Coffee & Geography 5x21 Ray Butchart (Yorkshire & Humber-based Climate Ambassador)

A season-long special interviewing #ClimateAmbassadors across the UK! Why did they become Ambassadors? How do their unique backgrounds empower climate action? Joining Kit Marie from the Yorkshire & Humberside region is Ray Butchart, a retired RAF aircraft engineer (22 years) and industry veteran (31 years) with 58 years of scuba diving expertise. Ray shares profound insights from recovering WWII aircraft (like the Halifax bomber in Norway!) to studying marine ecosystems worldwide. Discover how deep observation of nature—from Caribbean coral reefs to Saharan dust storms—fuels his climate advocacy. Ray discusses bridging generational gaps, empowering schools through STEM, and why "being a small cog" matters in the fight for our planet. Key topics: • Engineering the recovery of a sunken Halifax bomber (now at RAF Hendon Museum). • Marine biology mysteries: The escape artist octopus "Inky" and coral reef resilience. • How slow observation combats climate disconnection. • STEM outreach: Teaching semaphore, green-power cars, and underwater surveys. Links mentioned: • Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk) • RAF Hendon Museum (https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/london/) • Inky the Octopus’ Great Escape (https://www.npr.org/2016/04/16/474412283/inky-the-octopuss-great-escape) #GeographyPodcast #ClimateAction #MarineBiology #RAFEngineer #ScubaDiving #STEMEducation #Yorkshire #Hull #EnvironmentalObservation #NatureConnection #ClimateEducation #PodcastInterview #Sustainability #EcosystemConservation #GeographyTeacher ### About Coffee & Geography The aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit https://geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink! Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/) ### How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation - Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod - Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew - Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform. - Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley - Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: https://share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.