Throughout October, November, and December, the IES is putting a spotlight on past analysis, articles, and content, written by IES members and staff.
The new audio series, 'From the Archive', takes some of the IES team's favourite written content and presents it in a new audio format. The goal of the series is to highlight some of the best analysis from the IES archive, give members a new way to consume IES content, and explore new options for our long-term approach to accessibility through a small pilot.
Episodes of the series are being released once a week throughout October, November, and December 2024, with the series due to complete in early 2025.
Listen to the latest episodes
Episode one: Systems approaches for tackling environmental issues
The article for episode one was written in July 2019 by Gary Kass. In the article, Gary writes about systems approaches, their importance for tackling environmental issues, and why the IES is well-placed to champion such an approach.
Episode two: Sustainability, interdisciplinarity, and solutions
The article for episode two was written in November 2023 by Ethny Childs. Ethny's article is taken from 'Transforming the planet: Our vision for the future of environmental science', which sets out the IES vision for the role of environmental science in facilitating the transition to a sustainable society.
Episode three: Emergence of the dragonfly: the role of transformative change
Episode three's article was written in November 2023 by Joseph Lewis. In the article, Joseph writes about the urgent need for transformative change to transition society towards sustainability, and how that transformative approach to change can be achieved.
Episode four: Outdoor CO2 Pollution
The article for episode four was written in August 2019 by Blaise Kelly. In the article, Blaise discusses comprehensive data on the health effects of CO2 pollution and how emissions have changed CO2 concentrations over time.
Episode five: The state of UK rivers
Episode five's article was written in March 2023 by Dr Rob Collins, who at the time was Director of Policy and Science at The Rivers Trust. In the article, Rob discusses the pressures which have combined to undermine the health and resilience of rivers in the UK.
Episode six: EIA for better design
The article for episode six was written in March 2021 by Ethny Childs, summarising the outcomes of one of the EIA Community’s EIA debates. In the article, Ethny discusses the challenges facing EIA professionals as they straddle two worlds between client expectations and environmental outcomes, as well as some potential solutions.
Episode seven: Framework-level governance for pollution and chemicals
With the long-awaited UK Chemicals Strategy yet to be published, and ongoing conversations about the future role of a global science-policy panel on chemicals and pollution, the article for episode seven reminds us of the importance of a strategic and integrated approach to addressing chemicals, pollution, and environmental contamination.
Episode eight: Environmental opportunities of future transport
In episode eight, we consider an article from May 2020 by James Bellinger. In the article, James discusses the future of transport interventions, how we can take a futureproof approach to identifying environmental opportunities, and how the circular economy can be embedded in our approach.
Episode nine: Technological development and environmental impact
This week's episode highlights an article written in February 2023 by Ethny Childs. In the article, Ethny discusses the interlinkages between technology and the environment, and what they mean for the future of environmental science and environmental scientists working with technology.
Episode ten: Proposed planning reforms and economic growth
The article for episode ten was written in August 2024 as part of Essential Environment. It was written by K M Smart and discusses her perspective on the proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that were subject to consultation earlier in 2024, their intentions and implications, as well as whether these planning changes will boost economic growth.
Episode eleven: Does silicon-based life exist?
Today’s article was written in 2017 by Duane Ager & William Pope, following the February 2016 edition of the environmental SCIENTIST journal: “Growing in space: Science beyond the biosphere”. After the release of the journal, the IES received a question worthy of greater exploration: “Does silicon-based life exist – and if not, why?"
