Our Broken Planet

About Our Broken Planet

Nature is in crisis. Hear from activists, scientists and those most affected as we unpack the challenges we face as well as the solutions that lie within our grasp. In this podcast from the Natural History Museum in London, discover the interconnected issues facing our planet and explore what we can do about them together.

Publisher

The Natural History Museum, London

Category

science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Jun 2021

Latest episode

22 Aug 2023

Latest episodes

1 of 22 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   22 Aug 2023

   Standing up for nature: What can we do to fix our broken planet?

   Surveys show that most of us are really worried about climate change and we want something to be done. But what? This series, we've explored many ways in which nature is changing in response to human activity and the dangers posed to people and planet as a result. In this final episode, Tori and Khalil explore how people are taking action in the face of the planetary emergency. Along the way, you'll find out: When has activism been effective? How do scientists feel about climate change? One thing everyone can do to start making a positive change Contributors: Dr Erica McAlister - Senior Curator for Diptera and Siphonaptera (flies and fleas) at the Natural History Museum Professor Tristram Wyatt - Senior research fellow in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford and Honorary Research Fellow at the Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research at UCL The Tyre Extinguishers - A nameless group who deflate the tyres of SUVs in criminal acts of protest Alessandra Korap Munduruku - Member of the Munduruku group of Sawré Muybu, an indigenous territory in northern Brazil, and President of the Pariri Indigenous Association Dr Rim Saab - Social psychology lecturer at the University of Sussex, who specialises in the psychology of political action Have your say: Join the conversation on social media using #OurBrokenPlanet and tag us: Instagram: @natural_history_museum Twitter: @NHM_London TikTok: @its_NHM Learn more about how you can take action for nature and find additional resources at www.nhm.ac.uk/podcast

2. 

   15 Aug 2023

   Deep down and dirty? Mining for a sustainable future

   A more sustainable future lies within reach. One where human societies are powered by wind and solar energy, leaving behind dirty, climate-changing fossil fuels in the past. Sounds good right? But with many tonnes of rare earth metals needed to manufacture just one wind turbine, switching to this greener way of life likely means more mining – and lots of it – at least in the short term. But where and how could we get these metals while causing the least possible harm to people and planet? Khalil meets scientists and campaigners to find out: Why are some people so interested in mining the deep sea? What lives on the ocean floor and what would happen to it if mining got the green light? How can science help reverse the long-term damage caused by mining? Contributors: Richard Herrington, research lead for resourcing the green economy at the Natural History Museum Adrian Glover, Natural History Museum Merit Researcher specialising in deep-sea biodiversity Louisa Casson, Global Project Leader for Greenpeace's Stop Deep Sea Mining campaign Have your say: Join the conversation on social media using #OurBrokenPlanet and tag us: Instagram: @natural_history_museum Twitter: @NHM_London TikTok: @its_NHM Learn more about how you can take action for nature and find additional resources at www.nhm.ac.uk/podcast

3. 

   8 Aug 2023

   Something in the air: Can Nigeria stop its silent killer?

   Nigeria has some of the highest levels of unhealthy air across the African continent – a leading cause of inflammatory illness and premature death. Could its huge and growing cohort of young people have the solution? Tori & Khalil head to the “Giant of Africa” to find out how one of the world’s fastest growing nations – by economy and population – is dealing with rapidly accelerating energy demand and what might happen next. Join us and find out What’s the cause of Nigeria’s dangerous air pollution – and what can be done about it? How can African countries avoid some of the environmental mis-steps made by more industrialised nations? What can Lagos teach us about building greener, more liveable megacities of the future? Contributors Dr Rose Alani, head of the Air Quality Monitoring Research Group at the University of Lagos Oludayo Yusuf, Consulting Embryologist at Origene Health Services in Lagos Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi, environmental activist and founder of LearnBlue Dr Mofoluso Fagbeja, air quality specialist and co-author of the World Bank-funded report Development of an Air Quality Management Plan for Lagos Desmond Appiah, country lead for The Clean Air Fund in Ghana Have your say: Join the conversation on social media using #OurBrokenPlanet and tag us: Instagram: @natural_history_museum Twitter: @NHM_London TikTok: @its_NHM Learn more about how you can take action for nature and find additional resources at www.nhm.ac.uk/podcast

Inside a recent episode

Rainforests: How to restore Earth's lungs

Published 18 Jul 2023 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Yeah and what I really like about this story as well is how just like some of the other stories we've looked at over the series, it's about working with and alongside the nature that we are in rather than trying to fight it head on and you know make a big square flat field with nothing but your crop. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.4 / 5

44 ratings

Spotify

4.7 / 5

45 ratings