Living Planet
Looking to reconnect with nature? Want to make better decisions for the health of the planet? Every Friday, Living Planet brings you the stories, facts and debates on the key environmental issues of our time.
Subscribe
iTunes / Overcast / RSSWebsite
dw.com/en/living-planet/program-19028671?maca=en-podcast_living-planet-948-xml-mrssEpisodes
Coming soon: The true cost of climate change
Audio Player
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.
2025-04-11Link to episode
Are PFAS affecting you? What you should know
Audio Player
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.
2025-04-04Link to episode
Nature's healing touch: Fact or fiction?
Audio Player
Is our love for nature more than instinct? A look at the fascinating link between nature, mental health, and physical recovery.
2025-03-28Link to episode
Are your flowers bad for the environment? (Rebroadcast)
Audio Player
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.
2025-03-21Link to episode
How far will governments go to stop climate protests?
Audio Player
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?
2025-03-14Link to episode
What does 1 ton of CO2 look like?
Audio Player
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.
2025-03-07Link to episode
Water, AI & the craic ? Your questions answered
Audio Player
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.
2025-02-28Link to episode
Who's scared of 15-minute cities?
Audio Player
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?
2025-02-21Link to episode
Growing food in the dark
Audio Player
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?
2025-02-14Link to episode
A Pacific island starts packing for metaverse move ? but what to take?
Audio Player
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.
2025-02-07Link to episode
Ireland's water dilemma: Protecting the River Shannon or powering the future?
Audio Player
As Ireland's capital faces a growing water crisis, a controversial multibillion-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.
2025-01-31Link to episode
Part 2: Light pollution ? Rewilding the night
Audio Player
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.
2025-01-24Link to episode
Telling landscapes: The Brontes, Stoker and Herriot
Audio Player
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.
2025-01-17Link to episode
The winter secrets of bees
Audio Player
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.
2025-01-10Link to episode
The call of the sea
Audio Player
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.
2025-01-03Link to episode
BONUS: Your questions answered, plus our favorite moments of 2024
Audio Player
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.
2024-12-27Link to episode
What's better ? real Christmas trees or fake ones?
Audio Player
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.
2024-12-19Link to episode
Introducing: Don?t Drink the Milk ? The curious history of the lawn
Audio Player
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.
2024-12-13Link to episode
Part 1: Light pollution ? Bright lights, big, LED cities
Audio Player
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.
2024-12-06Link to episode
Why woodpeckers are choosing the city over the forest
Audio Player
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?
2024-11-29Link to episode
One country's shock solar revolution
Audio Player
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 ? it was a different kind of power surge brewing right under their noses. One that could have ripple effects far and wide. If it isn't halted.
2024-11-22Link to episode
The ticking time bombs at the bottom of the ocean
Audio Player
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.
2024-11-15Link to episode
Introducing: Up from Dust
Audio Player
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.
2024-11-07Link to episode
Can planting trees really offset my flight emissions?
Audio Player
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.
2024-10-31Link to episode
What wild geese teach us about teamwork
Audio Player
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?
2024-10-25Link to episode
How eco-friendly funerals are changing traditions
Audio Player
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?
2024-10-17Link to episode
The battle to ban fossil fuel advertising
Audio Player
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.
2024-10-11Link to episode
What?s better ? leather or vegan leather?
Audio Player
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?
2024-10-04Link to episode
Chirping from the crypt
Audio Player
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?
2024-09-27Link to episode
Introducing: What on Earth
Audio Player
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.
2024-09-20Link to episode
When ants invade
Audio Player
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.
2024-09-13Link to episode
Suck, bury, store ? Denmark wants your CO2, but why?
Audio Player
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.
2024-09-06Link to episode
The dirty truth about laundry
Audio Player
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.
2024-08-29Link to episode
What?s better ? dairy or plant-based milk?
Audio Player
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.
2024-08-23Link to episode
The fox's tale
Audio Player
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?
2024-08-16Link to episode
Finding humanity beneath the Arches
Audio Player
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?
2024-08-09Link to episode
The lost art of foraging
Audio Player
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.
2024-08-02Link to episode
Murky waters - what's stealing the light from our oceans?
Audio Player
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.
2024-07-25Link to episode
What's better - the 4 or 5 day workweek?
Audio Player
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?
2024-07-19Link to episode
Why you?d better check the sunscreen you use
Audio Player
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.
2024-07-12Link to episode
Can soccer go green?
Audio Player
With over 2 billion dollars in expected revenue and a projected carbon footprint of 500,000 tons of CO2, do the 2024 Euros deserve being called the "most sustainable European Championship" and is the competition 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.
2024-07-05Link to episode
Are we blind to our pets? climate crimes?
Audio Player
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.
2024-06-28Link to episode
The true cost of sugar
Audio Player
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?
2024-06-20Link to episode
Could ocean viruses be used for carbon capture?
Audio Player
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 harnessed to help fight climate change.
2024-06-14Link to episode
Where do all the flowers come from?
Audio Player
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?
2024-06-06Link to episode
Quick update ? Living Planet gets a refresh
Audio Player
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!
2024-06-05Link to episode
Reviving repair culture
Audio Player
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?
2024-05-29Link to episode
What's better ? electric or combustion cars?
Audio Player
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 upside and downside of e-mobility from range anxiety to charging infrastructure and more. Click here to listen.
2024-05-23Link to episode
Introducing: Feet in 2 Worlds
Audio Player
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.
2024-05-16Link to episode
Learning from your local stream
Audio Player
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.
2024-05-09Link to episode