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Award-winning climate activist and influencer Laura Young fronts new SAGES podcast series
A PhD student from Abertay University and the University of Dundee is hosting a new podcast series that highlights the work of leading scientists and researchers in Scotland.
Laura Young is the host of the SAGES Climate Science Podcast, which is produced by the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment, and Society (SAGES), a collaborative network of Scotland's top academic institutions.
Also known on social media as Less Waste Laura for her tireless campaigning to ban disposable vapes, environmental activist Laura discusses climate related topics with academics and PhD students from universities across Scotland.
The podcast, which launched on Tuesday 21 January 2025, features 11 informative episodes that explore a wide range of environmental science topics, reflecting Scotland's commitment to addressing climate change through collaborative research and public engagement.
Academics from both Abertay and Dundee universities also feature in the series.
From Abertay University, Dr Rebecca Wade, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Built Environment and Life Sciences, and Dr Andrew Minto, Lecturer in Civil Engineering, give their insights in two episodes.
And from the University of Dundee, Professor Sue Dawson, Professor in Physical Geography, Dr Ailsa Guild, Lecturer in Sustainability and Physical Geography, and Dr Jennifer Rao-Williams, Design Fellow at the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, lead conversations in a further four episodes.
In episode 2, Dr Wade discusses rising sea levels and changing weather patterns, drawing on her experiences from her voyage to Antarctica as part of the Homeward Bound leadership programme.
The spotlight shifts to the cryosphere in the next episode, featuring Dr Guild. The team discuss the role of frozen environments like Greenland’s glaciers and Antarctica’s "Doomsday Glacier," shedding light on their significance for the global climate, and how these issues impact on Scotland.
Our local coastlines are explored in episode 5, led by Professor Dawson. The episode unpacks coastal erosion, storms, and nature-based solutions for adapting to these dynamic environments, focusing on locations from Montrose to Orkney.
In Episode 7, Sarah Crowe and Fatemeh Mahmoudnejad (PhD researchers at the University of Dundee, UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science) examine how blue-green infrastructure and inclusive planning can create climate-resilient cities, highlighting the importance of community participation in shaping urban spaces.
Episode 8 highlights Scotland's underground environment, with Dr Minto exploring the crucial roles of groundwater, geothermal energy, and Scotland's unique geology in developing sustainable energy solutions.
And in episodes 10, Dr Rao-Williams address the social inequalities exacerbated by climate change.
The podcast was officially launched at the Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI), with key stakeholders, scientists, and policymakers in attendance.
Laura Young said:
Our goal with the SAGES Climate Science Podcast is to cut through the noise of misinformation and bring science to the forefront. Scotland is home to world-leading research and incredible scientists working on solutions to the climate crisis. This podcast connects the public to their work, providing clarity and inspiration at a time when action is more important than ever.
This new role aligns with Laura’s activism and academic pursuits, particularly her joint PhD between Abertay and the University of Dundee, which focuses on enhancing Scotland's resilience to climate change through innovative nature-based solutions and robust community engagement. In late 2024, Laura served as an official delegate at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Scottish Government’s Acting Minister for Climate Action, Alasdair Allan MSP, said:
Public support for climate action is crucial if Scotland is to achieve net zero by 2045 and become more climate resilient. That is why we have delivered over £800k in funding for community-based climate engagement projects since 2023 – including support for this new podcast series from the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society. The series will help listeners build a better understanding of some of the complex issues around climate change and provide insight into what action people can take to help cut emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The SAGES Climate Science Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and YouTube.
