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 Outdated in many ways, yet standing the test of time, can those with strong natural settings foster an appreciation of the world around us?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.
Jan 17, 2025•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Jan 10, 2025•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Jan 03, 2025•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Dec 27, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Dec 20, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Dec 13, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Dec 06, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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?
Nov 29, 2024•12 min•Transcript available on Metacast Not long ago, energy analysts noticed something weird in the data they were tracking. The anomaly centered on Pakistan. All of a sudden, the country seemed to be using far, far less electricity than before. What the analysts would discover baffled them – a different kind of power surge brewing elsewhere, right under their noses. One that could have ripple effects far and wide. If it isn't halted.
Nov 22, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Nov 15, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Nov 07, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Nov 01, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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?
Oct 25, 2024•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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?
Oct 18, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Oct 11, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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?
Oct 04, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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…
Sep 27, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Sep 20, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Ants are crucial for sustaining healthy ecosystems. But, as residents in one German town discovered, they can also wreak havoc when they invade new habitats.
Sep 13, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Sep 06, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Aug 30, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Aug 23, 2024•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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?
Aug 16, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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?
Aug 09, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Aug 02, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Jul 26, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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?
Jul 19, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Jul 12, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Jul 05, 2024•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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.
Jun 28, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast