Comic teams up with Mary Robinson for climate change podcast

Maeve Higgins has launched a new podcast – with the former president of Ireland.

She will co-host Mothers Of Invention  – described as a ‘feminist, climate justice series’ – with Mary Robinson.

In the show, which has just launched, the pair will introduce listeners to women around the world who fight climate change – from scientists in Africa, farmers in Asia, politicians in Brussels, and indigenous community leaders in America.

Five episodes will be released on iTunes from now until September 17. 

Higgins said: ‘I was thrilled and daunted when I first heard about this podcast. Climate change is the biggest challenge the world is facing, and I’ve had my head in the (expanding) sand about it.

‘Plus, Mary Robinson was my hero as a little girl, and I didn’t want to mess up in front of her! 

‘But when I learned that we would focus on solutions and the women making them possible, I was too exciting not to be a part of it. It’s been a real trip this past year; I’ve learned so much from so many cool women doing their thing around the world. 

‘We laughed a lot making this, which surprises people, but the thing is, despair is lazy, and hope is not just brave and essential, it’s an act of resistance." 

Robinson said: ‘I came to climate change not as a scientist or environmental lawyer but as a mother and grandmother who learned from other women that the impacts of climate change are undermining their rights such as to food, water and housing. 

‘Witnessing their resilience and drive to overcome challenges is inspiring and I hope motivates more people to take climate action, realising that no person or country alone can solve the greatest threat to our humanity.’

Robinson was the 7th President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997, and the first woman elected to the position.

Future instalments of Mothers Of Invention will be released on Mondays August 6 and 20 and September 3 and 17.

Published: 24 Jul 2018