Living Planet: Recent Episodes
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As humans' impact on the planet becomes more evident, there is a need for independent reporting. Living Planet looks at new technologies, visits innovative projects and keeps you up-to-date on the state of the earth.
What if the places we think of as empty and unmarred are anything but? What if wilderness is as much an idea as a place? A conversation with Cal Flyn, who, in her new book, travels to some of the world's most remote, awe-inspiring places to trace the changing meaning of wilderness, and to explore how one of conservation's most cherished ideals has come at a human cost.
If you want to escape to the profound stillness of the Himalayan foothills, a good place to start is by reading Indian writer Anuradha Roy’s latest book, Called by the Hills. A conversation about living with wild animals on her doorstep and her roof, cultivating a deep connection to nature and how the Himalayas are changing.
If you've ever wondered whether humanity can adapt to a changing climate, the fossil record offers surprising reasons for hope. Paleontologist Evan Jevnikar, author of Surviving Climate and Chaos explores how dinosaurs endured millions of years of environmental upheaval, and what their story can teach us about shaping our own future.
Standing atop a 1.7-billion-year-old rock in Wisconsin, geologist Marcia Bjornerud points out the many challenges our planet has weathered, and that its long memory might hold the key to facing climate change today. A conversation about the power of awe, resilience, and "timefulness," this summer read will help put things in perspective.
Where does the cloud actually live? We go behind the high-security fences of a German data center to find out. Inside lies the physical infrastructure that powers our expanding digital universe — and a growing debate about energy, climate and the kind of future we're building.
The internet's invisible backbone is becoming impossible to ignore. As data centers multiply, so do questions about the land, power, communities they depend on - and who decides where they go. In part one, we visit a quiet town in Europe's biggest data center hub to see what the race to build our digital future looks like on the ground.
Five years after catastrophic floods tore through Germany's Ahr Valley, Living Planet host Neil King reflects on the devastation he witnessed firsthand, while reporter Jonas Mayer returns to see what's changed. Can communities really build back better - or is the next disaster only a matter of time?
The cloud is supposed to be invisible. Limitless. Until it isn't. Coming soon, Living Planet goes in search of the hidden infrastructure being built to power our digital futures.
Dust storms around the world are getting worse and for people like Michelle, living with chronic asthma near a drying lake in California, the results are life-threatening. Elsewhere, seeds of change are being planted in the form of native vegetation. Can eco science help fill a dust bowl like the Coachella Valley with hope for fresh air?
What happens after carbon is captured? In this special collaboration with How We Survive, Living Planet follows CO₂ from a cement factory to its final resting place more than a mile beneath the seabed. We investigate the promise, pitfalls and politics of a technology that could help tackle climate change - or prolong the fossil fuel era.
Every time you drive a car, heat your home or board a plane, carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. A growing industry says it can pull that CO₂ back out again. Living Planet reporter Sam Baker visited two companies behind direct air capture to see whether this much-hyped technology is on the verge of a breakthrough - or headed for a reality check.
At some point today, you’ve probably used an appliance that relies on HFCs, also known as refrigerants. They're many times more potent than CO2, which is why the EU, US and others are phasing them out. Planet A reporter Tim Schauenberg went undercover to explore the black-market boom in these gases now worth hundreds of millions of euros in Europe alone.
A new generation of chemical recycling plants promises to turn hard-to-recycle plastics back into new packaging and keep waste out of landfills and incinerators. But as Europe pours millions into the technology, critics are questioning whether it can really deliver on those promises. This investigation examines the gap between the industry’s recycling claims and the reality on the ground.
Wind turbines, pig manure, people power – and one radical idea. Feldheim may look like an ordinary farming village, but it’s become world famous for its unique energy system, where residents pay far less for power than most Europeans. So what can the rest of the world learn from the German village that decided to go it alone?
We thought we were done talking about rats. Then your questions came in. From plague myths to poisoned predators, population growth and climate change to urban allotment gardens in Helsinki, this bonus episode follows the threads we couldn’t fit in the first time around, and digs deeper into the surprisingly emotional world of humans versus rats.
After a life-changing accident, Vanessa spent years fighting a dangerous infection that kept coming back. Eventually, doctors discovered why: the bacteria fueling it were resistant to antibiotics. Her story leads us far beyond the hospital, into waterways, soils, and a hidden world where the medicines meant to save us may be helping create the next superbugs.
Laundry seems harmless - but it’s not. Chemicals, microplastics, and energy use add up fast. Are we overwashing just to feel "clean”? Discover how to clean your clothes smarter - and greener.
When Russia targets Ukraine's energy system, it's not just turning off the lights — it's creating conditions for nuclear disaster. Each attack forces a rethink: more solar, more batteries, more distributed, harder-to-hit systems. For Ukrainians, this isn't about climate — it's about survival. What can the rest of the world learn from this?
Alex Ootowak grew up watching narwhals, the “unicorns of the sea”, frolic in Canada’s Arctic waters. Then a nearby mine changed everything. In this episode, hear how underwater recordings reveal a decline in narwhals - and why scientists couldn’t research these enigmatic creatures without the Inuit community.
In cities around the world, rats aren't just surviving; they're thriving. Despite decades of poison, traps and control, they keep coming back. So, what is it about modern city life that suits them so well? From Berlin to New York, this is a story about what happens when urban systems start feeding "the rat problem".
Climate change is reshaping the world - but inside many churches, it’s barely spoken about. So what’s behind the silence? One believer whose passion for God’s creation started as a kid surrounded by manatees and mangroves, is urging US churches to reconnect faith with stewardship of the land.
Brock Yordy once helped extract fossil fuels. Now he’s using the same expertise to tap the Earth’s heat. His journey from oilfields to geothermal highlights a bigger question: can the industry that drove emissions now help reduce them?
Chemical recycling promises to transform plastic waste, and Houston is at the center of this big experiment in the US. While industry touts it as a breakthrough, activists are finding that much of the plastic doesn't get recycled after all. Is Houston leading the way to real change - or revealing the limits of the latest recycling fad?
The four-day work week was a hot new trend not all that long ago, but amid stagnating economies, some countries are pushing for more work, not less. Even in Europe, the German chancellor is calling for an end to “lifestyle” part-time jobs. Living Planet’s Jennifer Collins spoke with economists and manufacturers about the benefits of working less, both for us and the planet. Plus, could AI help?
As climate change reshapes the Arctic, Norwegian scientists are testing how far north farming can go. But is expanding Arctic agriculture a responsible answer to future food shortages, or a risky bet?
The rainforests in northeast Australia are some of the most protected in the world – they haven't been logged in nearly 40 years. But after decades of measuring these forests tree by tree, scientists have uncovered a troubling change. An unexpected shift that could force us to rethink how we calculate emissions pathways and the role forest sinks play in slowing climate change.
Do men really care less about the environment than women or is the story more complicated? We unpack the “Green Gender Gap,” the politics and identity behind it, and the surprising ways men - from veterans to lumberjacks - are being drawn into climate action.
Vegan leather. Faux leather. Synthetic leather. Call it what you want - it’s everywhere, especially in the shoes on our feet. For some shoppers, it’s about saving money. For others, it’s about protecting animals or reducing their environmental footprint. But what's the real story behind this fast-growing alternative? And is vegan leather actually better for the planet?
This week, we're featuring Episode 2 of Boy Wasted, a three-part environmental true crime series by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor, co-produced by Adnan Khan. The investigation into a boy found dead in a bale of recycled plastic in Turkey takes a shocking turn, as new witnesses come forward and the wider dangers of the global recycling trade start to come to light.
US Health Secretary RFK Jr. released new dietary guidelines that have literally turned the food pyramid upside down. Beef is, quite literally, "what's for dinner." Living Planet's Jennifer Collins spoke with health experts about what the new recommendations might mean for the health of the US, and the planet. Plus, some spicy listener comments from the episode "What we get wrong about protein."
Children today spend less time in nature than any generation before - and educators are sounding the alarm. But what if the outdoors becomes the classroom itself? In this episode, we explore the science and stories behind nature-based education, from improved wellbeing to deeper environmental awareness. We ask how learning in nature - not just about it - can change how we think, feel, and act.
Bioacoustics is pretty niche, but now thanks to AI, it could turbocharge biodiversity research. Michel André calls it “the science of the sound of life.” In this episode, we hear his recordings from the mysterious waters of Antarctica and the life-giving wetlands of the Amazon. He also explains why bioacoustics could hold the key to survival on the planet. Plus, a behind the scenes chat.
It started with a scoop of soil from an Arctic dump. Inside was a microbe scientists call a game-changer - able to live on air and pull methane, one of the planet’s most dangerous greenhouse gases, straight out of the atmosphere. Could this lucky find help reshape our fight against climate change?
Time to ring in the New Year with something a little different, and fun! Host Neil King is joined by producers Jennifer Collins, Kathleen Schuster and Charli Shield for Living Planet’s first ever quiz. How closely were you listening in 2025? Listen along and find out!
Before we say goodbye to 2025, Living Planet has some good news to share. Not only has the feedback from you, our listeners, been overwhelmingly positive, but our team has received recognition for its work in climate journalism. In this episode, we’re going to revisit those award-winning episodes along with the producers behind them.
Every year, countless animals meet their end on our roads - yet most of us barely notice. But this isn’t just a minor tragedy; the sheer scale is reshaping ecosystems across the planet. So, how can we make a difference - and could eating roadkill be part of the solution?
Protein obsession is reshaping our diets — and our planet. We lift the lid on the protein craze, what we truly need for good health, why animal protein carries such a heavy climate footprint, and what choices could cut emissions without sacrificing strength and health. And we hear from one powerlifter's surprising shift from meat-lover to vegan butcher, against the backdrop of online culture wars.
For 40 years, environmentalist and author Bill McKibben has chronicled the worsening climate crisis and politicians' failure to stop it. But now, for the first time, he says he can actually see a path forward. We ask him what that path looks like – and what still threatens to derail it.
We're generating more solar and wind power than ever before, but somewhere between where it's made and where it's needed, the energy system can't keep up. From Spain's blackout to bottlenecks across Europe, the way we move electricity is in desperate need of some updates. In Part 2 of The Switch, we reveal the power grid cracks halting climate progress.
Some of the places hardest hit by climate change are also home to one of the future's most powerful gifts: superabundant sunshine. If solar is now cheaper than ever, what’s stopping the clean energy revolution from taking off where the sun shines the brightest? In Part 1 of our special miniseries, The Switch, we head to Morocco in search of the promise, and the politics, of desert power.
Solar power is the cheapest energy source in history - and wind isn’t far behind. So why isn't the clean energy transition moving faster? In a new three-part miniseries, we’re digging into why the switch is so damn hard. From solar mega-farms in Morocco to European bottlenecks to climate writer Bill McKibben’s office, we're asking what the holdup is - and where to from here. Starting November 21.
When mercury pollution makes headlines, it's often linked to fish and human health. But there's another big source of mercury pollution that's affecting millions of people across the world - artisanal and small-scale gold mining. This episode looks at efforts in South America to reduce mercury use in mining - and what that means for people's health and the future of the Amazon.
Your thrifted shirt might not be as green as you think. From Ghana's "dead white man's clothes" to the rise of resale, we uncover fashion's hidden impact - and a way forward that could change it all.
This week on Living Planet, we're sharing Boy Wasted - a gripping three-part environmental true crime series by Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor. It begins with a shocking find: a boy's body hidden in a bale of recycled plastic in Turkey, leading to a dangerous, cross-border investigation into a global recycling scandal.
The harm of plastics on human health is well known, but what about their impact on the people living near the plants that produce them? In this episode, we hear from the women on the frontlines of the fight against petrochemical companies in one of the US’s most toxic strips of land known as “Cancer Alley.”
In classrooms across the US, fossil fuel interests and political pressure are shaping the science - and leaving key facts out. Meet two teachers fighting to keep climate education honest, local, and alive.
Think fungi are just mushrooms and mold? Think again. Over 90% of fungal species are still unknown, and scientists are discovering new ones all the time. This World Fungus Day, dive into the hidden, fascinating world of fungi with us.
Hydropower, heat pumps and EVs made Norway a climate darling. Oil and gas exports made it rich. When one Norwegian started to question his role in this story, he came up against the paradox shaping this country's future – and the world’s energy transition.
Louisiana loses a football field’s worth of land every 100 minutes to coastal erosion. Franziska Trautmann, co-founder of Glass of Full, tells the story of how she and her boyfriend stumbled upon a genius solution to save the region's natural barrier against hurricanes – by tapping into New Orleans’ party culture.
What happens when science collides with conspiracy? When a weather forecast sparks hate mail and even death threats? In this episode, we follow the journey of a meteorologist who risked his career - and peace of mind - to bring climate truth to the airwaves, and explore how misinformation is fueling hostility against those on the frontlines of communication.
Long-distance trips make up just a fraction of our journeys - yet they drive most of our travel emissions. Trains can cut that footprint by up to 75%, but planes still dominate. What will it take to shift how we move across countries and continents?
On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, leaving behind a deadly path of destruction. It was the costliest disaster in US history. As E'jaaz Mason can attest, many kids like himself didn't talk about their experiences for years after the storm. It wasn't until working on the award-winning documentary "Katrina Babies" that he heard those stories — and began reflecting back on his own.
Tea and coffee. Millennia-old drinks that fuel our mornings and shape our cultures. But behind every steaming cup lies a journey across continents, a web of farms and workers, and a pretty hefty environmental tab. Which one leaves the bigger footprint, and how can we shrink it? We trace their histories, their impact, and some things we can do to brew a better future.
We love the smell of fresh laundry – but at what cost? In Episode Four of our Greener Living series, we unpack how our quest for "clean" has been shaped by marketing, not necessity – and how it’s filling our air, water, and bodies with microplastics and nasty chemicals. The good news? A few simple changes can lighten the load.
Who's a good boy? We love our pets (how could we not?) – and they love us back. But the way we care for our furry companions says a lot about how we consume, what we value, and the systems we're part of. In Episode Three, we reveal the environmental pawprint of having pets and what it can teach us about ourselves. Not to worry though – we're still allowed to have nice things, including pets.
Decipher the back of your sunscreen bottle with the help of an ecotoxicologist in Episode Two of our Greener Living series. Craig Downs helps us understand, and if we're honest, pronounce, the chemicals that have become the norm for protecting ourselves from skin cancer. But what exactly are they doing to the marine life at our favorite beaches?
Summer is here, vacation is calling, and Living Planet is out of the office. But not to worry, we’ve lined up five great episodes of our favorite tips for living a greener life.
Take a spin with us in Episode One as we weigh the pros and cons of driving an EV versus hanging on to an older car. The experts we spoke with had some surprising answers.
Summer is here and the living is easy. Well, maybe not so easy when it comes to making environmentally friendly choices! From sunscreen to your next car, your pet's diet to your morning caffeine fix, our Greener Living series shares useful tips to make better decisions for yourself and the planet. Download this series for some easy listening on your next family road trip or day at the beach.
By day Matt Winning works on climate policy. By night, he’s turning scientific data into jokes. Fusing razor-sharp research with dry Scottish wit, Matt uses stand-up to make the climate crisis feel less distant, more human, and a lot harder to ignore.
Nuclear power is making a comeback in Japan. But in Hokkaido, indigenous Ainu communities are being sidelined as their ancestral land is eyed for nuclear waste storage. The Ainu musician Oki Kano leads a quiet resistance - raising questions about justice and who gets a say in the race to decarbonize.
Even in five episodes, we couldn’t cover everything. So in this bonus epilogue, Neil and Kathleen sit down with reporters Sam Baker and Charli Shield to unpack some questions we left on the cutting room floor – from the messy consequences of outdated US flood maps to why helping poorer countries leapfrog fossil fuels matters to us all – plus your comments, a few laughs, and final reflections.
It's the trip of a lifetime. A journey to the end of the Earth, where icebergs groan and penguins shuffle. More tourists are flocking to Antarctica than ever before, drawn by a sense of urgency as climate change melts its ice caps. But what happens when we turn the last wild places into destinations? And what can Antarctica teach us about our role as visitors in a changing world?
This week we are sharing an episode from Boiling Point, a podcast by L.A. Times Studios that looks at the climate challenges facing California and the American West, and the solutions to fix them. "Breaking Down Plastics" features an interview with journalist Susanne Rust about why plastics are unavoidable, what that means for our health and what lawsuits can achieve.
How does a person in advertising go from perpetuating consumerism one day to championing environment citizenship the next? In this episode, we explore the story of one ad man whose job was quite literally making him sick and the unexpected connection he made with a climate-anxious teen.
In the past 20 years more than a fifth of our oceans have been growing darker. What is causing this and how worried should we be? To mark World Ocean Day on June 8, we've repackaged a deep dive that will take you beneath the Baltic Sea to explore how ocean darkening is changing the marine ecosystem, plus the steps we need to take to protect our oceans.
After cancer treatment, Suzanne was persuaded to join an animal-assisted therapy session with horses. She was skeptical at first, but the experience changed her life. This episode explores how equine therapy is helping cancer patients process grief, reconnect with themselves, and find strength in nature. Plus, what researchers are beginning to uncover about animal-assisted therapy.
When Kelly Ramsey joined an elite unit of wildland firefighters called the "hotshots" in Northern California, she thought she knew what she was signing up for. But climate change has flipped a switch, transforming wildfires from a natural occurrence into an unstoppable force. We’ll hear her story and check in with firefighters in Canada and Australia about what it now takes to put out the flames.
What’s a forest really worth? Or a pollinator, or a reef? In this final episode of The Cost of Climate Change, we travel to Tasmania's underwater forests to uncover the hidden costs of nature loss and what the economy's been ignoring - from vanishing carbon sinks to collapsing food systems. But there’s another side to this story: what we can save by putting nature first.
Extreme heat is no longer a future threat. It's here - and it’s costing us. From hospitals pushed to the brink, to cities built for a cooler planet, the toll is mounting on our bodies, our livelihoods and the systems meant to keep us safe. In Part 4 of our Cost of Climate Change series, we dig into the true price of rising heat, and what it might take to adapt before the next heatwave hits.
What do a German heat pump and a Canadian carbon price have in common? They're both flashpoints in a growing political battle over how to cut emissions and share the costs fairly. In Part 3 of our series on The Cost of Climate Change, we explore who's really footing the bill: consumers, taxpayers, or polluters?
Sun, wind, water, and Earth’s heat - they’re abundant, carbon-free, and cheaper to harness than ever. But what’s the true price of overhauling our energy system? Is clean power really the cheaper path? In Part 2 of our series The Cost of Climate Change, we head to outback Australia to meet an accidental ally in the race to ditch fossil fuels.
In this episode, we head to Miami - where vibrant nightlife, sunshine, and storm surges collide. As hurricanes intensify and insurers pull out, the cost of living in paradise is becoming impossible to ignore. Who foots the bill for extreme weather, and how do we keep from going broke? One new Florida community might hold some of the answers. This is Part 1 of our series The Cost of Climate Change.
Ever notice how debates about the cost of climate change tend to focus on how green policies are too expensive – and less about the huge bill we’ll all face the longer we fail to act? That’s exactly what our new five-part series will be exploring, starting April 18. Here's a taste of what to expect.
PFAS, or "forever chemicals," are everywhere – in food packaging, water, and more. But what happens when they enter our bloodstream? One woman's fight to find out.
Is our love for nature more than instinct? A look at the fascinating link between nature, mental health, and physical recovery.
Spring is in the air, and so are fresh blooms! With the US marking National Flower Day this week and flower season about to ramp up in the world's flower capital, the Netherlands, we wanted to revisit one of our favorite episodes. Find out how cut flowers are grown, how they reach us, and what it takes to keep them blooming year-round.
Governments are cracking down on climate protests. They say activists have crossed the line into extremism. But history shows resistance only adapts. As repression intensifies, will it crush the movement - or make it stronger?
Last year, the world pumped over 41 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. Hard to picture, isn’t it? In this episode, we explore different ways of understanding this basic concept of climate science along with the help of a researcher with a very personal link to the origins of our obsession with carbon dioxide.
Is Ireland really running out of water? Is AI to blame? And where does Irish mythology fit in? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we answer your questions, share unexpected insights, and, of course, have a bit of craic along the way.
Imagine a city where everything - work, shopping, schools, and parks - is just 15 minutes away. Is this the key to a greener, more convenient future or a threat to personal freedom?
Scientists in the US have found a way to grow plants in complete darkness. Could this be the future of farming, reducing land use and environmental impact? Or will traditional agriculture remain irreplaceable?
What would you do to save your home from disappearing? As sea levels rise, the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu mulls a permanent move to the metaverse to save its culture. But not everyone is giving up just yet.
As Ireland's capital faces a growing water crisis, a controversial multi-billion-euro pipeline threatens to reshape the fate of the mighty River Shannon. This is a story of rural-urban divide, corporate thirst, and a river's uncertain future.
We recently devoted an episode to exploring LED light pollution in one of Germany’s brightest cities. In part two, we hear from a motley team of researchers who want to rewild urban cities. An artist and an ethicist are leading the way with a “light clock,” an intriguing thought experiment on the relationship between light and time.
Who doesn't love a good story? Even in the noise of today, some books keep on drawing new readers. Outdated in many ways, yet standing the test of time, can those with strong natural settings foster an appreciation of the world around us? An English county with its fair share of well-known writers might be a good place to explore that idea.
What happens to bees in winter? These busy creatures don't just vanish when the cold sets in. In this second episode of our Naturally Connected mini-series we learn about the amazing survival strategies of bees.
What is it about the sea that draws us in? From rugged cliffs to sandy shores, Tamsin Walker explores the ocean’s magnetic pull and the mysteries of its hold on us in this opening episode of our Naturally Connected mini-series.
Before we ring in the New Year, Living Planet has some answers to your listener questions. Which is better for the environment: reusable or paper coffee cups? And what about the water footprint of the meat industry? Does it really take 15,000 liters of water to produce one kilo of beef? Plus, our favorite moments of 2024.
Ever wondered what's the greener, more sustainable choice between a chopped down live Christmas tree or an artificial plastic one? Join us as we find out what to watch out for this Christmas season.
What can a well-manicured lawn reveal about social status, our relationship to the Earth and the American Dream? A surprising amount. From fancy French palace gardens to suburban America, come along for the garden party as we mow over the history of the lawn – and ask if its time is up. This episode is from DW's Don't Drink the Milk podcast.
More and more cities are switching to LEDs to save money and, ultimately, the planet. But ecologists are worried about this trend. Dr. Chris Kyba explains why on a night walk through Cologne, one of Germany's brightest cities.
In the heart of Berlin, woodpeckers are turning the city into their playground. From drumming on trees to carving out homes, these master carpenters are thriving in the most unlikely of places. But why are they drawn to the bustling streets and towering buildings?
Not long ago, energy analysts noticed something weird in the data they were tracking. The abnormality was coming from Pakistan. All of a sudden, the country seemed to be using far, far less electricity than before. What the analysts would discover baffled them – it was a different kind of power surge brewing right under their noses. And it could have ripple effects far and wide.
Thousands of ships loaded with oil were sunk during the fierce sea battles of the Second World War. That means they’ve been sitting underwater for eight decades, with no maintenance or protection. Scientists fear many of these wrecks are now close to collapse — and that a spike in catastrophic oil spills may be on the horizon.
This week we are sharing an episode from Up From Dust – a podcast from the NPR stations of Kansas. "Healing the ground we broke" takes us to the majestic prairies of Kansas to the get the dirt on why soil health is so important to maintaining our food systems and protecting the land from climate disaster.
Ever been in this situation? You want to fly, but when you start looking at carbon offset websites, you can’t tell what’s real? Then this episode’s definitely for you. We asked around, and got some pretty interesting answers, including from an unlikely carbon credit b.s. detector.
Wild geese migrate with remarkable success. They navigate thousands of miles thanks to their unique social structure and provide valuable lessons on teamwork and resilience. But how do these birds know exactly when to embark on their epic migration?
As traditional funerals take a toll on the environment, a new wave of eco-friendly options is emerging. This episode reveals the surprising choices for sustainable farewells. Are you ready to rethink your final act?
It’s so common it’s easy to overlook. But what if advertising has more power to shape our choices, our world and our climate than we realize? For decades, the fossil fuel industry has used marketing to buy our support and delay climate action – with remarkable success. Now some cities have had enough. They’re banning ads for cruises, cars and flying – and they say that’s just the beginning.
Vegan leather, synthetic leather, faux leather. Whatever you want to call it, demand for this non-animal-based leather alternative is on the rise, especially when it comes to shoes. Some consumers don’t want to pay leather prices, others want a clean conscience when it comes to the environment and animal cruelty. So, how do these materials stack up against leather?
There are an estimated 50 to 430 billion birds worldwide. They're everywhere, but few of us take the time to listen. In this episode, our reporter Ben Restle joins a nocturnal Berlin birdwatching workshop in a rather eerie location. It’s perfect for witnessing the magical dawn chorus - you just need to make it through the night…
This week we are sharing an episode from What On Earth — a CBC Podcast dedicated to bringing you a world of climate solutions. “Ghosts in their fishing nets” takes us to the Yukon, where Indigenous communities are sounding the alarm over critically endangered Chinook salmon populations – and fighting to help the fish return.
Which creatures tend their own gardens, keep livestock, wage wars and have been around since the dinosaurs? We’re talking about ants of course. Tiny but mighty, the ant universe is complex, fascinating, and mostly hidden. All around the world, ants are hard at work helping sustain healthy ecosystems. But, as one town in Germany recently found out, humans and ants don’t always get along.
If you can’t beat CO2 pollution, then bury it? That’s basically the thought behind carbon capture and storage. Denmark wants to become a leader in these efforts, and has the geological underground to lock away billions of tons of CO2. But locals ask, will it blow up in their face? An exploration of carbon capture technology.
Our laundry routine impacts the environment with chemicals, microplastics, and energy use. Is our fear of being viewed as dirty making us overwash our clothes? Find out how to make smarter and greener laundry choices.
Whether you're an almond or soy milk enthusiast, or just curious about the latest trend in plant-based alternatives, find out which milk is the best choice for your health and the environment.
Foxes have thrived alongside us for centuries. Despite facing numerous threats, they continue to adapt and survive in our ever-changing world. But how are these clever animals finding their place in urban areas?
America's iconic national parks are a great place to reconnect with nature. But are the crowds killing the vibe? Among the red rocks and tourists of Arches National Park in Southern Utah, reporter Sam Baker asks: Do we need solitude to find serenity in nature?
An urban park in the heart of Berlin might not seem like an ideal place to forage for hidden food treasures. But it's actually blessed with richer biodiversity than the sprawling countryside that wraps around it. And, if you lean in close enough, you'll find an astonishing diversity of plants to nourish, heal and soothe - and you might even untap some old wisdom within yourself along the way.
Coastal waters are darkening, with drastic consequences for marine life and the fishing industry. We explore what’s causing our once clear coastal waters to go murky.
Scrapping the classic five-day workweek sounds great when it comes to a better work-life balance. But could less time at work also benefit the environment?
Hawaii and other tourist hot spots have banned some UV filters found in sunscreen, in part thanks to a fateful snack run for Oreos that put one ecotoxicologist on the trail of unsuspected coral killer in the ocean. Twenty years later, his search continues amid a cacophony of misinformation about sun protection.
With over 2 billion dollars in expected revenue and a projected carbon footprint of 500,000 tons of CO2, we're diving into whether this "most sustainable European Championship" is hitting its eco-friendly targets. From discounted train rides to plant-based snacks, discover the real impact of this soccer fest as business interests clash with sustainability goals.
We're obsessed with our pooches, our kitty cats and our cockatiels – how could we not be? They're cute as heck! So, it's easy to turn off to news of how they might be hurting the environment and putting their own health in danger. But don't worry, pets can help us too – if we let them.
Sugar has changed the world. In this episode, we hear how this ubiquitous commodity reshaped economies, fueled the slave trade and influenced global health trends. And our desire for sugary foods has also left a mark on the environment. Is it time to question the sustainability of our sweet tooth? Or can we have our cake and eat it too?
A handful of sea water contains more than 50 million viruses. But they’re nothing to be afraid of, at least where human health is concerned. In fact, some scientists wonder if they can be geoengineered into a weapon against climate change.
Roses are red, cornflowers are blue. Most flowers are grown on a different continent, what's it to you? There’s nothing quite like the gift of cut flowers – a special little piece of nature’s bounty in your hands. But the thing about flowers is, they've gotta be fresh and we want them year round. So, how do we grow them and how do they get to us?
We've been busy behind the scenes tweaking and updating the Living Planet podcast and we're finally ready to let you in on a few of our secrets!
We generate so much e-waste per year that we could easily fill enough garbage trucks to circle the globe. In this episode we learn about innovative solutions to our growing e-waste problem, the EU's new right-to-repair legislation, and how this shift is challenging our throwaway mindset. Can we fix our way to a more sustainable future?
On the road to a carbon-free future, a lot of drivers are facing a tough dilemma: Is it worth switching to an electric car if the gas-powered car I have can still run a few more years? Is the environmental footprint of an EV really that much better? We spoke to several experts about the upsides and downside of e-mobility from range anxiety to charging infrastructure and more. Click here to listen.
This week we are sharing an episode from Feet in 2 Worlds — a project that brings the work of immigrant journalists to online news sites, podcasts, and public radio. This story was produced as part of Home, Interrupted, a podcast series by Feet in 2 Worlds that explores how the climate crisis affects immigrants across the US.
It's no secret that humans have a deep and abiding relationship with water. Whether the ocean, lakes or rivers, we often go in search of, and take great delight in, the experience of bold bodies of water. And perhaps that means sometimes we overlook the smaller ones. Like the streams that have trickled along the same routes for hundreds and thousands of years. Time for a closer look.
For some species being hit by a car is the number one cause of death above hunting and disease. What does this mean for wildlife populations and endangered species? And which solutions are on the table?
Plastics have only been around for a little over a century. But in that time, they've become a huge part of our lives and a growing burden for the environment. Each year, the world produces over 430 million tons of plastics, and that figure is set to triple by 2060. A binding global plastics treaty is key to solving the problem. But just how did we get here in the first place?
Mercury’s a known pollutant in fish, but did you know one of the biggest mercury emitters is actually small-scale gold mining? From sunken ships to shihuahuaco trees, we take a deep dive into the astounding history and science of mercury and the solutions that could break its toxic cycle.
From customs clashes to biodiversity threats and cultural cravings, the illegal bushmeat trade is affecting health and wildlife conservation across continents. But just how widespread is it and why is it so hard to contain?
Are you torn over your clothing's environmental impact? From resource-intensive production methods to consumer behaviors, explore the complexities shaping our fashion choices and their ecological footprints.
A familiar bird that is as clever as it is cunning, sadly the crow is often dismissed as merely a ruthless menace or an unwelcome alarm clock. But if you look closer, there's beauty in this scavenger's ways.
It seems like glasses would be the obvious eco-friendly choice, but not so fast! The answer is both fascinating and a bit mind boggling. Get ready for some eye-opening facts that could make you rethink your eyewear habits.
Brazil's iron ore industry is a vital economic asset but it has devastating environmental consequences. In this episode we delve into the challenges faced by local communities in Minas Gerais as they resist the impacts of mining activities on their environment and water sources.
Have you ever wondered about the eco-story behind your daily brew? Join us as we spill the beans on the environmental impact of tea & coffee, from cultivation to consumption.
Plastic or paper packaging. The more environmentally friendly option seems obvious, right? But concealed within this deceptively simple choice between two materials is a whole lot of different chemicals, marketing tricks and greenwashing. So, which is better for the environment?
Do you ever find yourself stumped by a seemingly simple choice between two things because you're not sure which would be better for the environment? Like plastic or paper packaging, cotton or polyester pants? We're going to try to find some of the answers in a new segment exploring these everyday environmental dilemmas. In this episode we tackle our reading options: electronic books vs paperbacks.
How often do you stop to really look at the trees in your neighborhood or in your local park? Though you mightn’t have really noticed them – they certainly notice you. They might even be listening in on your conversations. Journey with us to Berlin to meet a special tree that is as majestic as it is ordinary.
Recent studies say mental health is in decline among farmers, and they say climate policy is partially to blame. We spoke with German farmers and experts from different EU countries to find out more. And what they had to say was eye-opening.
When you hear the word fungus, what comes to mind? Maybe you're thinking about those semi-circular growths on tree trunks in the forest, or some mold on a piece of fruit. Estimates suggest more than 90% of all fungal species are still unknown to science - and that new discoveries are happening all the time. Join us for a deep dive into the world of fungi.
From farmed salmon with open wounds and lice-infested bodies, to the dangers of mating between wild salmon and its farmed counterpart after thousands of fish escaped from a fish farm - we take you to Iceland's aquafarms. And: why it's a good idea to pay close attention to the Southern Right Whale.
This week, a deep dive into the fascinating story behind a 3D-printed house made entirely of bio-based materials. We spoke with people behind BioHome 3D to find out why Maine was almost a fateful setting for this project, and what its effect might be on the US housing crisis.
Globally only 9% of all plastic waste is recycled. But why is that rate so low? On this week's episode of Living Planet, we're airing an episode from a special on the plastics age which was produced by the DW podcast On the Green Fence.
One way to curb the world's plastics problem would be to use bioplastics. But not all bioplastics are created equal.
What if there were a way to curb plastic pollution using enzymes? That's what scientists are exploring. On this episode, we'll take a look at how realistic this solution might be.
Americans across the United States are grappling with unprecedented extreme weather events. And if you travel across the country, you'll meet all manner of people, from winemakers to aviation experts, who are rolling up their sleeves and getting to work to find sustainable solutions.
Some major climate records were broken this year that paint a grim picture. But what we hear less about are the climate trends heading in the right direction. Dr Hannah Ritchie wants to help us see them.
Come on a journey from central America to France, to follow the story of the quirky, feathery-gilled Mexican axolotl with a key role in regulating Mexico City's temperature, to meet climate-conscious clam and oyster fishers in Italy, and to visit the backyards, vineyards and fun parks in France replacing their lawn mowers with sheep. Originally broadcast July 2023.
Is indulging in a wee dram bad for the climate? We investigate whisky's peat problem from the Isle of Islay in Scotland. Later we drop into a repair café in Manchester doing its bit to reduce the millions tons of fixable items we throw out every year. And lastly, visit the Republican state of Georgia where the electric vehicle business is booming.
Did climate change start with the industrial revolution, or was it earlier than that? And how can the story of an everyday spice help us better understand the climate crisis gripping the planet today? Renowned Indian author Amitav Ghosh on the link between colonialism and climate change and how his perception of the crisis differs from that of most Western experts. Originally broadcast July 2023.
The military isn't exactly known for sharing its secrets. But what about when that information has huge consequences for the world's fight to limit deadly warming? Kept behind closed doors, military emissions and pollution have long avoided proper scrutiny. Climate researchers are determined to uncover it.
As Holland continues to battle dangerously high nitrogen levels, its farmers grapple with drastic crisis measures and how to shift to more sustainable farming. In California, the salmon have disappeared from an important river, but one radical change could bring them back. And one man's quest to get a new fruit to put down roots in western Germany.
Making fuel out of food. Sounds like it could be pretty sustainable, right? But then again, does it make sense to be growing crops for fuel that could otherwise be food? We travel to the US, Kenya and Germany to interrogate how biofuels came about, their promises and drawbacks and why it is we're still using them. This episode originally aired in December 2023.
We head to South Africa, Kenya and Namibia to look at different ways conservation has taken root to sustain some of the region's most iconic species. And we talk to carnivore ecologist and author Mordecai Ogada about some of the problems with classical models of conservation and what alternatives are out there. This episode originally aired in July 2022.
Peat bogs are enormous carbon sinks. They store twice the amount of carbon dioxide compared to the planet's forests. But ever since people discovered peat was useful for gardening, farming and heating, they've been digging it up, selling it, and releasing gigantic amounts of CO2 in the process. Now, Germany wants to keep its peat in the ground and is on the hunt for more sustainable alternatives.
They're beautiful. They're historic. But they're not really built for this new era of extremes. From Paris to Venice to Rotterdam, how European cities are trying to adapt — and what's standing in their way.
Wait, what? From a "cow-burp tax" to painted eyes on cows' rear ends to help stave off predators, surprisingly helpful chickpeas and tweaks to save mangrove forests from being burned up — this episode has it all!
Putin's assault on Ukraine triggered an energy crisis that sent Europe's economies into a tailspin and put the European clean energy transition to the test. But how did the European Union, a leader in climate action, become so dependent on Russian oil and gas to begin with?
It's perfectly natural and something we do every day. Whether you use a squat toilet, a pit latrine or a water closet, humans need to go. But the ways we do so are often not very efficient, useful or good for the environment. So we're taking a look at the history of human excrement and some creative solutions to dispose of and repurpose our waste.
Microplastics have been found everywhere — from the deepest parts of the ocean to the heights of Mount Everest. A problem that is set to intensify as we produce over 400 million tons of new plastics every year. But just how dangerous are microplastics? And what can we do about them? We share an episode from our On the Green Fence colleagues, who delve into the plastic problem in their new season.
We hear from people in California whose home insurers have left them in the lurch as weather extremes intensify in the state, and talk to an expert on disaster risk and adaptation about what we need to help protect our homes against the inevitable. And from high up in the Austrian alps, we get a reality check from climate scientists about the future of our alpine glaciers.
Writer and stylist Aja Barber on the imperialism of the fashion industry and how to kick your shopping addiction. And how Kenya's dealing with your unwanted clothing.
What do you do if there isn't enough fresh drinking water around? According to the World Resources Institute, a quarter of the world's population doesn't have enough water to meet demand. DW explores ways to combat water scarcity.
We hear from Russian climate activists and environmental organizations working in exile. And we take you to Svalbard in the Arctic to learn about life on this remote archipelago and hear from the climate scientists studying its unique ecosystem.
Each year, the world produces 430 million tons of plastics – and that figure is set to triple by 2060. How did plastics become such a big part of our lives? And what can we do reduce the harm they cause? Today, we share an episode from our colleagues at On the Green Fence, who delve into the plastic problem in their new season.
As the northern hemisphere's summer heat intensifies, wildfires burn from Greece to Algeria to California, and climate scientists admit that even some of these extremes were beyond their predictions, we talk drought, heat, fire — and what happens when that collides with mass tourism.
We visit the state of West Virginia in the United States to hear from people grappling with the phase out of coal mining. What's next for this poor state where the coal industry has dominated for more than 100 years? Julia Kastein investigates.
Solar energy is about to get a push in Croatia which has a lot of sunshine, but so far hasn't really done much with that potential. Food waste is a global problem. In many countries of the global south, it's often down to being unable to keep produce cool. Could solar power help? And we check in with a low-lying coastal community in the US that's already feeling the effects of sea level rise.
Why the survival of the Mexican axolotl matters for keeping Mexico City's temperature down. The special carbon-capturing capacities of clams. And a new, all-natural woolly lawnmower taking off in France.
We hear about how used cars from wealthy countries are getting a new lease on life in Ghana. And we talk to a transport sustainability researcher about why that kind of upcycling isn't as good for the environment as it might seem, as well as what reform could look like. And we visit Norway, where we meet those for and against the idea to mine its deep sea for critical minerals.
As fires are burning in Canada in what's been called an unprecedented wildfire season, with smoke drifting over to the United States and even across the Atlantic Ocean over to European countries, we talk fires and drought on the show. How should we deal with wildfires? What can we do to prevent the worst? And do controlled fires have a place when it comes to prevention?
How do sperm whales express their cultural differences? And what kind of music would birds and the wind make if you gave them the chance? In today's episode, we listen to some curious soundscapes, as well as hear from the climate scientists in Maryland trying to figure out what the future will look like if we change one of Earth's hardest working carbon sinks: saltwater marshes.
We talk to author & environmentalist Bill McKibben about the link between power, Russia's war and the climate crisis, and what people often overlook in the fight against it. We also travel to a place bearing the consequences of Germany's exit from Russian coal. And, from Lithuania, we ask: how is climate change altering the way we understand seasons?
We talk to renowned Indian author Amitav Ghosh about the origins of the climate crisis, the story of one very important spice, and why he prefers the term "planetary crisis" to the climate crisis.
This week we're sharing an episode of Drilled, a true-crime climate podcast we love that describes itself as Law & Order meets the climate crisis. This is episode one from their new season that follows the story of a Guyanese reporter as she tries to find out what kind of deal was struck between ExxonMobil and the Guyanese government after they discovered oil reserves off the country's coast.
We hear from people in Puchuncaví, Chile, who want to reclaim their region from industrial exploitation. And we talk to author and expert Saleem Ali about how to reduce the harm of mining and refining the minerals critical to harnessing renewable energy and powering electric vehicles.
In this special episode, three experts on climate mis/disinformation discuss the way factually inaccurate and misleading information about the environment travels around the web. Climate journalist Stella Levantesi, climate communication researcher John Cook and Wikimedia strategist Alex Stinson join Sam Baker for an engaging round-table discussion, which originally was broadcast in 2022.
We hear why Kenyan farmers are rejecting genetically modified seeds, meet the biodiversity guardians protecting peace in the rainforest region of Caquetá, Colombia, and find out how Ghana's coastline is at severe risk of being swallowed by the sea.
This week we're sharing an episode from Heat of the Moment, a podcast from Foreign Policy in partnership with the Climate Investment Funds. In Season 3, they explore the idea of a "just transition" away from fossil fuels — not only what that means for the coal miners whose jobs are going away, but also how the opportunity can be used to address wrongdoings such as racism, sexism and colonialism.
On Living Planet this week, too many deer in the Scottish Highlands are leading to community disputes over how to deal with them. As India works to clean up its air, scientists have realized there may be a surprising trade-off: even higher temperatures. And we venture into the heart of the humanitarian disaster that is cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo with author Siddharth Kara.
This week on Living Planet, we hear how refugees in Cameroon are creating shade and fresher air, as they connect their tree-planting project to the Great Green Wall of Africa. We also unpack Uganda's electronic waste problem, which has been made worse by a flood of cheap, counterfeit mobile phones on the market. And we learn about the promise and drawbacks of compostable packaging.
We head to the Hawaiian Islands to hear how climate change and the touristic obsession with a dreamy island getaway is steadily eroding the archipelago, driving local people, flora and fauna to extinction. And we learn from South African scientists and teachers trying to protect 200 species of shark off the country's coast.
Are two of the world's most beloved beverages – coffee and wine – viable in a world warped by climate change? And how's the world going with the whole 'sustainable aviation' thing?
From the water shortage in the Western United States to changes in floodplains in the Amazon, how is climate change impacting our water supplies? We explore solutions to these problems. We also hear what it's like to experience the world through the ears of a whale (yes, whales have ears)! And in France, one town is trying out some natural, glow-in-the-dark lighting.
We follow Australians battered by climate catastrophes, a walrus devoid of its ice floes and Indians from the eastern state of Odisha as they grapple with migration amid the climate crisis.
How should we talk to kids about climate change? From Belgian teens interacting with climate change on a philosophical level to an eco-bank in Peru where kids can open their first bank account to a new primary school climate program in Ghana, this week on Living Planet, we find out how schools and organizations are engaging young people on one of the most important issues of our time.
At a time when many people are struggling to pay their energy bills, we hear how oil and gas giants are raking in the profits, while quietly scaling back their emission reduction targets. And we head to Micronesia, via the Caribbean, to find out how small island nations are faring amid the climate crisis.
This week on Living Planet — more farmers around the world are turning their backs on industrial agriculture in an effort to shore up food supplies. In Georgia, ancient wheat varieties and breadmaking traditions are making a comeback. Farmers in Kenya have been forced to pollinate their crops themselves, while Lebanese farmers are ditching expensive chemical fertilizers for more natural options.
We head to the Canary Islands, where scientists are devising novel ways to squeeze every last drop of moisture out of the air to revive forests destroyed by wildfires. From Morocco, we hear about the potential for building batteries with 'green cobalt'. And, in India, we learn how to turn a flood of flower waste into something useful.
Is burning wood to generate energy sustainable? It is according to the EU's renewable energy strategy — a policy that was meant to help the block reduce fossil fuel usage and lower greenhouse gas emissions. But in order to profit from EU subsidies, more and more coal-fired power plants have switched to burning firewood instead, which is having devastating consequences for Europe's forests.
This week on Living Planet, we hear from climate scientists whose work has been disrupted by the war in Ukraine. We visit an ambitious project in the Netherlands, which shows us that living things really are all around us. And we look into the exploitative practice of biopiracy.
Today on Living Planet — a controversial oil pipeline in Uganda stirs up strong reactions. We ask what fossil fuels have to do with our beauty routine. And if you've wondered about the environmental and economic trade-offs of getting an electric vehicle, we've got answers.
Today on Living Planet, we're traveling to some cold (and not-so-cold) places. We're asking how Europe’s snow-starved winters are affecting winter sport enthusiasts. We visit a French supermarket that's keeping things especially chilly. And we head to the lab to find out how climate scientists study the world's oldest ice.
In recent months, climate activists have thrown food at famous paintings and glued themselves to roads. In the German town of Lützerath, protestors are resisting eviction to stop a coal mine. Today on Living Planet, we ask: Are activists going too far, harming their own cause? Or are they not going far enough, in light of climate realities? And are their efforts leading to any meaningful change?
This week on Living Planet — as Brazil welcomes its next president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, we reflect on the destruction the Amazon has experienced over the past few years, as a criminal system has moved in. What does this mean for the Indigenous people who've inhabited this famous rainforest for millennia, and are often its greatest defenders?
This week on Living Planet, we look back at a few of our favorite stories and interviews from the year. From conversations about conservation colonialism and fossil fuel despots to investigative stories into illegal activities and hopeful tales of returning wildlife, we covered a lot in 2022.
This week on Living Planet, we're getting a little festive – venturing to chestnut groves in Italy and to the Swiss Alps for an old-school weather forecast. We also visit the Canary Island of La Palma to hear how locals are living with the long aftermath of an unwelcome volcanic eruption.
This week on Living Planet, 21-year-old Ta'Kaiya Blaney from the Tla'amin Nation shares her perspective on the current biodiversity summit in Montreal and the shortcomings of such UN conferences. And in Namibia, fall-out from a scandal known as 'Fishrot' — where fishing rights were illegally given to an Icelandic company — is still rocking the country, its government and its fishermen.
Do you really know what happens to the stuff you throw away? In this episode, we follow the dirty trail of British waste, from the moment households toss their trash into the wheelie bin and diligently sort their recycling, to where it actually ends up — revealing the illegal dumping of millions of tonnes of waste happening in the UK and abroad.
As energy prices go sky-high this winter, any source of affordable energy may seem like a welcome reprieve. But does it make sense to be growing crops for fuel that could otherwise be food? This is the conundrum of biofuels. Today on Living Planet, we travel to the US, Kenya and Germany to explore biofuels – how they came about, their promises and drawbacks, and why it is we're still using them.
As the dust settles on COP27 climate talks in Egypt, we reflect on what was and what wasn't achieved to help the world avert catastrophic warming. And as we hear from people living in South Africa's coal belt — we’re not just headed for a world made worse by burning fossil fuels, we're living in one. Plus, we meet the seed savers taking matters into their own hands — one tasty bean at a time.
In this special episode, five experts talk about how the world might pay for the harm inflicted on poorer nations by the burning of fossil fuels. Director of the Loss & Damage Youth Coalition Ineza Umuhozo Grace, climate economist Gernot Wagner, the Dominican Republic's Vice Minister of Climate Change, Milagros De Camps and two International Red Cross representatives share their insights.
What responsibility do rich, high-emitting countries have towards poorer, low-emitting countries? Just how much control do smaller, less powerful nations have over their energy sources? And how can we climate-proof our future? As the world comes together in Egypt to hash out a plan to limit global warming, we’re asking some important questions on today's show.
This week on Living Planet, we're tackling fire and ice. As wildfires get worse in a warming world, we venture to the Western United States to hear what it's like to live with this smoky season every year. And ahead of the annual UN climate conference, we speak to Arctic ecologist, Sue Natali, about thawing permafrost and just how much it has in store for climate change.
The fashion industry contributes 4% of greenhouse gas emissions. This week on Living Planet, we look at the reasons why. We find out what happens to clothing you buy online and return, and we delve into the world of fast fashion encouraged by social media. In the Himalayas, we travel the historic Silk Road where wool and textile production once sustained empires – but are now crumbling industries.
This week on Living Planet — How human activity transformed the mighty Araguari River. We also visit Uganda's capital, which has been designated as a 'Tree City of the World', but also deals with extreme air pollution. Are trees enough to clean its air? And in South Africa, there's a tree so big, it's home to hundreds of birds and bats, and it even has a cave within it!
We take a listen to how the climate crisis is affecting people's lives in different parts of Africa — from profound societal impacts in Maasai communities in Kenya, to the mental health challenges people are enduring in South Africa, to threatened tropical peatland ecosystems in the Cuvette Centrale basin in the DRC.
Climate scientists agree that the Arctic is ground zero for climate change. In the past, international teams of climate scientists have studied the sea ice here, but since the war in Ukraine, collaboration with Russia has been off-limits for Western researchers. The icebreaker and cruise ship, the Commandant Charcot, invited some of them on its maiden voyage to the North Pole.
How do sperm whales express their cultural differences? And what kind of music would birds and the wind make if you gave them the chance? In today's episode, we listen to some curious soundscapes, as well as hear from the climate scientists in Maryland trying to figure out if tidal marshes will continue to be carbon sinks, or if rising sea levels will turn them into dangerous carbon emitters.
Glaciers may only exist in certain cold corners of the world, but just like tropical rainforests, peatlands, wetlands and oceans, they support life on Earth hundreds of thousands of kilometers away; regulating ocean temperature, freshwater supply and our climate. In this episode we hear why ice is so integral to the planet as a functioning ecosystem, and some radical ideas to stop it from melting.
Can't sleep? You're not alone. A recent report highlights how much sleep we'll lose each year as temperatures continue to rise. Climate change is also drying up water supplies — from North America to East Africa to Europe. We travel the Rhine in Germany where low water levels are killing fish and halting trade. And in Mexico, residents rely on water deliveries due to drought and mismanagement.
This week on Living Planet, we explore a topic that's perfectly natural and something we do every day. Whether you use a squat toilet, a pit latrine or a water closet, humans need to go. But the ways we do so are often not very efficient, useful or good for the environment. So we're taking a look at the history of human excrement and some creative solutions to dispose of and repurpose our waste.
As the climate heats up, we hear about the dry future predicted for one of Scotland's best known exports. We travel to East Africa, where Somalians — desperate for climate aid — are taking the salt out of seawater to solve worrisome water shortages. We also ask how — indeed, if — clean Bitcoin could fix the currency's carbon footprint, and learn how to zap the methane out of cow dung.
We hear how the once decimated rocky reefs off the coast of Scotland have been replenished, travel to East Africa where farmers are cashing in on the Global North's avocado obsession without destroying the environment, and a professional frog nerd takes us through the bizarre and bountiful world of frog sounds.
Where do nature and art meet? From the vast majesty of the Antarctic to the neat symmetry of a beehive, environmentally-minded artists find inspiration in the sounds of the natural world. And from the Gambia to Namibia, outreach programs show the importance of citizens and scientists working together to conserve some of Africa's most iconic plants and animals.
We travel to the Brazilian Amazon, where the forest is disappearing at an alarming rate and the trees' last line of defense are the Indigenous communities that have lived among them for millennia. We also visit Ghana, where high oil and gas prices have led to a worrisome revival of cooking with charcoal and firewood. And experts from Scotland share secrets learned from their reforestation efforts.
Every Thursday, a new episode of Living Planet brings you environment stories from around the world, digging deeper into topics that touch our lives every day. The prize-winning, weekly half-hour radio magazine and podcast is produced by Deutsche Welle, Germany's international broadcaster.
In the Congo, new oil and gas permits are being offered up in endangered gorilla habitats and giant tropical peatlands to finance forest protection and reduce poverty. Meanwhile in Zambia, mining for EV batteries has citizens concerned about the price they'll pay for the world's renewable revolution. And, underwater, the secret race to buy the ocean floor.
We explore how rich Gulf countries can gain more control over their food supply as climate change and political insecurities threaten their decades-long reliance on imports, hear about how an ancient way of farming with the tides is seeing Tunisians through modern water crises, and travel to Valencia to learn about their old-school water tribunal.
We're plunging into the oceans this week on Living Planet with stories of algae, bivalves and dugongs! Seaweed farmers in Zanzibar are adapting to climate change while Indian fishermen are facilitating one marine mammal's comeback. And mussels, clams and oysters contain mind-boggling secret uses — from cleaning waterways to providing low-carbon building materials.
As scientists warn that the world is hurtling toward mass biodiversity loss, we hear about different ways to reverse that trend. We talk to Colombian ecologist Brigitte Baptiste, who's been part of a team tasked with creating international guidelines for governments on the value of nature. And we journey to South Africa to hear how the country is restoring ecosystems warped by invasive species.
This week on Living Planet, we head to South Africa, Kenya and Namibia to look at different ways conservation has taken root to sustain some of the region's most iconic species. We'll examine some of the problems with classical models of conservation and what alternatives there are to meet the needs of people who share space with these animals.
As the world opens up to tourism again, we hear from one place in the world that is being visited to death, and talk about why a lot of tourism — including the "eco" kind — needs a rethink. But don't worry, we also chat to a responsible travel expert about what we can do. Then, we go underground to explore how life down there supports life up here in all manner of complex, vital and magical ways.
This week on Living Planet – As Europe and North America deal with record-breaking heatwaves, we look at how cities from Ahmedabad, India to Athens, Greece handle the heat. When drought makes water a mere mirage – what are communities to do? Italy and Somalia are both struggling with diminishing water supplies. And in an odd twist, drought is also revealing some hidden secrets of the past.
This week on Living Planet – In India's cold desert, farmers have found ways to grow food year-round, but climate change is creating new obstacles. Our CO2 addiction is making living conditions worse for women around the world. And a volcanic eruption in the Canary Islands shows that what nature may need isn't always what humans want to deal with.
This week, Living Planet brings you another podcast we think you'll enjoy: the Africa Climate Podcast. As the climate — and the weather — changes, early warning systems are crucial to communities' safety and even to countries' economic growth. But how do these services work and who still has yet to get them?
We talk to environmentalist Bill McKibben about what the war in Ukraine really shows us about the climate crisis and what people have been missing in the fight against it. We also travel to a place bearing the consequences of Germany's exit from Russian coal. And, from Lithuania, we ask: how is the climate crisis changing the way we understand seasons?
We unpack the science of climate attribution, as scientists find South Asia’s extreme heatwave was made significantly more likely by climate change. In India, we hear how the record temperatures are inflaming the country's waste problem — literally. And, how transforming transport in Kenya could help the country cut emissions fast.
Australians are heading to the polls in what many see as a last-chance climate election, as the fossil-fuel-friendly country reels from years of extreme weather worsened by climate change. In India, a lesser-known consequence of burning coal is hurting people and ecosystems. And in Uganda, farmers are finding the chemicals they're putting on their crops are far more dangerous than they thought.
In today's episode, we dive underwater to visit creatures great and very, very small. Some of them are vocal, some are vital for the air we breathe and, sadly, many of them are threatened. How can we better protect life in the oceans? Plus — the environmental toll of your monthly bleed, and how menstrual products tell the story of the modern world, from capitalism to patriarchy to pollution.
On Living Planet today – European countries have been scrambling to find new energy sources to reduce their dependence on Russia, but some countries still need Russian exports, and not just for oil and gas. In India's thickly polluted capital, engineers are building special schools so that students can focus on their studies. And we tag along with refugees doing the work of recycling in Turkey.
We reveal an environmental crime that is contaminating the world's oceans and going largely undetected. We also hear about California's bid to turn an environmental disaster zone into a lithium goldmine. Plus, how extreme drought is thwarting Morocco's plans to become a pioneer of green energy.
Where do nature and art meet? From the vast majesty of the Antarctic to the neat symmetry of a beehive, environmentally-minded artists find inspiration in the sounds of the natural world. And from the Gambia to Namibia, outreach programs show the importance of citizens and scientists working together to conserve some of Africa's most iconic plants and animals.
In this special episode, three experts on climate disinformation discuss how factually inaccurate and misleading information travels around the web. Climate journalist Stella Levantesi, communication researcher John Cook and Wikimedia strategist Alex Stinson join Living Planet host Sam Baker for an engaging round-table discussion, which originally was broadcast as a live discussion.
This week on Living Planet — a unique approach to dealing with illegal gold mining in Mozambique, how Indigenous crabbers in the Pacific Northwest of the US are greening their fishing fleet, and what you need to know from the latest IPCC report on climate change.
Today on the program, we speak with Fridays for Future activist Luisa Neubauer, who reflects on four years in a movement for climate action. California has a new law targeting food wasters, but it's not without a few hurdles. And why is tropical Costa Rica facing water shortages?
This week, Living Planet brings you another podcast we think you'll enjoy: Out There. When we move from one place to another, sometimes our standards and perceptions of the environment around us can change. Our baselines shift. In this story of air pollution, one journalist finds that comparing himself to others isn't always helpful.
As the climate heats up, we hear about the dry future predicted for one of Scotland's best known exports. We travel to East Africa, where Somalians — desperate for climate aid — are taking the salt out of seawater to solve worrisome water shortages. We also ask how — indeed, if — clean Bitcoin could fix the currency's carbon footprint, and learn how to zap the methane out of cow dung.
We ask a climate economist if Putin’s war in Ukraine could see the world fast-track a switch to renewables. From the Southern Hemisphere, we hear about the record-breaking "megafloods" devastating Australia's east coast and the twin threat of flooding and rising sea levels engulfing Indonesia. Plus, the Italian farm that wants to save its animals from setting hoof in the slaughterhouse.
In a week of landmark environmental announcements, we ask: is it too late to halt the climate crisis? We also hear about plastic recycling in Nairobi, as a groundbreaking UN resolution is passed in that same city that could ban global plastic production. Plus, the slimy, green future of plant-based protein.
Climate change can seem far away from our daily lives. But behind headlines about melting ice sheets, devastating droughts and the collision of wildlife and agriculture are ordinary people. This week we meet the Indian farmers, the Greenlandic sled dog owners and the average South Africans facing mental health struggles who are all living with the effects of climate change.
We get a sobering breakdown on the extreme weather events facing most Indians amid the unfolding climate crisis. A climate scientist tells us what "positive tipping points" are and how understanding them can help us get out of this mess. Plus, what's going on with France's new electronics right to repair regulations?
This week, we tackle a few thorny subjects. In South Africa, we look at poaching – not of animals, but of plants! Plants that could be sitting on your windowsill right now. We also take up the divisive topic of nuclear energy. And why protecting forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo is so crucial.
This week on Living Planet, we take a look at harmful chemicals that stay in our bodies, forever. Where do they come from and what risks do they pose? And we ask what the future holds, for athletes and winter sport enthusiasts, as the 2022 Olympic Games open in Beijing, China.
The highest peak on the African continent has inspired locals and travelers alike over the centuries. But climate change is melting its ice cap and impacting those whose livelihoods are tied to it – from tour guides who regularly climb the 5,895 meter dormant volcano to Maasai farmers who live around its base.
How a vulture restaurant is helping bring the bird back from the brink in Nepal. The quest to make a "super breed" of the beloved Ugandan banana so it can withstand the pests and diseases that farmers have fought for decades. And how the residents of Gothenburg in Sweden are redesigning their city to make it the best in the world when it's raining — which is pretty often.
The cryptocurrency Bitcoin consumes a huge amount of energy. We take a look at why this is and what can be done about it. And how do lawmakers ensure a green energy transition actually reduces fossil fuel use? South Africa is planning to move away from its reliance on coal, but plans are afoot to extract natural gas from the ocean. In the EU, new regulations make exceptions for nuclear and gas.
We live on a watery planet — nearly three-quarters of the Earth's surface is underwater. As climate change raises temperatures, water is being pushed in new and more extreme directions. But are there ways we could use water to our advantage, environmentally? This week, we hear from communities trying to push back the seas and others suffering from diminishing water supplies.
This week, we bring you an episode of DW's On the Green Fence, hosted by Neil King. In it, he heads to the forest in search of urgent answers on how to save them. Around the globe, climate change and severe droughts have wrought havoc on forests far and wide. As forest dieback increases, even young trees are dying. So what happens if we lose our forests? And what we can do to stop it?
In this special episode, we reflect on a year of environmental reporting that’s taken us from the northern stretches of oil-producing Russia to the frog-filled forests of Australia. We listen back to snippets of our favorite stories and interviews, reliving the most important environmental events of 2021, along with the funny, weird and mind-blowing moments on Living Planet in the year gone by.
How should we construct our houses and cities to better withstand a changing climate? This week we explore building strategies that reduce emissions and deal with new climate realities. From the promise of hydrogen fueling neighborhoods and businesses, to towns and cities that are using flooding to their advantage, we dig into how we can better design the places we live.
From new words in the dictionary to new migration patterns for plants, animals and humans, we dig into ways that climate change is transforming more than just the weather. We also take a look at one tight-lipped contributor to greenhouse gas emissions that is rarely talked about, despite being one of the world's top emitters.
Today on the show, we venture to the Scottish Highlands in search of its last patches of snow. We also talk about how the world's waste problem could be solved if companies had to repair their products and clean up rubbish from the packaging they make. And we hear from a group of women in India taking trash clean-up matters into their own hands.
In the Comoros Islands, the world's demand for ylang ylang oil is leaving the region bare and its makers shorthanded. Why environmental groups and politicians in Barcelona are angry over plans to attract more tourists. And we speak to a journalist who has investigated the influence of the fossil fuel industry in American schools' climate change education.
COP26 conclusions, a glimpse into the future of green tech-powered living in Sweden, the marvel of meadow-made cheese in Italy, and speaking science to power to save the Arctic.
Delegates are running out of time to agree on how to keep global temperatures in check at the UN climate conference in Glasgow. Young people especially are piling on the pressure for action. We hear from DW reporters covering the event and get their impressions. And in Senegal, emissions reductions come too late for the survival of one coastal community already dealing with rising sea levels.
This week, we're talking about the biggest environment event of the year – the global climate conference known as COP26. We hear from one of our reporters who's there in Glasgow covering the policy tussles and from an activist who traveled there from Nigeria to make her voice heard, along with many other young people. We also take a look at how climate change is affecting people's lives right now.
Rising waters in 17 lakes in Kenya - including Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria - are displacing people and upending ways of life. Not to mention, it's stressing out wildlife like giraffes that have been stuck on a newly created island by the high waters. In this feature, we look at how people and animals are coping in the East African Rift Valley.
On this week's show, we have stories of environmental concerns colliding with symbols of cultural importance. We venture to the spot in Italy where marble for Michelangelo's sculptures once came from. Controversy is also stirring on some mountains in Greece, as wind turbines anger locals. And we hear from a journalist who tracked an endangered leopard through war-ravaged territory.
Around the world, local people fight to maintain their way of life and habitats. In Cameroon, the Baka people are being driven out of their forests by logging and mining. In the US, a new lithium mine threatens to infringe on Indigenous sacred sites. And in Sierra Leone, an expensive, internationally-funded industrial fishing habor could ruin residents' livelihoods and the local ecosystem.
This week, we hear about regulations to curb greenwashing in the UK. We explore the promise of hydrogen for green steel and as a green fuel option, and we'll learn about one creative way to give some old houseplants a little love.
Most religions have a connection to the Earth – stories of creation or spiritual practices tied to nature. We take a look at how religion and spirituality influence how we treat the environment. From beliefs steeped in the forest to religious leaders motivating their congregants to take care of the planet. And what happens when holy sites are threatened by climate change and too many visitors?
As we edge closer to Germany's federal election, we go back in time to experience Berlin as a swampland. We also hear about some of the controversies surrounding the imminent UN World Food Systems Summit, find out how a spaceship-like warehouse in the Netherlands is using fish poo to grow food, and chat about queer inclusion in environmental matters.
Today we take a look at things that are often overlooked, but can add up to big solutions for the climate. One of them is air conditioning. What's its role in greenhouse gas emissions? And what are alternative ways to cool ourselves as the planet heats up? And we venture to Ireland to hear why peatlands are actually a huge deal when it comes to the climate.
This week on Living Planet: What does it mean for an ecosystem to be intact? And what does it take to keep it that way? We'll also check in on the upcoming German election and what it might mean for the climate. And we hear about the challenges disabled activists face when advocating for the environment.
This week on the Living Planet: How contentious water rights can get in times of drought. Rolling blackouts in Lebanon are leaving many frustrated, scared and wondering what could have been with a different approach to energy. And we hear from a journalist who's exposing environmental racism in eastern Europe.
This week, Living Planet brings you another podcast we think you'll enjoy: The Wild with Chris Morgan. Often we go to nature to find silence, to find solace. But what is silence really? You might think you’re in a quiet place, but it’s really hard to find natural silence these days. In this special episode, Chris Morgan goes searching for one square inch of silence.
When communities face challenges they often find their own, homemade fixes. Community-run gardens around the world can be life-changing operations, and the bees that help pollinate them need our help. Meanwhile landscape restoration teams in South Africa are saving the ancient veld and recycling imported clothing has been a creative opportunity for one designer in Kenya.
We talk about the IPCC's grave warning to the world and why we urgently need clean energy alternatives, hear of solar success in Brazil's favelas, travel to one of Georgia's longest rivers where hydropower is clashing with precious wildlife habitats, and listen to Texans on how they feel about wind power picking up in the oil state.
In a special crossover episode with DW's Africalink and Living Planet, we dive into the issue of climate change across Africa. What does climate science and climate activism look like on a continent already dealing with climate impacts today? How can African nations address energy poverty without contributing more greenhouse gas emissions? And is it time for climate reparations?
As The Netherlands desperately tries to reduce its nitrogen emissions, Dutch farmers are up in arms about what that will mean for them. Melting glaciers on Mt Kilimanjaro cause drastic changes in Kenya and Tanzania. And the moment the most elusive wild cat in the world was spotted for the first time in a decade in Algeria.
From heatwaves and wildfires in North America to catastrophic flooding in Germany and China, the world over, climate scientists' predictions are being horribly realized. We hear from Californians on the frontline of drought, a disaster expert helps us understand climate risk, and a young Ugandan activist's mission to wake her countrypeople up to the climate crisis unfolding in their backyards.
When we think of the things that are most vital to our lives, what comes to mind? Water? Food? Air? This week on Living Planet we have stories exploring our most basic human needs. We venture to unique water systems under threat high in the Andes of Colombia and Ecuador. And slightly further North, we hear how cookstoves are changing the game in Guatemala.
On Living Planet, we often talk about all the greenhouse gas emissions people put into the atmosphere. But this week, we’re looking at ways to suck carbon dioxide back out of the air, in what’s known as carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). We visit the seas and the trees to see how this is being done, and we hear how carbon capture technology can help slow, or even reverse, climate change.
This week, we've got plastics on the brain — especially pervasive, single-use plastics — as a ban of these items comes into force in Europe. But will it make a big difference in grocery stores, and more importantly, in the environment? We also hear from an activist in Malawi who helped bring in that country's plastic ban. And with all these bans, are we really on our way to a plastic-free future?
Oil is big business. It's an industry that employs an estimated 6 million people from Russia to Saudi Arabia to the US. But oil is a leading contributor to climate change and can lead to leaks and spills that pollute waterways and ecosystems. As the world gets more serious about shifting away from fossil fuels, the future for oil looks tenuous.
We hear of efforts to breathe life back into seabeds off the coast of Scotland, East African farmers cash in on the Global North’s avocado obsession — which has had dire consequences for the environment elsewhere in the world, and a professional frog nerd takes us through the bizarre and bountiful world of frog songs.
We examine how thinking outside the box can lead to changes big and small. 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize winner Chibeze Ezekiel tells us how he led a successful grassroots campaign against Ghana's first coal-fired power plant. We find out how we can make sense of science through art. Female farmers discover the power of ancient seeds on Ibiza. And we delve into Germany's car-conundrum.
From shocks to industrial agriculture in the face of a dramatically changing climate in the US' Midwest, to a big bank funding rubber plantations in the Congo Basin, and lastly, the growth of the global denim market, we hear about some of the environmental costs of farming, finance and fashion, as well as attempts to reduce the industrial footprint — and whether those can be trusted.
Today on the show we ask some deep environmental questions: What rights does nature have? Should people be considered separate from the natural world? What IS wilderness? And: wild hungry animals on the search for food in Tel Aviv.
When communities face challenges they often find their own, homemade fixes. Community-run gardens around the world can be life-changing operations, and the bees that help pollinate them need our help. Meanwhile landscape restoration teams in South Africa are saving the ancient veld and recycling imported clothing has been a creative opportunity for one designer in Kenya.
On this week's show, Spain grapples with the environmental impact of the renewable energy boom. Young entrepreneurs in Kenya discover how a tiny critter can make a big impact on food waste. And Mexico takes the lead in kicking the herbicide glyphosate to the curb for the sake of its native bees.
Across the world, people are having to rethink the way they grow food in the face of the impacts of climate change and industrial agriculture. We hear from seed guardians in Ecuador trying to save vital seed varieties from disappearing, and from farmers in East Africa battling deadly invisible toxins in their crops. Plus: An organic farming group's ambitious plan to green the desert in Egypt.
We dissect US President Joe Biden's pledge to cut his country's greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. Protesters in Serbia sound off on big polluters, while a city in the UK takes the initiative to clean up its dirty air. And we discuss how international travel to picturesque destinations really impacts the environment in the Global South.
In this episode of Living Planet, we hear about some of the different ways ordinary people relate to environmental issues in different parts of the world. Climate activists talk about using TikTok to reach Generation Z. And 35 years after the Chernobyl disaster, we'll hear how people in Russia and China view the future of nuclear energy.
This week on Living Planet, stories of how local movers and shakers deal with global problems. Glaciologists in Oregon tell us what they've learned about the climate from frozen caves, while a community in Lyon, France protests meatless school lunches. We also debate the ethics of traveling by cruise or by plane. And women from the Niger Delta share their fight for justice over oil pollution.
From species extinction to waste, land degradation to climate change and pollution, from Kenya to Australia, India, and France, this two-part special explores some of the most urgent environmental problems facing the planet — and how they might be solved. In part two, we hear about deforestation in Kashmir, puzzling water scarcity in Kenya and attempts to reduce severe air pollution in Delhi.
From species extinction to waste, land degradation to climate change and pollution, from Kenya to Australia, India, and France, this two-part special explores some of the most urgent environmental problems facing the planet — and how they might be solved. In part one, we hear about the struggle to save a native Tasmanian species from extinction, plus: French solutions to a sickening waste pile.
In the Global North, clean water is taken for granted — but in some places it means the difference between life and death. "Water wars" are taking place as people fight failing systems, and combat climate change, to access enough clean water for all. From Chile to South Africa, India to the Caribbean, we hear about those water conflicts that are flowing beneath the surface.
Trees are often seen as something to be chopped down for economic gain or cleared to make way for development. But without them, scientists warn, humanity loses an important lifeline. These large carbon sinks can be thought of as giant air conditioners that cool the planet — a powerful tool in mitigating climate change. From Costa Rica to Brazil, Rome to Madrid, we look at the state of our trees.
We depend on farming — and farmers — to grow the food we need to survive. Agriculture can be environmentally damaging — yet there are alternatives. From adjusting our avocado consumption, to a sustainable (and underrated) crop of the future: beans. And finally, restoring rivers to boost harvests in India.
As more countries seek to phase in renewable energies, coal retains a firm grip in many parts of the world. In India, the picturesque state of Goa is set to become the country's new coal hub. China's plans to cut back on carbon emissions don't line up with its dependence on coal. And in London, activists can't agree on the best path to net-zero emissions.
This week on the show, we're taking a look at our cities. From our food systems to transportation and urban planning to our waste streams, we dive into the ways in which urban life can be environmentally-friendly. We also get to hear from some little critters who are taking unwelcome refuge in cities.