On The Green Fence
163 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 24 ratingsOn the Green Fence lives up to its name in looking at complex, often divisive environmental issues from multiple angles. It’s not about greenism, but about delving into the major concerns of our time in an engaging and human way. DW reporter Neil King sits on the fence and explores the role business, society and science play in our transition to a more environmentally friendly world. In so doing, he aims to make sense of issues that affect us all, but which are often over-simplified or convoluted by ideology and lobbyism. On the Green Fence stands for an open-minded, relevant and entertaining approach to the environment.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Can we recycle our way out of the plastic crisis?
July 21, 2023 11:38 - 43 minutes - 41.5 MBGlobally only 9% of all plastic waste is recycled. But why are mechanical recycling rates so low? And could chemical recycling help achieve our targets or is this the wrong approach to the plastic waste problem?
Why don't we use more bioplastics?
July 14, 2023 12:40 - 35 minutes - 33.8 MBSubstituting fossil-based plastics with compostable ones could help address plastic pollution. But not all bioplastics are eco-friendly or biodegradable. A startup from the UK says seaweed is the answer.
Could plastic-eating enzymes help curb pollution?
July 07, 2023 12:55 - 35 minutes - 34.1 MBEach year, millions of tons of plastic waste ends up in the environment where it can last for centuries. But the discovery of plastic-gobbling enzymes has raised hopes of solving this mounting problem. Some scientists have called these tiny plastic eaters a game changer. But is this really a scalable solution? And does it make economic sense?
The growing microplastics problem: risks and solutions
June 30, 2023 12:20 - 37 minutes - 35.6 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?
The plastics age: How did we get here?
June 23, 2023 12:45 - 42 minutes - 40.4 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 needs to be done to limit their environmental impact?
Trailer: The global plastics crisis, new podcast series
June 02, 2023 09:28 - 1 minute - 3.46 MBGlobal plastics production has doubled over the past two decades. Despite rising consumer awareness, there is more single-use plastic waste than ever before. Pollutive plastic waste is set to triple by 2060. Microplastics are in our food and water and even entering our bodies. How did we get here and what can we do about it? This series launches in June.
More allergies due to climate change?
May 25, 2023 08:47 - 24 minutes - 24.4 MBBy 2050, half the world's population could be affected by at least one allergy. Is global warming to blame? Find out more about rising pollen levels and one of the most allergenic plants in the world that is now also spreading in Germany. (This episode has been republished and updated).
How lab-grown meat could help the climate
May 19, 2023 10:13 - 40 minutes - 38.8 MBGlobal demand for meat is growing, but animal agriculture has a significant carbon footprint. Could cultivating steaks, nuggets and sushi in a lab be a solution? (This episode has been republished and updated).
Climate crisis: Is cli-fi counterproductive?
May 12, 2023 11:46 - 26 minutes - 26 MBClimate fiction has become a significant cultural phenomenon, reflecting the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for creative responses to this global challenge. But how does it affect the consumer and is it doing more harm than good?
The rise of climate fiction
May 05, 2023 12:51 - 30 minutes - 29.4 MBCli-fi is growing increasingly popular as the climate crisis deepens. But could this mainly dystopian genre play a constructive role in tackling the challenge of global warming?
Why more 'edible cities' are a good idea
April 28, 2023 08:55 - 32 minutes - 31.2 MBThe German town of Andernach uses its public spaces to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs that anyone can pick free of charge. It's also a social project that has given some residents a new purpose in life. So what would it take to turn your home town into an edible one? (This episode has been republished and updated)
Understanding our food choices
April 21, 2023 09:06 - 33 minutes - 32.3 MBSupermarkets stock thousands of food products flown in from all over the world. And we've become used to this bounty of choice, often at the cost of the environment. But what is driving this excessive food consumption and how can we make better food choices? (This episode has been republished and updated).
AI: 'It will be a wild ride'
April 14, 2023 06:26 - 39 minutes - 37.5 MBMachines that can outsmart humans are the stuff of sci-fi novels. But some in the tech industry believe that if rapid advances in AI continue, there could someday be systems that attain — or surpass — human intelligence. Philosopher Nick Bostrom shares his thoughts on what that would mean for our species and some of the ethical questions that should be settled before we reach that threshold.
AI: What are the downsides for the environment?
April 06, 2023 10:39 - 30 minutes - 29.3 MBArtificial intelligence has tremendous potential to help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the technology itself has a big carbon footprint, and in some cases it's being used to accelerate activities that make climate change worse.
How AI can help us protect the planet
March 31, 2023 10:19 - 31 minutes - 30.7 MBThe field of artificial intelligence is growing fast. Not only is it bringing profound changes to the way we live and work, it's also proving to be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.
Climate change: The biggest health threat to humanity
March 24, 2023 08:41 - 18 minutes - 18.7 MBThe impacts of climate change are making us sick and claiming the lives of 13 million people every year. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is the single biggest health threat humanity faces. So what does it mean for our health if we fail to meet our climate goals and what can we do about it? (This episode has been republished and updated).
The Rhine: Protecting a precious water source
March 17, 2023 11:05 - 30 minutes - 29.9 MBAhead of World Water Day, we look at how the Rhine was transformed from a heavily polluted and stinking river into a clean waterway. Today, it supplies over 30 million people with high quality drinking water. But new threats are emerging for Germany's longest artery. (This episode has been republished and updated).
The benefits of a four-day work week
March 10, 2023 14:40 - 22 minutes - 21.9 MBImagine your work week is reduced from five to four days without a pay cut. That's precisely what some companies in the UK did over a six-month trial period. Apparently, this is good for workers, business and the environment. Is the four-day work week overdue?
Human composting: The push for greener burials
March 03, 2023 11:45 - 26 minutes - 25.8 MBMost Germans choose to be cremated when they die. But this process has many environmental downsides. A green funeral startup from Berlin wants to make human composting the new normal. But just how eco-friendly is this and why hasn't it taken off in Germany yet?
Rationing carbon: A fairer way to fight global warming?
February 24, 2023 11:43 - 30 minutes - 29.9 MBRationing could be an effective way of reducing carbon emissions rapidly and fairly, according to a recent study by UK scientists. But just how would this work and would people really go along with it?
Europe's appetite for frogs' legs puts species at risk
February 17, 2023 11:57 - 26 minutes - 25.5 MBThe trade in frogs legs is thriving. Every year, millions of tons of the delicacy are exported from Asia to the European Union, the world’s biggest customer by far. But scientists warn the trade is unsustainable, and that Europe’s insatiable taste for the amphibian’s limbs could cause some species to die out altogether.
Civil disobedience in environmentalism: past, present, future
February 10, 2023 11:34 - 34 minutes - 33 MBFrom the suffragettes to US civil rights campaigners, there are many examples from history of social movements using direct action to push for change. It's a tactic climate activists in the West are increasingly resorting to today. But do radical acts still work with a challenge as immense as climate change? And how are such protests viewed in other parts of the world?
A turning point for disruptive climate protests?
February 03, 2023 12:34 - 33 minutes - 32 MBDisruptive climate protests are encouraging the authorities in some democracies to push for harsher anti-protest measures and new legislation. Civil rights groups fear the right to peaceful protest could come under threat. In Germany, for instance, climate activists from 'The Last Generation' have already been placed in preventive detention. Is more escalation on the horizon?
Climate activist: 'I'm doing this for my son'
January 27, 2023 12:25 - 21 minutes - 21.8 MBJust Stop Oil activist Lora Johnson has been arrested several times for disruptive climate protests in the United Kingdom. She has no intention of stopping, even if it means being separated from her son. But just how far is she prepared to go to achieve her goals?
Noise pollution — the underestimated threat
January 20, 2023 11:29 - 26 minutes - 25.7 MBExposure to loud noise can lead to health issues in humans. But it can also be harmful for wildlife. The problem is only going to get worse as cities expand. So what can we do about it?
The German farmer who's keeping his village warm
December 23, 2022 09:39 - 25 minutes - 25.2 MBLocally produced biogas could help reduce Germany's dependence on natural gas imports. So why doesn't it play a bigger role? German farmer Henning Varnholt knows all the stumbling blocks. He's been producing biogas since 2009 despite criticism from neighbors. Today, he and his community are self-sufficient and the critics have fallen silent. But is biogas really all it's cracked up to be?
Energy crisis: The comeback of coal in Germany?
December 09, 2022 15:22 - 58 minutes - 55.3 MBGermany is firing up old coal plants to ensure energy supply this winter. What does this mean for the country's coal phaseout and climate targets?
Winds of change: How Germany's renewables push is causing division
November 25, 2022 13:13 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBGermany's government wants to install thousands of new wind turbines as part of its plan to phase out fossil fuels. But finding a place to put all these windmills is proving controversial - even within green circles. Some critics argue wind is far too volatile a power source, while others warn these massive structures will harm vulnerable ecosystems. So when does this technology make sense?
Energy fears rekindle nuclear debate in Germany
November 11, 2022 12:32 - 1 hour - 62.4 MBThe energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced Germany to delay its long awaited nuclear phaseout. How likely is a renaissance of nuclear power amid blackout fears and increased energy prices? What role can "green" nuclear power play in the climate crisis? And why is there no embargo on Russian uranium?
How Germany is preparing for a future without Russian gas
October 28, 2022 13:57 - 1 hour - 57.4 MBFor years, Germany has relied on gas imports from Russia to power its industry. But Moscow's war in Ukraine has left Berlin scrambling to find alternatives. In episode one of DW's new series about the energy crisis, how will Europe's biggest economy replace Russian gas while staying on track to meet its climate goals?
Trailer: Germany's energy crisis, new podcast series
October 21, 2022 14:16 - 3 minutes - 5.3 MBGermany's energy policy has been turned upside down by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But what does this mean for energy security and climate targets? And how are Germans preparing for the winter amid rising energy prices? Join DW reporters Kristie Pladson and Neil King on the road as they explore Germany in crisis mode. This podcast series launches on 28 October.
Why isn't greener housing the new normal?
October 05, 2022 07:30 - 33 minutes - 32 MBIn Germany, buildings are responsible for around 40 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions. Making housing more sustainable can help save money in times of rising energy costs. But where to start? (This episode has been republished and updated).
Living sustainably — with strangers
September 30, 2022 10:55 - 38 minutes - 36.8 MBCo-housing projects are growing in popularity thanks, in part, to increasing awareness about the impact of our homes on the planet. But how difficult is it to share your living space with strangers? (This episode has been republished and updated).
Do we really need such big homes?
September 23, 2022 09:37 - 40 minutes - 38.8 MBThe living space of people in Western countries has been expanding for decades. But tackling housing shortages and the climate crisis may require a rethink of how much room we really need. (This episode has been republished and updated).
The case for a car-free city
September 16, 2022 08:00 - 21 minutes - 21.4 MBReducing the number of cars in urban areas can bring down pollution and traffic accidents. But the idea of shifting away from cars and designing cities around pedestrians and cyclists instead often meets with fierce resistance. (This episode has been republished and updated).
Low water levels: Is deepening the Rhine a good idea?
September 09, 2022 14:11 - 30 minutes - 29.1 MBWhile major businesses depending on Rhine shipments are backing a government plan to deepen the river in key sections, towns on the Middle Rhine are fighting an uphill battle to stop it. But why is this project so controversial?
The Rhine as a symbol of identity
September 02, 2022 11:51 - 34 minutes - 33.6 MBThe river Rhine has played a crucial role in Europe's history and development, shaping the people and towns along its banks. But just what makes this river so special and how is old Father Rhine's role developing amid climate change?
Reviving the Rhine's wetlands amid drought
August 26, 2022 11:24 - 34 minutes - 33.2 MBA historic drought is drying out the few remaining wetland areas along Germany's Rhine river, putting native wildlife under stress. Conservationists hope that restoring these delicate ecosystems will make them more resilient in the face of future extremes.
The mighty Rhine: A shrinking river?
August 19, 2022 12:39 - 31 minutes - 30.6 MBClimate change is transforming the Rhine. Scant rainfall and above average summer temperatures have caused its water level to drop to near-record lows. Weather extremes are expected to become more frequent, so what does this mean for the iconic river?
Why air conditioning is making global heating worse
August 12, 2022 03:00 - 24 minutes - 23.9 MBDemand for air conditioning is growing as the planet gets hotter. But there are other solutions besides these carbon-intensive appliances to keep our homes and cities cool. (This episode has been republished and updated).
The psychology behind our addiction to travel
August 05, 2022 03:00 - 25 minutes - 24.8 MBThe tourism industry has been consistently growing for decades thanks to the human desire to visit faraway places and explore. But our globetrotting ways are having a negative impact on the environment. Are we capable of change? (This episode has been republished and updated).
Can we protect our forests from climate change?
July 29, 2022 03:00 - 28 minutes - 28 MBSevere drought and wildfires are wreaking havoc with Germany's forests, leading to dieback on a large scale. Indian-born scientist Somidh Saha is working to make them more resilient. (This episode has been republished and updated).
How forests shape our identity
July 22, 2022 03:00 - 39 minutes - 38 MBThe relationship between humans and trees has changed considerably in the course of history. Now climate change is forcing both forests and humans to adapt fast. What does this mean for our identity and future relationship with forests?
Boosting climate resilience with agroforestry
July 15, 2022 09:31 - 37 minutes - 36 MBAgriculture needs to adapt to climate change to ensure food security. Agroforestry systems could help make farms more resilient, but they only constitute a fraction of farming in Europe. Is it time for change?
Is it time to rethink air travel?
July 08, 2022 10:56 - 29 minutes - 29 MBStaff shortages and flight cancellations have thrown airlines into turmoil at the start of a busy summer holiday season. But that's just one challenge confronting the aviation industry. It's also under growing pressure to shrink its carbon footprint in the face of a much bigger crisis: climate change. (This episode has been republished and updated).
Flight chaos: Is it time to rethink air travel?
July 08, 2022 10:56 - 29 minutes - 29 MBStaff shortages and flight cancellations have thrown airlines into turmoil at the start of a busy summer holiday season. But that's just one challenge confronting the aviation industry. It's also under growing pressure to shrink its carbon footprint in the face of a much bigger crisis: climate change.
Climate change: Why planting more trees won't save us
July 01, 2022 08:42 - 27 minutes - 26.6 MBExpanding forests can help bring down the amount of CO2 trapped in the atmosphere. But restoring these invaluable ecosystems is a complex business, and planting new trees can sometimes do more harm than good.
Germany's forests: Rising from the ashes
June 24, 2022 10:08 - 43 minutes - 41 MBClimate change and monoculture plantations are rendering Germany's forests more vulnerable to forest fires. One solution could be the creation of forests that don't burn so easily. But how is this done, and what does this mean for ecosystems and timber production?
Has climate activism failed?
June 17, 2022 07:00 - 42 minutes - 40.6 MBGlobal CO2 emissions continue to rise despite the urgent need to decarbonize. What does this failure to tackle climate change mean for climate activism? Is radicalization the next step?
The wood wide web: What is it and how does it work?
June 10, 2022 09:21 - 28 minutes - 27.5 MBTrees are connected to each other by a huge underground network through which they can exchange information. But why is this crucial for the survival of forests and how is climate change affecting connectivity?