Living Planet
265 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 52 ratingsEvery 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 - visit dw.com/environment for more.
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Episodes
Deep dive: Mercury’s tantalizing promise of endless gold in South America
April 18, 2024 08:42 - 27 minutes - 25.8 MBMercury’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.
Illegal bushmeat trade impact explained
April 11, 2024 12:59 - 29 minutes - 27.8 MBFrom 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?
Bushmeat bandits: The hidden threat to global health and wildlife
April 11, 2024 12:59 - 29 minutes - 27.8 MBFrom 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?
What's better: Cotton or polyester clothing?
April 04, 2024 14:54 - 15 minutes - 14.9 MBAre 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.
An ode to the crow
March 28, 2024 16:00 - 11 minutes - 11.8 MBA 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.
What's better: Contact lenses or glasses?
March 21, 2024 14:29 - 20 minutes - 19.6 MBIt 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.
The iron grip of Brazil's mining industry
March 14, 2024 14:03 - 29 minutes - 28 MBBrazil'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.
What's better: Tea or coffee?
March 08, 2024 09:00 - 30 minutes - 34.5 MBHave 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.
What's better: Plastic or paper?
February 29, 2024 17:00 - 15 minutes - 21.2 MBPlastic 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?
What's better: E-readers or paper books?
February 22, 2024 17:00 - 14 minutes - 20.4 MBDo 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.
The comfort of a tree
February 15, 2024 17:30 - 14 minutes - 20 MBHow often do you stop to really look at the trees in your neighborhood or in your local park? To observe their details and feel their presence? 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 get to know a special tree and meet a tree surgeon who can share some of its secrets.
We need to talk about farmers and mental health
February 08, 2024 12:16 - 29 minutes - 34.1 MBRecent 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.
The truly amazing world of fungi
February 01, 2024 15:39 - 27 minutes - 32.5 MBWhen 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.
If you love salmon, you might want to listen to this...
January 25, 2024 14:33 - 29 minutes - 34.5 MBFrom 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.
Why this 3D-printed house could be a gamechanger
January 19, 2024 12:06 - 21 minutes - 21.7 MBThis 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.
Is recycling really the answer to the plastic crisis?
January 11, 2024 11:00 - 29 minutes - 29.1 MBGlobally 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.
Bioplastics: The good, the bad and the ugly
January 04, 2024 11:00 - 30 minutes - 34.5 MBOne way to curb the world's plastics problem would be to use bioplastics. But not all bioplastics are created equal.
Bugs that eat plastic
December 28, 2023 11:00 - 30 minutes - 34.5 MBWhat 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.
The everyday Americans tackling climate change
December 21, 2023 09:40 - 30 minutes - 34.5 MBAmericans 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.
What kind of world is possible?
December 15, 2023 14:00 - 33 minutes - 32.5 MBSome 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.
Cooling amphibians & carbon-capturing mollusks
December 07, 2023 17:00 - 29 minutes - 33.5 MBCome 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.
Whisky's peat problem, the repair cafe & climate skeptics cashing in on the green economy
November 30, 2023 17:30 - 30 minutes - 33 MBIs 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 cafe in Manchester doing its bit to reduce the millions tons of fixable items we throw out every year. And lastly, we visit the Republican US state of Georgia where the electric vehicle business is booming.
Amitav Ghosh on colonialism & the climate crisis
November 23, 2023 11:00 - 30 minutes - 29.1 MBDid 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.
War & warming
November 17, 2023 15:40 - 29 minutes - 30.4 MBThe 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.
Holding on: Dutch farmers, California's salmon & Germany's Ahr valley
November 09, 2023 17:00 - 29 minutes - 30.7 MBAs The Netherlands continues to battle dangerously high nitrogen levels, its farmers grapple with keeping their businesses afloat and switching to more sustainable methods amid drastic cuts. 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.
Is it time to end biofuels?
November 02, 2023 16:00 - 29 minutes - 29.1 MBMaking 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.
Rethinking conservation
October 26, 2023 16:00 - 30 minutes - 29 MBProtecting African wildlife is a big deal - and big business. It's often linked to tourism, which is not always a reliable income stream and can have major impacts on animal habitats. We head to Kenya to meet the black rhino, hear about South Africa's post-pandemic struggle, and chat to carnivore ecologist Mordecai Ogada about conservation colonialism. This episode originally aired in July 2022.
The business of bogs
October 19, 2023 17:00 - 30 minutes - 30.1 MBPeat 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.
Out with the old: European cities & climate change
October 12, 2023 16:00 - 30 minutes - 29.1 MBThey'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.
Tweaks for the environment? From pills for burping cows, eyes on cows' butts & more
October 05, 2023 14:00 - 29 minutes - 29.7 MBWait, 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!
Introducing: The Big Switch on Europe's energy crisis
September 29, 2023 13:00 - 29 minutes - 28.6 MBPutin'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?
Reenvisioning the restroom (rebroadcast)
September 21, 2023 13:00 - 30 minutes - 29.8 MBIt'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.
Reenvisioning the restroom
September 21, 2023 13:00 - 30 minutes - 29.8 MBIt'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. This episode originally aired in September 2022.
The growing microplastics problem
September 14, 2023 13:00 - 29 minutes - 29.4 MBMicroplastics 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.
Insuring ourselves against the inevitable
September 08, 2023 11:15 - 30 minutes - 31.3 MBWe 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.
Giving up fast fashion
August 31, 2023 16:45 - 30 minutes - 32.4 MBWriter 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.
Water woes & how to combat water scarcity
August 24, 2023 13:32 - 29 minutes - 29.8 MBWhat 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.
Life in the Arctic & Russia's exiled environmentalists
August 17, 2023 16:00 - 29 minutes - 29.6 MBWe 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.
How did we become planet plastic?
August 10, 2023 10:00 - 30 minutes - 31.7 MBEach 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.
Extreme heat & mass tourism
August 04, 2023 14:00 - 30 minutes - 29 MBAs 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.
Leaving coal, not people, behind
July 27, 2023 17:00 - 30 minutes - 29.1 MBWe 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.
The power of solar
July 20, 2023 13:15 - 29 minutes - 29.6 MBSolar 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.
Where your dirty old cars end up & Norway's bid to mine the ocean floor
July 06, 2023 15:00 - 29 minutes - 29 MBWe 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.
The world on fire: How to deal with wildfires
June 29, 2023 15:00 - 29 minutes - 30.3 MBAs 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?
Whale speak, nature's opera & tidal marshes (rebroadcast)
June 22, 2023 14:00 - 29 minutes - 28.3 MBHow 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.
Bill McKibben on power & the climate emergency
June 15, 2023 16:00 - 30 minutes - 30 MBEnvironmental journalist & author Bill McKibben helps us understand the link between power, Russia's war in Ukraine and the climate crisis. We then head to Columbia to hear from people on the ground suffering the consequences of Germany's reignited coal deal. And, from Lithuania, we ponder how climate change is altering the way we understand seasons. This episode originally aired in June 2022.
Bill McKibben on power & the climate emergency (rebroadcast)
June 15, 2023 16:00 - 30 minutes - 30 MBWe 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?
Introducing: Drilled on ExxonMobil's oil colonialism in Guyana
June 01, 2023 13:30 - 29 minutes - 34.5 MBThis 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.
Critical minerals & decarbonization: Can we have our cake and eat it, too?
May 25, 2023 15:00 - 30 minutes - 33.8 MBWe 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.
Climate misinformation: How do we tackle it? (rebroadcast)
May 18, 2023 13:00 - 29 minutes - 29.8 MBIn 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.