Setting the scene in this first episode, Mark Spencer, founder of Climactic, and co-host Rich Bowden talk about the goals they have for their new podcast. The pair discuss the storytelling approach they will take to bringing listeners information and ideas on sustainable living. Mark and Rich also give an insight into the interviews they will be using to anchor the show as well as the importance they give to listener engagement to the success of the show. Both Mark and Rich love talking to the people doing the hard yards on the ground, as much if not more so than the famous figures in the environmental movement, so if you’d like to tell your story, we’d be very happy to help. Climactic.fm - The voice of the people on climate change.

Episode 3 sees Mark Spencer go one-on-one with Councillor Tim Baxter of Melbourne’s Port Phillip Council. Tim’s passion for the environment and determination to drive through essential policies designed to mitigate against climate change is obvious in this free-wheeling and fascinating chat. He discusses what Council’s role is in implementing green policies and how important feedback from the community is for councillors. There’s a great deal here too for local democracy enthusiasts as Tim launches into some fascinating topics in the latest developments in direct democracy. He outlines the baby steps many councils are taking to give more power back to the people as well as how online technology is shaping local government accountability. As Tim says in the interview, he’s not the only one with progressive views on the Council and he discusses the fact that local government is often at the forefront of the battle against climate change. Indeed, if you’re a resident of the council’s boundaries and would like to have your say on the latest draft proposal, check out the link below. Otherwise, sit back back and enjoy the show. As Mark says: “... it’s fair to say we’re a pair of geeky democracy, technology and environment fans, and we had a lot of fun chatting.” --- Climactic is even better when you can take it with you. Just go to climactic.fm for links to subscribe to the show in all the popular podcast apps.

In this episode, Mark talks to Dugald Holmes, his great friend and inspiration behind the setting up of Climactic. Inspiration? Well with his organisational skill, Dug was a driving force behind the prevention of the building a massive gas power station plant in the ACT, a fascinating story you’ll hear in some detail in the interview. It was this achievement, this astonishing battle against all the odds, that has driven Mark to establish Climactic with the same passionate goals — to help protect our planet for future generations. In the episode Mark and Rich describe Dug as a passionate climate activist though as you will hear, Dug doesn’t exactly fit the standard image that you would expect of someone doing this work. He describes himself as a regular family man and member of the local community and it was this status that drove him to spend nearly a decade of his life fighting the proposed gas plant and the inevitable pollution and environmental degradation that would have followed. Dug also talks of his education in organising campaigns against local government as a child, showing us that one person can make a big difference. --- Climactic is even better when you can take it with you. Just go to climactic.fm for links to subscribe to the show in all the popular podcast apps.

In this week’s episode, Climactic co-host Mark Spencer talks to Cr Kat Copsey of Port Phillip Council in Melbourne, Victoria. Kat chats about her “aha” moments in her rise to becoming an advocate in the ongoing battle against global warming and also talks of her love for the arts and artistic expression. However on issues as important as climate change Cr Copsey told Mark that “systemic change” was absolutely necessary and the sooner this change is implemented, the better for our society. “I always wished that somebody would do something [about climate change] then I realised I am somebody” said Cr Copsey, words that underline her hands-on approach to climate activism. As part of preparation for our upcoming special on China’s decision to restrict Australian recycling imports, Mark asked Kat about the opportunities this presented as well as the dark side of increased costs for councils. She agreed that a crisis such as the Chinese government’s decision does indeed create room for shared potential and lists changes made and proposals before Port Phillip council. Enjoy the interview! --- Climactic is even better when you can take it with you. Just go to climactic.fm for links to subscribe to the show in all the popular podcast apps.

The first in a two-part series, this episode frames the new and concerning waste recycling problem in Australia. The situation has grown critical since China’s “National Sword” decision earlier this year, not to take our recycling. Changing the ground rules on what they will — and won’t — accept has closed the door, leaving our councils effectively buried under a pile of waste. We talk to Councillors and Council staff to find out the very real stress the decision has placed them under to make changes and what consequences this will have for residents and ratepayers. We also talk to climate activist Dug Holmes for his take on the crisis and — as an added bonus — Mark shares with us what inspired him to start Climactic. In our second episode we’ll be looking at the bright side: the opportunities the recycling crisis presents. Enjoy the show! --- Climactic is even better when you can take it with you. Just go to climactic.fm for links to subscribe to the show in all the popular podcast apps.