Commissioned by the AHRC research project, INTO THE FOREST, led by Dr Eleanor Barraclough. 
Created for Light Up Trails and exhibited at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens

This unique project was the result of a creative partnership with the historian, author and BBC presenter, Dr Eleanor Barraclough. 
'Song Of The Pine' integrated the cycle of forest ecology with the fireside storytelling traditions of the Vikings and Anglo Saxons, as seen through the life cycle of a pine tree, the original Christmas tree.
Atmospheric and emotional, the piece drew on the audience’s own ancient and instinctive response to the primeval supremacy of ice and fire and aimed to reconnect them to the fullness of forest life.
Using a combination of specially written poetry by Karen, the piece fused modern technology in the form of specially designed foliage projection and a 5.1 surround sound system with traditional storytelling, creating a compelling work suitable for an all age 21st century audience.

Video extract here:
https://youtu.be/uKziRcCkhAU?si=pjD2sGoSb3eee31D

‘Song Of The Pine’ was seen by 70,000 people and the piece was very well received, and was voted the ‘Audience’s Favourite’ by the visitors on the trail that year.

“Karen had clearly done extensive research into my work and used that foundation to craft a resonant, immersive experience. She composed a remarkable sound design that felt both ancient and vividly modern. Being recorded and directed by her as a narrator felt completely natural.” - Dr. Eleanor Barraclough

Song Of The Pine

Song Of The Pine ("It Sang" - excerpt)

Song Of The Pine (Gift Bringing/'The Angel Gabriel' - excerpt)

In today’s episode, we explore the crucial role of an energy efficiency consultant in Ireland and how turning to experts like EcoMerit can drive both sustainability and cost savings. We’ll unpack how businesses of all sizes can uncover inefficiencies—from lighting and heating to equipment usage—and receive actionable plans tailored to their operations.

Visit:- https://ecomerit.ie/services/energy-carbon-services/

Optimize Performance with an Energy Efficiency Consultant in Ireland

For some, the rainy season brings joy, and the opportunity to gorge on fried samosas and pakoray. For the rest, it brings hardship – and even death. Youth Journalism International Reporter Anya Farooqui and Junior Reporter Zara Irani explain. 

Rainy season begins and downpours flood Pakistan, by Anya Farooqui and Zara Irani

Nidhi Krishen is the Deputy Director for Climate Solutions in Philadelphia’s Office of Sustainability. She joins the show to talk about the city’s new Energy Poverty Alleviation Strategy. She discussed how energy costs burden many households and highlighted approaches like the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant to improve access, reduce costs, and build a more resilient, equitable future for Philadelphia communities.


Nidhi Krishen | ecoWURD w/ P.O.C. - 8.22.25

Gregory Jenkins is a Professor in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Penn State, and director of the Alliance for Education, Sciences, Engineering, and Development in Africa (AESEDA) in the Office of Global Programs.

Gregory joins the show to talk about Hurricane Erin and its impact on the Philadelphia area. In Jenkins' & P.O.C.'s conversation, Jenkins broke down what residents can experience, the aftermath, and how climate change could influence the frequency and intensity of future storms. They also talked about the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. 

Gregory Jenkins | ecoWURD w/ P.O.C. - 8.22.25

At least 30 beach cleanups are planned in Michigan next month. A 57-pound invasive carp was found in Lake Huron. This summer is shaping up to rival 2023 for air quality alerts in Michigan.

For more, visit https://mrgreatlakes.com/

Coastal Cleanup, Massive Carp, Wildfire Alerts

Morning,

The scenario we've landed on re our worldly concerns, a delicate situation on the best of days is what I see! I pray in my "own way" that we land in a place where we're getting on better as a "global community", it'd go a long towards helping us do better re our efforts to address our very serious climate change problems!

Regards Dion,

Peace to you and all including all our future loved ones as yet to come 👉🌎✌️

The Path We're On Re Where We're Heading As A "Global Community" - I Recommend We Reassess The Lot

Green Pulse- El Salvador in Action.

Sasha Davis, an activist and scholar of radical environmental advocacy, brings new hope for social justice movements by looking to progressive campaigns that have found success by unconventional means. From contesting environmental abuse to reasserting Indigenous sovereignty, these movements demonstrate how people can collectively wrest control over their communities from oppressive governments and manage them with a more egalitarian ethics of care. The work is exciting, it’s messy, and it seeks to change the world. Here, Davis joins Khury Petersen-Smith and Laurel Mei-Singh in conversation about his new book, Replace the State: How to Change the World When Elections and Protests Fail.



Sasha Davis is an activist and professor in the Department of Environmental and Sustainability Studies at Keene State College in New Hampshire. He is author of Replace the State: How to Change the World When Elections and Protests Fail; Islands and Oceans: Reimagining Sovereignty and Social Change; and The Empires’ Edge: Militarization, Resistance, and Transcending Hegemony in the Pacific.

Laurel Mei-Singh is assistant professor of geography and Asian American studies at the University of Texas at Austin.

Khury Petersen-Smith is the Michael Ratner Middle East Fellow and the Co-Director of the New Internationalism Project at the Institute for Policy Studies.




REFERENCES:
J. K. Gibson-Graham
Haunani-Kay Trask
Military Geographies / Rachel Woodward
Cooperation Jackson
Michel Foucault / biopower



Praise for the book:
“As the United States is being destroyed, millions of spaces are opening up for something new to emerge. Offering urgent lessons and insights, Replace the State explores relational governance as an alternative to systems that no longer serve. Sasha Davis shows how we can move forward to create and claim a truly inclusive, sustainable world.”
—Lisa Fithian, author of Shut It Down: Stories from a Fierce, Loving Resistance


Replace the State: How to Change the World When Elections and Protests Fail by Sasha Davis is available from University of Minnesota Press. Thank you for listening.

Replacing the state.

EcoMerit supports businesses in improving sustainability and governance, registered with Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices for 'Green for Business' services.

Youth Journalism International connects student writers, artists and photographers with peers around the globe, teaches journalism, fosters cross-cultural understanding, and promotes and defends a free youth press.

Jeff Kart, a.k.a. "Mr. Great Lakes," hosts Delta College Public Radio's weekly look at environmental issues.

WURD Radio is the only African-American owned and operated talk radio station in Pennsylvania, and one of few in the country. Taking a multimedia approach – on-air, online and in the community – WURD is widely recognized as the pulse of the African-American community locally, regionally, and nationally. From mayoral races to presidential elections, from the street corner to the corner suite, WURD has tackled the hard issues as an influential, respected and powerful voice in the marketplace.

Karen Monid is a UK sound artist and projection specialist who has created award-winning sound art pieces and son et lumière works worldwide. Her work is regularly presented at arts festivals and large scale public events.

New tracks tagged #environment