Our pick of the best music and podcasts

(4th Floor Creative, Picture Zero)

The coronavirus pandemic has rightfully been our focus over the past six months.

But there is another global crisis, climate change, that has been developing for much longer.

With emission levels from transportation dropping hugely due to the lockdown, we’ve had a glimpse of a healthier environment, albeit one we haven’t been able to go outside and enjoy for large periods.

A new podcast, So Hot Right Now, takes an in-depth look at the climate crisis and hopes to trigger more discussion.

Presented by environmental journalist Lucy Siegle and wildlife filmmaker Tom Mustill, they have assembled some seriously heavy hitters to join them across the 11 episodes of the debut series.

United Nations climate negotiator Christiana Figueres, singer and activist Ellie Goulding and former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, are among those sharing insights. The opening episode features the country’s highestprofile climate-change activist, Sir David Attenborough.

One of the most trusted voices in the world, he talks about what he has learned, what he would do if he was starting his career now, how we can use wonder to fight for nature and what we need to do in the immediate future.

Sir David says: “Right now the climate issue is seen as being in the distant future because we’ve got coronavirus to think about. And, so, what are the papers full of? The virus. Quite right, that’s what I want to know about too.

“But this issue (climate change), which was coming to the boil, has suddenly been swept off the front pages. And we need it back there.”

The informal and passionate style of the podcast aims to provide listeners with the tools to play their part, whether talking to a parent or addressing the United Nations.