Call Of The Wild

UK nature can be incredible but it’s massively under threat.

In this special episode of Call of the Wild from WWF-UK, Cel Spellman is joined by some amazing guests to work out what needs to be done to Save Our Wild Isles. Deborah Meaden, Investor and Dragon, tackles why industries need to get greener;  Nadeem Perera, TV presenter, author, activist and co-founder of the birdwatching collective Flock Together shares why access to nature needs to work for everyone; and zoologist and TV presenter Megan McCubbin, explains why our country isn’t as green and wild as it seems.

All these issues are explored in a brand-new documentary on BBC iPlayer called Saving Our Wild Isles,  narrated by Sir David Attenborough, and produced by Silverback Films. It shares stories of passionate people across the UK who are working to bring nature back from the brink, and shows that the scale and pace of change so urgently needed to save nature in the UK is not only possible but is already happening.

The documentary was commissioned by WWF, the RSPB and the National Trust, who have recently launched their first major campaign together calling for urgent action to halt the destruction of nature and help it recover. 

And a huge thank you to the members of the People’s Assembly for Nature who we heard in this episode.

Add your voice to thePeople’s Plan for Nature using the link below or by searching “Save Our Wild Isles” online. Together, we can make a difference.
 
https://www.saveourwildisles.org.uk/?utm_source=wwf-podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wwfuk-awareness&utm_content=bespoke
 
The wild is calling. It’s time to act.

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According to a new report from WWF, global wildlife population sizes have plummeted by 69% on average since 1970. The rate of decline is a severe warning that the rich biodiversity that sustains all life on our planet is in crisis, putting every species at risk – including us.   

Using this critical report as a guide, join host, WWF-UK Ambassador Cel Spellman and Mark Wright, Director of Science at WWF-UK, on a whistle-stop tour around the world to find out about the health of our planet – and what nature desperately needs from us right now. With special thanks to Stephanie Jenouvrier from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; Smriti Dahal, Manager of Conflict, Communities and Connectivity at Tigers Alive Initiative, WWF; and Welsh adventurer, explorer and wildlife biologist Lizzie Daly. 

Use your voice. Join a national conversation on action to protect and restore nature in the UK and help hold our leaders to account on their promises: https://www.wwf.org.uk/hold-leaders-to-account 

Look after yourself. Our episode on Health & Wellbeing is here: callofthewild.lnk.to/fearnecotton            

The Wild is Calling. It’s Time to Act. 

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“We've changed so much awareness, but now it's a tipping point. We need to go, ‘right, you know, things are really bad but please do not despair’. And if you do turn it into action now” – Noga Levy-Rapoport

Join Cel Spellman in a bonus chat with climate activist Noga Levy-Rapoport. Noga has led climate strikes across the UK and was also named in ForbesTop 100 UK Environmentalists for their work on youth empowerment, educational reform and systemic change. Not only do they dig into the subject of identity, but they also explore the changes Noga wants to see in the environmental justice movement, as well as what gives them hope for the future of our planet.

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To wrap up season two, Call of the Wild are talking about identity and how our sense of identity influences our relationship with nature - including how empowered we feel to bring about positive change for the environment.
 
Join actor and WWF Ambassador Cel Spellman as he meets some exciting guests shaking up the environmental space. Dr Karen Bell from the University of Glasgow explains how environmental justice and social justice intersect ; Anjali Raman-Middleton from Choked Up shares why she and other black and brown teens are campaigning for a new Clean Air Act; Noga Levy-Rapoport talks about their experiences of identity and fighting for the planet; and photographer, activist and author, Alfie Bowen, describes how autism gives him a unique view of the world and a creative way to help protect it.

The Wild is Calling. It's Time to Act. 

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“We protect what we love. And so, you know, the more you fall in love with nature, reconnect with nature, the more you want to save it and protect it.” - Ellie Goulding

This week’s bonus episode is another double-header. Join actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman and singer-songwriter, UN Goodwill ambassador, and WWF ambassador Ellie Goulding as they break down some of the biggest threats to our planet. Plus, hear from filmmaker and activist Richard Curtis about his journey to being an environmentalist.

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“I think it's just very important to remember that collective power is so, so strong. And when we all put our voices together, we really can influence people.” - Ellie Goulding

With temperatures rising and nature at risk, it can be easy to feel a bit overwhelmed by the enormity of the crises facing our planet. But it’s not too late to turn things around.

Actor and WWF Ambassador Cel Spellman explores how we can influence change in our local communities and further afield, with help from filmmaker and activist Richard Curtis, and singer-songwriter, UN Goodwill and WWF Ambassador Ellie Goulding.

The wild is calling. It’s time to act.

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“We're doing our best with the tools that we have, and we're not always going to get it right. And that's okay" - Jayda G 

This week’s bonus episode is a double whammy. Tune in as actor and WWF Ambassador Cel Spellman hears how artists can try and reduce their impact on the climate from DJ, Music Producer & Environmental toxicologist Jayda G. Plus, Cel digs deeper into biomimcry with wildlife television presenter, documentary filmmaker and fellow WWF Ambassador Patrick Aryee. 

The Wild is Calling. It’s Time to Act. 

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"The younger generation, they know what’s up. And it’s our job to really give them a leg up as much as we can.” - Jayda G 

Whether it’s our phones, laptops, or smart devices, tech is a massive part of our lives, and can be a fantastic ally to help us understand the natural world. But, due to the energy resource costs in making the gadgets we love, and keeping them running, it can also be a double-edged sword for the environment.

Actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman explores how the way we use technology is affecting our planet in this episode of Call of the Wild, with help from Grammy-nominated DJ, Music Producer & Environmental toxicologist Jayda G, TV presenter Patrick Aryee, and WWF-UK’s Director of Science Mark Wright.

Find tips and challenges for living more sustainably by downloading WWF-UK’s My Footprint app: http://hyperurl.co/nubvnn

The Wild is Calling. It’s Time to Act.

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 “I think that the change is going to start with you and I, and people going into the supermarket and people going into their high street chains and demanding better”

From breaking down barriers in farming to the pure joy of growing a successful crop, Groove Armada’s Andy Cato joins Cel Spellman to discuss his amazing company Wildfarmed in this bonus episode of Call of the Wild.

The wild is calling. It’s time to act.

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“If we don't sort this out, there's no plan B. And so I really want to spend the rest of my days as an active adult trying” - Andy Cato  

Whether cooking at home or picking up a take-away, there's a deep-rooted connection between how we feed ourselves and the health of our planet. And how our food is being produced is a big part of that.  

Actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman tucks into the environmental impact of what we're putting on our plates, from protecting the soil under our feet to supporting biodiversity on our farms, with help from organic veg pioneers Guy and Geetie Singh-Watson of Riverford and Groove Armada's Andy Cato, co-founder of Wildfarmed.  

Find tips and challenges for living more sustainably by downloading WWF-UK’s My Footprint app: http://hyperurl.co/nubvnn 

The wild is calling. It’s time to act. 

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“I always liked the comfort that nature gave me and the beauty of it. I'd probably feel more comfortable talking about trees than I do about houses.” – Kevin McCloud 

Call of the Wild are bringing you a double whammy. In this bonus episode, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman discovers some home truths about building sustainably with designer Kevin McCloud, and actor Iwan Rheon sets out his green manifesto if he and Cel were in power for the day. 

The Wild is calling. It’s time to act.   

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"We are part of a bigger ecosystem. We just have to love and respect it, that’s all.” – Kevin McCloud

From the buildings we live in, to the nature that connects and grounds us, there are so many factors that give us that all-important sense of home and belonging. But with a changing climate, comes changes to those very places that are valuable to us.

Actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman explores the power we have to make changes at home and how that helps the one place we all share - planet earth. With thanks to our guests: designer, sustainability expert and host of Grand Designs Kevin McCloud, as well as actor and WWF Cymru ambassador Iwan Rheon.

Find tips and challenges to living more sustainably by downloading WWF-UK’s My Footprint app: http://hyperurl.co/nubvnn
 
The Wild is Calling. It’s Time to Act. 

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“I think community is a big part of it. With any issue going on in the planet, if you can find people that share your concerns but also your hope, then what a beautiful, dynamic, amazing transaction.”  

From stargazing by the sea to the benefits of barefoot walking, broadcaster and writer Fearne Cotton joins Cel Spellman to discuss managing eco-anxiety and more in this bonus episode of Call of the Wild. 

The Wild is calling. It’s time to act.   

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“If there’s hope, that is going to propel you forward and give your action this huge sense of possibility.” – Fearne Cotton
 
It can feel like there are a lot of problems facing the world today. Hope might be hard to find at times. Connecting with nature can help with that, improving both our physical and mental wellbeing. 
 
Kicking off series two of Call of the Wild, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman explores why spending time in nature is good for our health as well as the planet, with help from broadcaster and writer Fearne Cotton and WWF-UK’s Director of Nature Based Solutions Will Baldwin-Cantello. 
 
Read the free mental health guide from WWF-UK & the Mental Health Foundation, Thriving With Nature: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/thriving-with-nature/guide
 
Find tips and challenges to living more sustainably by downloading WWF-UK’s My Footprintapp: http://hyperurl.co/nubvnn
 
The wild is calling. It’s time to act. 

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“I'm here to defend the Amazon not only for my people, not only for my territory, but for life itself.”
 
We need action, and fast. Ever since the first UN Climate Change summit 26 years ago, carbon emissions have continued to rise. 
 
In this special edition of Call of the Wild, actor, presenter and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman travels up to Glasgow for COP26 to find out what the conference is all about, what are the key goals our planet needs and how do we get there. 
 
Joining him on his climate journey is British actor, filmmaker & WWF Global Ambassador, Maisie Williams, and Chief Adviser for Climate Change at WWF-UK, Dr Stephen Cornelius. Plus, Senior Programme Adviser, Bel Lyon, and indigenous activist Txai Suruí, explain the impact of deforestation on indigenous communities and how any race to save the planet cannot happen without protecting the mighty Amazon Rainforest. 
 
Join the conversation on social media using #CallOfTheWild, and subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
 
The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“What brings me hope is the incredible power of the natural world to regenerate. When we step aside, so much can happen, I think that gives me hope.”

With lessons learned from life on the river, former model, trained horticulturist and regenerative grower Poppy Okotcha tells Cel Spellman about how she has been trying to live sustainably, how we need to reframe the way we look at our natural spaces, and some top tips for rewilding in the city.  

Join the conversation on social media using #CallOfTheWild, and subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“It is a bit like meditation. It's spending 10 minutes in a day, blotting out the sounds of the human hubbub, and eventually you start hearing the natural sounds” 

Instead of looking at a problem that needs fixing, this month Call of the Wild looks at something that can make a real change for good. Rewilding. It’s all about bringing back the wilderness we have lost and how that can have a huge positive impact on our environment. 

In this episode, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman explores how we can rewild from our doorstep with the help from David Lindo (aka the Urban Birder), Isabella Tree from Knepp Wildland, and former model, trained horticulturist and regenerative grower Poppy Okotcha.

They explore what it means to “rewild”, the benefits that has on our natural world, especially for our pollinators and soil, and the simple steps to get you started. 

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“I can’t imagine not wanting to be in nature.”

Taking inspiration from nature, singer and songwriter Birdy tells host Cel Spellman about her music writing process and the steps she’s taking to live more sustainably in this bonus episode of Call of the Wild.

Join the conversation on social media using #CallOfTheWild, and subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
 
The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“We talk about it now because it’s not a given. We do still know how to tackle the climate crisis and we do have time.”               

Climate change is destroying our world. There’s more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere than any time in human history and transport plays a big role in this. In the UK it is the single biggest source of emissions but only 6% of the global population has stepped foot on a plane and only 50% of UK fly in any given year.

In this episode, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman explores how travel and emissions contribute to the climate crisis, with the help of singer and songwriter Birdy, and WWF-UK’s former Head of Climate Gareth Redmond-King.

They uncover the reality of not sticking to the Paris Agreement, the impact that a changing climate is having on indigenous communities, and the best methods for planet-friendly travelling.  

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The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“It allowed me to glimpse a vision where we could still provide affordable clothing to the world, in a non-harmful way”

Discussing the driving forces behind sustainable fashion and finding hope in a changing world, supermodel and climate activist Lily Cole joins Cel Spellman for this bonus episode of Call of the Wild.

Join the conversation on social media using #CallOfTheWild, and subscribe now so you never miss an episode.
 
The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“What are the different ways we can express ourselves, in a way that are still within the limits of our planet?”

Fast fashion is leaving it’s print on our natural world. It can take 2,700 litres of water to produce the cotton needed for a single t-shirt. And the production of textiles worldwide emits 1.7 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases annually.

In this episode, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman explores the environmental impact of our clothes, with the help of supermodel, author and climate activist Lily Cole, and WWF’s Apparel and Textiles lead Alexis Morgan

They uncover the carbon and water footprint behind our clothes, the impact fast fashion has on people and rivers around the world, and how to make a sustainable fashion statement.

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The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“A thousand people doing it imperfectly but at least they're doing it, that's what we need, rather than one person doing it all perfectly”

Discussing their own relationships with food and the environment, generational differences at the dinner table and the joys of bare-foot walking are Tanya Reynolds and Kedar Williams-Stirling, stars of the hit Netflix series Sex Education.

In this bonus episode of Call Of The Wild, there’s brand new content from their discussion with host Cel Spellman.

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The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“I was eating all these things that had repercussions that were bigger than me”

The biggest cause of deforestation is food production. And because of that, our food system is really a huge contributor to climate change. Up to 15 billion trees are now being cut down every year across the world.

For this episode, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman explores the link between the food on our plate and nature destruction, teaming up with Tanya Reynolds and Kedar Williams-Stirling from the Netflix’s hit show Sex Education, and WWF-UK’s sustainable food expert Sabrina Goncalves Krebsbach.

They explore the roots of the problem, its impact on important forests and wildlife around the world, and discover the simple steps we can all take to a more nature friendly diet.

 Find tips and challenges to eating more sustainably, by downloading WWF-UK’s My Footprint app: http://hyperurl.co/nubvnn

 Join the conversation on social media using #CallOfTheWild, and subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

 The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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‘When you work together in millions, or potentially billions of people, then small things do have positive effects.’

In this bonus episode of Call Of The Wild, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman speaks with wildlife presenter Steve Backshall about why he’s optimistic we can collectively solve the plastics problem.

Join the conversation on social media using #CallOfTheWild, and subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“If you’ve eaten seafood, you’ve eaten plastic”

It’s time to talk plastics. Every piece of plastic we consume stays in the environment for up to hundreds of years. The sheer scale of plastics in the environment are dramatically impacting ocean wildlife and human health.

For this episode, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman explores the plastic problem, teaming up with model and entrepreneur Georgia May Jagger, who is working on reducing the plastic footprint in her industry, and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall, who is calling for global change in plastic consumption. Together, they delve into the roots of the problem, why change needs to come from the top, but also how we can all easily reduce our own contributions to the problem.

Find tips and challenges to help you say goodbye to plastic, by downloading WWF-UK’s My Footprint app: http://hyperurl.co/nubvnn

WWF-UK have teamed up with Sky Ocean Rescue to campaign for ocean recovery and inspire millions to take real action and become Ocean Heroes. To find out how you can step up and make a difference, visit: https://bit.ly/2PTxCU5

Join the conversation on social media using #CallOfTheWild, and subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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‘I applied for a job for the BBC to do sound radio, and I got turned down. A fortnight later, I got a letter which said, “we’re starting a new thing called television, would you be interested?”’

In this bonus episode of Call Of The Wild, presenter, actor and WWF ambassador Cel Spellman speaks with Sir David Attenborough about the changes we’re seeing in the natural world, and they explore how Sir David’s lifelong commitment to protect it began.

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The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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“If we damage the natural world, we are damaging ourselves, and we have been doing that without care for decades.”

Sir David Attenborough is the ultimate advocate for planet Earth.

At the launch of his feature documentary for Netflix, A Life On Our Planet, actor and WWF Ambassador Cel Spellman spoke with him to explore what’s at stake, finding joy in nature, and why there is still hope for our natural world.

Join the conversation on social media using #CallOfTheWild, and subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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We’re having an impact on nature like never before: polluting the skies and seas, burning up fossil fuels, and pushing nature to the brink of extinction faster than it can restore itself. But it’s not too late.

Join actor, presenter, and WWF ambassador, Cel Spellman as he discovers how every one of us can make a difference in the fight to save our planet.

In each episode, Cel meets a familiar face from the worlds of sport or entertainment, and teams up with a top wildlife expert to dig deeper into the threats we’re facing. What’s the real impact of climate change, single use plastic, food choice or fast fashion on our planet? And most importantly of all: what can we do to help?

Join the conversation on social media too using #CalloftheWild, and make sure you subscribe so that you never miss an episode!

The Wild is calling. It's time to act.

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