RTÉ's Ecolution podcast is heading for a massive milestone this week - 100 episodes! We are delighted to welcome Liz Bonnin to mark the occasion.
In the meantime, Producer Nicky Coghlan appeared on Mooney Goes Wild, to chat Derek about the award-winning podcast that has picked up gongs from IMRO and the NY Radio Festival. Press play to listen now up top and keep reading as he highlights some of the big episodes down the years.
Since 2019, Ecolution has championed sustainability, nature and, above all, the Climate Crisis. Presented by Evie Kenny, a now 18-year-old environmental activist, it is the only ongoing programme of its kind in Ireland and, given Ireland's climate commitments, a vital route to keeping younger audiences informed, involved and active in holding our representatives to account.
Click on the podcast title to subscribe on RTÉ or wherever you get your podcasts.
Ep1 - Biodiversity - Bee: A Superhero...
When we first started Ecolution was presented by James Dunne, then in TY. And we started strong off the bat. James went into the woods with Wild Awake, the forest school reconnecting kids to nature, buzzed to a school where bees are part of the curriculum and quiz zoologist Shane McGuinness on why biodiversity is so important. And two girls from Ballybough give bees a fighting chance.
In another from James’ tenure, we discussed silence, and how little of it we now get. Matt Mikkelson of Quiet Parks International talked noise pollution and how saving One Square Inch of silence protects a whole park. And kids around Ireland shared the noise of the places they live.
Rewilding has been a hot topic for the past ten years. And the re-introduction of animals is one contentious aspect of the movement. So head back into the wild to ask how wolves could play a part in Ireland’s future. We visit Wild Ireland in Donegal to meet their wolf pack, talk with Rewilding Ireland and meet Cartoon Saloon head Tomm Moore to find the inspiration behind Wolfwalkers.
Ep 45 - A change has got to come
In Evie’s first ever episode at the beginning of Season 3 we looked at the then latest IPCC report with Dr Shane, visit Castelcomer Discovery Park, speak to author Oisín McGann. And we headed to Mud Island Community Garden with artist Steve Doody, and check in with the Ecolution Brain Trust, kids across the country who want their say in the future we get to live.
Ep 49 - Buzz, Click, Rattle - Insects and Biodiversity
This one was a double header episode to celebrate Biodiversity Week and World Bee Day together. We send intrepid bug explorers Sadhbh and Rosa to the Bee Sanctuary of Ireland in Wicklow with 10-year-old Meadow as a guide. We met Collie Ennis in his Critter Shed, and investigate why bees and insects are so vital to our planet.
Mary Robinson, the first woman President of Ireland, former UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Chair of the Elders and fellow podcaster joined Evie to answer children’s questions about Climate Justice. How exciting is that?!
Birds are one of the most visible, and audible members of the biosphere that surround us. But they are in serious trouble. We spoke to Niamh Fitzgerald of Birdwatch Ireland, Birders in Kilkenny and kids across the country to see why they’re in decline and ask what we can do to help.
In this episode Evie got to chat to a giant amongst us. Dr Jane Goodall, DBE answering kids' questions on chimpanzees, Nature loss and all that young people can do. As well as her Roots & Shoots programme. It was a big episode. You can see the whole interview on YouTube too.
Ecolution returned for the latest season by switching off the lights to look at the stars! In this first episode, we head to Wild Nephin National Park in Co. Mayo. A haven for wildlife and a certified Dark Sky Park, it's the perfect place to explore nature after dark. From nocturnal creatures to the Night Owl crew - get ready to go wild…in the dark!
Ep 96 - Buy it, Break it, Fix it, Mend it!
Here we looked at the subject of reuse and mending. Arran Murphy of the Rediscovery Centre heads the ReLove Fashion competition. Nathalie Crowley has been running a Repair Cafe at Mud Island Community Garden. And Lucy Buckley is starting a "Library of Things".
We have 100 shows to choose from, so if you want an easy way into learning about nature, the climate crisis or all things environmental, Ecolution is the podcast for you!
Subscribe on RTÉ, Apple or Spotify.
Get more great podcasts for young people at rte.ie/jrpodcasts.
