Everyone must play their part in helping the environment and avoiding the climate crisis. Living a sustainable lifestyle requires making positive daily choices with the planet’s needs in mind alongside your own. It can seem overwhelming, but you can listen to these podcasts for the latest information and inspiration to help you on your sustainability journey.

1. The Climate Pod

Hosted by brothers Ty and Brock Benefiel, The Climate Pod is a long-running, wide-ranging discussion of the key issues at the heart of the climate crisis. With contributions from expert guests, The Climate Pod sheds light on all aspects of the debate, from politics and science to culture and social justice. With almost 200 episodes, you can choose to subscribe for weekly updates or focus on those of particular interest.

If you were fascinated by the movie Don’t Look Up, you could start by listening to the conversation with director Adam McKay in Episode 162.

2. A Sustainable Mind

Created by host Marjorie Alexander, this podcast started as a master’s thesis project and has developed into a weekly conversation with environmental changemakers across the globe.

With an aim to include everyone in the climate conversation, no matter what age, background, or prior knowledge they have, A Sustainable Mind presents a highly accessible set of discussions with a wide-ranging group of people. And with tips and guidance included at the end of each episode, you’ll always take away some wisdom to help you in your efforts to live sustainably.

Try the interview with HUNU creator Vince Dickson in S2 E92 to learn about how a staggering 165 million single-use cups end up in landfills every day and what they—and you—can do to combat this.

And if this inspires you, check out some useful apps to increase sustainability.

3. The Climate Question

The BBC World Service presents this half-hour podcast that tackles one question about climate change each week. It reflects topics in the current news and looks at how these impact the planet’s health.

From discussing the 2022 war in Ukraine and what the effect of this might be on the climate to considering what "net zero" really means, The Climate Question helps you gain a different perspective on the headlines, so you can watch the news or read the papers with fresh insight.

4. Climate One

Climate One is a weekly podcast presented by the Commonwealth Club of California. Since 2008 it has tackled the climate emergency through discussions with experts from the American government, industry, and community groups. The high caliber of expert contributors means that listening to this podcast will place you at the forefront of the climate conversation.

You can even register with Climate One to participate in the discussion, with episodes regularly recorded in front of a live audience.

5. Hot Take

If you’re after a more irreverent, humorous look at the climate crisis, Mary Annaise Heglar and Amy Westervelt have the podcast for you. Hot Take is an honest yet funny take on the most serious issues facing our planet. These pacy, punchy conversations cover topics from veganism to fossil fuels while still making you smile. It’s a fine line to tread, but this podcast does it brilliantly.

6. Sustainable World Radio

Sustainable World Radio has tackled the issues facing the natural world since 2004. Host Jill Cloutier presents programs filled with fantastic advice for everyday life with a particular focus on plants and nature. So if you’re looking for advice on maintaining your garden or plants in an Earth-friendly way, there is much to learn here. You may even be inspired to create your own meadow!

7. Good Together

Living as a conscious consumer is the focus of Good Together, hosted by Laura and Liza, who are co-founders of the Brightly organization. If you’re after tips on how to shop sustainably, this Apple-featured podcast and the accompanying website are invaluable. You will gain advice on avoiding fast fashion, fast food, and even reducing your carbon "paw print" if you’re a dog owner. Each thirty-minute episode contains much wisdom and practical advice for your everyday life.

8. Internet of Nature

Community improvement is the focus of Dr. Nadina Galle’s Internet of Nature podcast. Dr. Galle is joined by innovators from the tech world and scientists to discuss how technology is helping to bring humans and nature together. You can learn how tech is used to enable biodiversity within cities, prevent wildfires, and restore ecosystems.

This one provides plenty of food for thought if you want to reconcile urban living with conservation. If you’ve never heard of the witness tree Twitter account that is live-tweeting climate change, start with S2 E1.

9. The Big Green Money Show

Dragon’s Den investor and environmentalist Deborah Meaden started this podcast on the BBC in 2022 to talk to some of the world’s most prominent business names about climate change issues and how they affect consumers, employees, and industry leaders. Along with co-host Felicity Hannah, Meaden talks to a fascinating range of guests, from Rolls Royce CEO Warren East to Lynne Walker of Primark.

Is choosing a "bag for life" or a cotton tote better for the environment than a disposable plastic carrier bag? The hosts ask searching questions like these and also put listeners’ points to their guests. The results are fascinating and often unexpected. This show gives a real insight into how to make wise choices in this confusing and complex age.

If you’d like more help in making good consumer choices, here are some of the best apps for eco-friendly living.

10. Costing the Earth

Costing the Earth is another BBC Radio podcast that asks questions about sustainability. It takes a truly global approach to explore the issues. Sports fans will be keen to listen to the May 17, 2022, Sustainable Sport episode about the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which challenges the organizers’ promises to host sustainable, carbon-neutral events.

Other issues covered include deforestation, green energy, agriculture, and water. There are over three hundred episodes to date, each one well researched and balanced.

11. Sustainababble

Given the serious nature of sustainability issues, you will eventually need some humor and levity. Expect the unexpected from Ol and Dave, who both work for environmental charities and produce Sustainababble to spread their message about sustainability in a friendly and approachable way.

Sustainababble celebrated its 250th episode in 2022 with a fascinating discussion on light pollution, with lots of advice on tackling this issue.

12. Age of Plastic

Age of Plastic is an environmental podcast all about how to live plastic-free. It is an enjoyable listen, with host Andrea Fox conducting interviews with experts and industry figures to unravel a complex issue in an engaging style. With most episodes less than forty minutes long, the whole tone is positive and uplifting. You’ll come away with many inspirational ideas on how the plastic plague is being conquered and what you can do to help.

Then, explore some apps to help you reduce plastic use in daily life.

Gain Inspiration For a More Sustainable Lifestyle

With each of these podcasts freely available, there is no shortage of advice and guidance that can help you to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. It can be too easy to despair at the enormity of the challenges facing the planet, but these shows can provide you with inspiration and practical advice so that you can do your bit to help protect this beautiful Earth.

There are also many apps, films, and YouTube channels you can use to educate yourself on sustainability issues.