Climate Of Change Podcast Series
Welcome to Climate Of Change, a new podcast series presented in partnership with Ulster Bank featuring Northern Irish start-ups who are tackling the climate challenge.
Each episode is a chance to discover incredible individuals on your doorstep who are doing their bit for planet earth and building great businesses along the way.
Stay tuned to hear from Animal Conservationists, renewable energy entrepreneurs, solar panel start-ups and even an eco-friendly shaving company…
Check it out.
This series was only made possible with support from Ulster Bank who as part of their efforts to lead the way in addressing the causes of climate change, have committed 25% of the places on their Accelerator Program for climate-focused businesses.
If you have a green business idea that could help save our planet, please click here to apply to the Ulster Bank Climate Accelerator today.
Applications close June 11th.
Episode One: Lane44: Eco-Friendly Shaving Company
Blayne Shaw is an entrepreneur who worked in his family’s fashion business. Toyah Warnock is a Chemistry PhD who worked in a lab.
Now they’re co-founders of Lane44: an eco-friendly shaving company who are on a mission to end the 1 billion plastic razors sent to landfill sites each year.
In today’s episode we talk about:
How the humble yet might safety razor is better for your skin and planet
The mad whirlwind of e-commerce and influencer marketing during COVID
And why your bathroom is the least environmentally friendly room in your house.
Check it out!
Episode Two: Stephen Dunn: NI’s First Energy Consultant & CEO Of CarbonFIT
Stephen Dunn describes himself as “just an ordinary guy” — despite cycling the entire length of Ireland, running marathons and becoming the first environmental consultant in Northern Ireland.
After the success of his first business SDS Energy, Stephen and his co-founder Brian have created a new start-up called CarbonFIT: who’s sole purpose is to help businesses reduce their Carbon Footprint.
(Which is more important than ever now that the government is introducing a Carbon Tax!)
In today’s episode we talk about:
How he went from washing pots, to becoming a CEO
‘Green bling’ versus ‘actually making a change’
Why he got into Carbon Reduction before it was cool
And… what carbon actually is— and why it matters!
Check it out.
Episode Three: Dr Lucy Tallents: Wildlife Conservationist
Dr Lucy Tallents is a wildlife conservationist who spent 10 years teaching at Oxford University before launching her environmental e-learning start-up VerdantLearn.
After spending many years in the field herself, Lucy’s next adventure is to empower wildlife conservation professionals around the world through VerdantLearn’s collaborative online learning platform.
In today’s episode we talk about:
Her time spent living up the Ethiopian mountains to study wolves
What the biodiversity crisis is and why it matters
And what it was like transitioning from the academic world to the entrepreneurial rollercoaster!
Check it out.
Episode Four: Christine Boyle: The World’s First Nanocomposite Solar Panels
Christine Boyle is the CEO of Senergy, a Belfast-based business bringing the world’s first nanocomposite solar thermal panels to market later this year.
Not only is their technology is 50% cheaper and 3-4 times more efficient than other solar options, but they’ve also raised £1.7 million of investment while still retaining 96% ownership.
In today’s episode we talk about:
Christine’s early education working in her dad’s roofing business
The challenges and limitations of traditional solar panels
And how she’s handled the highs and lows of start-up life
Check it out.
Episode Five: Northern Ireland & Climate Change (A Panel Discussion)
How is Northern Ireland tackling the climate challenge? What are some of the things we can do to help? And why should we even care in the first place?
In today’s episode, we catch up with our panel of experts to discuss the role businesses should play in tackling climate change and how you and I can prepare for the economy of the future.
The voices featured in this discussion include:
Belfast City Council’s Sustainable Development Lead Clare McKeown
Queens University’s Professor of Green Political Economy John Barry
Lynsey Cunningham, Enterprise & Climate, Propositions and Engagement, Ulster Bank Lynsey Cunningham
Along the way, we chat about where each of our panellist's individual passion for the environment came from, what Northern Ireland is doing well, and how we could do even better.
Check it out.