EP6 - Reimagining environmental storytelling

🎙 The 6th episode of Rooted to Earth is out now!

In the latest episode of *Rooted to Earth*, Rob Smith, former BBC journalist and current host of Kent Wildlife Trust's "Talk on the Wild Side" podcast, shares his journey from mainstream news to environmental storytelling. With over 25 years of experience in broadcast journalism, Rob brings a unique perspective to how we communicate environmental changes and challenges.

Throughout our conversation, Rob highlights the transformation he's witnessed in Southeast England's farming community. He shares the story of a 3,000-acre farm transitioning to regenerative practices, demonstrating how commercial viability and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand. 

"They're finding that their yields haven't changed significantly and their inputs have dropped dramatically... You actually make more profit, which makes it way easier for other farmers to look at them and go, 'Well, hang on a minute.'"

Rob identifies several key challenges and opportunities in environmental communication:

1. The slow nature of change - Environmental stories often unfold gradually, making them harder to capture in traditional news formats.

2. The power of long-form storytelling - Podcasting allows for deeper, more nuanced conversations about complex environmental issues.

3. The importance of local success stories - Real examples of successful transitions to sustainable practices can inspire others to follow suit.

The episode also explores the changing landscape of environmental reporting, from the challenges of competing with traditional news stories to the emerging recognition of climate change's impact in mainstream media. As Rob notes, "All of them were talking around how to make decarbonization happen... not whether it should happen."

Rob's work demonstrates how journalism can bridge the gap between traditional farming practices and sustainable agriculture, showing that positive change is not only possible but already happening in communities across Britain.

🎧 Listen now: