I have to start off by saying that I’m a complete podcast virgin. The only thing playing through my headphones is usually 90s indie classics and the occasional Lady Gaga track. But since being stuck at home in front of a computer screen 5 days a week, I’m less inclined to switch on the telly in my leisure time. So I have decided instead to take the plunge and listen to a podcast.

I’ll admit I was a little hesitant in listening to anything climate or conservation-related. Yes, I love nature and I care passionately about the environment, but my eco-anxiety has been peaking lately so I was nervous about pressing play on something that might make me feel worse.

Listening to Sustaina Babble was a great introduction to the realm of podcasts. This weekly podcast covers a wide-range of interesting and highly topical environmental subjects, but with a comedy twist.

Hosts, Ol and Dave have great energy and enthusiasm that is immediately engaging. Each 45-minute episode contains plenty of laughs, and light-hearted banter whilst tackling a specific theme or issue, like fast fashion, fracking, rewilding, eco-parenting, and…..cats. There’s a fair smattering of politics too but it’s not overly heavy.

There are plenty of interesting and high-profile guests, from movers and shakers in the environment world to writers, presenters, politicians and even celebrities, including Chris Packham and Robert Llewellyn.

Content is delivered at a nice easy pace without the need for too much concentration or intellect [something I’m usually lacking after a day’s work anyway]. Instead it’s friendly and informal – like sitting in on a chat between two like-minded mates at a coffee shop. At times, there’s definitely a bit of winging it involved but that just adds to their charm and sincerity.

The conversations are interspersed with snazzy jingles, pop quizzes, and cleverly timed clips from cult comedy shows like Black Books, Alan Partridge and Black Adder. But don’t be fooled, these guys are far from being amateurs [they both work for environmental charities] and their passion is evident. They manage to cleverly weave in serious discussion that is both thought provoking and informative, with just the right dose of silliness. In episode #199 they speak to Georgina Wilson-Powell about her new book ‘Is it really green? Everyday Eco Dilemmas Answered’. Dave declares, tongue in cheek, that, “Anyone who eats avocados is a bastard” highlighting the fact that even though we think we are making good choices, they aren’t always the best for the planet. Avocado production requires a lot of water compared to other fruits. Two thousand litres of water are needed to produce one kilogram of avocados, which is four times the amount needed for the same quantity of oranges. Growing demand has resulted in large scale deforestation of pine forests in Mexico to make way for plantations. [Source]. Then there’s plant-based dairy alternatives. They are certainly better for the planet than cow’s milk but which is the most eco-friendly? A 200ml glass of soy milk produces higher carbon emissions and requires more land use than almond and oat milk. Almond milk production on the other hand requires a lot more water than all other plant-based milks. 74 litres of water are required to produce just a single glass compared to 5.6 litres for soy milk and 9.6 litres for oat milk. This heavy use of water is a major issue since over 80% of almonds are grown in California, where there are severe droughts and wildfires. [Source].

In episode #181, they ponder on the psychology behind why people litter, and discuss whether individuals are to blame for Britain’s growing litter problem, or the companies producing vast amounts of disposable packaging.

The podcast also succeeds in being bold and controversial. The hosts don’t hold back from poking fun and calling out certain politicians, public figures, media organisations and corporations on greenwashing and other such bad behaviour. They dedicate the whole of episode #191 to celebrate the end of Donald Trump’s presidency, calling him an “evil orange git” among other things, cracking open the whisky, and playing ‘Ding Dong the Witch is Dead’.

Perhaps what I like the most about this podcast [as well as all the sweary bits] is the tone of realism, honesty, and understanding. They don’t pretend to have all the answers and acknowledge that the climate crisis is a massively complicated thing and that we, as listeners, are all just trying to do our best.

This podcast is definitely worth a listen if you want something easy to get into that makes you think and laugh at the same time. I found it to be the perfect antidote for my eco-anxiety. Ol and Dave manage to turn even the bleakest of topics into a lol-fest.

Sustaina Babble is available weekly, usually on Sundays, through Spotify, iTunes, Google podcasts and via their website http://www.sustainababble.fish/ You can also follow the babble on Facebook and Twitter @thebabblewagon

Stephanie Dolben

Steph Dolben is a Zoology graduate, wildlife rescue volunteer, nature writer and blogger from North Wales, who is now based in the Wirral. She is particularly passionate about protecting bats and hedgehogs, and hopes to encourage people to learn about their local wildlife and inspire them to make their gardens more wildlife friendly.

You can find more of her work on Instagram @nessiesnaturenotebook.

Podcast Review: Sustaina Babble

Stephanie Dolben