This week we have a special Earth Day bonus episode. The intrepid producer of our show, Andrew Lewis, is reporting from the Society for Environmental Journalists. Andrew gives us an update on Money Island, the community at the center of his first book, who refused to sell their land to a New Jersey flood program.

He also shares so very interesting polling data for the 2024 election that came out during SEJ. Apparently there are hundreds of thousands of self-declared evironmentalists who have never voted, and perhaps as many young conservatives who say climate change is one of their main priorities. Will climate voters decide the future of democracy in 2024? Probably not, but when the margin is a only a few thousand votes, every one counts.

As always, Non-toxic is supported with the help of our listeners. And we need your support now more than ever. Sign up to become a supporter today. We're already planning season three, so keep you ear to the ground for more news from Non-toxic!

For this bonus episode of Non-toxic, we're catching up with our producer, Andrew, and taking calls from our loyal listeners while dispensing poorly thought out advice. From how to get your brother-in-law to stop watching Formula 1 to the climate impact of AI, we are covering a lot of ground this week, and hopefully, helping you live a little less toxically.

To thank these callers, we're asking listeners to head over to our Patreon to vote on your favorite question. Whoever wins this poll will receive a free Non-toxic T-shirt. Vote for your favorite here.

And if you'd like to support Non-toxic, you can go to our Patreon and smash that subscribe button.

Links:

F1's path to sustainability is ⁠"a journey"

10 ways to reduce plastic in laboratories, according to University College London

Despite Google exec claims, ⁠AI likely to increase energy use⁠ and accelerate climate misinformation

A Tory journalist went on a $4000 mushroom retreat in the Netherlands, and all she got was an awareness of life's beauty and fragility

In the Season 2 finale of Non-toxic we're talking with barrister Paul Powlesland about the universal right to enjoy natural places, despite what landowners may tell you. He's the legal counsel for the activist group Right to Roam, who are pushing for greater access to England and Wale's wild places and the end of restrictions on hikers and walkers (within reason). The more time people spend in nature, Paul argues, the more they care about it. Which is critical when it comes to building the political will to fight climate change.

And because fixing the damage we've already done to the planet is the job of a lifetime, Paul has got some interesting ideas about how to tap into a more positive vision of masculinity that also repairs the planet. Why brag to your date about a fancy car when you can tell them how lush you've made the bird habitat in your garden. (Something to listen to in the morning?) And when you're with your buddies, you could be challenging them with a friendly "Do you even plant, bro?"

⁠⁠Support Non-toxic today.

Sign up to join Right to Roam

And pick up a copy of Wild Service

Bio:

Paul Powlesland is a barrister at Garden Court Chambers. He specialises in upholding the rights of environmental activists to protest and protect the natural world, and uses environmental law and regulations to defend trees, rivers and wildlife. Paul is the legal counsel for Right to Roam and co-founder of Lawyers for Nature, and regularly gives talks and workshops on the rights of nature, the relationship between the law and the natural world and what barristers and other lawyers should do in a time of climate and ecological emergency. As a boat-dweller for many years, he is also determined to protect the rights of boaters and other Traveller groups.