The podcast focusing on the connection between human rights and environmental issues.
In our next episode of the Food for thought series we are with artist, teacher and co-founder of May Poject Gardens, Ian Solomon-Kawall.In this episode, 'Nature is our leveller', Ian explores both how nature can put us on a level playing field both in societally and individually.
2/1/24 • 55:01
Thinking of foodIn this first introductory episode of 'Food for thought,' EarthRights' hosts, Mel and Pippa, welcome listeners to revive their connection to the land and nourish change. The episode unfolds during the harvest season with vivid reflections on Mel's recent experiences at Coed Talylan in Wales and Pippa's stay on a farm in the Montenegran mountains, where they both immersed themselves in tending to the land and the seasons, chopping wood, constructing eco-homes, harvesting food from lush gardens, and feeling deeply absorbed by their surroundings. These profound connections spark a revival for the podcast after a long pause.This newfound inspiration propels the series, aiming to foster reconnection among people and with the land, emphasising the need to move beyond macro politics and global organisations.One of the overarching themes of the series is: food and land go hand in hand. This sets the stage for discussions on critical issues, such as major investors buying and privatising land, disrupting traditional access, and the impact of sea level rise and season changes on farming practices.The episode moves on to address the pressing need to delink food access from economic factors, advocating for equitable access to nutritious food for all. It discusses global food insecurity, emphasising issues of access, poverty, and power.From a human rights and environmental standpoint, the episode highlights the importance of social movements in defining the boundaries of human rights and challenging corporate agendas. It discusses the evolving concept of extreme poverty post-COVID and the definitions of rights, particularly the right to food, exploring the choices between food security and food sovereignty.The episode concludes with an announcement of the series plan, including upcoming episodes on land access with Nick Hayes and the Coed Talylan community, urban farming, sustainable fishing, food as a universal language, empowerment through dealing in seeds, diet choices, consumer choices, and more. Get ready for a thought-provoking journey through the "Food for Thought" series! EarthRights will be encouraging listeners to reconsider their relationship with food, land, and each other. Each episode promises to nourish the audience with meaningful insights and actionable steps toward a more sustainable and just food system.
11/9/23 • 33:46
In the realm of "Food for Thought," hosted by Mel and Pippa of EarthRights, the series explores environmental justice, human rights, and sustainability through food. Mel's transformative experience in the Brecon Beacons in the forst and Pippa's at a farm in Montenegro reignite their connection with Earth, inspiring them to delve into the complexities of the current food system. Focusing on everyday practices rather than global politics, the series delves into themes like food sovereignty, urban farming, and land rights, featuring discussions with experts like Nick Hayes. Addressing challenges such as land privatisation and seed concentration, the podcast empowers listeners to confront unjust global food systems with managable steps and actions. Join the journey toward sustainability, human rights, and environmental justice in every bite! Stay tuned for more 'food for thought'.
10/11/23 • 03:04
"Coming back down to EarthRights: The Healing Power of Nature"In the final episode of our Cycle for Life series, join me (Mel) for a walk in the woods where I bring our journey full circle, exploring the profound impact of nature on mental health and well-being. As avid cyclists, we embarked on a remarkable 10,000km journey, not just as a personal challenge, but as a testament to the healing power of nature and the urgent need to reconnect with our natural world.We begin by addressing the core ethos of our podcast: the pursuit of uncensored knowledge and the sharing of stories that truly matter. This episode delves into the significance of connecting with the Earth, emphasising the critical link between human rights and a healthy, sustainable environment. While international laws are gradually recognising these rights, our access to the outdoors plays a pivotal role in safeguarding our mental health. Studies from many sources highlight the direct positive impact of spending time in nature, reducing stress levels, and improving mental health.On our cycling journey, we encountered diverse wildlife, fostering a deep sense of connection and respect for our Earthly companions. Through this, I emphasise the importance of: identification, naming, and noticing as crucial steps in appreciating the intricate web of life. By noticing details, caring, and protecting, we can build emotional connections with nature, driving us to preserve ecosystems and their inhabitants.Our personal experiences highlight the transformative power of nature. As we cycled through various terrains, we found solace and healing in the embrace of the wind, the rain, and the Earth itself. Cycling not only became a means of travel but also a symbol of empowerment, showcasing the low carbon footprint and economic viability of eco-conscious travel.This episode highlights the vital importance of incorporating nature into our lives. By recognising our kinship with trees and wildlife, by advocating for mental and physical health, and by empowering ourselves with eco-conscious choices, we can collectively heal, learn, and thrive.
10/3/23 • 57:47
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8/23/23 • 64:35
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8/22/23 • 52:55
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8/21/23 • 57:17
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7/21/23 • 67:42
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7/20/23 • 62:30
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7/19/23 • 67:42
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6/18/23 • 61:38
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6/17/23 • 65:45
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6/16/23 • 60:20
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6/5/23 • 52:45
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5/21/23 • 71:36
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5/21/23 • 71:43
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4/27/23 • 71:21
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4/8/23 • 61:32
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3/31/23 • 69:55
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3/28/23 • 52:31
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3/17/23 • 61:11
In this episode of the Cycle for Life series, Mel and Arthur reflect on the inability to avoid winter in Europe. They cycled through huge storms, including the 'Bura', which is a North-Westerly wind coming off the Velabit mountain range of Coatia, and nearly took them off their bikes. They experienced gusts of 125km/h and encountered snow on the islands of Croatia - unheard of! This epsiode explores the more lonely and stark side of cycling through the winter months.
3/14/23 • 60:45
5 days 5 borders - a conversation about the first 5 days of Mel and Arthur's cycle for life, through France, Switzerland, Northern Italy, Slovenia and into Croaita. A sunny and mountainous start, foggy and flat middle, and a final 50k along a blissful stretch of the Slovenian-Mediterranean coast on Euro Velo 8. An Epic first chapter of their journey.
3/6/23 • 63:39
Episode 2 reflects on Mel and Arthur's time in Sardinia with Highlining Bounceland crew. Beautiful memories were created.The community in the hills of Mekey's Farm next to Samugheo was established a few years ago by some highliners. It was thanks to 76 year old farmer, Mekey, that highliners and climbers are able to use his gorgeous land to train, build community and learn new skills. The community has grown over the past 3 years and now there are delicious veggies being grown, hundreds of chickens, cows with charming, chiming ringing bells and trees to be tended to and chopped for fire wood. A possibile future episode inspired by this one could be on access to outdoor spaces and sports. Mel has reflected a lot on this in the past years; on the privilege and the lack of diversity that sometimes consumes outdoor spaces and mountain sports. It's important for there to be justice and equality in sports and leisure moving forward.
3/1/23 • 54:16
It's just the beginning is the first episode of a new EarthRights series: Cycle for Life. In this episode Mel and Arthur share their stories of the first two weeks of their trip so far. Join for lots of laughter over the silly, ridiculous, oftentimes surprising situations they found themselves in.Cycle for Life is a new, more adventurous podcast series following Mel from EarthRights and her partner, Arthur, on their 5000km cycle for life in memory of a close friend lost to suicide and in celebration of life itself.Please help support the two suicide prevention and bereavement support charities they are raising for on this cycle (Papyrus and Sobs):https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/5000km-cycle-for-darragh
2/2/23 • 55:29
Join for an introduction to a new, more adventurous podcast series following Mel from EarthRights and her partner, Arthur, on their 5000km cycle for life (from Italy - Cairo) in memory of a close friend lost to suicide and in celebration of life itself.Please consider supporting the two suicide prevention and bereavement support charities they are raising for on this cycle:www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/50…cle-for-darragh
2/1/23 • 03:12
In this episode of the EarthRights podcast, Mel is joined by fellow vehicle dweller, Juliet Murray, to discuss life on the road, fighting against eviction and protecting the rights of vehicle dwellers within the wider Gypsy, Roma, Travller community.***Juliet and Mel recorded this a few weeks ago, the Community with Mel representing has since gone to court, but it was adjourned for want of trial papers from the Council... They will be heading to court again on Thursday 7th July***For some context, Mel has been converting and living in a van for the past year. She joined a vehicle dwelling community at Greenbank View in Easton, Bristol, over winter and there she met Juliet, a youth worker and environmental activist. On April 5th, the Greenbank community were paid an uncomfortable visit by Bristol City Council pacing notices on their vehicles directing them to leave, under s.77 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act (CJPOA) within a week. The reasoning behind this direction to leave was extremely vague. Threatened, confused, and alarmed bythe possibility of eviction, the community convened in a caravan and discussed what to do. The group decided primarily they wanted to remain together to maintain support and ensure no one would be rendered unsafe. Mel, thanks to her experience in the legal world, decided to research and understand how the law may negatively impact the group; and conversely, how to use the legal system to invoke positive change for the group and aim to set precedent for the wider GRT community. With legal backing, the group has since been in the process of opposing the Council. Mel, Juliet and their friends believe it is important to use their energy and skills to help the wider GRT community, which faces systemic discrimination and now also faces criminalisation for their way of life under the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (PCSC Act).This roadside conversation between Juliet and Mel therefore presents their experiences interacting with the council, the cyclical nature of the enforcement proceedings, limitations of the law, and how to stay energised and stand their ground.Mel will be following up this episode with resources, information and contacts for vehicle dwellers, GRT and NFA (no fixed abode) communities facing eviction and insufficient support from local councils... In the meantime, here are a few links: - Friends, Families and Travellers- Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 (PCSC Act) - Guide to PCSC Act for GRT, New Travellers and Vehicle DwellersAny questions or queries, please forward to Mel: contact@earthrights.co.uk
6/30/22 • 54:45
In this episode of the EarthRights podcast, Pippa is joined by Kate Liashchenko and Anastasia Laznya for a follow up conversation about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Expanding on the conversation EarthRights had with Kate in Feburary just days before the Russian invasion, Anastasiya, a Ukranian ecologist/marine biologist, discusses further issues that relate directly to the issues of human rights and the environment, such as the impact of the war on global energy production, food scarcity and environmental degradation.Gas prices and food security The war in Ukraine means "not only new food is in danger, but Ukrainian stocks of food are being deliberately targeted, mills and places where the food is stored are being targeted... Ukraine keeps around 3 years worth of food stored." (Anastasiya) Regarding fossil fuels, "war is very bad for the environment, just without even looking at the impacts on the ground but the fuel and energy used to power all the heavy machinery, you can't even begin to think about it." (Anastasiya)Other sides of the war in Ukraine"What we overlook is how many sides war has = we think of two sides, two armies, tanks... but there are other sides, human suffering in different ways, how people will run out of food completely, air quality will diminish and focusing on environmental impacts helps us to stay calm in the face of the horrors published on the news." (Kate)
4/21/22 • 33:32
A timely and critical conversation with EarthRights' Ukrainian friend, Kate Liashchenko, as today Putin has officially invaded Ukraine, unprovoked. It is sending shivers down the spine. To get a clearer picture on the ongoing conflict and tense relationship between Ukraine and Russia, listen to Kate, Pippa and Mel's discussion on this tense and emotional situation on the EarthRights podcast. In the episode, they confront the recent history between the two nations, since the fall of the Soviet Union, highlighting how the invasion of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing troubles in the coal rich basin of Donbass are still rearing their ugly heads against Ukraine. But, whereas in 2014 Ukrainians were less decided on the political future of their country, now there is consensus in aligning with Europe, NATO and the West. Undoubtedly this shift has unsettled Putin who has decided to invade Ukraine.Moreover, and very importantly, the gas pipeline that runs from Russia, through Ukraine, and supplies European nations with energy, is also causing hideous controversy. The money Russia earns from supplying European nations with gas is in turn funds Putin's army and war with Ukraine. It appears that coal and gas, fossil fuel generators, continue to jeopardize human rights: Ukrainian's right to self-determination and their right to life.Throughout the episode Kate reflects on her personal concerns with the rising tensions for her family and friends living in Ukraine, whilst she watches from afar in Lisbon, Portugal. To support people in Ukraine, take a look at these links: https://crisisrelief.un.org/t/ukrainehttps://savelife.in.ua/https://vuf-td.space/https://everybodycan.com.ua/
2/24/22 • 53:00
The EarthRights podcast is back with new music and an insightful conversation with Ray Chang about living in Taiwan under the threat of Chinese invasion. Ray is a recent Taiwanese graduate in political science, who we met in Prague awed by his break-dancing moves. Today's episode begins with a historical account of the relationship between Taiwan, China and the South China Sea. Tensions revolve around disputes over land and territory. The first known settlers in Taiwan were Austronesian tribal people, who are thought to have come from modern day southern China. Since AD239, when the then Chinese Emperor sent an expeditionary force to explore the area, Beijing has sought to maintain territorial claim over Taiwan, even until today.Whilst relations between China and Taiwan started improving in the 1980s after a process of democratisation had begun discussions with China about Taiwanese autonomy if it accepted reunification. Taiwan rejected this proposal and throughout the 1990s and 2000s it continued its pursuit of independence from China. Beijing disliked this, and their relationship soured again.According to Ray, the bitter relationship means that Taiwanese people live in fear of imminent invasion. He is concerned because, despite mandatory military service, he and other young men do not feel at all prepared if invasion were to take place.The U.S.A. has also pledged to support Taiwan and supply them with defensive weapons and has stressed any attack by China would cause "grave concern". Whilst Ray is very open-minded about U.S. support, Pippa and Mel question whether the U.S.A. would really step up in face of international conflict? And, what is the U.S. real motive in supporting Taiwan against China? Over the last few years, China has continued to infiltrate its power in Taiwan and Hong Kong, creating uprisings, protests and concern for people like Ray. Please tune in and hear Ray's personal story about living and growing up in Taiwan, under the threat of China.
2/17/22 • 45:39
