Dithering on the Edge of Europe

Carola Boehm & Richard McCarthy

The podcast about what it feels like to live in the UK and on the edge of Europe,  Climate Catastrophe, recession, pandemics, you name it. Richard and Carola will still be exploring Europe, Brexit affairs, and UK politics but this time around they are focussing on Green New Deals as part of a pandemic recovery (before surfing the Brexit 2nd wave).  Between cups of tea and a lot of dithering, Richard and Carola try to understand what it might mean to be sustainable, European and live in the UK. Season 1 - Brexit. Season 2 - Green New Deals.  For podcasting geeks: our gear includes the versatile and cute Zoom L-12 LiveTrak, the sexy-sounding EV RE20s, a couple of handy SM58s where needed, some sturdy Rhode PSA1s, an old 50s table, my mom’s quilts on the walls, some squeaking chairs (sorry…), one iPhone, speed-conscious GarageBand, gorgeous sounding ThumbJam and a bit of creative NodeBeat. That’s right, no laptop for recording, but straight to SD card. But for editing and uploading, Hindenburg on the handy Lenovo Yoga 510, which also supports ‘paperwork’ and research. Hosting by Audioboom. Organising, co-creation, co-documentation via MS Notebooks. All tea-cup sounds made with 50's Villeroy & Boch Burgenland Blau Cups and Saucers, inherited from Carola's mother. The few other sound effects used, all credit goes to the the fabulous team at MTG UPF who started Freesound, a site that simply loves sound. This is all so Culture 3.0, and if you want to really know what that is, read up in this pdf.

  1. 11/23/2020

    S2: European Union - Green Deal Part 4/4

    Rich and Carola have accepted the fact that the EU will probably implement their whole Green Deal before the Dithering Team finishes reviewing it. But undaunted by the extensiveness of the deal, they soldier through two policy areas which should be so much more at the heart of any green economy than the Green Deal makes them out to be: Building & Renovation, and Sustainable Mobility. However, Carola and Rich are not impressed by these two expressions of policy-oriented interventions. If the EU Green Deal is supposed to shift behaviour of member states to chose more green solutions for mobility (and area that represents 70% of green house gases), or initiate that lauded “renovation wave”, as discussed in the EU policies, these policy areas and their targets are so humble that Carola wonders if the EU really means business or if it’s caught in that ever enduring tension between sovereignty and unity. It poses the question of whether ‘politically doable’ is just not enough to save the planet. As Rich says, “We just got to get real!” The EU Green Deal covers 9 policy areas, and in the last 3 episodes, Carola and Rich covered the areas of  Clean Energy  Farm to Fork Biodiversity Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Industry Eliminating pollution   And in this episode they cover Building and Renovation Sustainable mobility   Upcoming in the next episode is a big one: Climate action  Key Resources  European Green Deal, Wikipedia Entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Green_Deal  A European Green Deal. Striving to be the first climate-neutral continent - https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en   Infographics:    EC (Dec 2019), The European Green Deal - Building and Renovating -https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/attachment/859198/Building_and_Renovating_en.pdf  EC (Dec 2019), The European Green Deal - Sustainable Mobility -https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/api/files/attachment/860070/Sustainable_mobility_en.pdf  EC (2011), Charging of heavy good vehicles in the EU - https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transport/files/modes/road/road_charging/doc/hgv_charging.jpg  BBC / BEIS/DEFRA Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors (2019), Emissions from different modes of transport - https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/16D76/production/_108485539_optimised-travel_carbon-nc.png Wikipedia, Diagram of functional airspace blocks diagram of functional airspace blocks - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_airspace_block Further Links Emissions from different modes of transport from BEIS/DEFRA Greenhouse Gas Conversion Factors 2019 - https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/16D76/production/_108485539_optimised-travel_carbon-nc.png in a BBC reality check article “Climate change: Should you fly, drive or take the train?” (Aug 2019) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49349566  The European Single Sky, Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_European_Sky   EURACTIV (Sept 2020) Corona-crisis and Brexit boost EU air traffic reform hopes - https://www.euractiv.com/section/aviation/news/corona-crisis-and-brexit-boost-eu-air-traffic-reform-hopes/

    36 min
  2. S2: European Union - Green Deal Part 3/4

    10/25/2020

    S2: European Union - Green Deal Part 3/4

    In this third of four episodes, Rich and  Carola explore sustainable industry, as part of the EU’s Green Deal? As Carola says,  faffing time is done.  They talk about digital agriculture, algae, sweat, bioenergy, the textile industry,   electronics and reusability, plastics, waste policy,   and yes, running naked and other green tips. (Wasn’t there a film with that title?). And is there a market advantage to be the market leader in green solutions? Also, a long discussion on how to make cement and steel sectors more sustainable.  In this episode we will cover  Sustainable Industry Eliminating pollution   This deal covers 9 policy areas, and in E32, Carola and Rich covered the areas of  Clean Energy  Farm to Fork Biodiversity Sustainable Agriculture   And in the next episodes we will cover Building and Renovation Sustainable mobility Climate action Key Resources  European Green Deal, Wikipedia Entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Green_Deal  A European Green Deal. Striving to be the first climate-neutral continent - https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en  Further Links Eutrophication https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutrophication  Ecosia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosia  Paper bags need to be reused 3 times to be more environmentally friendly than plastic bags: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47027792  EU Packaging waste satistics https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Packaging_waste_statistics

    38 min
  3. S2: European Union - Green Deal Part 2/3

    10/05/2020

    S2: European Union - Green Deal Part 2/3

    Union’s Green Deal was announced by Ursula von der Leyen back in 2019 and voted in by the European Parliament in January of this year. In this second of three (or will it be four?) episodes, Rich and  Carola explore EU's Sustainable Agriculture, they explore policies in this area and what exactly is digital agriculture?This was a very long episodes, so we cut it in two. This one covering only Sustainable Agriculture, leaving Sustainable Industry, and another long discussion on cement and steel, for the next episode.    This deal covers 9 policy areas, and in E32, Carola and Rich covered the areas of  ·       Clean Energy  ·       Farm to Fork ·       Biodiversity   In this episode we will cover  ·       Sustainable Agriculture And in the next episodes we will cover ·       Sustainable Industry ·       Eliminating Pollution ·       Building and Renovation ·       Sustainable mobility ·       Climate action   Key Resources  European Green Deal, Wikipedia Entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Green_Deal  A European Green Deal. Striving to be the first climate-neutral continent - https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en    Further Links Digital revolution in Agriculturehttps://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/publications/eip-agri-brochure-shaping-digital-revolution Eurostats (2018), Organic farming statistics  - https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:Organic_farming_area_2018data-01.jpg  Greening our Energy Supply  - https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/sustainability_and_natural_resources/documents/leaflet-greening-our-energy-supply_en.pdf  EU-funded CLAIM (Cleaning litter by developing and applying innovative methods in European Seas)  https://www.claim-h2020project.eu/  Images referred to  DG AGRI network of food and farming journalists and professional communicators from across Europe and beyond Almost 1,000 registered members https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/food-farming-fisheries/key_policies/documents/grants-kick-off-2020-ag-press-access-food-farming-media_en.pdf  Farmers and the agricultural labour force – statistics https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Farmers_and_the_agricultural_labour_force_-_statistics  Digital Agriculture - Digital revolution in Agriculture https://ec.europa.eu/eip/agriculture/en/publications/eip-agri-brochure-shaping-digital-revolution

    33 min
  4. S2: European Union - Green Deal Part 1/3

    09/11/2020

    S2: European Union - Green Deal Part 1/3

    (now correct upload) Union’s Green Deal was announced by Ursula von der Leyen back in 2019 and voted in by the European Parliament in January of this year. In this first of three episodes, Rich and  Carola touch on the politics of getting to this point and explore three policy areas of the deal: Clean Energy; Farm to Fork; and Biodiversity. Time to get foxy. Who is the pain-in-the-butt nation that the EU is glad to see the back off? And will there be a time again where we can fly without guilt?  This deal covers 9 policy areas, and in this episode we will cover  Clean Energy  Farm to Fork Biodiversity   And in the next episodes we will cover Eliminating Pollution Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Industry Building and Renovation Sustainable mobility Climate action Key Resources  European Green Deal, Wikipedia Entry - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Green_Deal  A European Green Deal. Striving to be the first climate-neutral continent - https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en  Further Links Kate Connolly (2020), Plagues of field mice decimating crops, say German farmers, The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/13/plagues-of-field-mice-decimating-crops-say-german-farmers  Eurostats (2018), Organic farming statistics  - https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=File:Organic_farming_area_2018data-01.jpg  World Economic Forum (2016), Nature Risk Rising:Why the Crisis Engulfing Nature Matters for Business and the Economy - http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_New_Nature_Economy_Report_2020.pdf

    1h 2m
  5. S2: Labour Party UK - Green Industrial Revolution Part 3/3

    08/28/2020

    S2: Labour Party UK - Green Industrial Revolution Part 3/3

    This is the third part of their exploration of the UK Labour Party’s “Green Industrial Revolution”, which was part of their 2019 Manifesto. Rich and Carola give their thumbs up and thumbs down for various policy sections. Bringing back essential services into public ownership and going big on renewables get a big thumbs up, but funding seems to be the missing link.  This manifesto sections covers (Green Industrial Revolution): Economy and Energy Transport Environment Animal Welfare  This episode, concluding our look at Labour’s GND document, contains Environment and Animal Welfare. Key Links and Resources A green Industrial Revolution (part of the Labour Manifesto, October 2019)https://labour.org.uk/manifesto-2019/a-green-industrial-revolution/ Labour for a Green New Deal Websitehttps://www.labourgnd.uk/gnd-explained Thirty by 2030 Report: 30 recommendations by 2030. Expert Briefing for the Labour party. October 2019.https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ThirtyBy2030report.pdf A Just , Green Recoveryhttps://www.labourgnd.uk/green-recovery/    Mentioned Resources Regional Manifestoshttps://labour.org.uk/page/regional-manifestos/ UK Green New Deal Grouphttps://www.greennewdealgroup.org Labour’s Covid19 post-pandemic strategy of how to move into a green recovery https://www.labourgnd.uk/green-recovery/  Find out your own CO2 footprinthttps://www.myclimate.org/information/faq/faq-detail/detail/News/what-does-net-zero-emissions-mean/

    34 min
  6. S2: Labour Party UK - Green Industrial Revolution Part 2/3

    08/14/2020

    S2: Labour Party UK - Green Industrial Revolution Part 2/3

    This is the second part to their exploration of the UK Labour Party’s “Green Industrial Revolution”, which was part of their 2019 Manifesto. Rich and Carola give their thumbs up and thumbs down for various policy sections. Bringing back essential services into public ownership and going big on renewables get a big thumbs up, but funding seems to be the missing link.  This manifesto sections covers (Green Industrial Revolution)   -          Economy and Energy -          Transport -          Environment -          Animal Welfare   Because the section on economy and energy took up a whole episode, this episode only contains transport. The next episode will cover the last two sections. Key Links and Resources A green Industrial Revolution (part of the Labour Manifesto, October 2019)https://labour.org.uk/manifesto-2019/a-green-industrial-revolution/  Labour for a Green New Deal Websitehttps://www.labourgnd.uk/gnd-explained  Thirty by 2030 Report: 30 recommendations by 2030. Expert Briefing for the Labour party. October 2019.https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ThirtyBy2030report.pdf  A Just , Green Recoveryhttps://www.labourgnd.uk/green-recovery/  Mentioned Resources Regional Manifestoshttps://labour.org.uk/page/regional-manifestos/  UK Green New Deal Grouphttps://www.greennewdealgroup.org Labour’s Covid19 post-pandemic strategy of how to move into a green recovery https://www.labourgnd.uk/green-recovery/  Find out your own CO2 footprinthttps://www.myclimate.org/information/faq/faq-detail/detail/News/what-does-net-zero-emissions-mean/

    23 min
  7. S2: Labour Party UK – Green Industrial Revolution Part 1/3

    07/31/2020

    S2: Labour Party UK – Green Industrial Revolution Part 1/3

    In their journey to find the perfect Green New Deal, and having put the bar high with the Green Party’s GND covered in the last two episodes, they move on to the Labour Party’s vision for a Green New Deal. The UK’s Labour Party integrated their “Green Industrial Revolution” into the 2019 Manifesto pledges,  and Rich and Carola give their thumbs up and thumbs down for various policy sections. Airport expansion and HS2 get a firm thumbs down, but the commitment to various public ownerships get a thumbs up. There is also that thing about football pitches….This manifesto sections covers (Green Industrial Revolution)   -          Economy and Energy -          Transport -          Environment -          Animal Welfare   Economy and Energy is covered in this episode. Key Links and Resources A green Industrial Revolution (part of the Labour Manifesto, October 2019)https://labour.org.uk/manifesto-2019/a-green-industrial-revolution/ Labour for a Green New Deal Websitehttps://www.labourgnd.uk/gnd-explained Thirty by 2030 Report: 30 recommendations by 2030. Expert Briefing for the Labour party. October 2019.https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ThirtyBy2030report.pdf   Mentioned Resources Regional Manifestoshttps://labour.org.uk/page/regional-manifestos/ UK Green New Deal Grouphttps://www.greennewdealgroup.org Labour’s Covid19 post-pandemic strategy of how to move into a green recovery https://www.labourgnd.uk/green-recovery/  BBC News Reality Check: Climate change: Should you fly, drive or take the train? (24 August 2019)https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49349566  Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015http://www.legislation.gov.uk/anaw/2015/2/contents/enacted  Find out your own CO2 footprint https://www.myclimate.org/information/faq/faq-detail/detail/News/what-does-net-zero-emissions-mean/

    38 min

About

The podcast about what it feels like to live in the UK and on the edge of Europe,  Climate Catastrophe, recession, pandemics, you name it. Richard and Carola will still be exploring Europe, Brexit affairs, and UK politics but this time around they are focussing on Green New Deals as part of a pandemic recovery (before surfing the Brexit 2nd wave).  Between cups of tea and a lot of dithering, Richard and Carola try to understand what it might mean to be sustainable, European and live in the UK. Season 1 - Brexit. Season 2 - Green New Deals.  For podcasting geeks: our gear includes the versatile and cute Zoom L-12 LiveTrak, the sexy-sounding EV RE20s, a couple of handy SM58s where needed, some sturdy Rhode PSA1s, an old 50s table, my mom’s quilts on the walls, some squeaking chairs (sorry…), one iPhone, speed-conscious GarageBand, gorgeous sounding ThumbJam and a bit of creative NodeBeat. That’s right, no laptop for recording, but straight to SD card. But for editing and uploading, Hindenburg on the handy Lenovo Yoga 510, which also supports ‘paperwork’ and research. Hosting by Audioboom. Organising, co-creation, co-documentation via MS Notebooks. All tea-cup sounds made with 50's Villeroy & Boch Burgenland Blau Cups and Saucers, inherited from Carola's mother. The few other sound effects used, all credit goes to the the fabulous team at MTG UPF who started Freesound, a site that simply loves sound. This is all so Culture 3.0, and if you want to really know what that is, read up in this pdf.