Searching for a Greener Room

S1E13: Rooted in Change: Rebuilding Cornwall’s Lost Woodlands – With Rai Lewis

In this episode of Searching for a Greener Room, Curly Steve sits down with Rai Lewis, co-founder of Plant One Cornwall, to explore the urgent need to restore Cornwall’s lost woodlands and how communities are turning hope into action. Over 70% of England and Wales’ ancient woodlands have been lost or damaged, threatening biodiversity and vital habitats. Rai shares the story behind Plant One Cornwall and explains why planting the right trees in the right places matters more than numbers. We discuss genetic diversity, pressures on land use in Britain, and common misconceptions about woodland creation. The conversation also touches on the challenge of balancing biodiversity with carbon targets and offers five practical tips anyone can start today, from collecting rainwater to reducing meat consumption. If you’re curious about how woodland restoration connects to climate action and community resilience, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more inspiring stories or visit plantonecornwall.com to learn more.

S1E12: Crustacean Nation: What It Takes to Rebuild Our Lobster Stocks – With Ben Marshall

Curly Steve and Ben Marshall discuss what it really takes to rebuild our lobster populations, why these creatures are vital to healthy seas, and the surprising challenges that come with keeping our oceans in balance. Ben, who once ran music venues before retraining as a marine biologist, now leads production at the National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall, where he works on the frontline of marine conservation. In this episode, you’ll hear about the extraordinary life cycle of lobsters, the threats they face from pollution and overfishing, and the hatchery’s work to give these animals a fighting chance. Ben shares his journey from rock and roll to marine science, explains how fishermen and conservationists can work together, and reveals some mind-blowing facts about lobsters – including their unusual biology and potential longevity. The conversation is packed with practical takeaways, from simple daily choices that support ocean health, to wider reflections on sustainability, food miles, and why small actions really matter. Whether you’re passionate about marine life, curious about conservation, or just love a good story of transformation, this episode will give you plenty to think about. For more inspiring conversations, subscribe to Searching for a Greener Room on your favourite platform, and visit searchingforagreenerroom.com to explore the project.

S1E11: Tapping Into Ocean Superpowers – With Lizzi Larbalestier

The Chat The Guest: Lizzi Larbalestier Ocean Advocate, Blue Health Coach, Seal Rescuer, and Water Whisperer The Chat Tapping Into Ocean Superpowers Childhood by the Sea Lizzi recalls her upbringing on the Cornish coast, where rockpools, dunes, and butterflies sparked her first connections with nature. Freedom to explore, often with little supervision, rooted her deep love of wild spaces and an early awareness of environmental care. From Corporate World to Coastline Her career began in retail and people development, but she was always drawn back to the ocean. Alongside corporate work, she trained in NLP, executive coaching, and animal rescue, building a toolkit of skills to explore behaviour, change, and communication. Creating a Blue Health Practice In 2009 Lizzi established her coaching practice in Cornwall. Over time, the ocean became central to her work, shifting her focus from performance outcomes to nature-centred transformation. Blue Health coaching was born: an approach that blends science, story, and embodied wisdom. One Hat: Living Blue Health For Lizzi, there is no division between personal and professional. Whether rescuing seals, leading beach cleans, or teaching yoga, it all falls under one hat: Blue Health. Her philosophy centres on reciprocity, recognising that humans are part of nature, not separate from it. The Power of Water Through concepts like “embodied water” and the eco-attention wave, Lizzi explains how water shapes every living system. From our cells to our seas, dissolving the boundary between self and nature opens the way for clarity, compassion, and wiser choices. Breath, Poetry, and Awe Breathing connects our inner and outer worlds, anchoring us in presence. Poetry and cadence stir emotions and deepen connection, while awe in nature expands our perspective and nurtures prosocial behaviour. Together, these tools dissolve stress and invite wonder. Seals, Walruses, and Hope Lizzi shares powerful stories from marine rescue, including her time with Wally the wandering walrus. These encounters reveal both the fragility and resilience of nature. Despite climate challenges, she finds hope in shared struggles, collective action, and the reminder that we are the wave. Top Achievable Tips * Learn about the ocean – we understand what we are taught, we love what we know, and we protect what we love * Breathe – connect your inner world with the outer world, and question the ripple effect * Mini beach clean or street clean – do this as a “beautiful act” rather than a social media post, and make it a habit * Dial up your plant-based meals – choose seasonal foods and avoid ultra-processed substitutes * Question your investments – check what your pension or energy supplier is funding and make a switch if needed Evidence * The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework – Research article by Stephen Kaplan * Awe, the Small Self, and Prosocial Behaviour – Research article by Paul K. Piff * The Emotional and Rewarding Aspects of Poetry Reading – Research article by Eugen Wassiliwizky * Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do – Book by Wallace J. Nichols * mBraining: Using Your Multiple Brains to Do Cool Stuff – Book by Grant Soosalu and Marvin Oka What One Thing Can We Do Today to Make a Better Tomorrow? Take yourself to water in any form and remember that this water has been here since the dawn of time and will be here long after us. Ask: how might acknowledging deep time and nature’s rights change the way I make decisions? Contact Details Website: www.lizzilarbalestier.com [https://www.lizzilarbalestier.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: @lizzilarbalestier [https://www.instagram.com/lizzilarbalestier?utm_source=chatgpt.com] LinkedIn: lizzi-larbalestier [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizzilarbalestier?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

S1E10: Beyond Cod & Chips: Redefining Britain’s Favourite Dish – With Pete Fraser

The Chat The Guest: Pete Fraser Owner of Harbour Lights Fish & Chip Shop, Fraser’s Fish & Chips, and Kona; Sustainability Advocate in the Fish & Chip Industry The Chat From Navy to the Fryer Pete shares his journey from a Royal Navy helicopter observer to fish and chip shop owner, explaining how friendship and a leap into business ownership with Harbour Lights set him on a new path. After an amicable split with his first business partner, Pete found his stride, growing Harbour Lights and carving out a leadership role in bringing sustainability into the fish and chip world. Sustainability on the Plate Pete explains how his frustration with the lack of guidance on sustainable sourcing in the mid-2000s sparked a mission. Discovering only a handful of shops cared about sustainability at the time, he pushed forward, using MSC certification, engaging with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust, and adopting the Cornwall Good Seafood Guide. Dressing up in a cod outfit to teach children about sustainable fish, he learnt the power of fun and simple messages in shifting mindsets. Fish, Chips, Oil, and Packaging Pete takes us through the practicalities behind the nation’s favourite meal. Cod and haddock dominate UK diets, but he champions alternatives like pollock and Cornish hake, crediting celebrity chefs for helping expand public tastes. Chips, far from simple, are shaped by climate, storage, and supply challenges, with farmers balancing rain and sun to produce the perfect potato. On oil, Pete challenges misconceptions about palm oil, showing why responsibly sourced palm oil remains the most sustainable option when compared with alternatives like rapeseed. Packaging, too, comes with its complexities: biodegradable boxes only truly work if councils provide proper waste streams, highlighting the gap between policy pressure and practical recycling. Keeping it Light Pete emphasises that fish and chips should always be a joyful experience. His approach combines education with humour, encouraging customers to be brave, try new species, and see sustainability not as sacrifice but as adventure. Top Achievable Tips * Try a new fish species each month * Give the Big Five a miss (cod, haddock, prawns, salmon, tuna) * Try vegan alternatives such as tofu “fish” * Root to peel, head to tail: cut food waste by using the whole ingredient * Support local food producers and farm shops * Spend 10 minutes with your council’s waste guide to recycle better Evidence * Harbour Lights Fish Buying Policy 2025 * Cornwall Good Seafood Guide (Cornwall Wildlife Trust) * Chester Zoo Sustainable Palm Oil Statement * Consumer Fish Buying Behaviour Report (University of Exeter) * Sunday Times Feature on Harbour Lights What One Thing Can We Do Today to Make a Better Tomorrow? Pete’s advice is simple: lighten up. Take sustainability seriously, but do it with laughter, kindness, and joy. A lighter touch reduces conflict and creates more change than anger or blame. Contact Details Harbour Lights Fish & Chips: Pete Fraser [https://www.linkedin.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Instagram: @harbourlightsfalmouth

S1E9: The Dam Truth - A Beaver Story - With Chris Jones

The Guest: Chris Jones Farmer, Environmental Advocate, Lead Partner at the Cornwall Beaver Project, Co-Founder of the Beaver Trust The Chat From Soil Loss to Regeneration Chris shares the early days of Woodland Valley Farm, tracing his journey from traditional mixed farming through to environmental collapse under industrial daffodil growers. The devastation of the soil pushed him to rethink everything. He adopted organic farming, stopped ploughing, and started letting nature lead. His cows now graze in a rotational system that mimics wild herds, breaking parasite cycles and feeding dung beetles, which in turn feed endangered species like the greater horseshoe bat. Building Resilience Through Beavers Repeated local floods and the absence of state funding led Chris to a simple question: what if beavers could do the job for free? Since introducing them in partnership with Cornwall Wildlife Trust, the changes have been dramatic. Flood surges are delayed by hours, silt is held on land instead of washing into the sea, and standing water has made the farm more drought-resistant. Fish have returned in larger numbers and sizes, thanks to complex dam systems providing shelter and food. Even water quality has improved, with nitrates filtering out naturally through the beavers' wetlands. Biodiversity on the Rise From amphibians to bats, reptiles to mammals, the whole site is now alive with activity. Chris compares a stream without beavers to a smoky bonfire. Add beavers, and it’s like throwing petrol on it. Everything ignites. Algae supports insects, which feed birds, mammals, and fish. Polecats, grass snakes, otters, and 11 species of bats now call the site home. Letting Beavers Lead Chris explains that the current five-acre fenced enclosure is useful for research and accessibility, but he's in favour of letting beavers roam freely across Cornwall. Beavers, once settled, tend to stay. The challenge lies not in their behaviour but in the bureaucracy. Licences from Natural England are expensive and complex, pushing the burden onto charities and landowners. Still, Chris is hopeful: more wild populations are thriving quietly across rivers like the Tamar and the Otter. Human Intervention: Minimal Apart from fencing and a wheelchair-accessible walkway, very little has been done by humans. The space is a living demonstration of what happens when you step back and let beavers do what they do best. A Tour of the Beaver Chris gives a brilliant rundown of beaver anatomy and adaptations, from fat-storing tails and waterproof fur to self-sharpening teeth and underwater-chewing cheeks. Once nearly wiped out for their underfur, they are now making a quiet comeback. Hope for the Future Despite climate challenges and policy barriers, Chris remains hopeful. He points to the younger generation of farmers, the growing evidence base, and the sheer impact of letting beavers reshape the land. Chris’s Top Achievable Tips 1. Grow your own food, even in a pot 2. Install a dry composting toilet 3. Buy local and organic whenever you can 4. Actively support beaver reintroduction schemes 5. Visit Cornwall Beaver Project and spread the word Chris’s Evidence * Three Against the Wilderness by Eric Collier * Eager by Ben Goldfarb * Cornwall Beaver Project research and case study * River Otter Beaver Trial (England’s first licensed wild release) * Farm Carbon Cutting Toolkit What One Thing Can We Do Today to Make a Better Tomorrow? Drive less. Walk more. Use public transport when you can. Chris is clear: using less oil and gas is vital, and personal choices matter. It starts with us. Contact Details Cornwall Beaver Project www.cornwallbeaverproject.org Instagram: @cornwallbeaverproject Email: info@cornwallbeaverproject.org