Podcast’s climate issues
A new podcast is connecting young people from across Forth Valley on climate and sustainability issues.
Fuel Change, a climate skills movement focused on creating a carbonneutral future for the next generation, designed by the next generation - will produce the ‘It’s a Start’ podcast to inspire young people from across Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire to make a difference in their local communities.
The podcast has been supported by a grant award from The National Lottery’s Together for Our Planet Community Fund. The fund was established by the National Lottery as a way for communities to take positive action on climate change and to build on momentum gained from COP26 held in Glasgow last year.
Three episodes have already been broadcast covering topics including Fast Fashion and Plastics in the Ocean.
Looking ahead to future episodes, Fuel Change are encouraging young people from the local area to come forward with their thoughts, experiences and insights on the pressing sustainability issues facing the next generation in the region today.
Having launched in 2020, Forth Valley-based Fuel Change has already worked with 1,500 participants and 115 organisations to solve decarbonisation challenges and unleash skills within the next generation through its unique Challenge Programme, which challenges the next generation in Scotland’s schools, colleges and workplaces to come up with creative solutions to real-life sustainability issues facing Scottish businesses.
Anna Bell, Challenge Programme coordinator at Fuel Change and host of the It’s a Start podcast, said: “We know that climate anxiety is a real issue that is present among the next generation, and it can be a barrier to becoming involved in positive change for our planet as people can feel overwhelmed by negative information.
“We also know that podcasts are hugely popular among Gen Z and an amazing way to connect with brilliant young minds on these challenges.
“Making our episodes speak towards the individual in a positive way encourages them to cooperate with others, and build community-led action. Not only is this an exciting proposition for young people across our region, but it has real potential to inform the national conversation too.”