A CLIMATE scientist from New Quay has launched a podcast, focusing on highlighting the “need to talk about adapting to climate change, rather than just ways to stop it or slow it”.

Dr Morgan Phillips, who is originally from Aberaeron but currently lives in London, published a book, Great Adaptations - In the shadow of a climate crisis, in a similar vein in September 2021.

Dr Phillips has now launched a seven part podcast exploring similar topics around climate change adaptation.

“We wrote Great Adaptations to highlight the need to talk about adapting to climate change, rather than just ways to stop it, or slow it,” he explained.

“The podcast is our way of practicing what we preach a bit. I have been interviewing campaigners, politicians, and academics who are involved in climate change.

“We’ve released two episodes so far, with Asad Rehman from War on Want, and Leanne Wood, the former leader of Plaid Cymru.

“The initial plan was to do a 6 episode series, but I think it’ll be 7. We’ve got some really interesting interviewees lined up. If the interest continues to grow, both in the podcast, and adaptation as a topic, we’ll likely record some more interviews and release those later in the year.

“Our aim is to get the adaptation side of the climate change story up the agenda. It is so important we do this, because people are already adapting to climate change, and not necessarily in the best possible way. It is only by sharing the best and worst practices that we can help people adapt in effective ways, and ways that don’t inadvertently cause other problems.”

Dr Phillips left west Wales in 1998 to study an undergraduate degree in Geography, before going on to complete a Masters in Environmental Science and a PhD in Environmental Education.

Dr Phillips has gone on to dedicate his career to climate change science, taking on the role of co-director of The Glacier Trust, a charity enabling climate change adaptation in Nepal, head of insight at Global Action Plan, and to lead on the design of the Dirt Is Good Project.

Dr Phillips and his family have recently purchased a house in St Dogmaels and will be returning to the area this year.

So far, Dr Phillips said the podcast has been well received: “It takes time for podcasts to gain traction, it seems like everyone has one these days! But, we’ve been really pleased with the listeners numbers and quite a few people have got in touch with us off the back of it asking how they can get involved with The Glacier Trust.

“The next episode is a recording of a speech I gave in Bristol on November and that will be quickly followed by an interview with Dr Lisa Schipper from Oxford University. We’ve also, hopefully, got two of the founders of Extinction Rebellion lined up for a chat too.”

You can listen to the podcast online at http://theglaciertrust.org/great-adaptations/podcast or on Spotify, Apple, Amazon or Acast.