ecoFuturists

With Andy Lowe | Supported by the Environment Institute | Adelaide University

Our future depends on bold ideas that improve our natural environment while driving innovation. Eco Futurists is more than a podcast, it’s a platform for conversation, bringing together people with fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and a shared commitment to a sustainable tomorrow. From scientific experts and industry pioneers to artists, adventurers and community leaders, we spotlight those making a difference locally and globally. These are the voices of Eco Futurists working to create a greener, brighter future for our planet.

  1. 1d ago

    37. What does it mean to be a 'Punk Urban Gardener'? | Jon Davies and Steve Williams (Wild City Studio)

    Gardens come in many different shapes and sizes. From formal gardens that favor symmetry and straight lines, to edible herb gardens that provide fresh produce for the dining table, gardening is a vast and varied pastime for many around the world.  Yet, despite their differences, many gardens grow amongst an undertone of cleanliness and control.  Jon Davies and Steve Williams are two self-described ‘punk urban gardeners’ whose approach to our natural world challenges the confines of both traditional and modern gardening. Together, they run Wild City Studio, a platform for creating places, sharing ideas and building connections that strengthen the connection between people and the urban environment. In this episode, Jon and Steve join Professor Andy Lowe in the ecoFuturists studio for a virtual conversation from their home in North London. Together, they dig deep into what it means to be a punk urban gardener, unpack Jon and Steve’s new book “Wild City” and explore how true appreciation of our environment sometimes requires working with nature, rather than against it.  Want to read the full book by Wild City Studio? Visit their website: https://wildcitystudio.com Join the discussion! Like, comment and subscribe to our podcast and unlock your inner ‘ecoFuturist’.  Have a question or would like more information? Connect with us at ecofuturists@gmail.com

  2. Sep 23

    36. How do we repair after the Harmful Algal Bloom | Zoe Doubleday and Dom McAfee

    In March of 2025, dead marine creatures began to wash up on the shores of South Australia, sparking concern amongst communities, governments and scientists alike.  The cause? A harmful algal bloom.  In the months that followed, the bloom spread across much of South Australia’s coast, decimating shellfish reefs, impacting iconic populations like the Giant Australian Cuttlefish, and leaving lasting effects on community mental wellbeing.  But despite the undeniable devastation that it wreaked on our marine environment, the bloom has largely disappeared from everyday discussion, leaving an important question unanswered:  What happens next?  In this episode of ecoFuturists, Professor Andy Lowe is joined by eminent marine scientists Zoe Doubleday and Dominic McAfee as they dive beneath the surface of the HAB to uncover what happened and how we can help our marine ecosystems recover.  Citizen science has been an important piece in this environmental puzzle. Using programs like iNaturalist, communities can record potentially HAB-related incidents and contribute to the recovery of our shorelines. Visit iNaturalist.com.au to learn more: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/sa-marine-mortality-events-2025-2026 Get the latest updates on the Harmful Algal Bloom at: https://www.algalbloom.sa.gov.au Join the discussion! Leave us a comment or question and subscribe to our podcast to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

  3. Sep 9

    35. Bird flu in Australia: The here and now | Chris Daniels and Wayne Boardman

    H5N1 bird flu is now on mainland Australia. With a deadly track record around the globe, we know the dangers that this virus poses to our wildlife and precious ecosystems.  But what can we do about it?  In the first ecoFuturists episode of 2026, host Professor Andy Lowe chats with wildlife veterinarian Wayne Boardman and Chair of Green Adelaide and science communicator extraordinaire Chris Daniels to explore what bird flu is, what we can expect to see in the future, and how communities can help to protect our iconic wildlife during this panzootic.  With H5 bird flu cases increasing in Australia, it is important to follow current advice to help communities and wildlife stay safe. Visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu for the latest advice and updates; Avoid contact with sick wildlife, Record the location, type and number of animals, and Report any potential signs of bird flu to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 ecoFuturists is produced by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University

  4. Aug 21

    34. Driving change for wildlife protection | John Scanlon

    If you’ve ever wondered how you can make an impact in the rapidly worsening biodiversity crisis, then this episode is a must-watch. In this episode of eco Futurists, host Prof Andy Lowe is joined by John Scanlon, a global conservation leader who’s dedicated his career to protecting wildlife and ecosystems. From combating the illegal ivory trade to influencing international conservation policies, John’s work shows that one person truly can make a difference. But to turn the tide, we need more people like him. In many ways this is a ‘how to’ episode on a life devoted to biodiversity conservation. * video cast available on Spotify  https://tinyurl.com/45ft9epy  YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/@EcoFuturists Eco Futurists is supported by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University. Learn More John Scanlon  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_E._Scanlon Elephant Protection Initiative  https://www.elephantprotectioninitiative.org/ ADM Capital Foundation  https://www.admcf.org/ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora  https://cites.org/eng International Council of Environmental Law  https://icelinternational.org/ International Unions for conservation of Nature (IUCN)  https://iucn.org/ You can contact Eco Futurists podcast ⁠ecofuturists@gmail.com⁠ Enjoying the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

  5. 02/09/2025

    33. Can we really eat the invaders? | Matthew Bate and Poppy Fitzpatrick

    The ABC TV series Eat The Invaders has sparked curiosity—and controversy—by asking a bold question: Can we eat our way out of Australia’s invasive species crisis? Who better to answer this question than some of the creators of this wild and thought-provoking show, Matthew Bate and Poppy Fitzpatrick? In this episode, host Prof Andy Lowe celebrates their bold vision, of turning a complex environmental issue into a conversation-starter (or perhaps tasty appetiser) for everyone.  From cane toads to cats, they took a fun, fresh approach to a topic that’s often met with frustration and fatigue. But here’s the catch though: while eating invasive species might make for great TV, science tells us it’s not going to be the miracle cure. So what is? Andy unpacks the hard reality of tackling this environmental crisis—where suppression strategies like targeted viruses and ecosystem restoration come into play. One thing’s for sure: this series has people talking again, and we’re here to keep the conversation going. So, what do you think—would you put cane toad on your plate? Andy and his colleague, Professor Phill Cassey, served as scientific advisors for the show, ensuring that the balance between entertainment and ecological accuracy was spot-on. * video cast available on Spotify https://tinyurl.com/45ft9epy and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@EcoFuturists Eco Futurists is supported by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University. Learn More: Book: Eat the Problem by Kirsha Kaechele of Monahttps://shop.mona.net.au/products/eat-the-problem?srsltid=AfmBOoqRQnzTe6kOsR_LR7_nxOYzB0jt67rVuEPVJy7s-aV4gVJnhOPf Eat The Invaders on ABC iviewhttps://iview.abc.net.au/show/eat-the-invaders Closer Productionshttps://closerproductions.com.au/episodic/eat-the-invaders Adelaide University press release, Eat The Invaders https://www.adelaide.edu.au/newsroom/news/list/2025/01/03/university-academics-help-abc-host-eat-the-invaders Professor Phill Casseyhttps://researchers.adelaide.edu.au/profile/phill.cassey You can contact Eco Futurists podcast at ecofuturists@gmail.com⁠ Enjoying the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

  6. 01/23/2025

    32. Science in the media in a post-truth world | Sarah Keenihan

    We live in a time when algorithms track our every click through the media scape and keep feeding us similar information. So how do we know when we’re being duped? How do we ensure that the scientific ‘fact’ we’re consuming is, in fact, truthful, and how do we get science fact out there? In this episode host Prof Andy Lowe and guest science communicator and ex-The Conversation editor Sarah Keenihan get real about cutting through the noise and identifying trustworthy science in a post truth world. Eco Futurists is supported by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University. Learn More: Sarah Keenihan https://www.sarahkeenihan.com Australian Science Media Centre https://www.smc.org.au The Conversation https://theconversation.com/au You can contact Eco Futurists podcast at ecofuturists@gmail.com Enjoying the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

  7. 01/08/2025

    31. Fencing out the invaders to bring back threatened species | Katherine Tuft and Nathan Manders

    When the continent of Australia was settled by Europeans they came with their cats, foxes, rabbits and any number of foreign animals. It didn’t take long for these ‘invaders’ to destabilise delicate ecosystems and lead to a wave of the extinction amongst native animals. In this episode host Prof Andy Lowe is joined by Katherine Tuft https://tinyurl.com/mrxf6sy3 and Nathan Manders https://tinyurl.com/33hwtjv8 of Arid Recovery https://aridrecovery.org.au, an independent not-for-profit advancing conservation science for Australian threatened species in Roxby Downs South Australia. Together, they explore the challenges and wins of the 25 years of Arid Recovery’s existence, and explore ideas for the future of conservation in the world’s arid lands.  Learn More: Arid Recovery https://aridrecovery.org.au  Arid Recovery Sunset Tour https://www.roxbydowns.sa.gov.au/lifestyleandsport/visitor-information/attractions/arsunsettour  Arid Recovery Education and School Visits https://aridrecovery.org.au/visit/education-and-group-visits   You can contact Eco Futurists podcast at ecofuturists@gmail.com Enjoying the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

  8. 01/01/2025

    30. A walk in the park - shaping our cities, cultures and identities | Matthew Skjonsberg

    Whether they be nature parks in cities or urban areas in nature, what’s the process for navigating how cities and nature come together? How do people use and move through these spaces? Host Prof Andy Lowe is joined by Matthew Skjonsberg, Director of the Praxis Institute in Switzerland, and author of Living Cities: Three Centuries of Years of Park Systems https://www.park-books.com/en/product/living-cities/1477?preorder=1  to explore the rich cultural history of park systems, as well as the challenges facing people in their stewardship of both cities and parks moving forward.   Eco Futurists is supported by the Environment Institute at Adelaide University. Learn More:  Book - Living Cities: Three Centuries of Years of Park Systems https://www.park-books.com/en/product/living-cities/1477?preorder=1 Governor’s Island Projecthttps://www.west8.com/projects/governors-island/  Madrid/Rio Riverfront Projecthttps://www.west8.com/projects/madrid-rio/  Exhibition - Water Designs: l’eau dessine la villehttps://www.epfl.ch/campus/art-culture/museum-exhibitions/archizoom/water-designs-leau-dessine-la-ville/    You can contact Eco Futurists podcast at ecofuturists@gmail.com   Enjoying the show? Rate, review, and share it with your friends to help listeners like yourself explore their inner Eco Futurist.

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About

Our future depends on bold ideas that improve our natural environment while driving innovation. Eco Futurists is more than a podcast, it’s a platform for conversation, bringing together people with fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and a shared commitment to a sustainable tomorrow. From scientific experts and industry pioneers to artists, adventurers and community leaders, we spotlight those making a difference locally and globally. These are the voices of Eco Futurists working to create a greener, brighter future for our planet.

Information

  • Creator
    With Andy Lowe | Supported by the Environment Institute | Adelaide University
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © With Andy Lowe | Supported by the Environment Institute | Adelaide University
  • Show Website
    ecoFuturists

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