Our listeners send in thoughtful questions, and we dive into them without preparation or prior review. This way, our responses stay spontaneous and authentic. Today’s questions come from Bradford and Port Carlisle—two communities in Northern England with rich histories and unique local perspectives.

Andrew, from Bradford, England sent us this - “Are we too focused on Net Zero etc? Why don’t we drill our own oil, instead of importing and sustaining economies elsewhere? Aren’t we at risk of falling behind?”

William highlights that oil extraction requires years of infrastructure development, making it unsuitable for immediate energy needs. He advocates prioritizing renewables, arguing fossil fuel dependence risks long-term disadvantage.

Stuart counters that relying on foreign technology, such as Danish wind turbines, could weaken the UK’s energy independence unless domestic innovation is fostered.

William stresses planning for the next century, pointing to offshore wind as a strategic investment given Britain’s coastal geography.

Stuart notes some politicians dismiss net zero as “net stupid,” while William observes that short electoral cycles often hinder long-term policy, urging a broader vision beyond four- to five-year terms.

Steven, from Port Carlisle, England sent in this question - “Charlie Kirk’s killing. Are those who say that his death was about a man exercising his right to free speech and saying what he wants, leaving us to think more deeply about our own views right? Or are others who discuss other contributing factors right? Religion, Debate, Guns, Antagonism, Politics, Division, Conspiracies, For and Against, Disquiet etc etc etc”.

Stuart reflects on whether Charlie Kirk’s death stemmed from free speech or political division, concluding multiple influences were at play. He argues that freedom of speech is not absolute, noting the individual involved was both intellectual and religious, and sees the event as a symptom of wider societal fractures in America. Stuart admits limited engagement with Kirk’s content, focusing instead on psychology and body language to assess truthfulness.

William, aware of Kirk’s presence online, suspects his approach was designed to provoke reactions and generate revenue. He cautions that expressing opinions can trigger extreme consequences, though he did not follow Kirk closely.

Stuart proposes examining what freedom of speech truly means, distinguishing between genuine restrictions and social politeness, and questioning whether a universal definition exists.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

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This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice.

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends podfollow.com/ThePeoplesCountrysideEnvironmentalDebatePodcast , support our work through Patreon patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

We’re a veteran podcast, two surprise listener questions per episode, zero prep—cold takes, hot chaos.

Ryszard, from Bydgoszcz, Poland offers up the first question - ”How did life evolve from nonliving matter?”

Stuart feels after eons of cosmic boredom, water shows up, algae crash the party, oxygen gatecrashes, and then life takes a billion-year nap before evolution finally stumbles in. He squints at the universe and asks, “What nudged that first awkward step?”

William shrugs, points to Earth’s comfy orbit, a clingy Moon that keeps our tilt polite, and Jupiter—the hulking bouncer—scooping up space junk. Together they made a cozy stage for chemistry to improvise, even if the opening line remains a mystery.

Dmitry, from Novosibirsk, Russia has set todays second listener question - “The poor in the UK seem to hate poor immigrants, yet it's the rich taking the money the world over. Divide and concur, yes? Interestingly, many people who don’t like migrants heading to the UK are supporters of your royal family, who many say are immigrants, don’t work, and have a suspect pedophile amongst them!l”

William jokes that the tabloids seem less like news outlets and more like fear factories run by mystery billionaires with a fondness for stirring the pot.

Stuart suggests that many struggling Brits oddly resent struggling immigrants—because that’s the script they’ve been handed—while the real resource-hoarders are sipping champagne in mansions. With a smirk, Stuart notes the irony that some of the loudest anti-immigrant voices wave flags for the royals, who, if you trace the family tree, are basically the original foreign imports.

William adds that the word “immigrant” is a blunt instrument, lumping everyone from his EU-born wife to refugees into one box, while “expat” magically makes Brits abroad sound like glamorous adventurers—even when they’re just in Spain refusing to learn “hola.” He points out that the loudest anti-immigrant towns often have no immigrants at all, yet still bought into Farage’s “breaking point” drama.

Stuart suggests imagining Dmitry’s outsider lens, while William advises popping the bubble and sampling news beyond the usual echo chamber.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

We like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice.

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends podfollow.com/ThePeoplesCountrysideEnvironmentalDebatePodcast , support our work through Patreon patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside

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Trigger warning, this episode includes a discussion around a sensitive topic that you might find distressing. Listener discretion is very much encouraged.

Criticism of the Catholic church, the concept of existence, and whether infinity is real. They are the three big topics for this episode of The People’s Countryside Environmental Debate Podcast, the place where you the listener send in questions for co-hosts Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt and William Mankelow to discuss, dissect, deliberate, sometimes dispute, but very rarely debate, even though that word is in the podcast’s title!

The first question for this episode comes from Ryszard in Bydgoszcz, Poland - ”If everyone in the world suddenly forgot you existed, did you ever truly exist?”

William notes that countless people have lived and died, and that thousands more are dying at this very moment. Many of them pass without anyone knowing or remembering them.

Stuart considers whether a person truly exists if everyone forgets them. He notes that actions and thoughts create ripples that persist regardless of memory. Reflecting on identity, he suggests “you” may be an illusion, with the soul merely electrical brain activity, meaning existence could be just a consequence of the bodily functions. He concludes the question remains fundamentally uncertain.

William’s action: He reflects on mortality by considering two types of death: the physical death of oneself, and the death of the last person who remembers you. He encourages using this perspective to guide actions in life, aiming to leave a positive influence and be remembered meaningfully. Through the podcast, he and Stuart model this by addressing big issues and challenging listeners to think deeply.

Stuart’s action: whether being unacknowledged or forgotten diminishes a person’s impact, and what the nature of “you” truly is. He struggles with the idea of existence tied to memory and suggests it may be possible to be remembered without truly existing. His focus is on examining the concept of self.

The second question for this episode comes from Zbigniew in Chorzów, Poland - ”Is infinity real, or is it a mental construct?”

William considers the limits of human knowledge about the universe. He notes that the universe’s accelerating expansion and the finite speed of light prevent us from fully knowing its size. Despite observing distant regions with telescopes like Hubble and James Webb, much remains beyond our reach.  We never really know if infinity is real. This could all be a simulation.

Stuart examines the concept of infinity, suggesting it may or may not be real. He emphasizes that what is certain is that our understanding of it is a human mental construct, shaped by our interpretation of what infinity might or might not be.

What do you make of this discussion? Do you have a question that you'd like us to discuss? Let us know by sending an email to ⁠thepeoplescountryside@gmail.com

Sign the Petition - Improve The Oxfordshire Countryside Accessibility For All Disabilities And Abilities: change.org/ImproveTheOxfordshireCountrysideAccessibilityForAllDisabilitiesAndAbilities

We like to give you an ad free experience. We also like our audience to be relatively small and engaged, we’re not after numbers.

This podcast's overall themes are nature, philosophy, climate, the human condition, sustainability, and social justice.

Help us to spread the impact of the podcast by sharing this link with 5 friends podfollow.com/ThePeoplesCountrysideEnvironmentalDebatePodcast , support our work through Patreon patreon.com/thepeoplescountryside⁠. Find out all about the podcast via this one simple link: linktr.ee/thepeoplescountryside