Chantal Cooke is a passionate environmentalist and co-founder and Managing Director of the award winning Passion for the Planet, the UK's only radio station focusing on health and environmental issues. Passion broadcasts to London and the South on DAB Digital Radio and nationwide on the Internet: www.passionfortheplanet.com
Chantal has long been passionate about the planet and keen to see everyone take responsibility for their role in protecting it, and that was the inspiration for launching Passion for the Planet; to give us all, in an entertaining and inspiring way, the information we need to make informed choices.
In 2009 she was appointed a London Leader in Sustainability through the Sustainable Development Commission approved by The Mayors Office. As part of her role as a London Leader she will launch the Munch Less Meat Challenge this autumn.
Chantal has over 20 years experience as a radio presenter and journalist for both the BBC and commercial sector, in the UK and internationally. She has launched nearly a dozen radio stations. In addition Chantal trains individuals and companies (including BT, IBM etc) to help them successfully get their message into the media.
Chantal has been recognised by the Triodos Women in Ethical Business Awards.
PASSION FOR THE PLANET
Launched in 2002 by Chantal and Kenny Stevens, who both felt that radio was a powerful medium that was seldom used for more than tabloid news and celebrity gossip, Passion for the Planet provides solutions for a green and healthy lifestyle. It celebrates what's good about the planet and its people, highlighting the efforts being made to improve what could be better in the world.
Passion for the Planet is now the UK's leading group of radio stations focusing on our health and our environment. It celebrates what's good about the planet and its people, highlighting the efforts being made to improve what could be better in the world.
Described by The Independent as "one of the top 20 DAB radio stations to listen to in the UK" Passion for the Planet covers a range of issues from making our homes environmentally sound or the implications of the Zero Point Field in personal development, to ways that language can improve our health and change our lives, Passion for the Planet offers a unique blend of music and information that can't be heard on any other radio station.
Chantal;
"Passion for the Planet is all about giving people information to enable them to make the most out of their lives and the world we live in, in a responsible and ethical way" says Chantal. "It never preaches, never tells people what they 'should' do; it just offers a range of balanced information so that people can make up their own mind".
With its mix of music and interviews with leading world experts, Passion for the Planet is an entertaining and inspiring listen. And it doesn't buy into the practice of focusing on the bad and the shocking.
"Hearing only bad news all the time really isn't good for us, yes unfortunately terrible things do happen and we do need to know about them, but we also need to know about the good things, about the positive work that is being done. I think that the more we hear about the great things that others are doing, the more we are motivated to do ourselves. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all be inspired to act positively rather than moan about the state of the world?"
The sound of the station including the music is Kenny's department. "The music is crucial to the sound of the station" he says "it helps to draw people in, and balances the talk aspect. For example listeners will hear the likes of Reverend and the Makers, Michelle Branch and Kasabian, as well as music from around the world, including Baaba Maal, Juanes, Amadou & Mariam, Goton Project, Silbermond and Souad Massi".
With an office that follows the principles of Feng Shui, sound proofed studios using organic hemp from Scotland, recycling bins for waste as well as plants and crystals to keep the air clean - the station really does walk the talk.
Passion for the Planet has also had its fair share of accolades being awarded a special commendation for the best Radio Feature or Current Affairs Programme at the British Environment and Media Awards and in both 2006 and 2008 Passion for the Planet received a special commendation in the Green Business category of the Green Guardian Awards.
