications joins us to answer kid’s questions about the Climate Action Bill. And activists Aoife (Foróige), Saoirse (Climate Ambassador) and Ella (Eco-Unesco) join the call to drill deeper into the issue.
Ecolution has teamed up with UNICEF Ireland for this episode to rummage through the mess that is Fast Fashion. 7 teenagers collaborated to make a show about our messy relationship with cheap clothes.
Today we celebrate Earth Day by digging into why it matters that everyone is considered, Globally, in our actions on Climate. We meet Joan and Clare of the Rise Up Movement in Uganda. Environmentalist Saoirse McHugh talks Climate Justice and Tomm Moore of Cartoon Saloon discusses their film for Greenpeace. Plus, Dr Shane and the Brain Trust.
Each of you listening cares about the environment and wants to play a part. In this episode we follow Saoirse Exton, a 15 year old An Taisce Climate Ambassador, to see how she approaches the Climate struggle and tries to make a difference.
Today we discuss silence, and how little of it we now get. Matt Mikkelson of Quiet Parks International talks noise pollution and how saving One Square Inch of silence protects a whole park. And kids around Ireland share the noise of the places they live.
This is a different episode from normal. With the arrival of the revised Climate Action Bill we decided to gather young activists from across the country to ask does it do enough? Fridays for Future, Eco Unesco and the NYCI met, virtually, to discuss the bill and our future.
We’re back with a brand new season and this episode sets the stage. We meet the Ecolution braintrust, a group of kids across the country who share their feelings on the climate right now. Laura Van Buylaere, the 12 year old inventor of Carbo Scan. We check in with Dr. Shane & meet Niharika Iyengar of the WWF to talk about Earth Hour.
From newsletters and cavemen to benches and gardens, this episode looks at how doing things together makes things better.
Ecolution hops in the saddle to #CelebrateCycling. What better way to get around Ireland and do something good for the environment? #AndSheCycles #StreetsforAll
This episode takes you on a whistle-stop tour through all of the amazing online initiatives to help kids keep it green whilst off school. And kids get green and save the snails.
We celebrate World Bee Day by getting buzzy at some hives in Dublin 3. We meet young people passionate about our stripy friends. And a young woman who controls literally thousands of them!!
James talks to Lyla and Freya, two kids making a podcast all about the natural world within the 2k limit. Luke O'Neill, Immunologist & Dr. Shane dig into Covid 19. And Lucy O'Hagan, alongside kids from around the globe, talk about what the Lockdown has meant to them.
On this, the 50th Earth Day, Ecolution zooms out to look back in. We hear from the Japanese space agency, Jaxa. We hear from children outside Ireland to see what Climate Change means to them. And Niall Hatch of Birdwatch Ireland gives us a birds eye view. Quite literally.
A short piece from James on what you can do whilst at home. Stay tuned for some new specials in the coming month.
We investigate the country that gave us Greta and remains top of the chart on Climate Action; Sweden! We talk to Swedish kids, teachers and, in an Ecolution first, the Swedish Ambassador to Ireland.
This week we try to make sense of the bush fires in Australia. And we meet Damon Gameau, director of the documentary "2040", a truly positive look at where we could be in 20 years if we just harnessed the technology we already have at our disposal, to heal the planet.
We visit Ireland's first Democratic school to see how they're changing the way they learn, to fit the World in which we now live. And Social Ecologist, Kathryn McCabe takes the students on a guided exercise in Eco Anxiety. If you worry about Climate Change, this episode could help.
This week's Ecolution showcases all the amazing ways the school kids of Ireland are coming up with solutions to Climate Change. We went to the enormous melting pot of Ideas that is the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition 2020.
We’re joined by Muireann and Cian, two young Climate Activists, to discuss the state of Protest amongst the young people of Ireland, and talk about what you could do to join the debate.
In this episode we join Physicist Phil Smith in the Science Gallery to take a trip through their Plastics Exhibition. Why is it everywhere, and what can we do about it? This Exhibition runs until the 9th of February but then it tours the country throughout 2020.
In this episode we join an amazing venture started by Belvedere College. Four Inner City Schools join them in a plan to bring gardens fed by fish into the classroom.
We go on the hunt for a Christmas that's good to us and the planet. People making gifts that give back, kids selling toys and countless tips from the kids of Scoil Chaitriona.
In this episode we meet Patricia Forde, author of The Wordsmith, a book about a time after "The Melting". Set in a future we hope doesn't happen, James learns what we might do better now to avoid it.
Muireann Ní Chíobháin and Michael Kelly join James to discuss GIY’s Know-It-Allmanac, the ultimate family guide to growing and cooking food throughout the year.
This week Ecolution went Live from the Mutiny Theatre with Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton.
We meet kids making a difference and show how you can too. This is a fight for us all. Strikes in the city and the young people of Eco Unesco leading the change, with Counsellor Mike Hackett tackling the very real issue of Climate Anxiety.
Exactly what happens to your poo when you flush the loo? We go down the pipe to find out and think about how important water is to us, a tiny island nation. From Trawlers fishing for plastic to worms that eat your poop.
We look to Ireland's energy future with a Power Station that turns your Junk into electricity, kids building windmills and Lara Hanlon, a scientist who thinks she sees a future of us all eating Insects.
The Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun talk about just how long your chewing gum will last and we visit a shop where Waste is a thing of the past. We join rebels on a beach clean, and two kids take us shopping to see just how we can make a difference in the choices we make.
We go into the woods with Wild Awake, the forest school reconnecting kids to nature, buzz to a school where bees are part of the curriculum and quiz zoologist Shane McGuinness on why biodiversity is so important. And two girls from Ballybough give bees a fighting chance.
Ecolution is a brand new podcast from RTÉ Jr Radio, for kids who want to make a difference in the fight against Climate Change. James Dunne, a 16 year old Climate activist takes a trip into the cloudy waters of the environment to see young people doing their bit to combat the crisis.