In this episode, we explore a subject that’s deeply important to us as educators: the role of climate in the classroom. How are schools and universities placing climate change at the heart of learning—not just in science lessons, but across the whole school experience?
We look beyond the curriculum to discover how educators are fostering sustainable living and embedding green practices into everyday school life. From encouraging active travel and connecting students with the natural world, to making conscious, eco-friendly choices part of the school culture, we’ll share inspiring examples of how teaching can shape a greener future.
We’re thrilled to welcome three inspiring champions of climate education:
🌱 Jenny Wilson – A passionate advocate from the Green Schools Revolution, Jenny is actively involved in the Teach the Teacher initiative. She collaborates with schools in underserved communities, empowering students to create their own Climate Action Plans and become agents of change.
🌍 Will Wale – A student at LSE and the outgoing Youth Focal Point for Sustainability and Climate Change at the Department for Education, Will brings a wealth of experience. He’s worked closely with young people, educators, civil servants, and ministers to advance climate and sustainability education across the UK.
🏫 Professor Nicola Walshe – Pro-Director of Education at UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, Nicola is also the co-founder and Executive Director of the UCL Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education. Her work focuses on transforming how climate education is delivered in schools nationwide.
Date of episode recording: 4th August 2025
Duration: 00:42:16
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Jenny Wilson, Green Schools Revolution https://www.greenschoolsrevolution.uk/
Will Wale, LSE student and Youth Focal Point for Sustainability and Climate Change at the DOE
Nicola Walsh, Professor and Pro Director of Education UCL IOE and CoFounder and Executive Director of UCL’s Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability Education https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/departments-and-centres/ucl-centre-climate-change-and-sustainability-education
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
As the importance of climate justice grows, UCL Generation One asks the questions: can we address the past for a fairer future? And are historic injustices to blame for today’s climate inequalities?
In this episode, Mark and Simon discuss the landmark ruling from the International Court of Justice, which declares nations are legally obligated to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions. This gives the countries most affected by climate change – many of which are former colonies – the legal right to hold major polluters accountable.
Lawyer and climate activist Farhana Yamin provides context on the ICJ’s decision, explaining the link between climate change and colonialism, and how activism combined with legal action can tackle systematic inequalities.
We then hear from Raffaella Fryer-Moreira (UCL Department of Anthropology), who works with indigenous communities in Brazil. Raffaella reveals how traditional academic practices often enforce historic dynamics, and explores how research projects might include rather than marginalise indigenous knowledge.
Date of episode recording: 23 July 2025
Duration: 00:38:38
Language of episode: English
Presenters: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Raffaella Fryer-Moreira (UCL Department of Anthropology)
Farhana Yamin (Climate Justice – Just Transition Donor Collaborative)
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
As summer kicks-off, UCL Generation One dives into the intersection of sport and sustainability – exploring how sport contributes to climate change, and how the climate crisis is already affecting how and where we play.
Mark and Simon are joined by Sofie Junge Pedersen, professional footballer and climate campaigner (Inter Milan, Denmark national team) and Dan Hall (Sustainability Engagement Officer at UCL, Communications Manager for Football For Future). Dan and Sofie discuss the role of grassroots initiatives and player-led advocacy in promoting climate consciousness in the beautiful game.
We also hear from Dr Russel Seymour, Senior Fellow at the Institute for Sport Business from Loughborough University, and the Chair of the British Association for Sustainable Sport. Russ breaks down the impact of climate change on sport, and the necessity for stronger government and organisational regulation to tackle climate change.
From grassroots campaigns to global initiatives, tune in to hear what clubs, venues, and fans can do to build a more sustainable future for the sports we love.
Link to Action FC actionfc.org/aramno-campaign
Transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-climate-podcast
Date of episode recording: 12 and 23 May 2025
Duration: 49:51
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Dan Hall (UCL Sustainability, Football For Future)
Sofie Junge Pederson (Inter Milan, Denmark national team)
Dr Russel Seymour (Loughborough University, British Association for Sustainable Sport)
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
It’s crunch time for the oceans and shipping sector, and tensions are high. Dr Simon Chin-Yee brings you this special episode of #UCLGenerationOne in the midst of critical negotiations at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Simon speaks to colleagues who have travelled across the oceans to the IMO: the UN agency responsible for regulating the shipping sector. In April 2025, countries came together to negotiate the IMO Net-Zero Framework, including a set of ‘mid-term measures’ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with 2023 targets.
In this episode, Fijian performing artist and climate advocate John Taukave (Pacific Coordinating Group) and Eldine Glees (Maritime Policy Consultant) discuss the importance of a just and equitable transition for small islands and developing countries.
And as the dust settles, Simon picks up with Opportunity Green’s Emma Fenton to break down what actually happened, and what it means for the future of green shipping.
The stakes are huge: will the IMO agree to decarbonise global shipping while ensuring no one is left behind? Find out in our podcast Talanoa!
Transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/ucl-generation-one-climate-podcast
Date of episode recording: 5 and 16 April 2025
Duration: 55:40
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
John Taukave, Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport
Eldine Chilembo Glees, Micronesian Center for Sustainable Transport
Emma Fenton, Senior Director, Climate Diplomacy at Opportunity Green
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
In the months of both Ramadan and Lent, Generation One joins in with reflections on the relationship between food, community, and health with our fifth episode of Season 5.
Hosts Mark and Simon explore not only the impacts of climate change on global food availability, but societal behaviour around food and decision-making. Examining the intersecting issues of food security and consumer culture, they uncover the effects of both on nutritional health.
They’re joined by two UCL experts: Mark Miodownik (Professor of Materials & Society) who deconstructs the supply chain to highlight the damaging effects of packaging and microplastics. And Gail Taylor (Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences), who explains how the latest developments in plant science and agrotechnology can help make food more nutritious and widely available.
We also heard from Dr Andrew Simms of the New Economics Foundation. And from UCL students Carson and Valentina, leaders of the Students’ Union’s Zero Food Waste project, which aims to tackle food waste on campus.
Zero Food Waste: studentsunionucl.org/volunteering/o…ero-food-waste
Transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-climate-podcast
Date of episode recording: 6 and 21 March 2025
Duration: 55.46
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Professor Mark Miodownik, UCL
Professor Gail Taylor, UCL
Yat Hin Carson Chan, UCL Students’ Union
Valentina (Hye Won) Chang, UCL Students’ Union
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
What is the Climate and Nature Bill, and why does it matter?
The Zero Hour campaign is here to tell us, as we dive into their efforts to secure widespread backing for the Climate and Nature Bill. The Bill, which had its Second Reading in Parliament on 24 January 2025, aims to strengthen the UK government’s commitments to cut emissions, restore nature, and ensure public consultation on the road to net zero.
Hosts Mark and Simon are joined by Simon Oldridge, Policy Advisor at Zero Hour to break down the key components of the Bill, and why it’s crucial to tackling the climate emergency. Simon also sheds light on how Zero Hour managed to gain cross-party support for the Bill, and what individuals can do to help it get passed.
We also hear from the Bill’s sponsor: Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage, on why she believes it’s a vital step needed on climate action. And from Conservative MP Andrew Bowie, who shares his concerns about the Bill and why he remains a critic.
Find out more about the Zero Hour campaign:
www.zerohour.uk/
www.youtube.com/@zerohour_uk
UCL’s Love Your Planet event: www.ucl.ac.uk/grand-challenges/e…e-your-planet-2025
Transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-climate-podcast
Date of episode recording: 31st February 2025
Duration: 32.51 mins
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Simon Oldridge, Policy Advisor at Zero Hour
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
In this special episode hosts Mark Maslin and Simon Chin Yee give us behind the scenes insights and their verdicts on the outcome of COP29.
This COP was mainly about the money and went into extra time, but our hosts unpack it and take a deep dive into the key results with the help of special guests in the studio Priti Parikh, Professor of Infrastructure Engineering and International Development, at UCL’s Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction and Anoushka Jain, a UCL Politics and International Relations student and member of the UK Youth Climate Coalition. We even round off this episode with some post COP music therapy! Let the spine tingling music wash over you. It’s a new composition from the collaboration between UCL and the BBC Young Composer project.
UCL teamed up with the BBC Young Composer competition to inspire the winners to create brand new pieces based on UCL’s climate science. Composing for the Climate is a collaboration between UCL and the BBC as part of East Bank – the UK’s newest culture quarter on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park where UCL has a campus.
BBC music credits:
© BBC ‘Gaia’ composed by BBC Young Composer competition winner Advaith Jagannath. Recording made as part of the BBC Proms 2024, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by Hugh Brunt.
BBC Radio 3 website to hear the full pieces: BBC Radio 3 - BBC Proms - BBC Young Composer Winners: The Process and Music
Website for BBC Young Composer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p030pblf
Find out more about UCL at COP29 https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/ucl-cop
Date of episode recording: Monday 25th November 2024
Duration: 41:57
Language of episode: English
Presenters: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Professor Priti Parikh
Anoushka Jain
Producer: Adam Batstone
Executive producers: Caitlin Mullin, Jane Yelloly
What do vultures in India and beavers in West London have to do with protecting our ecosystems? What’s the link between biodiversity loss and human-driven climate change? Why does Simon love beavers so much? And what exactly is “COP16”?
This episode explores some of the key issues at play – focusing on global ecosystems and local conservation efforts, and coincides with the Sixteenth Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Columbia.
Hosts Mark and Simon are joined in the studio by Elliot Newton of The Ealing Beaver Project: a collaboration between the Ealing Wildlife Group, Citizen Zoo, The Friends of Horsenden & Ealing Council. And UCL expert Dr Alex Pigot, whose work on evolutionary biodiversity helps predict how ecosystems are responding to climate change.
While at the conference in Cali, Simon also catches up with freshwater systems expert: UCL’s Dr Izzy Bishop, to discuss the work she took to COP16.
Citizen Zoo www.citizenzoo.org/
The Ealing Beaver Project theealingbeaverproject.com/
UCL Faculty of Life Sciences biodiversity campaign www.ucl.ac.uk/lifesciences-facul…rsity-ucl-priority
Find out more about UCL at COP16 www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/ucl-cop/ucl-and-cop16
Access the transcript www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-climate-podcast
Date of episode recording: Friday 18th October 2024
Duration: 45 mins
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Elliot Newton, Head of Conservation at Citizen Zoo and Creative Director at A Focus On Nature
Dr Alex Pigot, Professorial Research Fellow in the UCL Division of Biosciences
Dr Izzy Bishop, Lecturer in Ecology, UCL’s People and Nature Lab
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
Jane Yelloly
This is Generation One, the climate podcast from University College London – turning climate science and ideas into action.
Hosted by Dr Simon Chin-Yee from the School of Public Policy, and Mark Maslin, Professor of Earth Systems Science at UCL.
We’re going to be tackling climate action in all its forms, from innovative business and tech solutions, to inspiring stories from the frontlines of collective activism. With fantastic guests and top UCL experts.
Look out for Series 5, coming soon on your favourite podcast platform.
Learn more about UCL’s Generation One campaign and access the transcripts here www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-climate-podcast. Or find us on X using #UCLGenerationOne.
Presenters: Prof. Mark Maslin and Dr. Simon Chin-Yee
Producers: Adam Batstone, Caitlin Mullin, Jane Yelloly
Welcome to Series 5! In this first episode, following the recent Labour party conference, our hosts Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee discuss the UK government’s plan to create ‘Great British energy’.
The (not so?) ambitious programme aims to make Britain a clean energy superpower to bolster energy security and achieve its net zero carbon emissions target by 2050. But how impactful actually are these policies?
With UCL’s Professor of Energy Policy Jim Watson, Emma Fletcher from Octopus Energy, and Dave Powell from Climate Outreach, we assess whether this is a genuine step towards green energy or just political rhetoric. Our experts also look more broadly at green initiatives, and whether they really can lower your bills.
Date of episode recording: Monday 16th and 17th September 2024
Duration: 49.55 minutes
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Emma Fletcher (Low Carbon Homes Director of Octopus Energy)
Dave Powell (Senior Advocacy Manager at Climate Outreach)
Jim Watson (Professor of Energy Policy and Director of UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources within the Faculty of the Built Environment)
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
Jane Yelloly
In this special episode, we look back at the year through some of our favourite moments from Series 4.
Our hosts Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee explored climate action in a multitude of forms: from groundbreaking climate science and AI, to innovative policy solutions and inspiring stories of individual activism. With fantastic guests spanning multiple disciplines and industries.
Reflect with us on what’s been done, and what there is still to do, with our Series 4 highlights.
Transcript link: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-climate-podcast
Date of episode recording: 28th May 2024
Duration: 27.16 minutes
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Ian Townsend, ONS
Pierre Cannet, Client Earth
Sims Witherspoon, Google Deep Mind
Buffy Price, Carbon Re
Louise Harris, Just Stop Oil
Annabel Rice, Green Alliance
Versha Jones, The Climate Reality Project
Kris de Meyer, Department of Earth Sciences, UCL
Shirley Rodrigues, previous Deputy Mayor, Environment and Energy at Greater London Authority
Mark Watts, C40 Cities
Producers:
Adam Batstone
Caitlin Mullin
Jane Yelloly
In the final episode of this series of Generation One, we take a look at cities and climate action. With many elections happening around the world, what are cities actually doing to adapt to climate change, mitigate climate impact on populations, and reduce emissions?
Our hosts discuss urban adaptation and transformation with UCL Professor Lauren Andres (Director of Research at the Bartlett School of Planning) and Mark Watts, the Executive Director of C40 Cities, a global network of mayors taking urgent climate action.
C40 Cities website: https://www.c40.org/
The Bartlett School of Planning: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/bartlett/planning/bartlett-school-planning
For the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/generation-one-climate-podcast
Date of episode recording: 11th April 2024
Duration: 33.46 minutes
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Professor Lauren Andres, UCL
Mark Watts, C40 Cities
Producer: Adam Batstone
Happy Earth Day! This episode’s focus is on entrepreneurial climate action: what are businesses – particularly the AI sector – doing to combat the climate crisis and help reach net zero?
Helping our hosts Mark and Simon answer these questions are Sims Witherspoon (current UCL student studying for MSC in climate change and Climate and Sustainability Lead at Google DeepMind), Buffy Price (COO and Co-Founder of Carbon Re, an AI startup which aims to accelerate decarbonisation), and Zoe Cokeliss Barsley (Director of Sustainability at Oxford University Press) and UCL alumna (MSc Conservation 2003)
Carbon Re carbonre.com/
Oxford University Press Responsible Publishing report oup.foleon.com/responsible-publi…-2022-23/2022-23/
For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-climate-podcast
Sign up to our climate newsletter here: r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/6T06-7DL/su…s-newsletters
Date of episode recording: 14th February, 23rd February and 1st March 2024
Duration: 32.15 minutes
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Sims Witherspoon, Google DeepMind
Buffy Price, Carbon Re
Zoe Cokeliss Barsley, Oxford University Press
Producer: Adam Batstone
What are individuals doing to fight climate change and how important is the role of local activism? This episode will be focusing on individual climate action, with our guests chatting to our hosts about the role of activism in initiating change. Featuring Louise Harris (songwriter and Just Stop Oil activist), Versha Jones, (Climate Reality Project - Volunteer National Coordinator, UK) Annabel Rice (Political Advisor at the Green Alliance) and Kris de Meyer (Senior Research Fellow in Climate Communications University College London, Dept of Earth Sciences).
‘We Tried’ song by Louise Harris https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2XV20G85Tg
The Climate Reality Project https://www.climaterealityproject.org/
For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/generation-one-climate-podcast
Sign up to our climate newsletter here: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/6T06-7DL/subscribe-to-ucl-climate-hubs-newsletters
Date of episode recording: 14th February and 8th March
Duration: 39.20 minutes
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Louise Harris, Just Stop Oil
Versha Jones, The Climate Reality Project
Annabel Rice, Green Alliance
Kris de Meyer, Department of Earth Sciences, UCL
Producer: Adam Batstone
In this episode, we’re moving beyond the UK to explore global climate policy in the wake of COP28. Hosts Mark and Simon are joined by Pierre Cannet, the Global Head of Public Affairs and Policy at Client Earth, to discuss how the law can be used to create change.
More about Client Earth: www.clientearth.org/
For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/pod…ne-climate-podcast
Sign up to our climate newsletter here: r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/6T06-7DL/su…s-newsletters
Date of episode recording: 16th February 2024
Duration: 27.12 minutes
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee
Guests: Pierre Cannet, Global Head of Public Affairs and Policy at Client Earth
Producer: Adam Batstone
Introducing episode 3 of season four! Our hosts Mark and Simon continue this series with a discussion on the fallout from COP28 for the UK, and what needs to be done on a national, governmental and local level.
Joining them are our guests Ian Townsend (ONS Divisional Director of Environment), Robbie Macpherson, (APPG lead at Uplift), Annabel Rice (Political Advisor at Green Alliance) and Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy at Greater London Authority, Shirley Rodrigues, to talk national feeling and climate policy.
For more information and to access the transcript: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/generation-one-climate-podcast
Sign up to our climate newsletter here: https://r1.dotdigital-pages.com/p/6T06-7DL/subscribe-to-ucl-climate-hubs-newsletters
References
ONS release calendar: https://www.ons.gov.uk/releasecalendar/
Key ONS environmental releases: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts
Important issues facing the UK (5.1-5.13), http://bit.ly/ONSimpactCOL
Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain Statistical bulletins:
Business insights and impact on the economy bulletins: https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/business/businessservices/bulletins/businessinsightsandimpactontheukeconomy/previousReleases
Date of episode recording: 14th and 23rd February 2024
Duration: 27 mins, 14 secs
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Mark Maslin and Simon Chin-Yee
Guests:
Ian Townsend, ONS, Divisional Director of Environment
Annabel Rice, Political Adviser at Green Alliance and UCL alum (Environment, Politics and Society 2021)
Robbie MacPherson, Political and Climate Change APPG Lead, Uplift
Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor, Environment and Energy at Greater London Authority
Producer: Adam Batstone
COP28 in Dubai is over and Mark and Simon are back in the studio to debrief. What on earth happened and is it good enough? They discuss the loss and damage fund, the challenges with the COP process and ultimately whether the outcome is enough. Joining them live from COP are Dr Guy Jackson (University of Northumbria), Nada Berrada (Education Development Centre), Mary McHarg (UCL Union Affairs Officer) and Kerrlene Wills (United Nations Foundation).
For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/generation-one-climate-podcast
Welcome back to UCL’s Generation One podcast! To kick us off co-hosts Prof Mark Maslin and Dr Simon Chin-Yee are chatting about COP28, set to be held in the United Arab Emirates. In this episode Mark and Simon are looking back at what went wrong at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, and what needs to happen at COP28 to keep us track to combat the climate crisis.
For more information and to access the transcript: www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change/podcasts-videos/generation-one-climate-podcast
