http://odeo.com/channels/33352-Living-Planet-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World no Exploring the environmental issues facing the world today. this prize-winning weekly radio magazine brings you environmental news, background reports, interviews and features from our international network of correspondents. Exploring the environmental issues facing the world today. this prize-winning weekly radio magazine brings you environmental news, background reports, interviews and features from our international network of correspondents. Exploring the environmental issues facing the world today. this prize-winning weekly radio magazine brings you environmental news, background reports, interviews and features from our international network of correspondents. en 40 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800 Natural http://odeo.com/episodes/25407968-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe This week on Living Planet takes a look at the devastating aftermath of an oil spill in Lebanon, an auto race where the goal is efficiency over speed, the pros and cons of eco-friendly, earthquake-proof housing in Italy and gets the lowdown on carbon capture and sequestration.Years later, devastating oil spill continues to ravage Lebanon The United Nations has named November 6 as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. One of the first targets in the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah was an oil storage facility at a power plant in the coastal city of Jieh, Lebanon, located 30 kilometers south of Beirut. The bombing caused between 12,000 and 15,000 tons of oil to be released into the environment, polluting two-thirds of the country's coastline. It was one of the worst environmental catastrophes in the eastern Mediterranean. The oil spill ceased to be a major headline long ago, even though it continues to cause damage to ... This week on Living Planet takes a look at the devastating aftermath of an oil spill in Lebanon, an auto race where the goal is efficiency over speed, the pros and cons of eco-friendly, earthquake-proof housing in Italy and gets the lowdown on carbon capture and sequestration.Years later, devastating oil spill continues to ravage Lebanon The United Nations has named November 6 as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. One of the first targets in the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah was an oil storage facility at a power plant in the coastal city of Jieh, Lebanon, located 30 kilometers south of Beirut. The bombing caused between 12,000 and 15,000 tons of oil to be released into the environment, polluting two-thirds of the country's coastline. It was one of the worst environmental catastrophes in the eastern Mediterranean. The oil spill ceased to be a major headline long ago, even though it continues to cause damage to this day. Report: Mona Naggar/Matt Zuvela Eco race across Australia highlights hybrid and solar vehicles Hundreds of research labs and universities have come up with their own version of a solar-powered car. However, few of them bothered to consider a design that could actually be put to use by the average driver. There have been two important races taking place in Australia this week. One is known as "the race that stops the nation" - a horse race called the Melbourne Cup. The other is the Global Green Challenge - a 3,000 kilometer (1,864 mile) car race from the most northern tip of Australia, right through the Outback, to the southern coastal city of Adelaide. But it's not a race that's only about the fastest car, the loudest engine or the best driver. It's the largest solar and eco-car race in the world, and its aim is to showcase the latest advances in hybrid, electric, solar, low emission, and alternative energy vehicles. Entrants from across the globe make the trek Down Under, to give the world a sneak peek into the environmentally sustainable cars of the future. Report: Catherine Graue Italy houses earthquake victims in eco-friendly apartment blocks Rome has erected eco-friendly, earthquake-proof apartments for the citizens of Abruzzo. But is it a housing solution, an environmental solution or just an eyesore? More than six months after a devastating earthquake hit Italy's central Abruzzo region residents are slowly being moved out of tent villages and into new homes. One positive initiative to emerge from the rubble is the creation of the largest photovoltaic village in Europe with some 35,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels being placed on the roofs of earthquake proof apartment blocks. Every week Italian authorities hand over 300 new apartments. By the end of January, 16,000 people will be calling these low-energy structures home. But not everyone is pleased to see them go up. Report: Stephanie Raison EcoQuest: Carbon capture There are a lot of questions when it comes to the environment, climate change, endangered species and sustainability and Living Planet aims to answer some of them. Once a month we take an eco question and pose it to environmental scientists and experts. This week's question is about carbon capture and sequestration, or CCS. It's a touchy subject in many places around the world, but what is CCS and what are the methods and technologies for capturing carbon? And what do we do with it once it's collected? Living Planet has some answers. Report: Ellice Mol This week on Living Planet takes a look at the devastating aftermath of an oil spill in Lebanon, an auto race where the goal is efficiency over speed, the pros and cons of eco-friendly, earthquake-proof housing in Italy and gets the lowdown on carbon capture and sequestration.Years later, devastating oil spill continues to ravage Lebanon The United Nations has named November 6 as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. One of the first targets in the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah was an oil storage facility at a power plant in the coastal city of Jieh, Lebanon, located 30 kilometers south of Beirut. The bombing caused between 12,000 and 15,000 tons of oil to be released into the environment, polluting two-thirds of the country's coastline. It was one of the worst environmental catastrophes in the eastern Mediterranean. The oil spill ceased to be a major headline long ago, even though it continues to cause damage to this day. Report: Mona Naggar/Matt Zuvela Eco race across Australia highlights hybrid and solar vehicles Hundreds of research labs and universities have come up with their own version of a solar-powered car. However, few of them bothered to consider a design that could actually be put to use by the average driver. There have been two important races taking place in Australia this week. One is known as "the race that stops the nation" - a horse race called the Melbourne Cup. The other is the Global Green Challenge - a 3,000 kilometer (1,864 mile) car race from the most northern tip of Australia, right through the Outback, to the southern coastal city of Adelaide. But it's not a race that's only about the fastest car, the loudest engine or the best driver. It's the largest solar and eco-car race in the world, and its aim is to showcase the latest advances in hybrid, electric, solar, low emission, and alternative energy vehicles. Entrants from across the globe make the trek Down Under, to give the world a sneak peek into the environmentally sustainable cars of the future. Report: Catherine Graue Italy houses earthquake victims in eco-friendly apartment blocks Rome has erected eco-friendly, earthquake-proof apartments for the citizens of Abruzzo. But is it a housing solution, an environmental solution or just an eyesore? More than six months after a devastating earthquake hit Italy's central Abruzzo region residents are slowly being moved out of tent villages and into new homes. One positive initiative to emerge from the rubble is the creation of the largest photovoltaic village in Europe with some 35,000 square meters of photovoltaic panels being placed on the roofs of earthquake proof apartment blocks. Every week Italian authorities hand over 300 new apartments. By the end of January, 16,000 people will be calling these low-energy structures home. But not everyone is pleased to see them go up. Report: Stephanie Raison EcoQuest: Carbon capture There are a lot of questions when it comes to the environment, climate change, endangered species and sustainability and Living Planet aims to answer some of them. Once a month we take an eco question and pose it to environmental scientists and experts. This week's question is about carbon capture and sequestration, or CCS. It's a touchy subject in many places around the world, but what is CCS and what are the methods and technologies for capturing carbon? And what do we do with it once it's collected? Living Planet has some answers. Report: Ellice Mol tag:odeo.com,2009-11-05,25407968 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25389978-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe Using human waste as an eco-friendly building material, trees that can quickly deliver a large, steady supply of quality hardwood, and turning carbon from coal-fired power plants into fertilizer.Bricks take on an organic twist Everything flushed down the toilet eventually ends up at a sewage treatment plant where it is turned into sewage sludge. Each year in Germany some 200 million tons of the stuff is processed. Half of that is burned in power plants and the other half is used on fields as fertilizer. But farmers are using less and less due to a fear of pollutants. So what do we do with it all? Scientists at the Institute for Environmental Technology and Management at the University of Witten/Herdecke are experimenting with a new building material made from lime sandstone mixed with sewage byproducts. The project – called EcoBrick – has worked in the lab. Whether it is usable on a larger scale will be proven over the next three years. Report: Holly Fox Fast-growing hardwood from A... Using human waste as an eco-friendly building material, trees that can quickly deliver a large, steady supply of quality hardwood, and turning carbon from coal-fired power plants into fertilizer.Bricks take on an organic twist Everything flushed down the toilet eventually ends up at a sewage treatment plant where it is turned into sewage sludge. Each year in Germany some 200 million tons of the stuff is processed. Half of that is burned in power plants and the other half is used on fields as fertilizer. But farmers are using less and less due to a fear of pollutants. So what do we do with it all? Scientists at the Institute for Environmental Technology and Management at the University of Witten/Herdecke are experimenting with a new building material made from lime sandstone mixed with sewage byproducts. The project – called EcoBrick – has worked in the lab. Whether it is usable on a larger scale will be proven over the next three years. Report: Holly Fox Fast-growing hardwood from Asia takes root in Germany It used to be customary in Japan to plant a paulowna tree – or kiri tree, as they're known in Japanese – after the birth of a daughter. When the girl grew up and got married, the tree, which in that time had reached a very large height, was chopped down and used to make cupboards and trunks to store the brides many silk kimonos. These days tree-planting space in Japan is at a premium, but in Europe there is plenty of room. Now two graduate students from the University of Bonn want to plant their own kiri trees on large plantations in Germany and the rest of the EU. They've created a company called We-grow, and are hoping to lure investors with the promise of money that, quite literally, will be growing on trees. Report: Kate Laycock Putting carbon emissions to use as fertilizer Capturing carbon from power plants and factories and storing it under the ground has become a hot topic these days, though most people are not very excited about the second part of the plan. As the deadline to the climate change summit in Copenhagen at the end of the year looms, more and more people are talking about carbon dioxide emissions and how we can reduce or negate them. At the Juelich research center near the western German city of Aachen, scientists are working on the problem. Living Planet visits the center to find out how this new technology can be considered "green" in more ways than one. Report: Nathan Witkop Using human waste as an eco-friendly building material, trees that can quickly deliver a large, steady supply of quality hardwood, and turning carbon from coal-fired power plants into fertilizer.Bricks take on an organic twist Everything flushed down the toilet eventually ends up at a sewage treatment plant where it is turned into sewage sludge. Each year in Germany some 200 million tons of the stuff is processed. Half of that is burned in power plants and the other half is used on fields as fertilizer. But farmers are using less and less due to a fear of pollutants. So what do we do with it all? Scientists at the Institute for Environmental Technology and Management at the University of Witten/Herdecke are experimenting with a new building material made from lime sandstone mixed with sewage byproducts. The project – called EcoBrick – has worked in the lab. Whether it is usable on a larger scale will be proven over the next three years. Report: Holly Fox Fast-growing hardwood from Asia takes root in Germany It used to be customary in Japan to plant a paulowna tree – or kiri tree, as they're known in Japanese – after the birth of a daughter. When the girl grew up and got married, the tree, which in that time had reached a very large height, was chopped down and used to make cupboards and trunks to store the brides many silk kimonos. These days tree-planting space in Japan is at a premium, but in Europe there is plenty of room. Now two graduate students from the University of Bonn want to plant their own kiri trees on large plantations in Germany and the rest of the EU. They've created a company called We-grow, and are hoping to lure investors with the promise of money that, quite literally, will be growing on trees. Report: Kate Laycock Putting carbon emissions to use as fertilizer Capturing carbon from power plants and factories and storing it under the ground has become a hot topic these days, though most people are not very excited about the second part of the plan. As the deadline to the climate change summit in Copenhagen at the end of the year looms, more and more people are talking about carbon dioxide emissions and how we can reduce or negate them. At the Juelich research center near the western German city of Aachen, scientists are working on the problem. Living Planet visits the center to find out how this new technology can be considered "green" in more ways than one. Report: Nathan Witkop tag:odeo.com,2009-10-29,25389978 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25407969-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently rele... An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently released a study in Berlin called "Model Germany – Climate Protection by 2050" in which they laid out what the country has to do to make this a reality. Report: Richard Fuchs/Ellice Mol Illegal construction threatens Italian environment Few things have a bigger impact on fragile environments more than floods and mudslides. While these are often seen as natural disasters, in Italy, illegal construction is exacerbating the problem. Floods and mudslides invaded the province of Messina on the Italian island of Sicily earlier this month not only killing 24 people but also leaving environmental victims. Italian officials blamed the ferocity of the storm, which unleashed some 25 centimeters (nine inches) of rain in just three hours, but they also acknowledged that deforestation and unregulated development had weakened the soil and contributed to the mudslides. The disaster has prompted environmentalists to step up their campaign against illegal construction which is rampant throughout Italy. Even the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano denounced the illegal construction, which he said had caused ''widespread'' disruption in Messina's topography. Report: Stephanie Raison Norwegian Wood: stronger, lighter and longer lasting Until recently the best woods to build with were also the most endangered. Teak, mahogany and ebony are slow-growing and only thrive in the world's rainforests. Now a Norwegian company has come up with a beautiful, durable and sustainable alternative. It's all glittering luxury yachts and big money when the Hamburg International Boat Show kicks off for the 50th year this week. But all too often the shiny decks and other details on such boats are made from rainforest woods, while the planet's green lungs are disappearing fast. Boat builders argue there's no alternative to hard-wearing tropical woods like teak, but in Norway some say there is. Report: Lars Bevanger Seal paradise in Holland continues to thrive Seal hunting remained completely legal in the Netherlands well into the middle of last century. A special rehabilitation center opened in 1952 to help these creatures effectively supports the seal population long after the hunt became illegal. The island of Texel lies off the north coast of Holland in the area known as the Wadden Sea. It’s visited by many thousands of tourists each year and this summer, the Wadden Sea was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage area. Apart from sheep farming, the island of Texel is home to a plethora of wildlife indigenous to the area; among them common and grey seals. Up until the early 60s, seal hunting was still legal in the Netherlands and so a wildlife sanctuary known as Ecomare was founded in 1952 to serve as a rescue and rehabilitation center for these marine mammals. Half a century later and Ecomare is still one of the most visited places on the island. Report: Barry McKay An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently released a study in Berlin called "Model Germany – Climate Protection by 2050" in which they laid out what the country has to do to make this a reality. Report: Richard Fuchs/Ellice Mol Illegal construction threatens Italian environment Few things have a bigger impact on fragile environments more than floods and mudslides. While these are often seen as natural disasters, in Italy, illegal construction is exacerbating the problem. Floods and mudslides invaded the province of Messina on the Italian island of Sicily earlier this month not only killing 24 people but also leaving environmental victims. Italian officials blamed the ferocity of the storm, which unleashed some 25 centimeters (nine inches) of rain in just three hours, but they also acknowledged that deforestation and unregulated development had weakened the soil and contributed to the mudslides. The disaster has prompted environmentalists to step up their campaign against illegal construction which is rampant throughout Italy. Even the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano denounced the illegal construction, which he said had caused ''widespread'' disruption in Messina's topography. Report: Stephanie Raison Norwegian Wood: stronger, lighter and longer lasting Until recently the best woods to build with were also the most endangered. Teak, mahogany and ebony are slow-growing and only thrive in the world's rainforests. Now a Norwegian company has come up with a beautiful, durable and sustainable alternative. It's all glittering luxury yachts and big money when the Hamburg International Boat Show kicks off for the 50th year this week. But all too often the shiny decks and other details on such boats are made from rainforest woods, while the planet's green lungs are disappearing fast. Boat builders argue there's no alternative to hard-wearing tropical woods like teak, but in Norway some say there is. Report: Lars Bevanger Seal paradise in Holland continues to thrive Seal hunting remained completely legal in the Netherlands well into the middle of last century. A special rehabilitation center opened in 1952 to help these creatures effectively supports the seal population long after the hunt became illegal. The island of Texel lies off the north coast of Holland in the area known as the Wadden Sea. It’s visited by many thousands of tourists each year and this summer, the Wadden Sea was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage area. Apart from sheep farming, the island of Texel is home to a plethora of wildlife indigenous to the area; among them common and grey seals. Up until the early 60s, seal hunting was still legal in the Netherlands and so a wildlife sanctuary known as Ecomare was founded in 1952 to serve as a rescue and rehabilitation center for these marine mammals. Half a century later and Ecomare is still one of the most visited places on the island. Report: Barry McKay tag:odeo.com,2009-10-26,25407969 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25389980-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently rele... An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently released a study in Berlin called "Model Germany – Climate Protection by 2050" in which they laid out what the country has to do to make this a reality. Report: Richard Fuchs/Ellice Mol Illegal construction threatens Italian environment Few things have a bigger impact on fragile environments more than floods and mudslides. While these are often seen as natural disasters, in Italy, illegal construction is exacerbating the problem. Floods and mudslides invaded the province of Messina on the Italian island of Sicily earlier this month not only killing 24 people but also leaving environmental victims. Italian officials blamed the ferocity of the storm, which unleashed some 25 centimeters (nine inches) of rain in just three hours, but they also acknowledged that deforestation and unregulated development had weakened the soil and contributed to the mudslides. The disaster has prompted environmentalists to step up their campaign against illegal construction which is rampant throughout Italy. Even the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano denounced the illegal construction, which he said had caused ''widespread'' disruption in Messina's topography. Report: Stephanie Raison Norwegian Wood: stronger, lighter and longer lasting Until recently the best woods to build with were also the most endangered. Teak, mahogany and ebony are slow-growing and only thrive in the world's rainforests. Now a Norwegian company has come up with a beautiful, durable and sustainable alternative. It's all glittering luxury yachts and big money when the Hamburg International Boat Show kicks off for the 50th year this week. But all too often the shiny decks and other details on such boats are made from rainforest woods, while the planet's green lungs are disappearing fast. Boat builders argue there's no alternative to hard-wearing tropical woods like teak, but in Norway some say there is. Report: Lars Bevanger Seal paradise in Holland continues to thrive Seal hunting remained completely legal in the Netherlands well into the middle of last century. A special rehabilitation center opened in 1952 to help these creatures effectively supports the seal population long after the hunt became illegal. The island of Texel lies off the north coast of Holland in the area known as the Wadden Sea. It’s visited by many thousands of tourists each year and this summer, the Wadden Sea was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage area. Apart from sheep farming, the island of Texel is home to a plethora of wildlife indigenous to the area; among them common and grey seals. Up until the early 60s, seal hunting was still legal in the Netherlands and so a wildlife sanctuary known as Ecomare was founded in 1952 to serve as a rescue and rehabilitation center for these marine mammals. Half a century later and Ecomare is still one of the most visited places on the island. Report: Barry McKay An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently released a study in Berlin called "Model Germany – Climate Protection by 2050" in which they laid out what the country has to do to make this a reality. Report: Richard Fuchs/Ellice Mol Illegal construction threatens Italian environment Few things have a bigger impact on fragile environments more than floods and mudslides. While these are often seen as natural disasters, in Italy, illegal construction is exacerbating the problem. Floods and mudslides invaded the province of Messina on the Italian island of Sicily earlier this month not only killing 24 people but also leaving environmental victims. Italian officials blamed the ferocity of the storm, which unleashed some 25 centimeters (nine inches) of rain in just three hours, but they also acknowledged that deforestation and unregulated development had weakened the soil and contributed to the mudslides. The disaster has prompted environmentalists to step up their campaign against illegal construction which is rampant throughout Italy. Even the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano denounced the illegal construction, which he said had caused ''widespread'' disruption in Messina's topography. Report: Stephanie Raison Norwegian Wood: stronger, lighter and longer lasting Until recently the best woods to build with were also the most endangered. Teak, mahogany and ebony are slow-growing and only thrive in the world's rainforests. Now a Norwegian company has come up with a beautiful, durable and sustainable alternative. It's all glittering luxury yachts and big money when the Hamburg International Boat Show kicks off for the 50th year this week. But all too often the shiny decks and other details on such boats are made from rainforest woods, while the planet's green lungs are disappearing fast. Boat builders argue there's no alternative to hard-wearing tropical woods like teak, but in Norway some say there is. Report: Lars Bevanger Seal paradise in Holland continues to thrive Seal hunting remained completely legal in the Netherlands well into the middle of last century. A special rehabilitation center opened in 1952 to help these creatures effectively supports the seal population long after the hunt became illegal. The island of Texel lies off the north coast of Holland in the area known as the Wadden Sea. It’s visited by many thousands of tourists each year and this summer, the Wadden Sea was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage area. Apart from sheep farming, the island of Texel is home to a plethora of wildlife indigenous to the area; among them common and grey seals. Up until the early 60s, seal hunting was still legal in the Netherlands and so a wildlife sanctuary known as Ecomare was founded in 1952 to serve as a rescue and rehabilitation center for these marine mammals. Half a century later and Ecomare is still one of the most visited places on the island. Report: Barry McKay tag:odeo.com,2009-10-26,25389980 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25353658-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently rele... An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently released a study in Berlin called "Model Germany – Climate Protection by 2050" in which they laid out what the country has to do to make this a reality. Report: Richard Fuchs/Ellice Mol Illegal construction threatens Italian environment Few things have a bigger impact on fragile environments more than floods and mudslides. While these are often seen as natural disasters, in Italy, illegal construction is exacerbating the problem. Floods and mudslides invaded the province of Messina on the Italian island of Sicily earlier this month not only killing 24 people but also leaving environmental victims. Italian officials blamed the ferocity of the storm, which unleashed some 25 centimeters (nine inches) of rain in just three hours, but they also acknowledged that deforestation and unregulated development had weakened the soil and contributed to the mudslides. The disaster has prompted environmentalists to step up their campaign against illegal construction which is rampant throughout Italy. Even the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano denounced the illegal construction, which he said had caused ''widespread'' disruption in Messina's topography. Report: Stephanie Raison Norwegian Wood: stronger, lighter and longer lasting Until recently the best woods to build with were also the most endangered. Teak, mahogany and ebony are slow-growing and only thrive in the world's rainforests. Now a Norwegian company has come up with a beautiful, durable and sustainable alternative. It's all glittering luxury yachts and big money when the Hamburg International Boat Show kicks off for the 50th year this week. But all too often the shiny decks and other details on such boats are made from rainforest woods, while the planet's green lungs are disappearing fast. Boat builders argue there's no alternative to hard-wearing tropical woods like teak, but in Norway some say there is. Report: Lars Bevanger Seal paradise in Holland continues to thrive Seal hunting remained completely legal in the Netherlands well into the middle of last century. A special rehabilitation center opened in 1952 to help these creatures effectively supports the seal population long after the hunt became illegal. The island of Texel lies off the north coast of Holland in the area known as the Wadden Sea. It’s visited by many thousands of tourists each year and this summer, the Wadden Sea was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage area. Apart from sheep farming, the island of Texel is home to a plethora of wildlife indigenous to the area; among them common and grey seals. Up until the early 60s, seal hunting was still legal in the Netherlands and so a wildlife sanctuary known as Ecomare was founded in 1952 to serve as a rescue and rehabilitation center for these marine mammals. Half a century later and Ecomare is still one of the most visited places on the island. Report: Barry McKay An outlined plan for carbon neutrality, mudslides threaten the Italian landscape, transforming Norwegian spruce into beautiful hardwood, and a seal paradise remains a big draw in Holland.NGOs outline path to carbon neutrality This December 192 government representatives are supposed to hammer out an agreement that will dictate a 95 percent reduction in carbon emissions compared to 1990 levels. But how does a country actually put that plan into action? Negotiations to form a new climate agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol are coming to a close. The new global contract should be finalized by the heads of state and government from the192 participating countries this December in Copenhagen. Climate experts say that for the agreement to actually do any good at all, it will have to dictate a 95 percent reduction in global carbon emissions by 2050. But is that really possible? WWF Germany, the Öko Institute and the Prognos Institute say that it is. The three organizations recently released a study in Berlin called "Model Germany – Climate Protection by 2050" in which they laid out what the country has to do to make this a reality. Report: Richard Fuchs/Ellice Mol Illegal construction threatens Italian environment Few things have a bigger impact on fragile environments more than floods and mudslides. While these are often seen as natural disasters, in Italy, illegal construction is exacerbating the problem. Floods and mudslides invaded the province of Messina on the Italian island of Sicily earlier this month not only killing 24 people but also leaving environmental victims. Italian officials blamed the ferocity of the storm, which unleashed some 25 centimeters (nine inches) of rain in just three hours, but they also acknowledged that deforestation and unregulated development had weakened the soil and contributed to the mudslides. The disaster has prompted environmentalists to step up their campaign against illegal construction which is rampant throughout Italy. Even the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano denounced the illegal construction, which he said had caused ''widespread'' disruption in Messina's topography. Report: Stephanie Raison Norwegian Wood: stronger, lighter and longer lasting Until recently the best woods to build with were also the most endangered. Teak, mahogany and ebony are slow-growing and only thrive in the world's rainforests. Now a Norwegian company has come up with a beautiful, durable and sustainable alternative. It's all glittering luxury yachts and big money when the Hamburg International Boat Show kicks off for the 50th year this week. But all too often the shiny decks and other details on such boats are made from rainforest woods, while the planet's green lungs are disappearing fast. Boat builders argue there's no alternative to hard-wearing tropical woods like teak, but in Norway some say there is. Report: Lars Bevanger Seal paradise in Holland continues to thrive Seal hunting remained completely legal in the Netherlands well into the middle of last century. A special rehabilitation center opened in 1952 to help these creatures effectively supports the seal population long after the hunt became illegal. The island of Texel lies off the north coast of Holland in the area known as the Wadden Sea. It’s visited by many thousands of tourists each year and this summer, the Wadden Sea was proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage area. Apart from sheep farming, the island of Texel is home to a plethora of wildlife indigenous to the area; among them common and grey seals. Up until the early 60s, seal hunting was still legal in the Netherlands and so a wildlife sanctuary known as Ecomare was founded in 1952 to serve as a rescue and rehabilitation center for these marine mammals. Half a century later and Ecomare is still one of the most visited places on the island. Report: Barry McKay tag:odeo.com,2009-10-22,25353658 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25299040-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe Swiss tackle threat posed by glacial lakes, unlocking the wonders of the African miracle tree, hormone-free beef in Europe and climate campaigners go to camp. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Swiss tackle threat posed by glacial lakes As climate change causes glaciers around the world to melt, a new threat to those living in their shadows has emerged. Unstable glacial lakes are forming high in the mountains, potentially putting those who live in the valleys below in grave danger. All over the world glaciers are melting as a result of climate change. This is bad on many levels, but the most pressing comes in the form of glacial lakes that build up behind thin walls of ice. Switzerland has begun to fight back against these potentially catastrophic side affects of glacial melt by developing some very impressive management systems. One of the best examples of this can be seen at the Grindelwald Glac... Swiss tackle threat posed by glacial lakes, unlocking the wonders of the African miracle tree, hormone-free beef in Europe and climate campaigners go to camp. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Swiss tackle threat posed by glacial lakes As climate change causes glaciers around the world to melt, a new threat to those living in their shadows has emerged. Unstable glacial lakes are forming high in the mountains, potentially putting those who live in the valleys below in grave danger. All over the world glaciers are melting as a result of climate change. This is bad on many levels, but the most pressing comes in the form of glacial lakes that build up behind thin walls of ice. Switzerland has begun to fight back against these potentially catastrophic side affects of glacial melt by developing some very impressive management systems. One of the best examples of this can be seen at the Grindelwald Glacier, one of the fastest melting glaciers in the Alps. The Swiss are hoping that with a bit of money and some scientific knowhow, they will be able to get ahead of these catastrophes and stop them before they happen. Report: Claudia Witte/Eva Wutke Scientists praise the African miracle tree Plants are pretty predictable. They grow when there is water and they lie dormant when there isn't. But there is a tree that defies this cycle and the benefits it provides because of this could have a magical effect on arid landscapes the world over. Since 1970 the number of people on the African continent has doubled. At the same time, the quality of the soil has continued to decline, the deserts have spread further and further, and the meager revenue from the fields is often no longer enough to support the families who care for them. It sounds hopeless, but nature has an answer. A tree that costs almost nothing, enriches the ground with free fertilizer, and provides much needed shade and feed for cattle during the dry season. Report: Helle Jeppesen/Ellice Mol European farmers' approach to steak Europeans are particularly proud of their cuisine, and for many of them the source of that pride begins on the farm. The United States and the European Union have recently settled one of their longest running trade disputes over US, hormone-treated beef. After two decades, the EU is still refusing to import hormone-treated American beef, but it has agreed to quadruple its import quotas for non-treated US beef. So just why won’t Europeans eat beef treated with hormones? Report: Eleanor Beardsley Climate campaigners go to camp Living Planet visits a camp where the focus is on climate change and carbon emissions instead of sing-alongs and campfires There are less than two months to go before the Copenhagen Climate Summit, where leaders from all over the world will come together to hammer out an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. There has been a lot of talk about what industries and governments need to do to cut CO2 emissions and make the climate better, but what about individuals? Where can the average person learn about what it takes to be a climate campaigner? Report: Andy Valvur Swiss tackle threat posed by glacial lakes, unlocking the wonders of the African miracle tree, hormone-free beef in Europe and climate campaigners go to camp. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Swiss tackle threat posed by glacial lakes As climate change causes glaciers around the world to melt, a new threat to those living in their shadows has emerged. Unstable glacial lakes are forming high in the mountains, potentially putting those who live in the valleys below in grave danger. All over the world glaciers are melting as a result of climate change. This is bad on many levels, but the most pressing comes in the form of glacial lakes that build up behind thin walls of ice. Switzerland has begun to fight back against these potentially catastrophic side affects of glacial melt by developing some very impressive management systems. One of the best examples of this can be seen at the Grindelwald Glacier, one of the fastest melting glaciers in the Alps. The Swiss are hoping that with a bit of money and some scientific knowhow, they will be able to get ahead of these catastrophes and stop them before they happen. Report: Claudia Witte/Eva Wutke Scientists praise the African miracle tree Plants are pretty predictable. They grow when there is water and they lie dormant when there isn't. But there is a tree that defies this cycle and the benefits it provides because of this could have a magical effect on arid landscapes the world over. Since 1970 the number of people on the African continent has doubled. At the same time, the quality of the soil has continued to decline, the deserts have spread further and further, and the meager revenue from the fields is often no longer enough to support the families who care for them. It sounds hopeless, but nature has an answer. A tree that costs almost nothing, enriches the ground with free fertilizer, and provides much needed shade and feed for cattle during the dry season. Report: Helle Jeppesen/Ellice Mol European farmers' approach to steak Europeans are particularly proud of their cuisine, and for many of them the source of that pride begins on the farm. The United States and the European Union have recently settled one of their longest running trade disputes over US, hormone-treated beef. After two decades, the EU is still refusing to import hormone-treated American beef, but it has agreed to quadruple its import quotas for non-treated US beef. So just why won’t Europeans eat beef treated with hormones? Report: Eleanor Beardsley Climate campaigners go to camp Living Planet visits a camp where the focus is on climate change and carbon emissions instead of sing-alongs and campfires There are less than two months to go before the Copenhagen Climate Summit, where leaders from all over the world will come together to hammer out an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. There has been a lot of talk about what industries and governments need to do to cut CO2 emissions and make the climate better, but what about individuals? Where can the average person learn about what it takes to be a climate campaigner? Report: Andy Valvur tag:odeo.com,2009-10-15,25299040 Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25253729-Living-Planet-Environmental-Matters-Around-the-Globe Climate-friendly living could fail to meet emissions goals, counting carbon around the world and getting up close and personal with one of humanity's most endangered relatives. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.UN carbon emissions goal beyond reach of most Germans Reducing CO2 emissions by 80 to 90 percent as the United Nations has recommended is going to take a lot more than just retooling industries and switching to green energy. Representatives from some 180 nations are meeting in Bangkok, Thailand from September 28 to October 9 for the penultimate round of UN-sponsored negotiations in the run-up to the Copenhagen Climate Conference at the end of the year. The biggest item on the agenda is carbon emissions. When most people think of CO2, they conjure up images of giant factories or power plants pumping poisonous gasses into the air. But experts say that in order to reach any carbon reduction g... Climate-friendly living could fail to meet emissions goals, counting carbon around the world and getting up close and personal with one of humanity's most endangered relatives. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.UN carbon emissions goal beyond reach of most Germans Reducing CO2 emissions by 80 to 90 percent as the United Nations has recommended is going to take a lot more than just retooling industries and switching to green energy. Representatives from some 180 nations are meeting in Bangkok, Thailand from September 28 to October 9 for the penultimate round of UN-sponsored negotiations in the run-up to the Copenhagen Climate Conference at the end of the year. The biggest item on the agenda is carbon emissions. When most people think of CO2, they conjure up images of giant factories or power plants pumping poisonous gasses into the air. But experts say that in order to reach any carbon reduction goals, people are going to have to take action as individuals as well. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has called for CO2 emissions to be reduced to two tons per person per year. To put that into perspective, the average German is currently responsible for 10 tons a year while the average American pumps out twice that much. So how do we get it down to two tons and is eco-living going to be enough? Report: Barbara Mohr / Clare Atkinson EcoQuest: Counting carbon In Living Planet's EcoQuest series we answer listeners' questions about the environment, sustainability, renewable resources and other eco-matters. As government representatives wrap up meetings in Bangkok, Thailand in preparation for the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December there is a lot of talk about carbon emissions. CO2 has no color and no odor, so many people are wondering how, exactly, carbon is measured, and who is responsible for reporting the numbers? That's the question we tackle in this week's edition of EcoQuest. Report: Ellice Mol Up close with Uganda's great apes There are only 720 mountain gorillas still alive on the planet, and half of them live in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. It's a vital sanctuary for the world's largest primate. Deep in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lives a very rare creature. He weighs in at 225 kilograms, sports a catchy silver cape on his back and giant fangs in his mouth, and he wants to be your friend – at least on Facebook. The Ugandan Wildlife Authority has launched the website www.friendagorilla.org, and is giving people all over the world the chance to learn about the endangered mountain gorilla and help save them from extinction. Visitors can access videos, photos and rangers' blogs through sites like Facebook and Twitter that detail the daily lives of one of the just 720 remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Organizers hope the campaign will raise $350,000 (237,000 euros) in the first year. Half of the entire gorilla population lives in Bwindi, so it is the front line for gorilla protection. While most people will only ever have access to these creatures in zoos or through the internet, videos and pictures, some are lucky enough to actually see them live and in person in their natural habitat. Report: Barbara Gruber Climate-friendly living could fail to meet emissions goals, counting carbon around the world and getting up close and personal with one of humanity's most endangered relatives. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.UN carbon emissions goal beyond reach of most Germans Reducing CO2 emissions by 80 to 90 percent as the United Nations has recommended is going to take a lot more than just retooling industries and switching to green energy. Representatives from some 180 nations are meeting in Bangkok, Thailand from September 28 to October 9 for the penultimate round of UN-sponsored negotiations in the run-up to the Copenhagen Climate Conference at the end of the year. The biggest item on the agenda is carbon emissions. When most people think of CO2, they conjure up images of giant factories or power plants pumping poisonous gasses into the air. But experts say that in order to reach any carbon reduction goals, people are going to have to take action as individuals as well. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has called for CO2 emissions to be reduced to two tons per person per year. To put that into perspective, the average German is currently responsible for 10 tons a year while the average American pumps out twice that much. So how do we get it down to two tons and is eco-living going to be enough? Report: Barbara Mohr / Clare Atkinson EcoQuest: Counting carbon In Living Planet's EcoQuest series we answer listeners' questions about the environment, sustainability, renewable resources and other eco-matters. As government representatives wrap up meetings in Bangkok, Thailand in preparation for the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December there is a lot of talk about carbon emissions. CO2 has no color and no odor, so many people are wondering how, exactly, carbon is measured, and who is responsible for reporting the numbers? That's the question we tackle in this week's edition of EcoQuest. Report: Ellice Mol Up close with Uganda's great apes There are only 720 mountain gorillas still alive on the planet, and half of them live in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda. It's a vital sanctuary for the world's largest primate. Deep in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest lives a very rare creature. He weighs in at 225 kilograms, sports a catchy silver cape on his back and giant fangs in his mouth, and he wants to be your friend – at least on Facebook. The Ugandan Wildlife Authority has launched the website www.friendagorilla.org, and is giving people all over the world the chance to learn about the endangered mountain gorilla and help save them from extinction. Visitors can access videos, photos and rangers' blogs through sites like Facebook and Twitter that detail the daily lives of one of the just 720 remaining mountain gorillas in the world. Organizers hope the campaign will raise $350,000 (237,000 euros) in the first year. Half of the entire gorilla population lives in Bwindi, so it is the front line for gorilla protection. While most people will only ever have access to these creatures in zoos or through the internet, videos and pictures, some are lucky enough to actually see them live and in person in their natural habitat. Report: Barbara Gruber tag:odeo.com,2009-10-08,25253729 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25220776-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Coalition talks are on in Germany but green groups are worried about plans to delay a nuclear phase-out, Normandy faces a new invasion by a nuclear plant and power lines, and Italians fill up their water bottles for free in a bid to get rid of plastic waste.Green groups oppose plans to delay nuclear phase out in Germany A proposed move to extend the 2020 deadline for phasing out nuclear energy in Germany has sparked protest from environmental groups and skepticism among some energy experts. Germans voted last weekend for a new coalition government that will see Chancellor Angela Merkel continue at the helm of Europe’s largest economy. Her Christian Democratic Union and sister party, the Christian Social Union, are preparing to team up with the business-friendly Free Democrats, after a four-year uneasy coalition with the Social Democrats. The conservatives and the Free Democrats are yet to finalize coalition plans but the prospective center-right alliance has already reaffirmed its c... Coalition talks are on in Germany but green groups are worried about plans to delay a nuclear phase-out, Normandy faces a new invasion by a nuclear plant and power lines, and Italians fill up their water bottles for free in a bid to get rid of plastic waste.Green groups oppose plans to delay nuclear phase out in Germany A proposed move to extend the 2020 deadline for phasing out nuclear energy in Germany has sparked protest from environmental groups and skepticism among some energy experts. Germans voted last weekend for a new coalition government that will see Chancellor Angela Merkel continue at the helm of Europe’s largest economy. Her Christian Democratic Union and sister party, the Christian Social Union, are preparing to team up with the business-friendly Free Democrats, after a four-year uneasy coalition with the Social Democrats. The conservatives and the Free Democrats are yet to finalize coalition plans but the prospective center-right alliance has already reaffirmed its commitment to delay Germany’s nuclear phase-out beyond the 2020 deadline. They cite concerns about dwindling energy supplies, high oil prices and global warming to justify their decision to hold on to nuclear energy. Living Planet assesses whether the new coalition will spell an end to Germany’s nuclear reversal plans, and what impact that would have on the environment. Report: Eva Wutke Normandy residents face new threats: a nuclear plant and power lines France is the second largest nuclear power generator in the world behind the United States. So why is an ongoing project to build a new generation nuclear reactor causing a stir? The Normandy region in the north of France is perhaps most famous for one invasion -- when on June 6th, 1944, Allied forces landed along its coastline to free Europe from Nazi dictatorship. Parts of the port constructed near the town of Arromanches after the wartime landings are still anchored in those waters today. More than six decades on, Normandy is facing an invasion of a different kind, amid the construction of a new nuclear reactor and elaborate power lines. The ongoing construction of France’s first-ever third generation nuclear reactor -- termed a European Pressurized Reactor -- in the town of Flamanville, and a new overhead power line scheme by RTE, France’s electricity transmission network operator, have angered many locals. They are concerned about the project’s consequences and feel their rights are being ignored. Report: Laura Schweiger Italian fountains help keep plastic waste away A water revolution has begun and in the town of Padenghe sul Garda on the shores of Lake Garda, a magic water fountain has sprung up. It's one of dozens that have appeared in several parts of the country. Most Italian cities have streams of water bubbling up from underground. Still, Italians prefer their water from a bottle, rather than the tap. Of course this means, like in most Western countries, mountains of plastic are created that take hundreds of years to bio-degrade. The Italian province of Brescia, east of Milan, has come up with an idea to reduce the number of plastic bottles being thrown away, while still satisfying people’s need to drink fizzy and chilled water -- they’ve created ‘watering points’ or public fountains. Report: Stephanie Raison Coalition talks are on in Germany but green groups are worried about plans to delay a nuclear phase-out, Normandy faces a new invasion by a nuclear plant and power lines, and Italians fill up their water bottles for free in a bid to get rid of plastic waste.Green groups oppose plans to delay nuclear phase out in Germany A proposed move to extend the 2020 deadline for phasing out nuclear energy in Germany has sparked protest from environmental groups and skepticism among some energy experts. Germans voted last weekend for a new coalition government that will see Chancellor Angela Merkel continue at the helm of Europe’s largest economy. Her Christian Democratic Union and sister party, the Christian Social Union, are preparing to team up with the business-friendly Free Democrats, after a four-year uneasy coalition with the Social Democrats. The conservatives and the Free Democrats are yet to finalize coalition plans but the prospective center-right alliance has already reaffirmed its commitment to delay Germany’s nuclear phase-out beyond the 2020 deadline. They cite concerns about dwindling energy supplies, high oil prices and global warming to justify their decision to hold on to nuclear energy. Living Planet assesses whether the new coalition will spell an end to Germany’s nuclear reversal plans, and what impact that would have on the environment. Report: Eva Wutke Normandy residents face new threats: a nuclear plant and power lines France is the second largest nuclear power generator in the world behind the United States. So why is an ongoing project to build a new generation nuclear reactor causing a stir? The Normandy region in the north of France is perhaps most famous for one invasion -- when on June 6th, 1944, Allied forces landed along its coastline to free Europe from Nazi dictatorship. Parts of the port constructed near the town of Arromanches after the wartime landings are still anchored in those waters today. More than six decades on, Normandy is facing an invasion of a different kind, amid the construction of a new nuclear reactor and elaborate power lines. The ongoing construction of France’s first-ever third generation nuclear reactor -- termed a European Pressurized Reactor -- in the town of Flamanville, and a new overhead power line scheme by RTE, France’s electricity transmission network operator, have angered many locals. They are concerned about the project’s consequences and feel their rights are being ignored. Report: Laura Schweiger Italian fountains help keep plastic waste away A water revolution has begun and in the town of Padenghe sul Garda on the shores of Lake Garda, a magic water fountain has sprung up. It's one of dozens that have appeared in several parts of the country. Most Italian cities have streams of water bubbling up from underground. Still, Italians prefer their water from a bottle, rather than the tap. Of course this means, like in most Western countries, mountains of plastic are created that take hundreds of years to bio-degrade. The Italian province of Brescia, east of Milan, has come up with an idea to reduce the number of plastic bottles being thrown away, while still satisfying people’s need to drink fizzy and chilled water -- they’ve created ‘watering points’ or public fountains. Report: Stephanie Raison tag:odeo.com,2009-10-01,25220776 Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25180749-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World A big week in climate negotiations, Germany's political parties pitch for green votes, Cologne clears its streets of cars and a Bremen shipping company blazes a trail through the Northeast Passage. You can download the show or subscribe to the Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.World leaders debate climate goals China steps forward in efforts to combat climate change, but deep divisions between rich and developing countries remain. What happened in New York? This week was a big week for efforts to reach an international deal on climate change. On the side of the annual UN General Assembly in New York, world leaders held a special one-day summit to bridge differences over climate policy. The issue was also on the agenda of G20 talks in Pittsburgh. Can heads of government break the deadlock by the end of the year, when a new treaty is supposed to be settled? Interview: Nathan Witkop / Alden Meyer, policy director of the Union of Concerned S... A big week in climate negotiations, Germany's political parties pitch for green votes, Cologne clears its streets of cars and a Bremen shipping company blazes a trail through the Northeast Passage. You can download the show or subscribe to the Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.World leaders debate climate goals China steps forward in efforts to combat climate change, but deep divisions between rich and developing countries remain. What happened in New York? This week was a big week for efforts to reach an international deal on climate change. On the side of the annual UN General Assembly in New York, world leaders held a special one-day summit to bridge differences over climate policy. The issue was also on the agenda of G20 talks in Pittsburgh. Can heads of government break the deadlock by the end of the year, when a new treaty is supposed to be settled? Interview: Nathan Witkop / Alden Meyer, policy director of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Germany's election climate heats up Polls suggest Germans are more concerned than ever that political parties act on climate change, but are green and left parties benefitting? Sunday's election could prove the answer. A recent survey suggested that around 90% of Germans want their next government to invest in renewable energies to get out of the economic crisis. Many said they were prepared to change their vote over the issue. Would they really? DW went to a "meet the candidates" forum in Bonn, to see how Germany's parties are competing for environmental votes ahead of Sunday's election. Report: Irene Quaile Cologne clears its streets of cars Most inner city dwellers in Cologne have little use for a car. But what are the alternative options for travelling, once you get outside the city centre? Germans are well known for their love of cars - especially the high performance variety. There are over 41 million private cars in Germany – that's one for every two residents. But last week, cities across Europe participated in an initiative aimed at getting people to consider other kinds of transport - by banning cars from the street for a day. Report: Eva Wutke German freighters blaze trail through Arctic German freighters have navigated through the Northeast Passage, all thanks to global warming. Two German freighters have successfully travelled from Asia to Europe via the usually frozen waters above Russia. Environmentalists fear for the pristine Arctic region, but as the fabled Northeast Passage comes a step closer to reality, some say it may end up a route seldom traveled. Report: Mark Hallam A big week in climate negotiations, Germany's political parties pitch for green votes, Cologne clears its streets of cars and a Bremen shipping company blazes a trail through the Northeast Passage. You can download the show or subscribe to the Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.World leaders debate climate goals China steps forward in efforts to combat climate change, but deep divisions between rich and developing countries remain. What happened in New York? This week was a big week for efforts to reach an international deal on climate change. On the side of the annual UN General Assembly in New York, world leaders held a special one-day summit to bridge differences over climate policy. The issue was also on the agenda of G20 talks in Pittsburgh. Can heads of government break the deadlock by the end of the year, when a new treaty is supposed to be settled? Interview: Nathan Witkop / Alden Meyer, policy director of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Germany's election climate heats up Polls suggest Germans are more concerned than ever that political parties act on climate change, but are green and left parties benefitting? Sunday's election could prove the answer. A recent survey suggested that around 90% of Germans want their next government to invest in renewable energies to get out of the economic crisis. Many said they were prepared to change their vote over the issue. Would they really? DW went to a "meet the candidates" forum in Bonn, to see how Germany's parties are competing for environmental votes ahead of Sunday's election. Report: Irene Quaile Cologne clears its streets of cars Most inner city dwellers in Cologne have little use for a car. But what are the alternative options for travelling, once you get outside the city centre? Germans are well known for their love of cars - especially the high performance variety. There are over 41 million private cars in Germany – that's one for every two residents. But last week, cities across Europe participated in an initiative aimed at getting people to consider other kinds of transport - by banning cars from the street for a day. Report: Eva Wutke German freighters blaze trail through Arctic German freighters have navigated through the Northeast Passage, all thanks to global warming. Two German freighters have successfully travelled from Asia to Europe via the usually frozen waters above Russia. Environmentalists fear for the pristine Arctic region, but as the fabled Northeast Passage comes a step closer to reality, some say it may end up a route seldom traveled. Report: Mark Hallam tag:odeo.com,2009-09-24,25180749 Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25141374-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe Powering the grid from your basement, climate network aids in the spread of vital information, and the plight of small cetaceans in European waters exposed.You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Powering the grid from your basement What if you could use a car motor to help power not only your home, but every home in the neighborhood? A German energy company and automaker have come together to do just that. For energy supplier Lichtblick it's a revolution. For automaker Volkswagen, it's a little extra business on the side. Last week the two companies unveiled what they call a home power plant. The device is comprised of a converted car motor that runs on natural gas. An attached generator then creates electricity that is delivered to the power grid. According to Lichtblick, 100,000 of these co-generation units could replace two nuclear power plants. Report: Michael Engel/Kate Laycock Climate network ai... Powering the grid from your basement, climate network aids in the spread of vital information, and the plight of small cetaceans in European waters exposed.You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Powering the grid from your basement What if you could use a car motor to help power not only your home, but every home in the neighborhood? A German energy company and automaker have come together to do just that. For energy supplier Lichtblick it's a revolution. For automaker Volkswagen, it's a little extra business on the side. Last week the two companies unveiled what they call a home power plant. The device is comprised of a converted car motor that runs on natural gas. An attached generator then creates electricity that is delivered to the power grid. According to Lichtblick, 100,000 of these co-generation units could replace two nuclear power plants. Report: Michael Engel/Kate Laycock Climate network aids in the spread of vital information The often disastrous effects of climate change surround us, be they in the form of gigantic tropical storms or extended droughts. While there is certainly no surefire way to protect the planet from all of these catastrophes, experts say getting information out to the right people could go a long way. We often hear about various climate conferences, but rarely learn what comes of them or how they have actually made a difference. A couple of weeks ago World Climate Conference 3 took place in Geneva, Switzerland. It was at that meeting that experts and government representatives agreed to implement a climate data bank. The effects of climate change are already visible in many areas, but according to experts, many of these can be reduced or even eradicated, given enough information. The knowledge is there and there is now a way to get it out to those who need it. Report: Irene Quaile Scientists go toe to toe with governments to save dolphins and porpoises Each year an estimated 300,000 small cetaceans die in fishing nets around the globe. But it doesn't have to be that way say scientists, provided the agreements put in place to protect them are actually enforced. For many years, the majority of nations along the Baltic, Northeast Atlantic, Irish and North Seas have had an agreement to reduce bycatch of dolphins, porpoises and small whales to less than one percent of the best population estimate, and ultimately to zero. According to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), in 2009, thousands of small cetaceans have still perished, trapped in the nets of the same fisheries these countries have agreed to reform. Between September 16 and 18, representatives from the 10 Parties to the regional agreement are meeting in Bonn to decide not only on the future of these mammals, but also the agreement itself. Living Planet spoke to Mark Simmonds, the international director of science at WDCS, and Chris Butler-Stroud, the group's chief executive. Interview: Mark Mattox Marine park failing to protect dolphins in the Mediterranean Many people don't realize there are dolphins and other small cetaceans living in European waters. Even fewer know about the threat they face, and about how even the areas set up to protect them aren't doing enough. Dolphin populations in the Mediterranean Sea are under threat from fishing, boating, pollution and the destruction of their habitat. The waters off the Island of Ischia, 30 kilometers from Naples, host seven species of cetaceans, including Italy's only pod of Short Beaked Common Dolphins - an endangered species in the Mediterranean. The area is a feeding ground for cetaceans due to a unique series of underwater canyons about five kilometers off the coast of the island. In 2008, part of these offshore canyons and the Island of Ischia itself were declared a marine protected area by the Italian government. It was the first time that an offshore area had been included in a marine park in the Mediterranean Sea. However, so far the creation of the protected area has had no impact on the protection of cetaceans in the region. Report: Stephanie Raison Powering the grid from your basement, climate network aids in the spread of vital information, and the plight of small cetaceans in European waters exposed.You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Powering the grid from your basement What if you could use a car motor to help power not only your home, but every home in the neighborhood? A German energy company and automaker have come together to do just that. For energy supplier Lichtblick it's a revolution. For automaker Volkswagen, it's a little extra business on the side. Last week the two companies unveiled what they call a home power plant. The device is comprised of a converted car motor that runs on natural gas. An attached generator then creates electricity that is delivered to the power grid. According to Lichtblick, 100,000 of these co-generation units could replace two nuclear power plants. Report: Michael Engel/Kate Laycock Climate network aids in the spread of vital information The often disastrous effects of climate change surround us, be they in the form of gigantic tropical storms or extended droughts. While there is certainly no surefire way to protect the planet from all of these catastrophes, experts say getting information out to the right people could go a long way. We often hear about various climate conferences, but rarely learn what comes of them or how they have actually made a difference. A couple of weeks ago World Climate Conference 3 took place in Geneva, Switzerland. It was at that meeting that experts and government representatives agreed to implement a climate data bank. The effects of climate change are already visible in many areas, but according to experts, many of these can be reduced or even eradicated, given enough information. The knowledge is there and there is now a way to get it out to those who need it. Report: Irene Quaile Scientists go toe to toe with governments to save dolphins and porpoises Each year an estimated 300,000 small cetaceans die in fishing nets around the globe. But it doesn't have to be that way say scientists, provided the agreements put in place to protect them are actually enforced. For many years, the majority of nations along the Baltic, Northeast Atlantic, Irish and North Seas have had an agreement to reduce bycatch of dolphins, porpoises and small whales to less than one percent of the best population estimate, and ultimately to zero. According to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), in 2009, thousands of small cetaceans have still perished, trapped in the nets of the same fisheries these countries have agreed to reform. Between September 16 and 18, representatives from the 10 Parties to the regional agreement are meeting in Bonn to decide not only on the future of these mammals, but also the agreement itself. Living Planet spoke to Mark Simmonds, the international director of science at WDCS, and Chris Butler-Stroud, the group's chief executive. Interview: Mark Mattox Marine park failing to protect dolphins in the Mediterranean Many people don't realize there are dolphins and other small cetaceans living in European waters. Even fewer know about the threat they face, and about how even the areas set up to protect them aren't doing enough. Dolphin populations in the Mediterranean Sea are under threat from fishing, boating, pollution and the destruction of their habitat. The waters off the Island of Ischia, 30 kilometers from Naples, host seven species of cetaceans, including Italy's only pod of Short Beaked Common Dolphins - an endangered species in the Mediterranean. The area is a feeding ground for cetaceans due to a unique series of underwater canyons about five kilometers off the coast of the island. In 2008, part of these offshore canyons and the Island of Ischia itself were declared a marine protected area by the Italian government. It was the first time that an offshore area had been included in a marine park in the Mediterranean Sea. However, so far the creation of the protected area has had no impact on the protection of cetaceans in the region. Report: Stephanie Raison tag:odeo.com,2009-09-17,25141374 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25106429-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe Anti-nuclear protestors converge on Berlin, nuclear energy policy around the European Union, taking eco-fashion out for a strut on the runway and how tourists are endangering the future of the loggerhead turtle. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Anti-nuclear demonstrators converge on Berlin Germany's political parties are generally in agreement when it comes to the environment and climate change, though there is one issue on which they certainly don't see eye to eye: nuclear energy. Less than three weeks before Germany's federal elections, thousands of anti-nuclear demonstrators poured into Berlin to protest against nuclear power and nuclear waste repositories. While it is unlikely the demonstration will be an effective vote swinger, it did offer the Social Democrats a chance to separate themselves from their opponents, the conservative Christian Democrats. Climate policy is especially important ... Anti-nuclear protestors converge on Berlin, nuclear energy policy around the European Union, taking eco-fashion out for a strut on the runway and how tourists are endangering the future of the loggerhead turtle. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Anti-nuclear demonstrators converge on Berlin Germany's political parties are generally in agreement when it comes to the environment and climate change, though there is one issue on which they certainly don't see eye to eye: nuclear energy. Less than three weeks before Germany's federal elections, thousands of anti-nuclear demonstrators poured into Berlin to protest against nuclear power and nuclear waste repositories. While it is unlikely the demonstration will be an effective vote swinger, it did offer the Social Democrats a chance to separate themselves from their opponents, the conservative Christian Democrats. Climate policy is especially important in this election because of the Copenhagen Climate Summit set to take place at the end of the year. While all five German parties have basically the same environmental goals, and they agree that German and the rest of the world need to reduce CO2 emissions, they do differ when it comes to nuclear power. Report: Tanya Wood Nuclear stance varies widely across Europe Within the European Union nuclear power has been touted by some as the go-to solution for reducing dependence on carbon-spewing energy plants fueled by burning coal and gas. But others think it's a waste of space and money. In the run up to the federal elections in Germany, nuclear power and the disposal radioactive waste has become quite a hot button issue as the two main parties battle it out. But of course Germany isn't the only place in Europe where nuclear energy is such a hotly debated issue. From the Nordic states to the Mediterranean it's easy to find someone with an opinion on the topic. But while a clear majority of Germans is against nuclear power plants and the disposal of radioactive material that goes along with them, that isn't necessarily true in the rest of Europe. In fact, many EU nations tend to lean the other way, and are eager to integrate nuclear into the energy mix. Report: Susanne Henn/Matt Zuvela Taking eco-fashion out for a strut These days there is a movement among many companies to push the ecological benefits of the products they make. That includes the fashion industry, though, even here, it's often difficult to separate the true eco-finds from the fads. From tie-dyed shirts to skinny jeans, fashion is a slave to trends, with no one fad lasting more than a few years. The rise of green fashion in recent years, however, is challenging this industry of fleeting styles, as socially-conscious consumers increasingly look for clothing that's sustainable. But picking out the truly environmentally friendly fashion labels from the brands green-washing with the term "organic" to cash in on the current hype surrounding eco fashion, can seem impossible. Report: Laura Schweiger Tourism threatens sea turtles in Greece Each year millions of people head to the beach for a bit of sun, surf and interaction with the local flora and fauna. However, this push to get a close up look at nature can be devastating for some creatures. Ecologists in Greece have accused a government-run marine park of not doing enough to protect the endangered logger head turtle. They say the park is failing to stop tourist sight seeing boats from harassing the turtles as the try to come ashore to lay their eggs. Report: Malcolm Brabant Anti-nuclear protestors converge on Berlin, nuclear energy policy around the European Union, taking eco-fashion out for a strut on the runway and how tourists are endangering the future of the loggerhead turtle. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Anti-nuclear demonstrators converge on Berlin Germany's political parties are generally in agreement when it comes to the environment and climate change, though there is one issue on which they certainly don't see eye to eye: nuclear energy. Less than three weeks before Germany's federal elections, thousands of anti-nuclear demonstrators poured into Berlin to protest against nuclear power and nuclear waste repositories. While it is unlikely the demonstration will be an effective vote swinger, it did offer the Social Democrats a chance to separate themselves from their opponents, the conservative Christian Democrats. Climate policy is especially important in this election because of the Copenhagen Climate Summit set to take place at the end of the year. While all five German parties have basically the same environmental goals, and they agree that German and the rest of the world need to reduce CO2 emissions, they do differ when it comes to nuclear power. Report: Tanya Wood Nuclear stance varies widely across Europe Within the European Union nuclear power has been touted by some as the go-to solution for reducing dependence on carbon-spewing energy plants fueled by burning coal and gas. But others think it's a waste of space and money. In the run up to the federal elections in Germany, nuclear power and the disposal radioactive waste has become quite a hot button issue as the two main parties battle it out. But of course Germany isn't the only place in Europe where nuclear energy is such a hotly debated issue. From the Nordic states to the Mediterranean it's easy to find someone with an opinion on the topic. But while a clear majority of Germans is against nuclear power plants and the disposal of radioactive material that goes along with them, that isn't necessarily true in the rest of Europe. In fact, many EU nations tend to lean the other way, and are eager to integrate nuclear into the energy mix. Report: Susanne Henn/Matt Zuvela Taking eco-fashion out for a strut These days there is a movement among many companies to push the ecological benefits of the products they make. That includes the fashion industry, though, even here, it's often difficult to separate the true eco-finds from the fads. From tie-dyed shirts to skinny jeans, fashion is a slave to trends, with no one fad lasting more than a few years. The rise of green fashion in recent years, however, is challenging this industry of fleeting styles, as socially-conscious consumers increasingly look for clothing that's sustainable. But picking out the truly environmentally friendly fashion labels from the brands green-washing with the term "organic" to cash in on the current hype surrounding eco fashion, can seem impossible. Report: Laura Schweiger Tourism threatens sea turtles in Greece Each year millions of people head to the beach for a bit of sun, surf and interaction with the local flora and fauna. However, this push to get a close up look at nature can be devastating for some creatures. Ecologists in Greece have accused a government-run marine park of not doing enough to protect the endangered logger head turtle. They say the park is failing to stop tourist sight seeing boats from harassing the turtles as the try to come ashore to lay their eggs. Report: Malcolm Brabant tag:odeo.com,2009-09-10,25106429 Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25070644-Living-Planet-Environmental-Matters-Around-the-Globe New WWF report warns of dire the consequences of climate change, tapping into the greener side of Danish fashion, and following eco-conscious students as they march across China. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Consequences from climate change much worse than expected, says expert In a report released this week, experts at the WWF have warned that getting carbon emissions and global warming under control by the next decade is vital if we are ever to successfully combat climate change. Warming in the Arctic could lead to flooding affecting one quarter of the world's population, substantial increases in greenhouse gas emissions from massive carbon pools and extreme global weather changes. That's all according to a report compiled by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The Arctic Climate Feedbacks: Global Implications report, released this week, outlined consequences that are much worse than pre... New WWF report warns of dire the consequences of climate change, tapping into the greener side of Danish fashion, and following eco-conscious students as they march across China. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Consequences from climate change much worse than expected, says expert In a report released this week, experts at the WWF have warned that getting carbon emissions and global warming under control by the next decade is vital if we are ever to successfully combat climate change. Warming in the Arctic could lead to flooding affecting one quarter of the world's population, substantial increases in greenhouse gas emissions from massive carbon pools and extreme global weather changes. That's all according to a report compiled by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The Arctic Climate Feedbacks: Global Implications report, released this week, outlined consequences that are much worse than previous projections, including those of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 2007 assessment. Living Planet spoke to Dr. Martin Sommerkorn, senior climate advisor for WWF's Arctic program and one of the co-editors of the report. Interview: Mark Mattox Danish design goes green ahead of climate summit Just three months ahead of the global climate summit in Copenhagen, Danish designers have come together to show how eco-designs can be trendy while still helping the planet. Sustainability is a natural part of the design world in Denmark, a country that has been on the forefront of design since "Danish Modern" made its debut in the 1950s. Today's products not only have to be attractive - they also have to use new biodegradable materials or reclaimed raw materials and use sustainable production methods and environmentally friendly means of transportation. Copenhagen Design Week, which runs through Sept. 6, looks at what is available in new products, some of which are only prototypes and others that are being introduced to the world market place or are already familiar to Danish consumers. Report: Mariana Schroeder Eco-conscious students take the Green Long March While China, an emerging nation with a population 1.3 billion, is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, there are some people there who are trying to do their bit to bring about awareness of climate change issues. As cities in China swelter in the summer forcing many to stay indoors with their air conditioners switched on, a group of university students is taking time out to consider the environmental impacts of increased energy use. More than 1,000 students from 50 different campuses across the country are taking part in what's known as the Green Long March. An annual, student-led environmental research and awareness-building campaign, the march is now in its third year and is backed by universities and an NGO called "Future Generations." Students this year have been travelling along seven different routes examining energy efficiency and renewable resources. Report: Elise Potaka New WWF report warns of dire the consequences of climate change, tapping into the greener side of Danish fashion, and following eco-conscious students as they march across China. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Consequences from climate change much worse than expected, says expert In a report released this week, experts at the WWF have warned that getting carbon emissions and global warming under control by the next decade is vital if we are ever to successfully combat climate change. Warming in the Arctic could lead to flooding affecting one quarter of the world's population, substantial increases in greenhouse gas emissions from massive carbon pools and extreme global weather changes. That's all according to a report compiled by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The Arctic Climate Feedbacks: Global Implications report, released this week, outlined consequences that are much worse than previous projections, including those of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 2007 assessment. Living Planet spoke to Dr. Martin Sommerkorn, senior climate advisor for WWF's Arctic program and one of the co-editors of the report. Interview: Mark Mattox Danish design goes green ahead of climate summit Just three months ahead of the global climate summit in Copenhagen, Danish designers have come together to show how eco-designs can be trendy while still helping the planet. Sustainability is a natural part of the design world in Denmark, a country that has been on the forefront of design since "Danish Modern" made its debut in the 1950s. Today's products not only have to be attractive - they also have to use new biodegradable materials or reclaimed raw materials and use sustainable production methods and environmentally friendly means of transportation. Copenhagen Design Week, which runs through Sept. 6, looks at what is available in new products, some of which are only prototypes and others that are being introduced to the world market place or are already familiar to Danish consumers. Report: Mariana Schroeder Eco-conscious students take the Green Long March While China, an emerging nation with a population 1.3 billion, is the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, there are some people there who are trying to do their bit to bring about awareness of climate change issues. As cities in China swelter in the summer forcing many to stay indoors with their air conditioners switched on, a group of university students is taking time out to consider the environmental impacts of increased energy use. More than 1,000 students from 50 different campuses across the country are taking part in what's known as the Green Long March. An annual, student-led environmental research and awareness-building campaign, the march is now in its third year and is backed by universities and an NGO called "Future Generations." Students this year have been travelling along seven different routes examining energy efficiency and renewable resources. Report: Elise Potaka tag:odeo.com,2009-09-03,25070644 Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25032797-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Examining the correlation between natural disasters and climate change, a look ahead at a different kind of climate conference and how environmental policy is playing a role in upcoming German elections. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Experts point to a connection between natural disasters and climate change Natural disasters have become extremely commonplace all over the world. It is not clear if climate change has a role in this, but we may have to adapt to catastrophes striking more often, experts say. Warming temperatures are usually blamed for melting glaciers and raising sea levels, but they do much more than that. Over the past few weeks, forest fires have been raging across southern Europe, from Portugal to Greece, as a heat wave is turning huge areas of trees into brittle kindling. On the other end of the spectrum, typhoons, hurricanes and tropical storms have gained in intensity over... Examining the correlation between natural disasters and climate change, a look ahead at a different kind of climate conference and how environmental policy is playing a role in upcoming German elections. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Experts point to a connection between natural disasters and climate change Natural disasters have become extremely commonplace all over the world. It is not clear if climate change has a role in this, but we may have to adapt to catastrophes striking more often, experts say. Warming temperatures are usually blamed for melting glaciers and raising sea levels, but they do much more than that. Over the past few weeks, forest fires have been raging across southern Europe, from Portugal to Greece, as a heat wave is turning huge areas of trees into brittle kindling. On the other end of the spectrum, typhoons, hurricanes and tropical storms have gained in intensity over the past decade, but is climate change really to blame? Report: Irene Quaile/Rick Demarest Warmer temperatures could increase storm severity, expert says Over the past decade, storms have been increasing across the planet, but how many are due to climate change and how many are part of the natural cycle is up for debate. Hurricane season 2005 saw the greatest number of storms in recorded human history - most notably Hurricane Katrina, which started out as a category five and had calmed to a still impressive category three by the time it hit New Orleans. That summer had seen a spike in global temperatures - with an even bigger jump in the tropical Atlantic. In modern times, there have only been two hurricanes to strike outside of their usual spots in the Caribbean or the Pacific Ocean, where they are known as typhoons. The first was in Brazil in 2004 and the second made landfall in Spain one year later. Could Europe be in for more hurricanes as the planet warms up? Living Planet spoke with Dr. Mojib Latif, professor of ocean dynamics at the Leibniz Institute for Ocean Studies at the University of Kiel. Interview: Mark Mattox World Climate Conference to open in Switzerland High-level policymakers, experts and business leaders are gathering in Geneva next week for World Climate Conference 3. Some wonder whether we need another climate conference. Others say you can't have enough of them. Around a thousand high-level policy-makers, scientists, business leaders and decision makers will be gathering in the Swiss city of Geneva next week for World Climate Conference 3, an event organized by the World Meteorological Organization and various partners. With all the talk and hype surrounding all the climate meetings leading up to Copenhagen in December, you may find yourself wondering whether the world needs yet another climate conference. Report: Irene Quaile Climate change policy on both sides of the spectrum With German national elections just one month away and climate negotiations scheduled for the end of the year in Copenhagen, many people are wondering where the political parties stand when it comes to the environment. Climate conservation is a pressing issue for many people in Germany - which makes it an important consideration for the political campaigns of parties running in the national election, set to take place on September 27. So, are they focusing their attention on the effects of greenhouse gases, renewable energy or nuclear energy? And how, in these tough economic times, can climate protection be implemented? Report: Jens Thurau/Ellice Mol Examining the correlation between natural disasters and climate change, a look ahead at a different kind of climate conference and how environmental policy is playing a role in upcoming German elections. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Experts point to a connection between natural disasters and climate change Natural disasters have become extremely commonplace all over the world. It is not clear if climate change has a role in this, but we may have to adapt to catastrophes striking more often, experts say. Warming temperatures are usually blamed for melting glaciers and raising sea levels, but they do much more than that. Over the past few weeks, forest fires have been raging across southern Europe, from Portugal to Greece, as a heat wave is turning huge areas of trees into brittle kindling. On the other end of the spectrum, typhoons, hurricanes and tropical storms have gained in intensity over the past decade, but is climate change really to blame? Report: Irene Quaile/Rick Demarest Warmer temperatures could increase storm severity, expert says Over the past decade, storms have been increasing across the planet, but how many are due to climate change and how many are part of the natural cycle is up for debate. Hurricane season 2005 saw the greatest number of storms in recorded human history - most notably Hurricane Katrina, which started out as a category five and had calmed to a still impressive category three by the time it hit New Orleans. That summer had seen a spike in global temperatures - with an even bigger jump in the tropical Atlantic. In modern times, there have only been two hurricanes to strike outside of their usual spots in the Caribbean or the Pacific Ocean, where they are known as typhoons. The first was in Brazil in 2004 and the second made landfall in Spain one year later. Could Europe be in for more hurricanes as the planet warms up? Living Planet spoke with Dr. Mojib Latif, professor of ocean dynamics at the Leibniz Institute for Ocean Studies at the University of Kiel. Interview: Mark Mattox World Climate Conference to open in Switzerland High-level policymakers, experts and business leaders are gathering in Geneva next week for World Climate Conference 3. Some wonder whether we need another climate conference. Others say you can't have enough of them. Around a thousand high-level policy-makers, scientists, business leaders and decision makers will be gathering in the Swiss city of Geneva next week for World Climate Conference 3, an event organized by the World Meteorological Organization and various partners. With all the talk and hype surrounding all the climate meetings leading up to Copenhagen in December, you may find yourself wondering whether the world needs yet another climate conference. Report: Irene Quaile Climate change policy on both sides of the spectrum With German national elections just one month away and climate negotiations scheduled for the end of the year in Copenhagen, many people are wondering where the political parties stand when it comes to the environment. Climate conservation is a pressing issue for many people in Germany - which makes it an important consideration for the political campaigns of parties running in the national election, set to take place on September 27. So, are they focusing their attention on the effects of greenhouse gases, renewable energy or nuclear energy? And how, in these tough economic times, can climate protection be implemented? Report: Jens Thurau/Ellice Mol tag:odeo.com,2009-08-27,25032797 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/25003559-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Special World Water Week edition of Living Planet looks at the benefits of wasting water, testing Italy's waterways for health risks and investigating an ancient alternative to water-intensive factory farming. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Saving water might not always be good for the environment For decades, environmentalists and scientists have been warning that we need to save as much water as possible. But there are others who think too much water conservation could be doing more harm than good. Scientists, experts and world leaders are gathering in Stockholm this week to discuss the planet's most urgent water-related issues. The World Water Week is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute has been taking place since 1991 and has been a place to exchange ideas and foster new thinking. This year's theme is Responding to Global Changes: Accessing Water for the Common Good. P... Special World Water Week edition of Living Planet looks at the benefits of wasting water, testing Italy's waterways for health risks and investigating an ancient alternative to water-intensive factory farming. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Saving water might not always be good for the environment For decades, environmentalists and scientists have been warning that we need to save as much water as possible. But there are others who think too much water conservation could be doing more harm than good. Scientists, experts and world leaders are gathering in Stockholm this week to discuss the planet's most urgent water-related issues. The World Water Week is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute has been taking place since 1991 and has been a place to exchange ideas and foster new thinking. This year's theme is Responding to Global Changes: Accessing Water for the Common Good. Public access to water is a big topic all around the world, especially in places where fresh water isn't that abundant. Environmentalists have always talked about how important it is to use water sparingly to make sure we'll have enough to go around. In fact Germans have taken that message so seriously that overall usage across the country has dramatically shrunk over the past decade. But there are some who say that saving waters isn't always a good thing in the developed world, especially because of the harmful effects it can have on sewage systems. Report: Pia Chandavarkar Green boat tests water for contamination At the height of Italian summer, when temperatures regularly reach 35 degrees Celsius, the cool, blue waters of the Mediterranean are the perfect place to relax on a hot day. But while the water in many places looks clean and inviting, it isn't always the case. Even when the sea looks clear, blue and inviting, it could still be full of invisible bacteria that are usually more at home in a sewage system. For the last 24 years, the Italian Environment League has been telling locals and tourists where the cleanest and the dirtiest waters in Italy are. Every summer a green boat sails around the coast. Though not actually painted green, it's an eco-friendly sailing boat and spreading a green message. The Green Boat has just finished a 3,200-kilometer journey handing out blue sails for good environmental behavior and black flags for mismanagement. Report: Stephanie Raison Swiss farmers carry on ancient tradition of eco-friendly farming Most beef in the developed world originates on factory farms. This isn't the case, however, in Switzerland, where a 500-year-old tradition of eco-friendly farming continues. Raising animals for meat requires a massive amount of water. Producing one kilogram of chicken takes 3,500 liters of water, according to researchers at Cornell University in the United States. Creating enough beef to satisfy the world's demand for hamburgers and steaks on the grill is even worse. Grain-fed beef production takes 100,000 liters of water for every kilo of meat. While these water intensive factory farms are the cheap, standard option, they certainly aren't the most environmentally friendly one and, sometimes, they aren't even the standard. Report: Holly Fox Special World Water Week edition of Living Planet looks at the benefits of wasting water, testing Italy's waterways for health risks and investigating an ancient alternative to water-intensive factory farming. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Saving water might not always be good for the environment For decades, environmentalists and scientists have been warning that we need to save as much water as possible. But there are others who think too much water conservation could be doing more harm than good. Scientists, experts and world leaders are gathering in Stockholm this week to discuss the planet's most urgent water-related issues. The World Water Week is organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute has been taking place since 1991 and has been a place to exchange ideas and foster new thinking. This year's theme is Responding to Global Changes: Accessing Water for the Common Good. Public access to water is a big topic all around the world, especially in places where fresh water isn't that abundant. Environmentalists have always talked about how important it is to use water sparingly to make sure we'll have enough to go around. In fact Germans have taken that message so seriously that overall usage across the country has dramatically shrunk over the past decade. But there are some who say that saving waters isn't always a good thing in the developed world, especially because of the harmful effects it can have on sewage systems. Report: Pia Chandavarkar Green boat tests water for contamination At the height of Italian summer, when temperatures regularly reach 35 degrees Celsius, the cool, blue waters of the Mediterranean are the perfect place to relax on a hot day. But while the water in many places looks clean and inviting, it isn't always the case. Even when the sea looks clear, blue and inviting, it could still be full of invisible bacteria that are usually more at home in a sewage system. For the last 24 years, the Italian Environment League has been telling locals and tourists where the cleanest and the dirtiest waters in Italy are. Every summer a green boat sails around the coast. Though not actually painted green, it's an eco-friendly sailing boat and spreading a green message. The Green Boat has just finished a 3,200-kilometer journey handing out blue sails for good environmental behavior and black flags for mismanagement. Report: Stephanie Raison Swiss farmers carry on ancient tradition of eco-friendly farming Most beef in the developed world originates on factory farms. This isn't the case, however, in Switzerland, where a 500-year-old tradition of eco-friendly farming continues. Raising animals for meat requires a massive amount of water. Producing one kilogram of chicken takes 3,500 liters of water, according to researchers at Cornell University in the United States. Creating enough beef to satisfy the world's demand for hamburgers and steaks on the grill is even worse. Grain-fed beef production takes 100,000 liters of water for every kilo of meat. While these water intensive factory farms are the cheap, standard option, they certainly aren't the most environmentally friendly one and, sometimes, they aren't even the standard. Report: Holly Fox tag:odeo.com,2009-08-20,25003559 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24959071-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World This week on Living Planet: Climate talks continuing in Bonn, questioning how much and where sea levels will go up, crossing the great shrinking Greenland ice sheets and whale tourism in Iceland. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Climate talks continue in Bonn Just four months ahead of the final negotiations in Copenhagen, government representatives are meeting in Bonn for a round of informal talks. Two working groups from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are in Bonn, Germany, to lay the groundwork for a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol and negotiate UN climate change targets. National representatives are trying to reach a compromise ahead of the final round of talks this December in the Danish capital. Report: Helle Jeppesen/Holly Fox EcoQuest: How much will sea levels rise? In Living Planet's EcoQuest series we answer questions about the environment, climate chang... This week on Living Planet: Climate talks continuing in Bonn, questioning how much and where sea levels will go up, crossing the great shrinking Greenland ice sheets and whale tourism in Iceland. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Climate talks continue in Bonn Just four months ahead of the final negotiations in Copenhagen, government representatives are meeting in Bonn for a round of informal talks. Two working groups from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are in Bonn, Germany, to lay the groundwork for a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol and negotiate UN climate change targets. National representatives are trying to reach a compromise ahead of the final round of talks this December in the Danish capital. Report: Helle Jeppesen/Holly Fox EcoQuest: How much will sea levels rise? In Living Planet's EcoQuest series we answer questions about the environment, climate change, endangered species and sustainability. One of the most devastating effects of climate change is how sea level rise will affect both developing and developed nations and what we can do to stop it. But how high can we expect the waters to rise, and will the increase be uniform everywhere? That's this month's question. Report: Pia ChandawarkarEffects of climate change clearly visible in Greenland Many scientists and governments are talking about what will happen once climate change begins to occur, but on the great island of Greenland, global warming isn't just a future problem. It's happening now. Greenland is the largest island on the planet, and 85 percent of it is covered in ice. At over 1.7 million square kilometers, it's the largest chunk of fresh water ice in the northern hemisphere. If the Greenland ice sheet were to completely melt, ocean levels would go up by seven meters - with catastrophic effects for low-lying coastal regions across the globe. Scientists can't agree on how much or how fast the Greenland ice sheet will melt. But what is certain is that the Arctic is warming up faster than the rest of the planet, and that Greenland is already losing a large portion of its ice. As scientists continue to debate and take measurements, the effects of climate change are already visible on the island. Report: Irene Quaile Whale tourism and hunting at odds in Iceland Iceland benefits greatly from whales - both in money from tourism and money from the hunt. But is it possible to keep these two activities separate? Whale watching tours are a popular activity for tourists visiting the North Atlantic island. But Icelanders view whale hunting as an important part of their fishing tradition. The two practices currently exist side by side, though if Iceland decides to join the EU, this could change. So how do the tourists view whale hunting? Report: Susanne Henn This week on Living Planet: Climate talks continuing in Bonn, questioning how much and where sea levels will go up, crossing the great shrinking Greenland ice sheets and whale tourism in Iceland. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Climate talks continue in Bonn Just four months ahead of the final negotiations in Copenhagen, government representatives are meeting in Bonn for a round of informal talks. Two working groups from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change are in Bonn, Germany, to lay the groundwork for a successor treaty to the Kyoto Protocol and negotiate UN climate change targets. National representatives are trying to reach a compromise ahead of the final round of talks this December in the Danish capital. Report: Helle Jeppesen/Holly Fox EcoQuest: How much will sea levels rise? In Living Planet's EcoQuest series we answer questions about the environment, climate change, endangered species and sustainability. One of the most devastating effects of climate change is how sea level rise will affect both developing and developed nations and what we can do to stop it. But how high can we expect the waters to rise, and will the increase be uniform everywhere? That's this month's question. Report: Pia ChandawarkarEffects of climate change clearly visible in Greenland Many scientists and governments are talking about what will happen once climate change begins to occur, but on the great island of Greenland, global warming isn't just a future problem. It's happening now. Greenland is the largest island on the planet, and 85 percent of it is covered in ice. At over 1.7 million square kilometers, it's the largest chunk of fresh water ice in the northern hemisphere. If the Greenland ice sheet were to completely melt, ocean levels would go up by seven meters - with catastrophic effects for low-lying coastal regions across the globe. Scientists can't agree on how much or how fast the Greenland ice sheet will melt. But what is certain is that the Arctic is warming up faster than the rest of the planet, and that Greenland is already losing a large portion of its ice. As scientists continue to debate and take measurements, the effects of climate change are already visible on the island. Report: Irene Quaile Whale tourism and hunting at odds in Iceland Iceland benefits greatly from whales - both in money from tourism and money from the hunt. But is it possible to keep these two activities separate? Whale watching tours are a popular activity for tourists visiting the North Atlantic island. But Icelanders view whale hunting as an important part of their fishing tradition. The two practices currently exist side by side, though if Iceland decides to join the EU, this could change. So how do the tourists view whale hunting? Report: Susanne Henn tag:odeo.com,2009-08-13,24959071 Thu, 13 Aug 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24923070-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Imported water heavily impacts daily per capita use in Germany, Italian councils push recycling programs, and a climate house showcases global environments. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Imported water heavily impacts daily per capita use in Germany How much water do most people use every day? 100 liters? 200 liters? Well it might be a whole lot more than you think. Every German goes through enough water each day to fill up more than 25 bathtubs. But it doesn't all come in a conventional liquid form, freely flowing from the taps. Half of it is imported into the country in food and other products. Often these products originate in countries that already suffer from water troubles to begin with. Report: Michael Braun / Andreas Illmer Italian councils push recycling programs Italy is famous for its trash troubles, but recycling in the southern European country is on the rise and in some regions ... Imported water heavily impacts daily per capita use in Germany, Italian councils push recycling programs, and a climate house showcases global environments. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Imported water heavily impacts daily per capita use in Germany How much water do most people use every day? 100 liters? 200 liters? Well it might be a whole lot more than you think. Every German goes through enough water each day to fill up more than 25 bathtubs. But it doesn't all come in a conventional liquid form, freely flowing from the taps. Half of it is imported into the country in food and other products. Often these products originate in countries that already suffer from water troubles to begin with. Report: Michael Braun / Andreas Illmer Italian councils push recycling programs Italy is famous for its trash troubles, but recycling in the southern European country is on the rise and in some regions is making a big impact. Most people have heard about the constant rubbish emergencies in Italy that see streets, usually in the southern city of Naples, littered with bags of trash. However, not all Italian cities have problems dealing with their trash. In fact, more than 1,200 of them recycle more than 45 percent of their waste. Only 18 percent of the Italian population currently recycles, but the number is slowly increasing as more local councils implement door-to-door collection of recyclables, which has so far prevented 1 million tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. Report: Stephanie Raison Climate house showcases world's environments The world is full of different climatic zones, from tropical to arctic, arid to just something in the moderate category. Most people spend their entire lives firmly entrenched in one zone or another. Normally, you'd need to travel for hundreds or thousands of kilometers to reach a different climatic zone. But who's got that kind of time or energy? What if you could travel around the world - visiting not only different countries but different climates as well - all on foot and all in just a few hours? Well if you ever find yourself in the northern German city of Bremerhaven make sure you check out the Klimahaus. The name directly translates to climate house, and it certainly lives up to its name. Report: Eva Wutke Imported water heavily impacts daily per capita use in Germany, Italian councils push recycling programs, and a climate house showcases global environments. You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Imported water heavily impacts daily per capita use in Germany How much water do most people use every day? 100 liters? 200 liters? Well it might be a whole lot more than you think. Every German goes through enough water each day to fill up more than 25 bathtubs. But it doesn't all come in a conventional liquid form, freely flowing from the taps. Half of it is imported into the country in food and other products. Often these products originate in countries that already suffer from water troubles to begin with. Report: Michael Braun / Andreas Illmer Italian councils push recycling programs Italy is famous for its trash troubles, but recycling in the southern European country is on the rise and in some regions is making a big impact. Most people have heard about the constant rubbish emergencies in Italy that see streets, usually in the southern city of Naples, littered with bags of trash. However, not all Italian cities have problems dealing with their trash. In fact, more than 1,200 of them recycle more than 45 percent of their waste. Only 18 percent of the Italian population currently recycles, but the number is slowly increasing as more local councils implement door-to-door collection of recyclables, which has so far prevented 1 million tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. Report: Stephanie Raison Climate house showcases world's environments The world is full of different climatic zones, from tropical to arctic, arid to just something in the moderate category. Most people spend their entire lives firmly entrenched in one zone or another. Normally, you'd need to travel for hundreds or thousands of kilometers to reach a different climatic zone. But who's got that kind of time or energy? What if you could travel around the world - visiting not only different countries but different climates as well - all on foot and all in just a few hours? Well if you ever find yourself in the northern German city of Bremerhaven make sure you check out the Klimahaus. The name directly translates to climate house, and it certainly lives up to its name. Report: Eva Wutke tag:odeo.com,2009-08-06,24923070 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24896648-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World The EU comes together to find common ground for climate negotiations in Copenhagen, nuclear energy weighs heavily on the minds of German voters and the import and export of renewable power.You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Environment ministers meet to hammer out EU climate stance The European Union is supposed to stand together when it comes to international climate change agreements. Of course, that means they have to actually come up with a common goal. In less than five months, heads of state and government representatives from all over the world will descend on the Danish capital Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change conference. European Union member states are meant to speak with one voice - though when it comes down to it each nation will have to sign the agreement individually - meaning that they have to form a united position before December. EU environment ministers met over ... The EU comes together to find common ground for climate negotiations in Copenhagen, nuclear energy weighs heavily on the minds of German voters and the import and export of renewable power.You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Environment ministers meet to hammer out EU climate stance The European Union is supposed to stand together when it comes to international climate change agreements. Of course, that means they have to actually come up with a common goal. In less than five months, heads of state and government representatives from all over the world will descend on the Danish capital Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change conference. European Union member states are meant to speak with one voice - though when it comes down to it each nation will have to sign the agreement individually - meaning that they have to form a united position before December. EU environment ministers met over the weekend in the Swedish resort town of Are to do just that. As the meetings progressed, the phrase "No Money, No Deal" became Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren's mantra. If developing and emerging nations don't get financial commitments to combat climate change, then they won't sign the agreement. The EU knows that and wants to give money, but how much and where it comes from is still up for discussion. Report: Eva Wutke Nuclear energy playing a big role in German elections Nuclear energy is a two-sided coin: it's carbon neutral, but it also poses a potential danger for the environment. This has made Germany's nuclear energy program a very touchy subject that could have big ramifications in the political world. The European Union is planning on reducing their carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent over the next 11 years. To do that all 27 member states will have to begin a massive switch to renewable energy - something Germany has already begun. Wind turbines dot the landscape and hydropower plants stand along many of the rivers - especially in the south. But there is one other form of energy that the nation relies on that, while carbon neutral, it isn't exactly eco-friendly. Germany's nuclear industry in on the defensive, as problems at their facilities mount. Earlier this month, a plant near Hamburg had to be shut down after a transformer failure. Just days later, a waste storage site began to have renewed trouble with radioactive water leaks. And just last week, another plant was turned off on short notice by a safety system. Incidents like these give many Germans pause and anti-nuclear activists are hoping to pounce on the sentiment as elections loom in the autumn. Report: Matt Hermann Shipping in renewable energy from abroad Shipping in renewable energy from abroad As the world shifts more and more towards renewable energy, many countries, including Germany, are going to have to cope with the fact that they don't have the resources or infrastructure to produce enough energy to meet domestic demands. With a race to reduce emissions 30 percent by 2020, it's no surprise that Germany has had to expand its search for clean energy. German companies are world famous for their advancements in solar cell technology. There's just one problem - Germany isn't exactly known for its endless days of high quality sunshine. So a German consortium is looking south to the Sahara desert. On the other side of things, both elementally and geographically is Norway, with it's abundance of mountain streams that turn into raging rivers on their way to the sea. For nearly a century the Scandinavian country has harnessed the power of all that water to make electricity, and now they've come up with an interesting offer for Germany. Report: Sam Edmonds The EU comes together to find common ground for climate negotiations in Copenhagen, nuclear energy weighs heavily on the minds of German voters and the import and export of renewable power.You can download the show or subscribe to Living Planet as a podcast. Click on the links below for the individual reports.Environment ministers meet to hammer out EU climate stance The European Union is supposed to stand together when it comes to international climate change agreements. Of course, that means they have to actually come up with a common goal. In less than five months, heads of state and government representatives from all over the world will descend on the Danish capital Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change conference. European Union member states are meant to speak with one voice - though when it comes down to it each nation will have to sign the agreement individually - meaning that they have to form a united position before December. EU environment ministers met over the weekend in the Swedish resort town of Are to do just that. As the meetings progressed, the phrase "No Money, No Deal" became Swedish Environment Minister Andreas Carlgren's mantra. If developing and emerging nations don't get financial commitments to combat climate change, then they won't sign the agreement. The EU knows that and wants to give money, but how much and where it comes from is still up for discussion. Report: Eva Wutke Nuclear energy playing a big role in German elections Nuclear energy is a two-sided coin: it's carbon neutral, but it also poses a potential danger for the environment. This has made Germany's nuclear energy program a very touchy subject that could have big ramifications in the political world. The European Union is planning on reducing their carbon dioxide emissions by 30 percent over the next 11 years. To do that all 27 member states will have to begin a massive switch to renewable energy - something Germany has already begun. Wind turbines dot the landscape and hydropower plants stand along many of the rivers - especially in the south. But there is one other form of energy that the nation relies on that, while carbon neutral, it isn't exactly eco-friendly. Germany's nuclear industry in on the defensive, as problems at their facilities mount. Earlier this month, a plant near Hamburg had to be shut down after a transformer failure. Just days later, a waste storage site began to have renewed trouble with radioactive water leaks. And just last week, another plant was turned off on short notice by a safety system. Incidents like these give many Germans pause and anti-nuclear activists are hoping to pounce on the sentiment as elections loom in the autumn. Report: Matt Hermann Shipping in renewable energy from abroad Shipping in renewable energy from abroad As the world shifts more and more towards renewable energy, many countries, including Germany, are going to have to cope with the fact that they don't have the resources or infrastructure to produce enough energy to meet domestic demands. With a race to reduce emissions 30 percent by 2020, it's no surprise that Germany has had to expand its search for clean energy. German companies are world famous for their advancements in solar cell technology. There's just one problem - Germany isn't exactly known for its endless days of high quality sunshine. So a German consortium is looking south to the Sahara desert. On the other side of things, both elementally and geographically is Norway, with it's abundance of mountain streams that turn into raging rivers on their way to the sea. For nearly a century the Scandinavian country has harnessed the power of all that water to make electricity, and now they've come up with an interesting offer for Germany. Report: Sam Edmonds tag:odeo.com,2009-07-30,24896648 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24853618-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Testing the viability of electric cars in Berlin, transforming human waste into energy, and witnessing how climate change is affecting the island nation of Vanuatu and threatening the economy of Senegal. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Berlin becomes a proving ground for the cars of the future Without an easy way to charge them, electric cars have yet to become a widespread phenomenon, but across Europe and North America, carmakers and power companies are joining forces to try and change that. This summer the streets of Berlin will be the proving ground for at least two new electric cars. European energy company Vattenfall and German automaker BMW have teamed up to prove that having a battery operated car can be a cheap and practical option for city dwellers around the world. Some 7,000 Berliners applied for the honor of being part of the project, and 100 were chosen to be the temporary owners and test-drivers of BMW's electric version of their Mini Cooper for six ... Testing the viability of electric cars in Berlin, transforming human waste into energy, and witnessing how climate change is affecting the island nation of Vanuatu and threatening the economy of Senegal. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Berlin becomes a proving ground for the cars of the future Without an easy way to charge them, electric cars have yet to become a widespread phenomenon, but across Europe and North America, carmakers and power companies are joining forces to try and change that. This summer the streets of Berlin will be the proving ground for at least two new electric cars. European energy company Vattenfall and German automaker BMW have teamed up to prove that having a battery operated car can be a cheap and practical option for city dwellers around the world. Some 7,000 Berliners applied for the honor of being part of the project, and 100 were chosen to be the temporary owners and test-drivers of BMW's electric version of their Mini Cooper for six months. The Mini-E's, as they're called, are now rolling through the streets, conducting a controlled study of the performance of electric vehicles in the urban environment. Vattenfall and BMW aren't the only ones in Berlin trying to make their mark on Europe's e-mobility market, RWE and Daimler are also looking for a piece of the action. Report: Leah McDonnell Transforming human waste into eco-power Biomass can come from many sources - trees, food scraps or even human and animal waste. Most of these systems are small, intended to power just a few homes, but the people of Manchester have taken a more industrious approach. Ever thought about heating your home by flushing the toilet? People in Manchester will soon be creating their own little bit of renewable energy every time they pull that chain. One of the UK's largest wastewater treatment plants is getting ready to convert that least noble of human produce to biogas, which will be fed directly into the gas grid. Report: Lars Bevanger Climate Change Witness: Vanuatu In Living Planet's Climate Witness series, we hear first hand testimony about the effects of climate change. News of melting glaciers and ice caps is nothing new, but for most people it's also nothing more than an item in the news. But for some others, especially those living in low-lying island nations, it isn't just something they hear about: It's a fact of life. The island nation of Vanuatu is sinking. This archipelago, made up of some 82 islands, sits in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) west of northern Australia. Rising seas are swallowing the beaches and infiltrating fresh water supplies. Selwyn Leodoro is the principle private secretary to the President of Vanuatu. He's lived his entire life there, and has seen the wrath of climate change first hand. Interview: Mark Mattox Rising waters threaten the Senegalese economy Most nations directly affected by rising waters due to climate change are in the developing world and don't have the resources to fight the phenomenon. In Senegal the ocean is eating away at the beaches and the economy. With a coastline that's over 500 kilometers (310 miles) long, the western African nation of Senegal has long had a close relationship with the sea. Fishing used to be a large part of the economy, but these days the fish are gone, and the economy is mostly dependent on just one industry: tourism. The nation's white, sandy beaches entice thousands of European tourists each year. With them comes money, which provides for jobs and a future for many young Senegalese, who otherwise may have no choice but to make the perilous - and illegal - journey to Europe. But the ocean is eating away at those beaches with ever an increasing intensity, and is destroying the hope of the people. Report: Martina Zimmermann/Ranjitha Balasubramanyam Testing the viability of electric cars in Berlin, transforming human waste into energy, and witnessing how climate change is affecting the island nation of Vanuatu and threatening the economy of Senegal. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Berlin becomes a proving ground for the cars of the future Without an easy way to charge them, electric cars have yet to become a widespread phenomenon, but across Europe and North America, carmakers and power companies are joining forces to try and change that. This summer the streets of Berlin will be the proving ground for at least two new electric cars. European energy company Vattenfall and German automaker BMW have teamed up to prove that having a battery operated car can be a cheap and practical option for city dwellers around the world. Some 7,000 Berliners applied for the honor of being part of the project, and 100 were chosen to be the temporary owners and test-drivers of BMW's electric version of their Mini Cooper for six months. The Mini-E's, as they're called, are now rolling through the streets, conducting a controlled study of the performance of electric vehicles in the urban environment. Vattenfall and BMW aren't the only ones in Berlin trying to make their mark on Europe's e-mobility market, RWE and Daimler are also looking for a piece of the action. Report: Leah McDonnell Transforming human waste into eco-power Biomass can come from many sources - trees, food scraps or even human and animal waste. Most of these systems are small, intended to power just a few homes, but the people of Manchester have taken a more industrious approach. Ever thought about heating your home by flushing the toilet? People in Manchester will soon be creating their own little bit of renewable energy every time they pull that chain. One of the UK's largest wastewater treatment plants is getting ready to convert that least noble of human produce to biogas, which will be fed directly into the gas grid. Report: Lars Bevanger Climate Change Witness: Vanuatu In Living Planet's Climate Witness series, we hear first hand testimony about the effects of climate change. News of melting glaciers and ice caps is nothing new, but for most people it's also nothing more than an item in the news. But for some others, especially those living in low-lying island nations, it isn't just something they hear about: It's a fact of life. The island nation of Vanuatu is sinking. This archipelago, made up of some 82 islands, sits in the Pacific Ocean, roughly 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) west of northern Australia. Rising seas are swallowing the beaches and infiltrating fresh water supplies. Selwyn Leodoro is the principle private secretary to the President of Vanuatu. He's lived his entire life there, and has seen the wrath of climate change first hand. Interview: Mark Mattox Rising waters threaten the Senegalese economy Most nations directly affected by rising waters due to climate change are in the developing world and don't have the resources to fight the phenomenon. In Senegal the ocean is eating away at the beaches and the economy. With a coastline that's over 500 kilometers (310 miles) long, the western African nation of Senegal has long had a close relationship with the sea. Fishing used to be a large part of the economy, but these days the fish are gone, and the economy is mostly dependent on just one industry: tourism. The nation's white, sandy beaches entice thousands of European tourists each year. With them comes money, which provides for jobs and a future for many young Senegalese, who otherwise may have no choice but to make the perilous - and illegal - journey to Europe. But the ocean is eating away at those beaches with ever an increasing intensity, and is destroying the hope of the people. Report: Martina Zimmermann/Ranjitha Balasubramanyam tag:odeo.com,2009-07-23,24853618 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24818701-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Massive dam causes controversy in Turkey, growing grass to produce electricity in Ireland and making the future of farming more eco-friendly. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Future of giant Turkish dam dims Hydroelectric power, while eco-friendly, often comes under scrutiny from international environmental groups for the damage it causes. Most people associate dams with China, but Turkey has its fair share and the most recent, the Ilisu Dam, is causing real controversy. The Ilisu Dam in Turkey's southeast has been dogged by controversy from the very start and recently an international consortium has pulled its support for what would be one of the world's largest dam projects. This is the second consortium to pull out citing environmental concerns and lack of guarantees for the people affected by the dam's construction. It is estimated that the dam, located on the Tigris River, will create a reservoir with a maximum volume of 104 trillion liters (27.5 billion gallon... Massive dam causes controversy in Turkey, growing grass to produce electricity in Ireland and making the future of farming more eco-friendly. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Future of giant Turkish dam dims Hydroelectric power, while eco-friendly, often comes under scrutiny from international environmental groups for the damage it causes. Most people associate dams with China, but Turkey has its fair share and the most recent, the Ilisu Dam, is causing real controversy. The Ilisu Dam in Turkey's southeast has been dogged by controversy from the very start and recently an international consortium has pulled its support for what would be one of the world's largest dam projects. This is the second consortium to pull out citing environmental concerns and lack of guarantees for the people affected by the dam's construction. It is estimated that the dam, located on the Tigris River, will create a reservoir with a maximum volume of 104 trillion liters (27.5 billion gallons) and a surface area of 313 square kilometers (121 square miles). At full capacity, it is expected to produce 3,800 gigawatts of power per year. The dam, like many before it, has become a focal point for environmental groups both nationally and internationally, and what happens to it is now being seen as key to the future of big dams both in Turkey and the rest of the world. Report: Dorian Jones The grass-green future of biomass Biomass is, by definition, created using organic materials, often trees or other plants. But since many plants are slow growing, scientists in Ireland have been trying to come up with a way to create energy using the island's most abundant resource: grass. Almost 65 percent of Ireland's land area is used for agriculture. At the same time, the country imports almost 90 percent of its energy. Against the background of climate change and the world economic crisis, scientists are investigating whether some of the land could be used to provide renewable sources of energy to reduce Ireland's dependence on fossil fuels and its greenhouse gas emissions. The rural area around Carlow, two hours drive from the Northern Irish capital, Belfast, is home to Ireland's national agriculture research centre, Oak Park. Scientists from the center and University College Dublin, are testing the suitability of different crops to be used as biomass for energy production. Amongst them, common Irish grass. Report: Irene Quaile Feeding nine billion people The earth's population grows larger each year, putting an ever-increasing strain on agriculture to feed it. That demand, in turn, puts strain on the environment, which means if we're going to be able to feed the future masses and still have a place to call home, we'll have to change the way we do things. By the middle of the century there will be 9 billion people living on the planet, according to United Nations estimates. This statistic has led many to wonder whether there will be enough food for everyone and what agriculture should look like in the future. Both of those questions are being actively discussed - not just among agricultural commissions, but also in climate and environment circles. Worldwide, agriculture is contributing heavily to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions - but without, we couldn't survive. So what's the answer? Report: Helle Jeppesen/Clare Atkinson Massive dam causes controversy in Turkey, growing grass to produce electricity in Ireland and making the future of farming more eco-friendly. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Future of giant Turkish dam dims Hydroelectric power, while eco-friendly, often comes under scrutiny from international environmental groups for the damage it causes. Most people associate dams with China, but Turkey has its fair share and the most recent, the Ilisu Dam, is causing real controversy. The Ilisu Dam in Turkey's southeast has been dogged by controversy from the very start and recently an international consortium has pulled its support for what would be one of the world's largest dam projects. This is the second consortium to pull out citing environmental concerns and lack of guarantees for the people affected by the dam's construction. It is estimated that the dam, located on the Tigris River, will create a reservoir with a maximum volume of 104 trillion liters (27.5 billion gallons) and a surface area of 313 square kilometers (121 square miles). At full capacity, it is expected to produce 3,800 gigawatts of power per year. The dam, like many before it, has become a focal point for environmental groups both nationally and internationally, and what happens to it is now being seen as key to the future of big dams both in Turkey and the rest of the world. Report: Dorian Jones The grass-green future of biomass Biomass is, by definition, created using organic materials, often trees or other plants. But since many plants are slow growing, scientists in Ireland have been trying to come up with a way to create energy using the island's most abundant resource: grass. Almost 65 percent of Ireland's land area is used for agriculture. At the same time, the country imports almost 90 percent of its energy. Against the background of climate change and the world economic crisis, scientists are investigating whether some of the land could be used to provide renewable sources of energy to reduce Ireland's dependence on fossil fuels and its greenhouse gas emissions. The rural area around Carlow, two hours drive from the Northern Irish capital, Belfast, is home to Ireland's national agriculture research centre, Oak Park. Scientists from the center and University College Dublin, are testing the suitability of different crops to be used as biomass for energy production. Amongst them, common Irish grass. Report: Irene Quaile Feeding nine billion people The earth's population grows larger each year, putting an ever-increasing strain on agriculture to feed it. That demand, in turn, puts strain on the environment, which means if we're going to be able to feed the future masses and still have a place to call home, we'll have to change the way we do things. By the middle of the century there will be 9 billion people living on the planet, according to United Nations estimates. This statistic has led many to wonder whether there will be enough food for everyone and what agriculture should look like in the future. Both of those questions are being actively discussed - not just among agricultural commissions, but also in climate and environment circles. Worldwide, agriculture is contributing heavily to climate change and greenhouse gas emissions - but without, we couldn't survive. So what's the answer? Report: Helle Jeppesen/Clare Atkinson tag:odeo.com,2009-07-16,24818701 Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24773883-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Debating how much G8 countries have to do to make Copenhagen a success, using rip tides to power homes in Northern Ireland and eco-art takes over the Loire Estuary.WWF: G8 countries must act for Copenhagen to be a success The world has looked to the G8 countries to help sort out their problems for decades, particularly since it seems they are the cause of many of those problems. This year the key phrase is climate change, and, here too, the G8 must play its part. Leaders of the Group of Eight most industrialized countries are holding their annual meeting in L'Aquila, Italy. The G8 countries, Germany, France, Italy, the US, the UK, Canada, Japan and Russia, also top the list of the world's worst carbon emitters - along with China and India, so getting them to commit to measures to curb climate change is vital. With the Copenhagen summit to replace the Kyoto Protocol fast approaching, just how important is this year's summit? WWF and Allianz recently published the G8 Climate Scorecard... Debating how much G8 countries have to do to make Copenhagen a success, using rip tides to power homes in Northern Ireland and eco-art takes over the Loire Estuary.WWF: G8 countries must act for Copenhagen to be a success The world has looked to the G8 countries to help sort out their problems for decades, particularly since it seems they are the cause of many of those problems. This year the key phrase is climate change, and, here too, the G8 must play its part. Leaders of the Group of Eight most industrialized countries are holding their annual meeting in L'Aquila, Italy. The G8 countries, Germany, France, Italy, the US, the UK, Canada, Japan and Russia, also top the list of the world's worst carbon emitters - along with China and India, so getting them to commit to measures to curb climate change is vital. With the Copenhagen summit to replace the Kyoto Protocol fast approaching, just how important is this year's summit? WWF and Allianz recently published the G8 Climate Scorecards, so Living Planet spoke to Kim Carstensen, head of the Global Climate Initiative at WWF International to find out. Interview: Mark Mattox Great Britain plugs in to tidal energy G8 countries have made a strong bid to prevent catastrophic climate change by calling for global warming to be kept to within 2 degrees centigrade above pre- industrial temperatures. To achieve that goal, more of them are turning to renewable energy. Compared to most of the other G8 countries, the United Kingdom is doing quite well when it comes to renewable energy. Part of that is due to the SeaGen project from the British firm Marine Current Turbines. The company has installed a tidal power plant in Strangford Lough, two hours south of Belfast, in Northern Ireland. Two underwater turbines harness the power of the tide as it rises and falls, pushing water through a narrow gap between the mainland and a peninsula, to produce electricity. The turbines have already started successfully delivering power to the grid and are expected in the coming years to supply 1,000 houses in the area around Portaferry and Strangford with power. Report: Irene Quaile France displays large-scale eco-art along the Loire River Artists have always been passionate about different causes and have used their trade for centuries to promote them, and that includes the environment. Mixing art with nature is not only trendy, in many places it is proving to be a real boon to the environment. In France a project called "Estuaire Nantes" has offered art as the solution for recovering the vast estuary between the cities of Nantes and St. Nazaire. Where industry once belched smoke into the sky, now art works are transforming derelict buildings into works of art. It is the world’s biggest art gallery, stretching for 60 kilometers on either side of the Loire River and involving dozens of sites in each of the cities. Many works are especially designed to draw attention to bird nesting areas, environmentally sound camping sites or the need to preserve the purity of river’s water. Report: Mariana Schroeder Debating how much G8 countries have to do to make Copenhagen a success, using rip tides to power homes in Northern Ireland and eco-art takes over the Loire Estuary.WWF: G8 countries must act for Copenhagen to be a success The world has looked to the G8 countries to help sort out their problems for decades, particularly since it seems they are the cause of many of those problems. This year the key phrase is climate change, and, here too, the G8 must play its part. Leaders of the Group of Eight most industrialized countries are holding their annual meeting in L'Aquila, Italy. The G8 countries, Germany, France, Italy, the US, the UK, Canada, Japan and Russia, also top the list of the world's worst carbon emitters - along with China and India, so getting them to commit to measures to curb climate change is vital. With the Copenhagen summit to replace the Kyoto Protocol fast approaching, just how important is this year's summit? WWF and Allianz recently published the G8 Climate Scorecards, so Living Planet spoke to Kim Carstensen, head of the Global Climate Initiative at WWF International to find out. Interview: Mark Mattox Great Britain plugs in to tidal energy G8 countries have made a strong bid to prevent catastrophic climate change by calling for global warming to be kept to within 2 degrees centigrade above pre- industrial temperatures. To achieve that goal, more of them are turning to renewable energy. Compared to most of the other G8 countries, the United Kingdom is doing quite well when it comes to renewable energy. Part of that is due to the SeaGen project from the British firm Marine Current Turbines. The company has installed a tidal power plant in Strangford Lough, two hours south of Belfast, in Northern Ireland. Two underwater turbines harness the power of the tide as it rises and falls, pushing water through a narrow gap between the mainland and a peninsula, to produce electricity. The turbines have already started successfully delivering power to the grid and are expected in the coming years to supply 1,000 houses in the area around Portaferry and Strangford with power. Report: Irene Quaile France displays large-scale eco-art along the Loire River Artists have always been passionate about different causes and have used their trade for centuries to promote them, and that includes the environment. Mixing art with nature is not only trendy, in many places it is proving to be a real boon to the environment. In France a project called "Estuaire Nantes" has offered art as the solution for recovering the vast estuary between the cities of Nantes and St. Nazaire. Where industry once belched smoke into the sky, now art works are transforming derelict buildings into works of art. It is the world’s biggest art gallery, stretching for 60 kilometers on either side of the Loire River and involving dozens of sites in each of the cities. Many works are especially designed to draw attention to bird nesting areas, environmentally sound camping sites or the need to preserve the purity of river’s water. Report: Mariana Schroeder tag:odeo.com,2009-07-09,24773883 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24759956-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Tracking down the Rhine-River-warming culprits, investigating the fate of an ancient civilization destroyed by runoff from farming, and looking into the clean-up plan of a river so polluted, you cannot see the water. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.BUND: Rhine River warming is threatening the environment Between Germany and the Netherlands, the Rhine is on average three degrees warmer than 100 years ago. Ecologists warn of serious consequences for nature and wildlife. The River Rhine, which starts deep in the Swiss Alps, before winding it's way north along the French-German border, passing Bonn and Cologne, then heading to the Netherlands and out to sea, is heating up. Ecologists warn that it is, on average, three degrees Celsius (5.5 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than 100 years ago. The rising temperature is threatening fish and other wildlife in the region. According to the NGO Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND), part of the problem is climate change - but only a s... Tracking down the Rhine-River-warming culprits, investigating the fate of an ancient civilization destroyed by runoff from farming, and looking into the clean-up plan of a river so polluted, you cannot see the water. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.BUND: Rhine River warming is threatening the environment Between Germany and the Netherlands, the Rhine is on average three degrees warmer than 100 years ago. Ecologists warn of serious consequences for nature and wildlife. The River Rhine, which starts deep in the Swiss Alps, before winding it's way north along the French-German border, passing Bonn and Cologne, then heading to the Netherlands and out to sea, is heating up. Ecologists warn that it is, on average, three degrees Celsius (5.5 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than 100 years ago. The rising temperature is threatening fish and other wildlife in the region. According to the NGO Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND), part of the problem is climate change - but only a small part. Most of the trouble is being caused by industry. Living Planet speaks with Paul Kröfges, head of the North Rhine-Westphalia chapter of BUND. Interview: Mark Mattox Centuries old way of life destroyed by runoff pollution in Pakistan It has long been the case that the majority of the world's refugees have become that way because of political, religious or economic reasons. But in the future that may all change, and the world might see more environmental refugees. Lake Manchar in Pakistan's Sindh Region is one of the largest bodies of water in Asia. Located just west of the Indus River, the freshwater lake has been a bird and fish sanctuary for centuries. But the decades of polluted runoff from farming in the region has unhinged the ecological balance and forced 60,000 fishermen out of their homes and livelihoods. Report: Jutta Schwengsbier/Ranjitha Balasubramanyam Unclogging the Citarum River Water pollution is a problem all over the world, but it is especially great in Asia. In some places, like in Indonesia's Citarum River, the waters are so full of trash it looks as if you could walk across them. The Citarum River is one of Indonesia’s most important waterways, supporting 28 million people according to the Asian Development Bank, and feeding water to the country's capital Jakarta. But after two decades of rapid industrialization and urbanization, the Citarum's waters are clogged with sediment and runoff from houses and industry. Now the Indonesian government has borrowed money to help fund an ambitious 15-year plan to clean up the river. The cleanup will attack structural problems on the Citarum, as well as improve public awareness. But this new approach has been met with a mixed response from local environmentalists. Report: Elise Potaka Tracking down the Rhine-River-warming culprits, investigating the fate of an ancient civilization destroyed by runoff from farming, and looking into the clean-up plan of a river so polluted, you cannot see the water. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.BUND: Rhine River warming is threatening the environment Between Germany and the Netherlands, the Rhine is on average three degrees warmer than 100 years ago. Ecologists warn of serious consequences for nature and wildlife. The River Rhine, which starts deep in the Swiss Alps, before winding it's way north along the French-German border, passing Bonn and Cologne, then heading to the Netherlands and out to sea, is heating up. Ecologists warn that it is, on average, three degrees Celsius (5.5 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than 100 years ago. The rising temperature is threatening fish and other wildlife in the region. According to the NGO Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND), part of the problem is climate change - but only a small part. Most of the trouble is being caused by industry. Living Planet speaks with Paul Kröfges, head of the North Rhine-Westphalia chapter of BUND. Interview: Mark Mattox Centuries old way of life destroyed by runoff pollution in Pakistan It has long been the case that the majority of the world's refugees have become that way because of political, religious or economic reasons. But in the future that may all change, and the world might see more environmental refugees. Lake Manchar in Pakistan's Sindh Region is one of the largest bodies of water in Asia. Located just west of the Indus River, the freshwater lake has been a bird and fish sanctuary for centuries. But the decades of polluted runoff from farming in the region has unhinged the ecological balance and forced 60,000 fishermen out of their homes and livelihoods. Report: Jutta Schwengsbier/Ranjitha Balasubramanyam Unclogging the Citarum River Water pollution is a problem all over the world, but it is especially great in Asia. In some places, like in Indonesia's Citarum River, the waters are so full of trash it looks as if you could walk across them. The Citarum River is one of Indonesia’s most important waterways, supporting 28 million people according to the Asian Development Bank, and feeding water to the country's capital Jakarta. But after two decades of rapid industrialization and urbanization, the Citarum's waters are clogged with sediment and runoff from houses and industry. Now the Indonesian government has borrowed money to help fund an ambitious 15-year plan to clean up the river. The cleanup will attack structural problems on the Citarum, as well as improve public awareness. But this new approach has been met with a mixed response from local environmentalists. Report: Elise Potaka tag:odeo.com,2009-07-02,24759956 Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24759957-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Using the sun's rays to turn hot air into cold, a town that's using a blue campaign to help its residents go green, and why organic food is still going strong in China, despite the global economic crisis. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.German innovations cool buildings with the sun Tapping into solar rays to bring power to our homes and office buildings has been around for a while now, and while that will continue to be the case, the sun offers us much more, specifically when it comes to cooling down those same buildings. It's no surprise that people are more productive in comfortable working environments. As the summer heats up in the northern hemisphere, the cooling systems are being turned on in giant buildings - after all, a hot employee is a slow employee - and that's bad for the bottom line. There is just one problem with that from an eco-prospective: buildings are usually cooled with traditional air conditioners, which use up an enormous amount of energy. I... Using the sun's rays to turn hot air into cold, a town that's using a blue campaign to help its residents go green, and why organic food is still going strong in China, despite the global economic crisis. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.German innovations cool buildings with the sun Tapping into solar rays to bring power to our homes and office buildings has been around for a while now, and while that will continue to be the case, the sun offers us much more, specifically when it comes to cooling down those same buildings. It's no surprise that people are more productive in comfortable working environments. As the summer heats up in the northern hemisphere, the cooling systems are being turned on in giant buildings - after all, a hot employee is a slow employee - and that's bad for the bottom line. There is just one problem with that from an eco-prospective: buildings are usually cooled with traditional air conditioners, which use up an enormous amount of energy. In fact it's often more energy than heaters use in the winter, which is why cooling buildings using thermal energy has begun to catch on. The same sun that is heating up these buildings also delivers the energy to cool them. The days when the sun is the hottest - meaning the most cooling will be needed - are also the days where the sun gives us the most energy. In Germany, young companies like SorTech in Halle and Sonnenklima in Berlin are coming up with practical solutions to create cooling using heat. Report: Lydia Heller/Nathan Witkop Tuebingen uses a blue campaign to help residents go green With a new agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol set to be decided on at the end of the year in Copenhagen, much of the world's attention is on international climate action. However, there are some places, like the German town of Tuebingen, where people have already started putting carbon reduction plans into action. The town of Tuebingen in southern Germany won a national environmental award for their climate protection campaign. The 20,000 euro ($28,000) prize from the Federal Environment Agency was awarded for the local council's innovative approach to climate protection. Initiatives range from energy renovations of public buildings to giving out free energy saving light bulbs. Report: Kate Hairsine Organic food blossoms in China Over the past decade, China has been branching out more and more into eco-friendly territory. They have more hydropower and biomass reactors than anyone else. Many Chinese people are also turning to organic food, though much like China's other eco-innovations, the reasons aren't always as clear as they seem. Organic food, with its higher price-tag, is one item that many families around the world have stopped buying in the wake of the economic crisis. The growth in organic markets around the world has slowed, in some cases going from double-digit figures at the beginning of 2008 to just 1 percent this year. But in China it's a different story. A report by the United States Department of Agriculture's Global Agriculture Information Network said the Chinese organic market is still recording double-digit growth. But what is behind this surge? Is it actually a concern for the environment, or is it concerns about food safety and chemical use in agriculture that are fuelling this organic trade? Report: Elise Potaka Using the sun's rays to turn hot air into cold, a town that's using a blue campaign to help its residents go green, and why organic food is still going strong in China, despite the global economic crisis. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.German innovations cool buildings with the sun Tapping into solar rays to bring power to our homes and office buildings has been around for a while now, and while that will continue to be the case, the sun offers us much more, specifically when it comes to cooling down those same buildings. It's no surprise that people are more productive in comfortable working environments. As the summer heats up in the northern hemisphere, the cooling systems are being turned on in giant buildings - after all, a hot employee is a slow employee - and that's bad for the bottom line. There is just one problem with that from an eco-prospective: buildings are usually cooled with traditional air conditioners, which use up an enormous amount of energy. In fact it's often more energy than heaters use in the winter, which is why cooling buildings using thermal energy has begun to catch on. The same sun that is heating up these buildings also delivers the energy to cool them. The days when the sun is the hottest - meaning the most cooling will be needed - are also the days where the sun gives us the most energy. In Germany, young companies like SorTech in Halle and Sonnenklima in Berlin are coming up with practical solutions to create cooling using heat. Report: Lydia Heller/Nathan Witkop Tuebingen uses a blue campaign to help residents go green With a new agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol set to be decided on at the end of the year in Copenhagen, much of the world's attention is on international climate action. However, there are some places, like the German town of Tuebingen, where people have already started putting carbon reduction plans into action. The town of Tuebingen in southern Germany won a national environmental award for their climate protection campaign. The 20,000 euro ($28,000) prize from the Federal Environment Agency was awarded for the local council's innovative approach to climate protection. Initiatives range from energy renovations of public buildings to giving out free energy saving light bulbs. Report: Kate Hairsine Organic food blossoms in China Over the past decade, China has been branching out more and more into eco-friendly territory. They have more hydropower and biomass reactors than anyone else. Many Chinese people are also turning to organic food, though much like China's other eco-innovations, the reasons aren't always as clear as they seem. Organic food, with its higher price-tag, is one item that many families around the world have stopped buying in the wake of the economic crisis. The growth in organic markets around the world has slowed, in some cases going from double-digit figures at the beginning of 2008 to just 1 percent this year. But in China it's a different story. A report by the United States Department of Agriculture's Global Agriculture Information Network said the Chinese organic market is still recording double-digit growth. But what is behind this surge? Is it actually a concern for the environment, or is it concerns about food safety and chemical use in agriculture that are fuelling this organic trade? Report: Elise Potaka tag:odeo.com,2009-06-25,24759957 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24728862-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Examining the topics up for discussion at the annual summit of the International Whaling Commission, looking at the effects of fish farms on wild stocks, and taking a German bike sharing program for a test ride. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Greenland to ask for permission to hunt humpback whales The International Whaling Commission is holding its annual summit from June 22 to 26 on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Among the topics on the table are Greenland's request to reopen the hunt for humpback whales and Japan's continued conflicts over Antarctic whaling. The haunting and complex song of the humpback whale can be heard for miles across the open ocean. The 10 to 20-minute stanzas, which can be repeated for hours on end, are part of what makes the whales so popular. But these days, they're drawing attention for another reason: Greenland has the humpback whale in its sights. It is seeking permission from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to hunt them... Examining the topics up for discussion at the annual summit of the International Whaling Commission, looking at the effects of fish farms on wild stocks, and taking a German bike sharing program for a test ride. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Greenland to ask for permission to hunt humpback whales The International Whaling Commission is holding its annual summit from June 22 to 26 on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Among the topics on the table are Greenland's request to reopen the hunt for humpback whales and Japan's continued conflicts over Antarctic whaling. The haunting and complex song of the humpback whale can be heard for miles across the open ocean. The 10 to 20-minute stanzas, which can be repeated for hours on end, are part of what makes the whales so popular. But these days, they're drawing attention for another reason: Greenland has the humpback whale in its sights. It is seeking permission from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to hunt them, something that has been banned since 1966. Denmark, on behalf of Greenland, is expected to submit a proposal for the killing of 10 humpback whales annually for five years under the IWC's Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling rule. Living Planet speaks with Nicolas Entrup, head of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Germany, who is on Madeira and has been taking part in some plenary meetings leading up to the summit. Interview: Mark Mattox Fish farming threatens wild stocks in the North Atlantic Wild fish stocks are being depleted at an alarming rate, and while some people think fish farms are the answer, it seems they could be intensifying the problem. The United Nations says more than 75 percent of the world's fish stocks are either over-exploited or depleted. Here in Europe it's even worse. According to a European Commission report, 80 percent of European stocks are over-fished. Many people believe farmed fish, which makes up more and more of what we eat, is the answer and would be good news for wild fish stocks. But questions are now being asked about how much wild fish is needed to feed the farmed fish. Report: Lars Bevanger Pedal-pushing public transport Bike sharing has become big environmental news across Europe recently, with cities like Paris and Madrid coming up with their own systems. But what is the German take on the whole thing? Many cities around the world have discovered a new weapon in the battle against cars clogging their streets and polluting the environment: bike sharing. And here we don’t mean traditional bike hires where you rent a bike for the day from a bike shop. Rather bike sharing allows people to rent a public bicycle just for the length of their trip – whether it’s for one kilometer or ten. Then they put it back on the street for the next person to use. Here in Germany, the Federal Ministry of Transport thinks bike sharing is such a good idea, it's providing 10 million euros for innovative schemes. Report: Kate Hairsine Examining the topics up for discussion at the annual summit of the International Whaling Commission, looking at the effects of fish farms on wild stocks, and taking a German bike sharing program for a test ride. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Greenland to ask for permission to hunt humpback whales The International Whaling Commission is holding its annual summit from June 22 to 26 on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Among the topics on the table are Greenland's request to reopen the hunt for humpback whales and Japan's continued conflicts over Antarctic whaling. The haunting and complex song of the humpback whale can be heard for miles across the open ocean. The 10 to 20-minute stanzas, which can be repeated for hours on end, are part of what makes the whales so popular. But these days, they're drawing attention for another reason: Greenland has the humpback whale in its sights. It is seeking permission from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) to hunt them, something that has been banned since 1966. Denmark, on behalf of Greenland, is expected to submit a proposal for the killing of 10 humpback whales annually for five years under the IWC's Aboriginal Subsistence Whaling rule. Living Planet speaks with Nicolas Entrup, head of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Germany, who is on Madeira and has been taking part in some plenary meetings leading up to the summit. Interview: Mark Mattox Fish farming threatens wild stocks in the North Atlantic Wild fish stocks are being depleted at an alarming rate, and while some people think fish farms are the answer, it seems they could be intensifying the problem. The United Nations says more than 75 percent of the world's fish stocks are either over-exploited or depleted. Here in Europe it's even worse. According to a European Commission report, 80 percent of European stocks are over-fished. Many people believe farmed fish, which makes up more and more of what we eat, is the answer and would be good news for wild fish stocks. But questions are now being asked about how much wild fish is needed to feed the farmed fish. Report: Lars Bevanger Pedal-pushing public transport Bike sharing has become big environmental news across Europe recently, with cities like Paris and Madrid coming up with their own systems. But what is the German take on the whole thing? Many cities around the world have discovered a new weapon in the battle against cars clogging their streets and polluting the environment: bike sharing. And here we don’t mean traditional bike hires where you rent a bike for the day from a bike shop. Rather bike sharing allows people to rent a public bicycle just for the length of their trip – whether it’s for one kilometer or ten. Then they put it back on the street for the next person to use. Here in Germany, the Federal Ministry of Transport thinks bike sharing is such a good idea, it's providing 10 million euros for innovative schemes. Report: Kate Hairsine tag:odeo.com,2009-06-18,24728862 Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24695310-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Checking in on how one of Europe's energy giants is trying to conform to a greener future, helping out a group of Italians in an international project to clean up the Med, and producing biodynamic wines using European methods on the side of an Argentinean mountain. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.European energy giant dabbles in biomass in Berlin As climate delegations meet in Bonn to hammer out the details of the Copenhagen Agreement on climate change one thing is clear: nations all over the world are going to have to "green up" their energy sectors. In 1997 the European Union set a target of 12 percent renewable energy by 2010. Germany surpassed this target in 2007 when the renewable energy share here reached 14 percent. That same year Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced that this target would rise to 27% by 2020. Electricity use is to be cut, and the number of cogeneration plants is to double. With six million customers throughout Europe, Vattenfall is... Checking in on how one of Europe's energy giants is trying to conform to a greener future, helping out a group of Italians in an international project to clean up the Med, and producing biodynamic wines using European methods on the side of an Argentinean mountain. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.European energy giant dabbles in biomass in Berlin As climate delegations meet in Bonn to hammer out the details of the Copenhagen Agreement on climate change one thing is clear: nations all over the world are going to have to "green up" their energy sectors. In 1997 the European Union set a target of 12 percent renewable energy by 2010. Germany surpassed this target in 2007 when the renewable energy share here reached 14 percent. That same year Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced that this target would rise to 27% by 2020. Electricity use is to be cut, and the number of cogeneration plants is to double. With six million customers throughout Europe, Vattenfall is one of the continent's largest energy companies, and is the main energy supplier to Berlin. When it recently announced its plans to erect a new coal-burning plant in the city, there was a massive public uproar. Opposition from environmental and citizens groups was so great, the company had to scrap the plan and come up with a more environmentally palatable solution. Vattenfall seems to now be bending over backwards to make Berlin a model metropolis when it comes to energy efficiency, and emissions reductions. Report: Leah McDonnell Cleaning up the Mediterranean The world's oceans are littered with garbage, from tiny pieces of plastic to giant oil barrels. For almost two decades the people living in nations around the Mediterranean have been combating that. According to the UN's Mediterranean Pollution Assessment and Control Programme an estimated 6.4 million tons of litter are disposed into the sea each year. In addition to that, they say 13,000 pieces of plastic litter are floating on every square kilometer of ocean surface. Rubbish left on beaches across the Mediterranean put at risk the biodiversity of the entire region due to the currents that can transport it from one area to another, not to mention the damage to marine species, such as whales, that mistake the rubbish for food. Despite efforts at the regional, national and local levels to address the issue, marine litter still remains a major problem in the Mediterranean. That's why every year at the end of May environmentalists in the 21 countries that face the Mediterranean organize to clean it up. The Clean Up the Med initiative is coordinated by the Italian Mediterranean Observatory and involves volunteers picking up rubbish on beaches and from the ocean. Report: Stephanie Raison Biodynamic viticulture takes hold at the top of the world Tending to a vineyard high in the mountains presents a large number of difficulties. It seems, however, that most of those can be overcome when approached from a biodynamic angle. In recent years biodynamic grape growing has been gaining in popularity and has produced astoundingly good wines in vineyards around the world. Swiss entrepreneur and winemaker Donald Hess has introduced biodynamic viticulture at his vineyard high in the mountains of northwestern Argentina. Although a number of vintners have since followed suit, he was the first to introduce the method, developed in Europe by Rudolf Steiner, to his vineyards Estancia and Bodega Colomé, and has subsequently produced a wine rated as the best in Argentina by independent wine tasters in the United States. Report: Mariana Schroeder Checking in on how one of Europe's energy giants is trying to conform to a greener future, helping out a group of Italians in an international project to clean up the Med, and producing biodynamic wines using European methods on the side of an Argentinean mountain. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.European energy giant dabbles in biomass in Berlin As climate delegations meet in Bonn to hammer out the details of the Copenhagen Agreement on climate change one thing is clear: nations all over the world are going to have to "green up" their energy sectors. In 1997 the European Union set a target of 12 percent renewable energy by 2010. Germany surpassed this target in 2007 when the renewable energy share here reached 14 percent. That same year Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced that this target would rise to 27% by 2020. Electricity use is to be cut, and the number of cogeneration plants is to double. With six million customers throughout Europe, Vattenfall is one of the continent's largest energy companies, and is the main energy supplier to Berlin. When it recently announced its plans to erect a new coal-burning plant in the city, there was a massive public uproar. Opposition from environmental and citizens groups was so great, the company had to scrap the plan and come up with a more environmentally palatable solution. Vattenfall seems to now be bending over backwards to make Berlin a model metropolis when it comes to energy efficiency, and emissions reductions. Report: Leah McDonnell Cleaning up the Mediterranean The world's oceans are littered with garbage, from tiny pieces of plastic to giant oil barrels. For almost two decades the people living in nations around the Mediterranean have been combating that. According to the UN's Mediterranean Pollution Assessment and Control Programme an estimated 6.4 million tons of litter are disposed into the sea each year. In addition to that, they say 13,000 pieces of plastic litter are floating on every square kilometer of ocean surface. Rubbish left on beaches across the Mediterranean put at risk the biodiversity of the entire region due to the currents that can transport it from one area to another, not to mention the damage to marine species, such as whales, that mistake the rubbish for food. Despite efforts at the regional, national and local levels to address the issue, marine litter still remains a major problem in the Mediterranean. That's why every year at the end of May environmentalists in the 21 countries that face the Mediterranean organize to clean it up. The Clean Up the Med initiative is coordinated by the Italian Mediterranean Observatory and involves volunteers picking up rubbish on beaches and from the ocean. Report: Stephanie Raison Biodynamic viticulture takes hold at the top of the world Tending to a vineyard high in the mountains presents a large number of difficulties. It seems, however, that most of those can be overcome when approached from a biodynamic angle. In recent years biodynamic grape growing has been gaining in popularity and has produced astoundingly good wines in vineyards around the world. Swiss entrepreneur and winemaker Donald Hess has introduced biodynamic viticulture at his vineyard high in the mountains of northwestern Argentina. Although a number of vintners have since followed suit, he was the first to introduce the method, developed in Europe by Rudolf Steiner, to his vineyards Estancia and Bodega Colomé, and has subsequently produced a wine rated as the best in Argentina by independent wine tasters in the United States. Report: Mariana Schroeder tag:odeo.com,2009-06-11,24695310 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24653005-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Talking to the head of the US climate delegation at the UNFCCC climate talks, journey across a barrier island to find out how the work of one conservation group can have a global impact, and meeting an 11-year-old whose passion for the environment has really taken root. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Charting the road to Copenhagen The second round of climate talks have convened in Bonn, with representatives of 181 nations coming together to work out an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. Delegates from over 180 nations have agreed on a first draft text as a basis for the upcoming six months of negotiations; even though both developed and developing countries have some serious problems with the wording. The Kyoto Protocol, which was finalized back in 1997, is especially famous for one reason: it was never ratified by the United States, despite the fact that both a democrat and a republican have sat in the White House since that time. With the new administrati... Talking to the head of the US climate delegation at the UNFCCC climate talks, journey across a barrier island to find out how the work of one conservation group can have a global impact, and meeting an 11-year-old whose passion for the environment has really taken root. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Charting the road to Copenhagen The second round of climate talks have convened in Bonn, with representatives of 181 nations coming together to work out an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. Delegates from over 180 nations have agreed on a first draft text as a basis for the upcoming six months of negotiations; even though both developed and developing countries have some serious problems with the wording. The Kyoto Protocol, which was finalized back in 1997, is especially famous for one reason: it was never ratified by the United States, despite the fact that both a democrat and a republican have sat in the White House since that time. With the new administration of Barack Obama comes a renewed US eco-friendly policy and many nations are hoping that the Copenhagen Agreement will be able to succeed where Kyoto failed. Living Planet sat down with Dr. Jonathan Pershing, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change and the head of the US climate delegation. Interview: Mark Mattox Conservation and ingenuity help preserve barrier islands Join Living Planet on a journey across a barrier island to find out how the work of one conservation group can have a global impact. Since Barack Obama became US President in January this year, attitudes towards actively combating global warming have slowly started to shift. It will take a long time to change the average American's voracious energy consumption, but there are pockets of the US riding on the new wave of eco and energy-consciousness. There are areas that are leading the way in reducing their footprint on the environment - like Bald Head Island off the coast of North Carolina. The effects of global warming are already being felt there in the form of sea level rise and so the island's close-knit community is trying to do all it can to save its unique habitat. Bald Head is a barrier island, which is a long, relatively narrow chunk of land running parallel to the mainland, built up by the action of waves and currents and serving to protect the coast from erosion by surf and tidal surges. They exist all over the world, meaning conservation practices implemented on Bald Head can and do apply globally. Report: Anja Kueppers German student initiates a major tree-planting campaign An 11-year-old from Bavaria has been inspired to encourage other children across the nation into helping him plant one million trees by the end of the year. Felix Finkbeiner is an 11 year old from Bavaria with a passion for all things environmental. He has started an initiative called "Plant for the Planet", in which he hopes to persuade children across Germany to help him plant a million trees by the end of the year. He goes around to schools giving presentations to encourage others to become ambassadors of sorts, and has become so famous that the western German city of Duisburg has named him the patron of their environment days, something they've been doing for the past 16 years, and which today include more than 100 activities stretched out over the span of two weeks. These environment days always coincide with the United Nations World Environment Day, which is on June 5th this year. This past weekend Felix was in Duisburg to give his presentation to yet another group of school children, followed by a trip into the woods to plant some trees. Report: Sarah Stolarz Talking to the head of the US climate delegation at the UNFCCC climate talks, journey across a barrier island to find out how the work of one conservation group can have a global impact, and meeting an 11-year-old whose passion for the environment has really taken root. Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Charting the road to Copenhagen The second round of climate talks have convened in Bonn, with representatives of 181 nations coming together to work out an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. Delegates from over 180 nations have agreed on a first draft text as a basis for the upcoming six months of negotiations; even though both developed and developing countries have some serious problems with the wording. The Kyoto Protocol, which was finalized back in 1997, is especially famous for one reason: it was never ratified by the United States, despite the fact that both a democrat and a republican have sat in the White House since that time. With the new administration of Barack Obama comes a renewed US eco-friendly policy and many nations are hoping that the Copenhagen Agreement will be able to succeed where Kyoto failed. Living Planet sat down with Dr. Jonathan Pershing, Deputy Special Envoy for Climate Change and the head of the US climate delegation. Interview: Mark Mattox Conservation and ingenuity help preserve barrier islands Join Living Planet on a journey across a barrier island to find out how the work of one conservation group can have a global impact. Since Barack Obama became US President in January this year, attitudes towards actively combating global warming have slowly started to shift. It will take a long time to change the average American's voracious energy consumption, but there are pockets of the US riding on the new wave of eco and energy-consciousness. There are areas that are leading the way in reducing their footprint on the environment - like Bald Head Island off the coast of North Carolina. The effects of global warming are already being felt there in the form of sea level rise and so the island's close-knit community is trying to do all it can to save its unique habitat. Bald Head is a barrier island, which is a long, relatively narrow chunk of land running parallel to the mainland, built up by the action of waves and currents and serving to protect the coast from erosion by surf and tidal surges. They exist all over the world, meaning conservation practices implemented on Bald Head can and do apply globally. Report: Anja Kueppers German student initiates a major tree-planting campaign An 11-year-old from Bavaria has been inspired to encourage other children across the nation into helping him plant one million trees by the end of the year. Felix Finkbeiner is an 11 year old from Bavaria with a passion for all things environmental. He has started an initiative called "Plant for the Planet", in which he hopes to persuade children across Germany to help him plant a million trees by the end of the year. He goes around to schools giving presentations to encourage others to become ambassadors of sorts, and has become so famous that the western German city of Duisburg has named him the patron of their environment days, something they've been doing for the past 16 years, and which today include more than 100 activities stretched out over the span of two weeks. These environment days always coincide with the United Nations World Environment Day, which is on June 5th this year. This past weekend Felix was in Duisburg to give his presentation to yet another group of school children, followed by a trip into the woods to plant some trees. Report: Sarah Stolarz tag:odeo.com,2009-06-04,24653005 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24625973-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Digging into the mystery of missing toxic waste in Italy, touring the Elbe River floodplains along the Green Band and getting an education in marine ecology at an Emirati aquarium.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Italy's missing toxic waste 31 million tons of toxic waste went missing in Italy last year. Most people blame the ecomafia - organized crime groups committing acts with huge consequences to people and the environment. Every hour, three crimes against the environment are committed in Italy, the biggest violators being the ecomafia - the Italian Environment League name for environmental damage committed by organized crime groups. According to the latest ecomafia report, organized crime bosses in Italy earned 20 billion euros ($27.8 billion) last year at the expense of the environment. Trucks transport waste from the industrial north to the south day and night, year-round, and deposit it in mostly illegal and unregulated landfills. In 2008, the Campania region... Digging into the mystery of missing toxic waste in Italy, touring the Elbe River floodplains along the Green Band and getting an education in marine ecology at an Emirati aquarium.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Italy's missing toxic waste 31 million tons of toxic waste went missing in Italy last year. Most people blame the ecomafia - organized crime groups committing acts with huge consequences to people and the environment. Every hour, three crimes against the environment are committed in Italy, the biggest violators being the ecomafia - the Italian Environment League name for environmental damage committed by organized crime groups. According to the latest ecomafia report, organized crime bosses in Italy earned 20 billion euros ($27.8 billion) last year at the expense of the environment. Trucks transport waste from the industrial north to the south day and night, year-round, and deposit it in mostly illegal and unregulated landfills. In 2008, the Campania region around Naples was the most polluted region with almost 600 waste violations, 15 percent of the national total, followed by Puglia and Calabria with some 300 each. As well as polluting the environment, studies by the World Health Organization have linked the illegal dumps to cancer, birth defects and other health problems. Report: Stephanie Raison Travelling along the Green Band: Part II Is it possible to combine nature protection with tourism? The Green Band is a 1,400 kilometer strip of connected natural habitats that runs from the Baltic Sea, south to the Mediterranean and then east to the Black Sea. It's a physical reminder of the Iron Curtain that once divided Europe into east and west. And while it tore regions and families apart, the division was actually a stroke of luck for nature. Some 600 endangered plants and animals call the Green Band home. Part of the band includes a segment of the Elbe River, which once served as a natural border between East and West Germany. The floodplains around this mighty waterway have been returned to their natural state, helping creatures like the sea eagle find a home and bringing tourism money to the area. Report: Richard Fox Tackling marine conservation in the UAE Most aquariums take pride in having an extremely diverse collection of animals from around the world, but the one in the emirate of Sharjah takes a different approach. The emirate of Sharjah only covers 2,600 square kilometers, but it's a real hotspot for biological diversity -- if you know where to look. You have to leave behind the tiny chunk of desert, home to almost a million people, and head to the sea. Some of the most brightly colored and oddly shaped creatures in the world call this place home. Enthusiastic divers describe the beauty of the seabed and the coral reef. But what if diving isn't your thing but the environment is? Well, the place to see some of these marvels is the Sharjah aquarium with its one million liters of water full of the most extraordinary and exquisite fish. The small emirate is next door to Dubai and the aim of its innovative aquarium is educational. Its goal is teaching conservation, environmental awareness and the people who run it have structured a long-term policy of getting visitors to treasure and enjoy what is available locally. Report: Sylvia Smith Digging into the mystery of missing toxic waste in Italy, touring the Elbe River floodplains along the Green Band and getting an education in marine ecology at an Emirati aquarium.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Italy's missing toxic waste 31 million tons of toxic waste went missing in Italy last year. Most people blame the ecomafia - organized crime groups committing acts with huge consequences to people and the environment. Every hour, three crimes against the environment are committed in Italy, the biggest violators being the ecomafia - the Italian Environment League name for environmental damage committed by organized crime groups. According to the latest ecomafia report, organized crime bosses in Italy earned 20 billion euros ($27.8 billion) last year at the expense of the environment. Trucks transport waste from the industrial north to the south day and night, year-round, and deposit it in mostly illegal and unregulated landfills. In 2008, the Campania region around Naples was the most polluted region with almost 600 waste violations, 15 percent of the national total, followed by Puglia and Calabria with some 300 each. As well as polluting the environment, studies by the World Health Organization have linked the illegal dumps to cancer, birth defects and other health problems. Report: Stephanie Raison Travelling along the Green Band: Part II Is it possible to combine nature protection with tourism? The Green Band is a 1,400 kilometer strip of connected natural habitats that runs from the Baltic Sea, south to the Mediterranean and then east to the Black Sea. It's a physical reminder of the Iron Curtain that once divided Europe into east and west. And while it tore regions and families apart, the division was actually a stroke of luck for nature. Some 600 endangered plants and animals call the Green Band home. Part of the band includes a segment of the Elbe River, which once served as a natural border between East and West Germany. The floodplains around this mighty waterway have been returned to their natural state, helping creatures like the sea eagle find a home and bringing tourism money to the area. Report: Richard Fox Tackling marine conservation in the UAE Most aquariums take pride in having an extremely diverse collection of animals from around the world, but the one in the emirate of Sharjah takes a different approach. The emirate of Sharjah only covers 2,600 square kilometers, but it's a real hotspot for biological diversity -- if you know where to look. You have to leave behind the tiny chunk of desert, home to almost a million people, and head to the sea. Some of the most brightly colored and oddly shaped creatures in the world call this place home. Enthusiastic divers describe the beauty of the seabed and the coral reef. But what if diving isn't your thing but the environment is? Well, the place to see some of these marvels is the Sharjah aquarium with its one million liters of water full of the most extraordinary and exquisite fish. The small emirate is next door to Dubai and the aim of its innovative aquarium is educational. Its goal is teaching conservation, environmental awareness and the people who run it have structured a long-term policy of getting visitors to treasure and enjoy what is available locally. Report: Sylvia Smith tag:odeo.com,2009-05-28,24625973 Thu, 28 May 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24592475-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Discovering the eco-paradise the Iron Curtain left behind, listening in on German climate talks, getting the view of a biodiversity expert on the future of the world's crops and looking back on a cycling trip across Africa.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Travelling the Green Band Once a demarcation that divided a continent, the former Iron Curtain has become an eco-paradise for plants and animals across Germany. 2009 marks 20 years since the Berlin Wall came down, and while the wall is famous world wide as a division between the democratic west and the communist east, it wasn't the only visible demarcation. The Iron Curtain ran from the Baltic Sea in northern German, down to the Mediterranean and then east to the Black Sea, splitting Germany and the rest of Europe in two. But while this line - known as the Death Strip - was bad for the people of the continent, it turned out to be exactly what nature needed. It's become the longest string of connected natural habita... Discovering the eco-paradise the Iron Curtain left behind, listening in on German climate talks, getting the view of a biodiversity expert on the future of the world's crops and looking back on a cycling trip across Africa.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Travelling the Green Band Once a demarcation that divided a continent, the former Iron Curtain has become an eco-paradise for plants and animals across Germany. 2009 marks 20 years since the Berlin Wall came down, and while the wall is famous world wide as a division between the democratic west and the communist east, it wasn't the only visible demarcation. The Iron Curtain ran from the Baltic Sea in northern German, down to the Mediterranean and then east to the Black Sea, splitting Germany and the rest of Europe in two. But while this line - known as the Death Strip - was bad for the people of the continent, it turned out to be exactly what nature needed. It's become the longest string of connected natural habitats in Europe. Report: Richard Fox Politicians and experts discuss climate change in Berlin In the run-up to the environment meetings in Copenhagen this fall countries all over the world are holding talks of their own to discuss what they're going to do about climate change - and Germany is no different. Ongoing climate change is predicted to have far-reaching impacts on our health and economies. Western Europe happens to be in a region where rising temperatures will certainly not have the same catastrophic effects as in areas where the weather is already sweltering hot. Nevertheless, climate change is giving politicians and scientists in northern climates a headache too. Germany is one of the few countries which already has a federal draft climate adaptation plan which is currently being subjected to public debate. Among other things, the plan looks at possible impacts on agriculture here, which was also the topic at the centre of discussions during a national conference in Berlin recently. Report: Hardy Graupner Climate Witness: Biodiversity In Living Planet's Climate Witness series, we hear first hand testimony about the effects of climate change. Climate change has the potential to drastically alter the way the world feeds itself. If the mean temperature across the planet goes up, it will completely change weather patterns - possibly turning what are now the world's grain baskets into dry wastelands. The Convention on Biological Diversity recognizes this, which is why they have made the theme of this year's International Day for Biological Diversity "Biodiversity and Agriculture". Stefano Padulosi is a senior scientist with Bioversity International, based in Rome. He has spent much of his career - in Europe and Africa - working with the crops that fuel the world. Report: Stephanie Raison Cycling across Africa for the environment 13 months ago two Germans set out from Ethiopia by bike. Now their trip, which has taken them through 12 countries, is complete. Two Germans have been biking across Africa. For 13 months Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon traveled through 12 countries spreading eco ideas - and learning a few as well. Their campaign is called "Cycle Generation- Feel Africa", and is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme as well as by the World Future Council. Ragna and Amiram have reached the end of their journey - in Cape Town, South Africa. Living Planet catches up with the two cyclists as they reflect on their trip. Interview: Mark Mattox Discovering the eco-paradise the Iron Curtain left behind, listening in on German climate talks, getting the view of a biodiversity expert on the future of the world's crops and looking back on a cycling trip across Africa.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Travelling the Green Band Once a demarcation that divided a continent, the former Iron Curtain has become an eco-paradise for plants and animals across Germany. 2009 marks 20 years since the Berlin Wall came down, and while the wall is famous world wide as a division between the democratic west and the communist east, it wasn't the only visible demarcation. The Iron Curtain ran from the Baltic Sea in northern German, down to the Mediterranean and then east to the Black Sea, splitting Germany and the rest of Europe in two. But while this line - known as the Death Strip - was bad for the people of the continent, it turned out to be exactly what nature needed. It's become the longest string of connected natural habitats in Europe. Report: Richard Fox Politicians and experts discuss climate change in Berlin In the run-up to the environment meetings in Copenhagen this fall countries all over the world are holding talks of their own to discuss what they're going to do about climate change - and Germany is no different. Ongoing climate change is predicted to have far-reaching impacts on our health and economies. Western Europe happens to be in a region where rising temperatures will certainly not have the same catastrophic effects as in areas where the weather is already sweltering hot. Nevertheless, climate change is giving politicians and scientists in northern climates a headache too. Germany is one of the few countries which already has a federal draft climate adaptation plan which is currently being subjected to public debate. Among other things, the plan looks at possible impacts on agriculture here, which was also the topic at the centre of discussions during a national conference in Berlin recently. Report: Hardy Graupner Climate Witness: Biodiversity In Living Planet's Climate Witness series, we hear first hand testimony about the effects of climate change. Climate change has the potential to drastically alter the way the world feeds itself. If the mean temperature across the planet goes up, it will completely change weather patterns - possibly turning what are now the world's grain baskets into dry wastelands. The Convention on Biological Diversity recognizes this, which is why they have made the theme of this year's International Day for Biological Diversity "Biodiversity and Agriculture". Stefano Padulosi is a senior scientist with Bioversity International, based in Rome. He has spent much of his career - in Europe and Africa - working with the crops that fuel the world. Report: Stephanie Raison Cycling across Africa for the environment 13 months ago two Germans set out from Ethiopia by bike. Now their trip, which has taken them through 12 countries, is complete. Two Germans have been biking across Africa. For 13 months Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon traveled through 12 countries spreading eco ideas - and learning a few as well. Their campaign is called "Cycle Generation- Feel Africa", and is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme as well as by the World Future Council. Ragna and Amiram have reached the end of their journey - in Cape Town, South Africa. Living Planet catches up with the two cyclists as they reflect on their trip. Interview: Mark Mattox tag:odeo.com,2009-05-21,24592475 Thu, 21 May 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24569342-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Taking in the sights, smells and tastes of an eco-friendly farmer's market in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, following the trail of some very delicate insects, and taking back the streets from carbon-emitting cars in Italy.Franco-German farmers’ market showcases UNESCO biosphere reserve Fresh food markets are common place around most European cities and towns, but few involve wares from two nations, take place in a biosphere reserve and showcase an eco-friendly way of production. Imagine being able to eat fantastically tasty food that is good for you AND good for the environment. Well, that's possible at the Farmers’ Markets held regularly in the Biosphere Reserve of the Pfaelzerwald/Vosges du Nord. The UNESCO Reserve runs from the southern German state of Rhineland Palatinate over the border into the French province of Alsace. The cross-border farmers’ markets are part of a project to help preserve sustainable agriculture in the reserve, and thus conserve endangered habitats. Report: ... Taking in the sights, smells and tastes of an eco-friendly farmer's market in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, following the trail of some very delicate insects, and taking back the streets from carbon-emitting cars in Italy.Franco-German farmers’ market showcases UNESCO biosphere reserve Fresh food markets are common place around most European cities and towns, but few involve wares from two nations, take place in a biosphere reserve and showcase an eco-friendly way of production. Imagine being able to eat fantastically tasty food that is good for you AND good for the environment. Well, that's possible at the Farmers’ Markets held regularly in the Biosphere Reserve of the Pfaelzerwald/Vosges du Nord. The UNESCO Reserve runs from the southern German state of Rhineland Palatinate over the border into the French province of Alsace. The cross-border farmers’ markets are part of a project to help preserve sustainable agriculture in the reserve, and thus conserve endangered habitats. Report: Kate Hairsine Scientists prove European butterflies at risk from climate change Butterflies are some of the most beautiful creatures in the insect world. They're also some of the most fragile, and not just physically. In the first large-scale study of its kind in history, biologists from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Germany have published their analysis of butterfly population data from all parts of Europe. After applying climate change models to this data, they have come up with some drastic potential scenarios concerning the disappearance of many European butterfly species due to global warming. The study, titled “The Climatic Risk Atlas of European Butterflies”, also predicts a northward shift among many butterfly species. What made this large project possible were the contributions of thousands of ordinary people across Europe who observed butterflies for years and recorded what they saw. Report: Eva Wutke Taking back the streets of Italy Italians and their cars: A match made in heaven that's wreaking havoc on the environment. Once a year, however, eco groups fight back. Anyone who visits Italy is almost certain to come back with stories of mad drivers and crazy traffic. The Italians love their cars. In fact, Italy has one of the highest levels of car ownership in the world. With an estimated 620 cars for every 1000 inhabitants it’s not surprising that Italy’s cities are choked with traffic and smog. In Rome that number goes up by 100, and the city’s open spaces have been taken over by parked cars, leaving residents with few places to socialize freely and safely. However on May 10th streets across Italy were returned to pedestrians as part of the Italian Environment League's "One Hundred Streets to Play In" campaign. Report: Stephanie Raison Taking in the sights, smells and tastes of an eco-friendly farmer's market in a UNESCO biosphere reserve, following the trail of some very delicate insects, and taking back the streets from carbon-emitting cars in Italy.Franco-German farmers’ market showcases UNESCO biosphere reserve Fresh food markets are common place around most European cities and towns, but few involve wares from two nations, take place in a biosphere reserve and showcase an eco-friendly way of production. Imagine being able to eat fantastically tasty food that is good for you AND good for the environment. Well, that's possible at the Farmers’ Markets held regularly in the Biosphere Reserve of the Pfaelzerwald/Vosges du Nord. The UNESCO Reserve runs from the southern German state of Rhineland Palatinate over the border into the French province of Alsace. The cross-border farmers’ markets are part of a project to help preserve sustainable agriculture in the reserve, and thus conserve endangered habitats. Report: Kate Hairsine Scientists prove European butterflies at risk from climate change Butterflies are some of the most beautiful creatures in the insect world. They're also some of the most fragile, and not just physically. In the first large-scale study of its kind in history, biologists from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Germany have published their analysis of butterfly population data from all parts of Europe. After applying climate change models to this data, they have come up with some drastic potential scenarios concerning the disappearance of many European butterfly species due to global warming. The study, titled “The Climatic Risk Atlas of European Butterflies”, also predicts a northward shift among many butterfly species. What made this large project possible were the contributions of thousands of ordinary people across Europe who observed butterflies for years and recorded what they saw. Report: Eva Wutke Taking back the streets of Italy Italians and their cars: A match made in heaven that's wreaking havoc on the environment. Once a year, however, eco groups fight back. Anyone who visits Italy is almost certain to come back with stories of mad drivers and crazy traffic. The Italians love their cars. In fact, Italy has one of the highest levels of car ownership in the world. With an estimated 620 cars for every 1000 inhabitants it’s not surprising that Italy’s cities are choked with traffic and smog. In Rome that number goes up by 100, and the city’s open spaces have been taken over by parked cars, leaving residents with few places to socialize freely and safely. However on May 10th streets across Italy were returned to pedestrians as part of the Italian Environment League's "One Hundred Streets to Play In" campaign. Report: Stephanie Raison tag:odeo.com,2009-05-14,24569342 Thu, 14 May 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24569343-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Eliminating harmful pollutants from the environment, using eco-friendly electricity to drive Iceland out of the recession, getting a bird's eye view of peregrine falcons, and predicting extreme weather around the world ... All that, on this week's Living Planet.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants Experts and government representatives are meeting in Geneva to discuss the elimination of many harmful pollutants in an attempt to reduce instances of malaria, cancer and to help save the environment. The fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPs, is currently underway in Geneva. Ministers and officials from 150 governments are meeting to push forward global efforts to rid the world of some of the most hazardous chemicals produced by humankind. For the first time, nine new chemicals are proposed for listing, many of which are still widely used as pesticides, f... Eliminating harmful pollutants from the environment, using eco-friendly electricity to drive Iceland out of the recession, getting a bird's eye view of peregrine falcons, and predicting extreme weather around the world ... All that, on this week's Living Planet.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants Experts and government representatives are meeting in Geneva to discuss the elimination of many harmful pollutants in an attempt to reduce instances of malaria, cancer and to help save the environment. The fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPs, is currently underway in Geneva. Ministers and officials from 150 governments are meeting to push forward global efforts to rid the world of some of the most hazardous chemicals produced by humankind. For the first time, nine new chemicals are proposed for listing, many of which are still widely used as pesticides, flame retardants and have a number of other commercial uses. Living Planet speaks to Paul Whylie, Program Officer with the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention, about what the nine chemicals are and why they should be banned. Interview: Mark Mattox Driving into a Greener Economic Future Iceland is famous around the world for its eco-friendly stance on energy production, but recently it's become famous for another reason: being hit hard by the recession. Now the country is hoping some electric cars can help it drive out of the red and into the green. Iceland is best known - at the moment - for economic disaster. The country became the first national casualty of the credit crunch last year. Its three biggest banks went bust owing 10 times the country's GDP. But before Iceland reached the verge of bankruptcy, it was best known for being so eco-friendly. Now the country is hoping to use its green policies to help erase the financial mistakes of the past few months. It wants to become the first nation in the world to do without fossil fuels and become entirely carbon free. Report: Stephen Beard Reality Television for the Birds Peregrine falcons had been pushed to the brink of extinction in many parts of Europe due to pesticides showing up in their prey. But now they're bouncing back, and at least one breeding pair has their own show on the Internet. When two peregrine falcons started nesting in Brussels' main cathedral, bird enthusiasts from across Europe hurried to see the return of one of the continent's rarest species. Now, more than 25,000 visitors flock to see the falcons nesting each spring, thanks to television pictures transmitted night and day, just centimeters from the eggs themselves. Report: Nina-Maria Potts Predicting Extreme Weather Climate change isn't just about the melting of polar ice caps, it's also having a major influence on weather patterns. But what if meteorologists could predict extreme weather not just for the next few days, but for the next few years? Most people are certainly aware that climate change is doing its part to warm the planet, causing the melting of glaciers and the ice caps. But it's much more than that. It is also thought to be behind the increasing number of so-called extreme weather events. That's why the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is working to create a global climate monitoring network. It aims to help countries prepare themselves for the effects of climate change. According to the WMO, reducing greenhouse gas emissions isn't enough - it's also necessary to develop major climate change strategies today, for a safer tomorrow. Report: Volker Mrasek/Eva Wutke Eliminating harmful pollutants from the environment, using eco-friendly electricity to drive Iceland out of the recession, getting a bird's eye view of peregrine falcons, and predicting extreme weather around the world ... All that, on this week's Living Planet.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast.Eliminating Persistent Organic Pollutants Experts and government representatives are meeting in Geneva to discuss the elimination of many harmful pollutants in an attempt to reduce instances of malaria, cancer and to help save the environment. The fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, or POPs, is currently underway in Geneva. Ministers and officials from 150 governments are meeting to push forward global efforts to rid the world of some of the most hazardous chemicals produced by humankind. For the first time, nine new chemicals are proposed for listing, many of which are still widely used as pesticides, flame retardants and have a number of other commercial uses. Living Planet speaks to Paul Whylie, Program Officer with the Secretariat of the Stockholm Convention, about what the nine chemicals are and why they should be banned. Interview: Mark Mattox Driving into a Greener Economic Future Iceland is famous around the world for its eco-friendly stance on energy production, but recently it's become famous for another reason: being hit hard by the recession. Now the country is hoping some electric cars can help it drive out of the red and into the green. Iceland is best known - at the moment - for economic disaster. The country became the first national casualty of the credit crunch last year. Its three biggest banks went bust owing 10 times the country's GDP. But before Iceland reached the verge of bankruptcy, it was best known for being so eco-friendly. Now the country is hoping to use its green policies to help erase the financial mistakes of the past few months. It wants to become the first nation in the world to do without fossil fuels and become entirely carbon free. Report: Stephen Beard Reality Television for the Birds Peregrine falcons had been pushed to the brink of extinction in many parts of Europe due to pesticides showing up in their prey. But now they're bouncing back, and at least one breeding pair has their own show on the Internet. When two peregrine falcons started nesting in Brussels' main cathedral, bird enthusiasts from across Europe hurried to see the return of one of the continent's rarest species. Now, more than 25,000 visitors flock to see the falcons nesting each spring, thanks to television pictures transmitted night and day, just centimeters from the eggs themselves. Report: Nina-Maria Potts Predicting Extreme Weather Climate change isn't just about the melting of polar ice caps, it's also having a major influence on weather patterns. But what if meteorologists could predict extreme weather not just for the next few days, but for the next few years? Most people are certainly aware that climate change is doing its part to warm the planet, causing the melting of glaciers and the ice caps. But it's much more than that. It is also thought to be behind the increasing number of so-called extreme weather events. That's why the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is working to create a global climate monitoring network. It aims to help countries prepare themselves for the effects of climate change. According to the WMO, reducing greenhouse gas emissions isn't enough - it's also necessary to develop major climate change strategies today, for a safer tomorrow. Report: Volker Mrasek/Eva Wutke tag:odeo.com,2009-05-07,24569343 Thu, 07 May 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24530642-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Whether the United States are going far enough in combating global warming, what EU countries are doing to adapt to climate change, why prolonged drought may hit Australian wombats hard, and how globalisation is affecting the North Atlantic Right Whale ... All that, on this week's Living Planet.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast. EU struggles with mixed emotions over US climate pledges At this week's Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in Washington, D.C., lead negotiators from Germany and the European Commission said they wanted to see leadership from United States President Barack Obama's new administration in combating climate change. They figure the EU has led the world to this point with a deal to reduce greenhouse gases well below 1990 levels by the year, 2020. The international symposium included members of the world's 17 biggest greenhouse gas polluters. It was the first of three meant to get serious about the world's biggest climate change meeting to ... Whether the United States are going far enough in combating global warming, what EU countries are doing to adapt to climate change, why prolonged drought may hit Australian wombats hard, and how globalisation is affecting the North Atlantic Right Whale ... All that, on this week's Living Planet.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast. EU struggles with mixed emotions over US climate pledges At this week's Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in Washington, D.C., lead negotiators from Germany and the European Commission said they wanted to see leadership from United States President Barack Obama's new administration in combating climate change. They figure the EU has led the world to this point with a deal to reduce greenhouse gases well below 1990 levels by the year, 2020. The international symposium included members of the world's 17 biggest greenhouse gas polluters. It was the first of three meant to get serious about the world's biggest climate change meeting to date: the UN Climate Change Convention coming up this December in Copenhagen. But will the US live up to the high expectations? Report: Kyle McKinnon Project researches how EU countries are adaptating to climate change Adapting to climate change has long been top priority in developing countries, but only few EU countries have focussed on how best to deal with the effects of global warming. A new research project called EUR-Adapt, initiated this year at the University of Umea in northern Sweden, has begun to compare adaptation strategies in four EU countries: Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Italy. Living Planet spoke with political scientist Carina Keskitalo, head of the project sponsored by the Swedish Research Council, who said that there is a sharp difference between "leaders" and "laggards" in the EU when it comes to climate change adaptation. Interview: Kateri Jochum Climate Witness: Protecting the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat Humans aren’t the only species trying to adapt to climate change. Life is tough at the moment for the endangered Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats who live in the arid and semi arid inland regions of southern Australia. A lack of moisture in the region has resulted in a lack of grass growth, the wombat’s main source of food. Wombat expert Dr David Taggart from the non-governmental organisation Conservation Ark has noticed a dramatic decrease in the population over the past 16 years. He explains why the wombat might not be able to adapt to climate change. Interview: Stephanie Raison North Atlantic Right Whale fights for survival Off the eastern coast of North America live the last of one of the rarest marine mammals in the world: the North Atlantic Right Whale. Originally named because they are slow and float when harpooned, making them the "right whale" to hunt, these creatures were pushed to the brink of extinction. Toay, only about 350 swim in the wild. Whaling of right whales was banned by the International Whaling Commission in 1937 and the last two right whales were killed in 1968. But despite more than 70 years of protection, these creatures are not rebounding in the numbers they should. Report: Mark Mattox Whether the United States are going far enough in combating global warming, what EU countries are doing to adapt to climate change, why prolonged drought may hit Australian wombats hard, and how globalisation is affecting the North Atlantic Right Whale ... All that, on this week's Living Planet.Tune into the program or download it as a podcast. EU struggles with mixed emotions over US climate pledges At this week's Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate in Washington, D.C., lead negotiators from Germany and the European Commission said they wanted to see leadership from United States President Barack Obama's new administration in combating climate change. They figure the EU has led the world to this point with a deal to reduce greenhouse gases well below 1990 levels by the year, 2020. The international symposium included members of the world's 17 biggest greenhouse gas polluters. It was the first of three meant to get serious about the world's biggest climate change meeting to date: the UN Climate Change Convention coming up this December in Copenhagen. But will the US live up to the high expectations? Report: Kyle McKinnon Project researches how EU countries are adaptating to climate change Adapting to climate change has long been top priority in developing countries, but only few EU countries have focussed on how best to deal with the effects of global warming. A new research project called EUR-Adapt, initiated this year at the University of Umea in northern Sweden, has begun to compare adaptation strategies in four EU countries: Finland, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Italy. Living Planet spoke with political scientist Carina Keskitalo, head of the project sponsored by the Swedish Research Council, who said that there is a sharp difference between "leaders" and "laggards" in the EU when it comes to climate change adaptation. Interview: Kateri Jochum Climate Witness: Protecting the Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat Humans aren’t the only species trying to adapt to climate change. Life is tough at the moment for the endangered Southern Hairy Nosed Wombats who live in the arid and semi arid inland regions of southern Australia. A lack of moisture in the region has resulted in a lack of grass growth, the wombat’s main source of food. Wombat expert Dr David Taggart from the non-governmental organisation Conservation Ark has noticed a dramatic decrease in the population over the past 16 years. He explains why the wombat might not be able to adapt to climate change. Interview: Stephanie Raison North Atlantic Right Whale fights for survival Off the eastern coast of North America live the last of one of the rarest marine mammals in the world: the North Atlantic Right Whale. Originally named because they are slow and float when harpooned, making them the "right whale" to hunt, these creatures were pushed to the brink of extinction. Toay, only about 350 swim in the wild. Whaling of right whales was banned by the International Whaling Commission in 1937 and the last two right whales were killed in 1968. But despite more than 70 years of protection, these creatures are not rebounding in the numbers they should. Report: Mark Mattox tag:odeo.com,2009-04-30,24530642 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24494015-Living-Planet-Environmental-Matters-Around-the-World Why Stockholm is set to be European Green Capital 2010, how a nuclear power plant in Austrian has gone solar, and where to catch a whiff of spring and biodiversity in Bonn -- All that and more on this week's Living Planet! Tune in to the show or subscribe to our podcast!Stockholm Selected "European Green Capital 2010" Stockholm – most of us know it as the capital of Sweden. But in 2010 Stockholm will also be the first European Green Capital, setting an example in eco-friendliness for the rest of Europe and the world. The European Green Capital Award is a new scheme set up by the European Commission, with the aim of encouraging cities to include environmentally-friendly measures in their urban planning. The award is given to the city which has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards, is committed to ongoing goals for further environmental improvement, and can act as a role model for other cities. But what makes this Scandinavian metropolis so outstandingly eco-f... Why Stockholm is set to be European Green Capital 2010, how a nuclear power plant in Austrian has gone solar, and where to catch a whiff of spring and biodiversity in Bonn -- All that and more on this week's Living Planet! Tune in to the show or subscribe to our podcast!Stockholm Selected "European Green Capital 2010" Stockholm – most of us know it as the capital of Sweden. But in 2010 Stockholm will also be the first European Green Capital, setting an example in eco-friendliness for the rest of Europe and the world. The European Green Capital Award is a new scheme set up by the European Commission, with the aim of encouraging cities to include environmentally-friendly measures in their urban planning. The award is given to the city which has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards, is committed to ongoing goals for further environmental improvement, and can act as a role model for other cities. But what makes this Scandinavian metropolis so outstandingly eco-friendly – and why it was chosen out of 35 cities to become the European Green Capital of 2010? Report: Eva Wutke Austrian Nuclear Power Station Goes Solar Thirty years after Austria's only nuclear energy plant was built, it has finally begun to produce electricity -- from solar energy. The Zwentendorf power station was finished in 1978, but in November of that year, Austrian voters decided per referendum never to turn it on. Ever since, Zwentendorf, which cost 380 million Euro to build, has been known as Austria's greatest investment flop. Now, a new owner has revived the area by installing high performance photovolatik panels and has plans to build a biomass power plant next door. Report: Alexander Musik / Ranjitha Balasubramanjam Botanic Gardens Educate in Biodiversity and Sustainability Germany has more than a hundred botanical gardens. And while the name may bring ladies in big hats with prize-winning dahlias or absent-minded professors in horticultural societies to mind, these days, botanical gardens are not just for academics and gardeners. Teaching people about biodiversity at home and abroad is one of their main functions. It’s all about helping young and old to understand their natural environment and how it connects to the rest of the world. Bonn's botanical garden specializes in conservation issues, and organizes tours for international visitors to the city’s numerous global conference events -- like a group from a UNESCO conference on education on sustainability and biodiversity. Report: Irene Quaile Why Stockholm is set to be European Green Capital 2010, how a nuclear power plant in Austrian has gone solar, and where to catch a whiff of spring and biodiversity in Bonn -- All that and more on this week's Living Planet! Tune in to the show or subscribe to our podcast!Stockholm Selected "European Green Capital 2010" Stockholm – most of us know it as the capital of Sweden. But in 2010 Stockholm will also be the first European Green Capital, setting an example in eco-friendliness for the rest of Europe and the world. The European Green Capital Award is a new scheme set up by the European Commission, with the aim of encouraging cities to include environmentally-friendly measures in their urban planning. The award is given to the city which has a consistent record of achieving high environmental standards, is committed to ongoing goals for further environmental improvement, and can act as a role model for other cities. But what makes this Scandinavian metropolis so outstandingly eco-friendly – and why it was chosen out of 35 cities to become the European Green Capital of 2010? Report: Eva Wutke Austrian Nuclear Power Station Goes Solar Thirty years after Austria's only nuclear energy plant was built, it has finally begun to produce electricity -- from solar energy. The Zwentendorf power station was finished in 1978, but in November of that year, Austrian voters decided per referendum never to turn it on. Ever since, Zwentendorf, which cost 380 million Euro to build, has been known as Austria's greatest investment flop. Now, a new owner has revived the area by installing high performance photovolatik panels and has plans to build a biomass power plant next door. Report: Alexander Musik / Ranjitha Balasubramanjam Botanic Gardens Educate in Biodiversity and Sustainability Germany has more than a hundred botanical gardens. And while the name may bring ladies in big hats with prize-winning dahlias or absent-minded professors in horticultural societies to mind, these days, botanical gardens are not just for academics and gardeners. Teaching people about biodiversity at home and abroad is one of their main functions. It’s all about helping young and old to understand their natural environment and how it connects to the rest of the world. Bonn's botanical garden specializes in conservation issues, and organizes tours for international visitors to the city’s numerous global conference events -- like a group from a UNESCO conference on education on sustainability and biodiversity. Report: Irene Quaile tag:odeo.com,2009-04-23,24494015 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24458039-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe This week on Living Planet find out if working less is better for you and the environment, the changing role of forests, the challenges Bangladesh faces due to climate change, and test drive Denmark’s electric cars.Working Less Could Do More to Save the Environment The fight against climate change is being battled on many fronts throughout the world, but not in the workplace. Australian workers, like many people across the globe, work longer hours, take fewer holidays and have increasingly higher levels of consumption. Australia is per capita one of the highest greenhouse gas emitters in the world yet its emissions trading schemes are 15 years behind most European countries. As Living Planet reports, Australian academics suggest a new approach to fighting climate change and ensuring environmental sustainability may be as simple as rebalancing work and family life. (Report: Stephanie Raison) Worlds Forests Becoming Carbon Sources Faster With Rising Temperature Climate change-induced ... This week on Living Planet find out if working less is better for you and the environment, the changing role of forests, the challenges Bangladesh faces due to climate change, and test drive Denmark’s electric cars.Working Less Could Do More to Save the Environment The fight against climate change is being battled on many fronts throughout the world, but not in the workplace. Australian workers, like many people across the globe, work longer hours, take fewer holidays and have increasingly higher levels of consumption. Australia is per capita one of the highest greenhouse gas emitters in the world yet its emissions trading schemes are 15 years behind most European countries. As Living Planet reports, Australian academics suggest a new approach to fighting climate change and ensuring environmental sustainability may be as simple as rebalancing work and family life. (Report: Stephanie Raison) Worlds Forests Becoming Carbon Sources Faster With Rising Temperature Climate change-induced environmental stress could possibly decimate forests worldwide. Forests are integral to regulating the earth's atmosphere but as the temperature rises their role may change from being a carbon sink to a carbon source. A new report authored by 35 of the world’s top forestry scientists will be presented at the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) on the 20th of April at the UN headquarters in New York City about the changes to forests worldwide. Living Planet spoke to Alexander Buck, co-ordinator of the Vienna-based International Union of Forests Research Organizations (IUFRO) in the lead up to the talks. (Interview: Cheryl Northey) Climate Witness Series: Bangladesh In Living Planet's Climate Witness series we hear first-hand testimony to the consequences of climate change. Bangladesh has one of the world’s lowest per capita CO2 emissions in the world yet the majority of its people are suffering from the impacts of climate change – something developed countries are primarily responsible for. It's been predicted rising sea levels in the coming decades will create over 25 million climate refugees - twice the population of the Netherlands. S. Jahangir Hasan Masum, the Director of the Coastal Development Partnership in Bangladesh, has seen these effects first-hand and is working with the victims of climate change to try to give them a different future. (Report: Catherine Graue) Denmark Looking to Electric Cars to Cut Transport Emissions Denmark’s environmental and energy policies are under scrutiny in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference hosted in Copenhagen this December. The Danes are among the most intensive energy users in the world per capita, individually contributing five tones of CO2 emissions each year. Still, that’s less than the average German, who emits 10 tons of carbon, and it’s a quarter of the 20 tons that the average American emits. The Danish government is hoping that their intended mass deployment of electric cars will substantially decrease their CO2 emissions. (Report: Marc-Christoph Wagner / Mark Mattox/ Catherine Graue) This week on Living Planet find out if working less is better for you and the environment, the changing role of forests, the challenges Bangladesh faces due to climate change, and test drive Denmark’s electric cars.Working Less Could Do More to Save the Environment The fight against climate change is being battled on many fronts throughout the world, but not in the workplace. Australian workers, like many people across the globe, work longer hours, take fewer holidays and have increasingly higher levels of consumption. Australia is per capita one of the highest greenhouse gas emitters in the world yet its emissions trading schemes are 15 years behind most European countries. As Living Planet reports, Australian academics suggest a new approach to fighting climate change and ensuring environmental sustainability may be as simple as rebalancing work and family life. (Report: Stephanie Raison) Worlds Forests Becoming Carbon Sources Faster With Rising Temperature Climate change-induced environmental stress could possibly decimate forests worldwide. Forests are integral to regulating the earth's atmosphere but as the temperature rises their role may change from being a carbon sink to a carbon source. A new report authored by 35 of the world’s top forestry scientists will be presented at the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) on the 20th of April at the UN headquarters in New York City about the changes to forests worldwide. Living Planet spoke to Alexander Buck, co-ordinator of the Vienna-based International Union of Forests Research Organizations (IUFRO) in the lead up to the talks. (Interview: Cheryl Northey) Climate Witness Series: Bangladesh In Living Planet's Climate Witness series we hear first-hand testimony to the consequences of climate change. Bangladesh has one of the world’s lowest per capita CO2 emissions in the world yet the majority of its people are suffering from the impacts of climate change – something developed countries are primarily responsible for. It's been predicted rising sea levels in the coming decades will create over 25 million climate refugees - twice the population of the Netherlands. S. Jahangir Hasan Masum, the Director of the Coastal Development Partnership in Bangladesh, has seen these effects first-hand and is working with the victims of climate change to try to give them a different future. (Report: Catherine Graue) Denmark Looking to Electric Cars to Cut Transport Emissions Denmark’s environmental and energy policies are under scrutiny in the lead up to the United Nations Climate Change Conference hosted in Copenhagen this December. The Danes are among the most intensive energy users in the world per capita, individually contributing five tones of CO2 emissions each year. Still, that’s less than the average German, who emits 10 tons of carbon, and it’s a quarter of the 20 tons that the average American emits. The Danish government is hoping that their intended mass deployment of electric cars will substantially decrease their CO2 emissions. (Report: Marc-Christoph Wagner / Mark Mattox/ Catherine Graue) tag:odeo.com,2009-04-16,24458039 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24433422-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe This week on Living Planet we take a look at how the Bonn Climate Talks went, go fishing for sustainable seafood, and drop in on a global group focused on local eco action.Climate Change Talks Wrap-Up in Bonn After two weeks and countless meetings, government delegations have returned home to continue climate change discussions. So what, if anything, was decided in Bonn? The United Nations Climate Secretariat in Bonn kicked off the first of this year's three climate talks in the run-up to the climate summit in Copenhagen last week. Government delegations from all over the world came together to work out a new agreement that would replace the Kyoto Protocol, and could demand the reduction of emissions to almost zero by the year 2050. The two week meeting ended on Wednesday, with everyone returning home to continue the talks. But how did they do? Living Planet spoke with Stephanie Tunmore, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace International, who has been observing the talks. Int... This week on Living Planet we take a look at how the Bonn Climate Talks went, go fishing for sustainable seafood, and drop in on a global group focused on local eco action.Climate Change Talks Wrap-Up in Bonn After two weeks and countless meetings, government delegations have returned home to continue climate change discussions. So what, if anything, was decided in Bonn? The United Nations Climate Secretariat in Bonn kicked off the first of this year's three climate talks in the run-up to the climate summit in Copenhagen last week. Government delegations from all over the world came together to work out a new agreement that would replace the Kyoto Protocol, and could demand the reduction of emissions to almost zero by the year 2050. The two week meeting ended on Wednesday, with everyone returning home to continue the talks. But how did they do? Living Planet spoke with Stephanie Tunmore, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace International, who has been observing the talks. Interview: Mark Mattox Reeling in Sustainable Fish Fish is an extremely popular form of protein the world over, but the way we catch them has lead to the endangerment or even extinction of many species. This week, all over the world, Christians will be celebrating Good Friday, which means that many people, including Germans, will be eating fish for dinner. But fish isn’t just a big seller during Lent; in fact, fish consumption goes up by about 3.6 percent every year. About 20 percent of the world’s population derives at least one-fifth of its animal protein intake from fish, and some small island states depend almost exclusively on it. Many people are also turning to seafood for a healthier way to get some protein, but what may be good for our medical check-ups has become a dire diagnosis for the world’s fish stocks. But is there a way to have our fish and eat them too? Report: Kateri Jochum Global Action on Local Eco Issues The International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives is a group of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 1000 cities, towns, counties, and their associations are involved. As the location of the United Nations climate secretariat, the city of Bonn has become known around the world as the centre of climate protection activities. The group of eco organizations here in the former German capital has added one more to their ranks with the opening of a branch of the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives, or ICLEI. This is the 15th office the group has opened worldwide in addition to its headquarters in Toronto, Canada. The new branch, which is being financially supported by the German state of North Rhine Westphalia and the European Union, will coordinate most of the organizations worldwide programs in the area of climate protection. Report: Irene Quaile This week on Living Planet we take a look at how the Bonn Climate Talks went, go fishing for sustainable seafood, and drop in on a global group focused on local eco action.Climate Change Talks Wrap-Up in Bonn After two weeks and countless meetings, government delegations have returned home to continue climate change discussions. So what, if anything, was decided in Bonn? The United Nations Climate Secretariat in Bonn kicked off the first of this year's three climate talks in the run-up to the climate summit in Copenhagen last week. Government delegations from all over the world came together to work out a new agreement that would replace the Kyoto Protocol, and could demand the reduction of emissions to almost zero by the year 2050. The two week meeting ended on Wednesday, with everyone returning home to continue the talks. But how did they do? Living Planet spoke with Stephanie Tunmore, Climate and Energy Campaigner at Greenpeace International, who has been observing the talks. Interview: Mark Mattox Reeling in Sustainable Fish Fish is an extremely popular form of protein the world over, but the way we catch them has lead to the endangerment or even extinction of many species. This week, all over the world, Christians will be celebrating Good Friday, which means that many people, including Germans, will be eating fish for dinner. But fish isn’t just a big seller during Lent; in fact, fish consumption goes up by about 3.6 percent every year. About 20 percent of the world’s population derives at least one-fifth of its animal protein intake from fish, and some small island states depend almost exclusively on it. Many people are also turning to seafood for a healthier way to get some protein, but what may be good for our medical check-ups has become a dire diagnosis for the world’s fish stocks. But is there a way to have our fish and eat them too? Report: Kateri Jochum Global Action on Local Eco Issues The International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives is a group of local governments and national and regional local government organizations that have made a commitment to sustainable development. More than 1000 cities, towns, counties, and their associations are involved. As the location of the United Nations climate secretariat, the city of Bonn has become known around the world as the centre of climate protection activities. The group of eco organizations here in the former German capital has added one more to their ranks with the opening of a branch of the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives, or ICLEI. This is the 15th office the group has opened worldwide in addition to its headquarters in Toronto, Canada. The new branch, which is being financially supported by the German state of North Rhine Westphalia and the European Union, will coordinate most of the organizations worldwide programs in the area of climate protection. Report: Irene Quaile tag:odeo.com,2009-04-09,24433422 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24403548-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe This week on Living Planet we check in on the first of three climate talks, go "camping" with some eco-protesters in London, learn about the effects of climate change on barrier islands and take a light-hearted look at trash.Climate change talks kick off The countdown to Copenhagen has started with the first round of climate talks, which are taking place in Bonn. World leaders, scientists and other experts are all putting their heads together to come up with an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. This week more than 2,000 representatives of government, industry, environmental organizations and research institutes are meeting in Bonn. They've been invited here by the United Nations Climate Secretariat to take part in the first of this year's three planned working meetings designed to create a new, comprehensive climate protection agreement, which will then be voted on in Copenhagen in December. The agreement will replace the Kyoto protocol, which commits ratifying nations to a r... This week on Living Planet we check in on the first of three climate talks, go "camping" with some eco-protesters in London, learn about the effects of climate change on barrier islands and take a light-hearted look at trash.Climate change talks kick off The countdown to Copenhagen has started with the first round of climate talks, which are taking place in Bonn. World leaders, scientists and other experts are all putting their heads together to come up with an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. This week more than 2,000 representatives of government, industry, environmental organizations and research institutes are meeting in Bonn. They've been invited here by the United Nations Climate Secretariat to take part in the first of this year's three planned working meetings designed to create a new, comprehensive climate protection agreement, which will then be voted on in Copenhagen in December. The agreement will replace the Kyoto protocol, which commits ratifying nations to a reduction of greenhouse gases by five percent compared to 1990 levels by 2012. The new agreement raises that to 20 percent by 2020, at least for industrialized countries. What's especially interesting about this round of talks is the presence of the delegation from the United States. They were booed at the convention in Bali in November, 2007. But the new delegation, representing the Obama administration, got a different reaction in Bonn. Report: Jodi Breisler Eco-protestors camp out in London London this week is awash with people attending the G20 meetings. Many of them are there to protest against something, whether it be governments, banks or climate change. One eco-group has set up camp in the middle of the British capital to spread their message. The G20 group of world economic powers is gathering in London. Heads of state and government, along with their finance ministers and delegations are trying to agree on a global economic plan to pull the world out of this deep recession. The United Nations Environment Program is taking this opportunity to lobby them to steer the world in a green direction. The UNEP released the Global Green New Deal earlier this month, which outlines how investing one percent of global wealth, or around $750 billion (560 billion euros), into five key sectors from renewable energy to freshwaters would stimulate the economy and help the environment. But even some climate activists aren't impressed by the move. Green protesters have gathered together in the middle of London at the Climate Camp. Living Planet spoke to Tadzio Mueller, who's with the camp. Interview: Mark Mattox Climate Witness: barrier islands In Living Planet's Climate Witness mini-series we hear a first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. Much has changed in the United States since President Obama took office in January. The idea of climate change is now being taken seriously and real efforts are being made by the new administration to introduce emissions reductions targets with the aim of reducing the pace of global warming. Passing legislation like this through Congress may take a while, however. And there are still many climate change skeptics in the US who are neither happy about accepting a change in policy nor changing the car they drive or any other of their energy-intensive habits. In the meantime, it's down to people like Dr. Paul Hearty, an American geologist who's lived, worked and watched the growing effects of global warming all over the world, to keep educating people about climate change. He's now the Director of Conservation at The Bald Head Island Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that works to protect the natural environment of Bald Head Island, off the coast of North Carolina. It's a unique place -- a barrier island, that's already experiencing sustained sea level rise and other effects of climate change -- but its population makes big efforts to live harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Sorting through the garbage Each year the average European produces over 550 kilos of trash, and the disposal of that trash can often become a tricky issue, especially in countries with stringent waste disposal rules. Humans are the only creatures on the planet that produce non-biodegradable waste -- an enormous amount of waste. According to the European statistics office, Eurostat, every person in the EU produces 564 kilos of trash every year. That's above the European average of 522 kilos. The Germans aren't the worst offenders, though. That title goes to Denmark with 801 kilos per person per year. And just in case you're interested in who is the least trashy in the EU, it's the Czechs, with a mere 294 kg. But the question isn't really how much we produce, it's what we do with what we produce. The Germany is known for its stringent rules on trash separation. And sometimes even Germans get confused or frustrated by everything that has to be done. Report: Sabrina Wendling This week on Living Planet we check in on the first of three climate talks, go "camping" with some eco-protesters in London, learn about the effects of climate change on barrier islands and take a light-hearted look at trash.Climate change talks kick off The countdown to Copenhagen has started with the first round of climate talks, which are taking place in Bonn. World leaders, scientists and other experts are all putting their heads together to come up with an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. This week more than 2,000 representatives of government, industry, environmental organizations and research institutes are meeting in Bonn. They've been invited here by the United Nations Climate Secretariat to take part in the first of this year's three planned working meetings designed to create a new, comprehensive climate protection agreement, which will then be voted on in Copenhagen in December. The agreement will replace the Kyoto protocol, which commits ratifying nations to a reduction of greenhouse gases by five percent compared to 1990 levels by 2012. The new agreement raises that to 20 percent by 2020, at least for industrialized countries. What's especially interesting about this round of talks is the presence of the delegation from the United States. They were booed at the convention in Bali in November, 2007. But the new delegation, representing the Obama administration, got a different reaction in Bonn. Report: Jodi Breisler Eco-protestors camp out in London London this week is awash with people attending the G20 meetings. Many of them are there to protest against something, whether it be governments, banks or climate change. One eco-group has set up camp in the middle of the British capital to spread their message. The G20 group of world economic powers is gathering in London. Heads of state and government, along with their finance ministers and delegations are trying to agree on a global economic plan to pull the world out of this deep recession. The United Nations Environment Program is taking this opportunity to lobby them to steer the world in a green direction. The UNEP released the Global Green New Deal earlier this month, which outlines how investing one percent of global wealth, or around $750 billion (560 billion euros), into five key sectors from renewable energy to freshwaters would stimulate the economy and help the environment. But even some climate activists aren't impressed by the move. Green protesters have gathered together in the middle of London at the Climate Camp. Living Planet spoke to Tadzio Mueller, who's with the camp. Interview: Mark Mattox Climate Witness: barrier islands In Living Planet's Climate Witness mini-series we hear a first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. Much has changed in the United States since President Obama took office in January. The idea of climate change is now being taken seriously and real efforts are being made by the new administration to introduce emissions reductions targets with the aim of reducing the pace of global warming. Passing legislation like this through Congress may take a while, however. And there are still many climate change skeptics in the US who are neither happy about accepting a change in policy nor changing the car they drive or any other of their energy-intensive habits. In the meantime, it's down to people like Dr. Paul Hearty, an American geologist who's lived, worked and watched the growing effects of global warming all over the world, to keep educating people about climate change. He's now the Director of Conservation at The Bald Head Island Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that works to protect the natural environment of Bald Head Island, off the coast of North Carolina. It's a unique place -- a barrier island, that's already experiencing sustained sea level rise and other effects of climate change -- but its population makes big efforts to live harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Sorting through the garbage Each year the average European produces over 550 kilos of trash, and the disposal of that trash can often become a tricky issue, especially in countries with stringent waste disposal rules. Humans are the only creatures on the planet that produce non-biodegradable waste -- an enormous amount of waste. According to the European statistics office, Eurostat, every person in the EU produces 564 kilos of trash every year. That's above the European average of 522 kilos. The Germans aren't the worst offenders, though. That title goes to Denmark with 801 kilos per person per year. And just in case you're interested in who is the least trashy in the EU, it's the Czechs, with a mere 294 kg. But the question isn't really how much we produce, it's what we do with what we produce. The Germany is known for its stringent rules on trash separation. And sometimes even Germans get confused or frustrated by everything that has to be done. Report: Sabrina Wendling tag:odeo.com,2009-04-02,24403548 Thu, 02 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24403549-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe This week on Living Planet we check in on the first of three climate talks, go 'camping' with some eco-protesters in London, learn about the effects of climate change on barrier islands and take light-hearted look at trash.Climate Change Talks Kick Off The countdown to Copenhagen has started with the first round of climate talks, which are taking place in Bonn. World leaders, scientists and other experts are all putting their heads together to come up with an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. This week more than 2,000 representatives of government, industry, environmental organizations and research institutes are meeting in Bonn. They've been invited here by the United Nations Climate Secretariat to take part in the first of this year's three planned working meetings designed to create a new, comprehensive climate protection agreement, which will then be voted on in Copenhagen in December. The agreement will replace the Kyoto protocol, which commits ratifying nations to a red... This week on Living Planet we check in on the first of three climate talks, go 'camping' with some eco-protesters in London, learn about the effects of climate change on barrier islands and take light-hearted look at trash.Climate Change Talks Kick Off The countdown to Copenhagen has started with the first round of climate talks, which are taking place in Bonn. World leaders, scientists and other experts are all putting their heads together to come up with an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. This week more than 2,000 representatives of government, industry, environmental organizations and research institutes are meeting in Bonn. They've been invited here by the United Nations Climate Secretariat to take part in the first of this year's three planned working meetings designed to create a new, comprehensive climate protection agreement, which will then be voted on in Copenhagen in December. The agreement will replace the Kyoto protocol, which commits ratifying nations to a reduction of greenhouse gases by five percent compared to 1990 levels by 2012. The new agreement raises that to 20 percent by 2020, at least for industrialized countries. What's especially interesting about this round of talks is the presence of the delegation from the United States. They were booed at the convention in Bali in November, 2007. But the new delegation, representing the Obama administration, got a different reaction in Bonn. Report: Jodi Breisler Eco-Protestors Camp out in London London this week is awash with people attending the G20 meetings. Many of them are there to protest against something, whether it be governments, banks or climate change. One eco-group has set up camp in the middle of the British capital to spread their message. The G20 group of world economic powers is gathering in London. Heads of state and government, along with their finance ministers and delegations are trying to agree on a global economic plan to pull the world out of this deep recession. The United Nations Environment Program is taking this opportunity to lobby them to steer the world in a green direction. The UNEP released the Global Green New Deal earlier this month, which outlines how investing one percent of global wealth, or around $750 billion (560 billion euros), into five key sectors from renewable energy to freshwaters would stimulate the economy and help the environment. But even some climate activists aren't impressed by the move. Green protesters have gathered together in the middle of London at the Climate Camp. Living Planet spoke to Tadzio Müller, who's with the camp. Interview: Mark Mattox Climate Witness: Barrier Islands In Living Planet's 'Climate Witness' mini-series we hear first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. Much has changed in the US since President Obama took office in January. The idea of climate change is now being taken seriously and real efforts are being made by the new Administration to introduce emissions reductions targets with the aim of reducing the pace of global warming. Passing legislation like this through congress may take a while, however. And there are still many climate change skeptics in the States who are neither happy about accepting a change in policy, nor changing the car they drive or any other of their energy-intensive habits. In the mean time, it’s down to people like Dr. Paul Hearty, an American geologist who’s lived, worked and watched the growing effects of global warming all over the world, to keep educating people about climate change. He’s now the Director of Conservation at The Bald Head Island Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that works to protect the natural environment of Bald Head Island, off the coast of North Carolina. It's a unique place - a barrier island, that’s already experiencing sustained sea level rise and other effects of climate change - but its population makes big efforts to live harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Report: Anja Kueppers Sorting Through the Garbage Each year the average European produces over 550 kilograms of trash, and the disposal of that trash can often become a tricky issue, especially in countries with stringent waste disposal rules. Humans are the only creatures on the planet that produce non-biodegradable waste -- an enormous amount of waste. According to the European statistics office, Eurostat, every person in the EU produces 564 kg of trash every year. That's above the European average of 522 kg. The Germans aren't the worst offenders though. That title goes to Denmark with 801 kilos per person per year. And just in case you're interested in who is the least trashy in the EU, it's the Czechs, with a mere 294 kg. But the question isn't really how much we produce, it's what we do with what we produce. The Germany is known for its stringent rules on trash separation. And sometimes even Germans get confused or frustrated by everything that has to be done. Report: Sabrina Wendling This week on Living Planet we check in on the first of three climate talks, go 'camping' with some eco-protesters in London, learn about the effects of climate change on barrier islands and take light-hearted look at trash.Climate Change Talks Kick Off The countdown to Copenhagen has started with the first round of climate talks, which are taking place in Bonn. World leaders, scientists and other experts are all putting their heads together to come up with an agreement to replace the Kyoto Protocol. This week more than 2,000 representatives of government, industry, environmental organizations and research institutes are meeting in Bonn. They've been invited here by the United Nations Climate Secretariat to take part in the first of this year's three planned working meetings designed to create a new, comprehensive climate protection agreement, which will then be voted on in Copenhagen in December. The agreement will replace the Kyoto protocol, which commits ratifying nations to a reduction of greenhouse gases by five percent compared to 1990 levels by 2012. The new agreement raises that to 20 percent by 2020, at least for industrialized countries. What's especially interesting about this round of talks is the presence of the delegation from the United States. They were booed at the convention in Bali in November, 2007. But the new delegation, representing the Obama administration, got a different reaction in Bonn. Report: Jodi Breisler Eco-Protestors Camp out in London London this week is awash with people attending the G20 meetings. Many of them are there to protest against something, whether it be governments, banks or climate change. One eco-group has set up camp in the middle of the British capital to spread their message. The G20 group of world economic powers is gathering in London. Heads of state and government, along with their finance ministers and delegations are trying to agree on a global economic plan to pull the world out of this deep recession. The United Nations Environment Program is taking this opportunity to lobby them to steer the world in a green direction. The UNEP released the Global Green New Deal earlier this month, which outlines how investing one percent of global wealth, or around $750 billion (560 billion euros), into five key sectors from renewable energy to freshwaters would stimulate the economy and help the environment. But even some climate activists aren't impressed by the move. Green protesters have gathered together in the middle of London at the Climate Camp. Living Planet spoke to Tadzio Müller, who's with the camp. Interview: Mark Mattox Climate Witness: Barrier Islands In Living Planet's 'Climate Witness' mini-series we hear first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. Much has changed in the US since President Obama took office in January. The idea of climate change is now being taken seriously and real efforts are being made by the new Administration to introduce emissions reductions targets with the aim of reducing the pace of global warming. Passing legislation like this through congress may take a while, however. And there are still many climate change skeptics in the States who are neither happy about accepting a change in policy, nor changing the car they drive or any other of their energy-intensive habits. In the mean time, it’s down to people like Dr. Paul Hearty, an American geologist who’s lived, worked and watched the growing effects of global warming all over the world, to keep educating people about climate change. He’s now the Director of Conservation at The Bald Head Island Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that works to protect the natural environment of Bald Head Island, off the coast of North Carolina. It's a unique place - a barrier island, that’s already experiencing sustained sea level rise and other effects of climate change - but its population makes big efforts to live harmoniously with the natural surroundings. Report: Anja Kueppers Sorting Through the Garbage Each year the average European produces over 550 kilograms of trash, and the disposal of that trash can often become a tricky issue, especially in countries with stringent waste disposal rules. Humans are the only creatures on the planet that produce non-biodegradable waste -- an enormous amount of waste. According to the European statistics office, Eurostat, every person in the EU produces 564 kg of trash every year. That's above the European average of 522 kg. The Germans aren't the worst offenders though. That title goes to Denmark with 801 kilos per person per year. And just in case you're interested in who is the least trashy in the EU, it's the Czechs, with a mere 294 kg. But the question isn't really how much we produce, it's what we do with what we produce. The Germany is known for its stringent rules on trash separation. And sometimes even Germans get confused or frustrated by everything that has to be done. Report: Sabrina Wendling tag:odeo.com,2009-04-01,24403549 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24364540-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe This week on Living Planet we explore the land trying to recover from the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and then travel to the Antarctic to delve beneath the ice in search of the earth's past before learning about eco techniques being used by the Bedouin of Jordan.Exxon Valdez Continues to Affect Wildlife in Alaska The Exxon Valdez hit a reef in 1989, dumping millions of liters of crude oil and killing hundreds of thousands of animals, becoming the worst tanker accident in American history. 20 years later things may look better, but danger still lurks just below the surface. On March 24, 1989 a massive tanker sailed outside regular Alaskan shipping lanes and hit a reef. The Exxon Valdez, at the time one of the most advanced tankers in the world, split, spilling approximately 40 million liters of crude oil into the delicate and pristine Arctic environment of the remote Prince William Sound. The oil dispersed over an area of 28,000 square kilometers and covered approximately 2,000 kilometer... This week on Living Planet we explore the land trying to recover from the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and then travel to the Antarctic to delve beneath the ice in search of the earth's past before learning about eco techniques being used by the Bedouin of Jordan.Exxon Valdez Continues to Affect Wildlife in Alaska The Exxon Valdez hit a reef in 1989, dumping millions of liters of crude oil and killing hundreds of thousands of animals, becoming the worst tanker accident in American history. 20 years later things may look better, but danger still lurks just below the surface. On March 24, 1989 a massive tanker sailed outside regular Alaskan shipping lanes and hit a reef. The Exxon Valdez, at the time one of the most advanced tankers in the world, split, spilling approximately 40 million liters of crude oil into the delicate and pristine Arctic environment of the remote Prince William Sound. The oil dispersed over an area of 28,000 square kilometers and covered approximately 2,000 kilometers of rugged coastline. It killed an estimated 600 to 700,000 birds, fish and sea mammals. 20 years later everything looks like its back to normal and the region has even managed to once again build up a strong tourist industry, but looks can be deceiving. Pick up any one of the countless rocks that line the beaches and you're more likely than not to see that the oil isn't really gone. In addition to that, the effects of climate chance can clearly be seen. Report: Irene Quaile Antarctic Drilling Solves Global Warming Mystery A group of scientists have delved deep beneath the Antarctic Sea to take a look at the earth's past so that we can have a better idea of its future. Scientists from New Zealand have helped solve one of the great mysteries of global warming by drilling deep into the rocky sea floor off the coast of Antarctica. Using a drill developed by Victoria University's Alex Pyne, they dug through more than two kilometers of ice, sea water and rock to pull out layers of ancient sea floor that were formed the last time greenhouse gases reached the levels they are now approaching. The drill team, led by Victoria University Antarctic research centre director Tim Naish, found that millions of years ago the seas were warm enough to melt a large chunk of Antarctica's ice when atmospheric CO2 was only slightly higher than it is today. Report: Victoria Meduna Eco-Living the Nomadic Way Many of the Bedouin of Jordan are facing an eco-dilemma because the area they live in is one of the most arid and over-grazed in the world. The original inhabitants of Jordan are the Bedouin and they live on the extensive desert lands that stretch throughout the region. In previous times they were able to wander freely over this vast area unimpeded. But war, boundaries and the gradual erosion of the nomadic way of life has taken their toll on these people and their way of life. Restricted as to the area where they can graze their flocks in the Badia, or desert area, the herdsmen struggled to maintain huge numbers of animals on overgrazed land. The government's initial reaction was to curtail their movements and settle them in towns. But a project was put in place that uses the Koran to teach these nomadic people new ways of existing on land that has been almost depleted. The Badia project is based on the premise that religion can be used to teach good green practice. Report: Sylvia Smith This week on Living Planet we explore the land trying to recover from the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and then travel to the Antarctic to delve beneath the ice in search of the earth's past before learning about eco techniques being used by the Bedouin of Jordan.Exxon Valdez Continues to Affect Wildlife in Alaska The Exxon Valdez hit a reef in 1989, dumping millions of liters of crude oil and killing hundreds of thousands of animals, becoming the worst tanker accident in American history. 20 years later things may look better, but danger still lurks just below the surface. On March 24, 1989 a massive tanker sailed outside regular Alaskan shipping lanes and hit a reef. The Exxon Valdez, at the time one of the most advanced tankers in the world, split, spilling approximately 40 million liters of crude oil into the delicate and pristine Arctic environment of the remote Prince William Sound. The oil dispersed over an area of 28,000 square kilometers and covered approximately 2,000 kilometers of rugged coastline. It killed an estimated 600 to 700,000 birds, fish and sea mammals. 20 years later everything looks like its back to normal and the region has even managed to once again build up a strong tourist industry, but looks can be deceiving. Pick up any one of the countless rocks that line the beaches and you're more likely than not to see that the oil isn't really gone. In addition to that, the effects of climate chance can clearly be seen. Report: Irene Quaile Antarctic Drilling Solves Global Warming Mystery A group of scientists have delved deep beneath the Antarctic Sea to take a look at the earth's past so that we can have a better idea of its future. Scientists from New Zealand have helped solve one of the great mysteries of global warming by drilling deep into the rocky sea floor off the coast of Antarctica. Using a drill developed by Victoria University's Alex Pyne, they dug through more than two kilometers of ice, sea water and rock to pull out layers of ancient sea floor that were formed the last time greenhouse gases reached the levels they are now approaching. The drill team, led by Victoria University Antarctic research centre director Tim Naish, found that millions of years ago the seas were warm enough to melt a large chunk of Antarctica's ice when atmospheric CO2 was only slightly higher than it is today. Report: Victoria Meduna Eco-Living the Nomadic Way Many of the Bedouin of Jordan are facing an eco-dilemma because the area they live in is one of the most arid and over-grazed in the world. The original inhabitants of Jordan are the Bedouin and they live on the extensive desert lands that stretch throughout the region. In previous times they were able to wander freely over this vast area unimpeded. But war, boundaries and the gradual erosion of the nomadic way of life has taken their toll on these people and their way of life. Restricted as to the area where they can graze their flocks in the Badia, or desert area, the herdsmen struggled to maintain huge numbers of animals on overgrazed land. The government's initial reaction was to curtail their movements and settle them in towns. But a project was put in place that uses the Koran to teach these nomadic people new ways of existing on land that has been almost depleted. The Badia project is based on the premise that religion can be used to teach good green practice. Report: Sylvia Smith tag:odeo.com,2009-03-25,24364540 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24327031-Living-Planet Five Nations Meet to Discuss the Plight of the Polar Bear The five signatories to an agreement for the conservation of polar bears are meeting in northern Norway to come up with a way to save the great white predators of the far north. However, at the rate the glaciers are melting, it's possible they're too late. The town of Tromsoe in the Norwegian Arctic has been the scene of a meeting of the contracting parties to the agreement for the conservation of polar bears over the past few days. The agreement was signed in 1973, when over-hunting was the biggest threat to polar bear survival. These days, the species is endangered by a more complex phenomenon: climate change. Polar bears are marine mammals, dependent on water -- not to live in, but live on, in the form of ice, and the ice is melting. Report: Irene Quaile What to do About Water Government heads, scientists, NGOs and experts have all flocked to Istanbul Turkey to discuss the future of one of the most vital resources on the p... Five Nations Meet to Discuss the Plight of the Polar Bear The five signatories to an agreement for the conservation of polar bears are meeting in northern Norway to come up with a way to save the great white predators of the far north. However, at the rate the glaciers are melting, it's possible they're too late. The town of Tromsoe in the Norwegian Arctic has been the scene of a meeting of the contracting parties to the agreement for the conservation of polar bears over the past few days. The agreement was signed in 1973, when over-hunting was the biggest threat to polar bear survival. These days, the species is endangered by a more complex phenomenon: climate change. Polar bears are marine mammals, dependent on water -- not to live in, but live on, in the form of ice, and the ice is melting. Report: Irene Quaile What to do About Water Government heads, scientists, NGOs and experts have all flocked to Istanbul Turkey to discuss the future of one of the most vital resources on the planet. Melting polar ice is causing sea levels to rise, flooding land used for homes. If it keeps up, entire cities along coastlines will be under water. But on top of that, rising salt water also infiltrates into fresh water reserves, ruining it for us, for animals and for plants. And if one considers that only 3 percent of the water on the planet is actually potable, we can't exactly afford to lose any of it to sea water. The fifth World Water Forum opened on Monday, March 16, in Istanbul, Turkey. Thousands of people are at the meeting -- from heads of state and environmental and business leaders to scientists and activists – all there to discuss ways to manage and conserve this precious resource. On top of everything already mentioned, the meeting comes as the United Nations warns of potential conflicts over water scarcity. Report: Dorian Jones Flushing Without Water Water has a million uses. The water we drink keeps us alive while the water we use in the bathroom keeps us clean. So far it's been a vital part of waste removal, but what if it didn't have to be? What we do behind closed bathroom doors generally stays that way -- behind closed doors. It’s not a topic we generally embrace in polite conversation, and some people refuse to discuss it with anyone. Toilets are infamous for using large amounts of water -- there's no secret there -- but what alternatives are there? Water seems to be a pretty necessary part in the process of removing the waste we produce. Report: Catherine Graue Climate Witness: Florida In Living Planet's 'Climate Witness' mini-series we hear first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. In the northern hemisphere, the month of March means the promise of many things: warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and the renewal of spring. Along the coast of Florida it also means that the sea turtles are returning to the beaches to nest. These creatures have been around for over 200 million years, but if something isn't done to help them, they may very well vanish from the planet. Normally climate witnesses talk about how climate change is affecting their region or the plants and animals that inhabit it, and while warming temperatures are having an affect on turtle populations, most of damage done is caused by man. Dr. Kirt Rusenko is a marine conservationist with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in the US state of Florida. Report: Susan Stone Five Nations Meet to Discuss the Plight of the Polar Bear The five signatories to an agreement for the conservation of polar bears are meeting in northern Norway to come up with a way to save the great white predators of the far north. However, at the rate the glaciers are melting, it's possible they're too late. The town of Tromsoe in the Norwegian Arctic has been the scene of a meeting of the contracting parties to the agreement for the conservation of polar bears over the past few days. The agreement was signed in 1973, when over-hunting was the biggest threat to polar bear survival. These days, the species is endangered by a more complex phenomenon: climate change. Polar bears are marine mammals, dependent on water -- not to live in, but live on, in the form of ice, and the ice is melting. Report: Irene Quaile What to do About Water Government heads, scientists, NGOs and experts have all flocked to Istanbul Turkey to discuss the future of one of the most vital resources on the planet. Melting polar ice is causing sea levels to rise, flooding land used for homes. If it keeps up, entire cities along coastlines will be under water. But on top of that, rising salt water also infiltrates into fresh water reserves, ruining it for us, for animals and for plants. And if one considers that only 3 percent of the water on the planet is actually potable, we can't exactly afford to lose any of it to sea water. The fifth World Water Forum opened on Monday, March 16, in Istanbul, Turkey. Thousands of people are at the meeting -- from heads of state and environmental and business leaders to scientists and activists – all there to discuss ways to manage and conserve this precious resource. On top of everything already mentioned, the meeting comes as the United Nations warns of potential conflicts over water scarcity. Report: Dorian Jones Flushing Without Water Water has a million uses. The water we drink keeps us alive while the water we use in the bathroom keeps us clean. So far it's been a vital part of waste removal, but what if it didn't have to be? What we do behind closed bathroom doors generally stays that way -- behind closed doors. It’s not a topic we generally embrace in polite conversation, and some people refuse to discuss it with anyone. Toilets are infamous for using large amounts of water -- there's no secret there -- but what alternatives are there? Water seems to be a pretty necessary part in the process of removing the waste we produce. Report: Catherine Graue Climate Witness: Florida In Living Planet's 'Climate Witness' mini-series we hear first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. In the northern hemisphere, the month of March means the promise of many things: warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and the renewal of spring. Along the coast of Florida it also means that the sea turtles are returning to the beaches to nest. These creatures have been around for over 200 million years, but if something isn't done to help them, they may very well vanish from the planet. Normally climate witnesses talk about how climate change is affecting their region or the plants and animals that inhabit it, and while warming temperatures are having an affect on turtle populations, most of damage done is caused by man. Dr. Kirt Rusenko is a marine conservationist with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in the US state of Florida. Report: Susan Stone tag:odeo.com,2009-03-18,24327031 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24327919-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-Globe This week Living Planet takes a look at water: from the melting polar ice, to a gathering to discuss the future of water, to the ways we use it in out everyday lives.Five Nations Meet to Discuss the Plight of the Polar Bear The five signatories to an agreement for the conservation of polar bears are meeting in northern Norway to come up with a way to save the great white predators of the far north. However, at the rate the glaciers are melting, it's possible they're too late. The town of Tromsoe in the Norwegian Arctic has been the scene of a meeting of the contracting parties to the agreement for the conservation of polar bears over the past few days. The agreement was signed in 1973, when over-hunting was the biggest threat to polar bear survival. These days, the species is endangered by a more complex phenomenon: climate change. Polar bears are marine mammals, dependent on water -- not to live in, but live on, in the form of ice, and the ice is melting. Report: Irene Quaile What ... This week Living Planet takes a look at water: from the melting polar ice, to a gathering to discuss the future of water, to the ways we use it in out everyday lives.Five Nations Meet to Discuss the Plight of the Polar Bear The five signatories to an agreement for the conservation of polar bears are meeting in northern Norway to come up with a way to save the great white predators of the far north. However, at the rate the glaciers are melting, it's possible they're too late. The town of Tromsoe in the Norwegian Arctic has been the scene of a meeting of the contracting parties to the agreement for the conservation of polar bears over the past few days. The agreement was signed in 1973, when over-hunting was the biggest threat to polar bear survival. These days, the species is endangered by a more complex phenomenon: climate change. Polar bears are marine mammals, dependent on water -- not to live in, but live on, in the form of ice, and the ice is melting. Report: Irene Quaile What to do About Water Government heads, scientists, NGOs and experts have all flocked to Istanbul Turkey to discuss the future of one of the most vital resources on the planet. Melting polar ice is causing sea levels to rise, flooding land used for homes. If it keeps up, entire cities along coastlines will be under water. But on top of that, rising salt water also infiltrates into fresh water reserves, ruining it for us, for animals and for plants. And if one considers that only 3 percent of the water on the planet is actually potable, we can't exactly afford to lose any of it to sea water. The fifth World Water Forum opened on Monday, March 16, in Istanbul, Turkey. Thousands of people are at the meeting -- from heads of state and environmental and business leaders to scientists and activists – all there to discuss ways to manage and conserve this precious resource. On top of everything already mentioned, the meeting comes as the United Nations warns of potential conflicts over water scarcity. Report: Dorian Jones Flushing Without Water Water has a million uses. The water we drink keeps us alive while the water we use in the bathroom keeps us clean. So far it's been a vital part of waste removal, but what if it didn't have to be? What we do behind closed bathroom doors generally stays that way -- behind closed doors. It’s not a topic we generally embrace in polite conversation, and some people refuse to discuss it with anyone. Toilets are infamous for using large amounts of water -- there's no secret there -- but what alternatives are there? Water seems to be a pretty necessary part in the process of removing the waste we produce. Report: Catherine Graue Climate Witness: Florida In Living Planet's 'Climate Witness' mini-series we hear first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. In the northern hemisphere, the month of March means the promise of many things: warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and the renewal of spring. Along the coast of Florida it also means that the sea turtles are returning to the beaches to nest. These creatures have been around for over 200 million years, but if something isn't done to help them, they may very well vanish from the planet. Normally climate witnesses talk about how climate change is affecting their region or the plants and animals that inhabit it, and while warming temperatures are having an affect on turtle populations, most of damage done is caused by man. Dr. Kirt Rusenko is a marine conservationist with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in the US state of Florida. Report: Susan Stone This week Living Planet takes a look at water: from the melting polar ice, to a gathering to discuss the future of water, to the ways we use it in out everyday lives.Five Nations Meet to Discuss the Plight of the Polar Bear The five signatories to an agreement for the conservation of polar bears are meeting in northern Norway to come up with a way to save the great white predators of the far north. However, at the rate the glaciers are melting, it's possible they're too late. The town of Tromsoe in the Norwegian Arctic has been the scene of a meeting of the contracting parties to the agreement for the conservation of polar bears over the past few days. The agreement was signed in 1973, when over-hunting was the biggest threat to polar bear survival. These days, the species is endangered by a more complex phenomenon: climate change. Polar bears are marine mammals, dependent on water -- not to live in, but live on, in the form of ice, and the ice is melting. Report: Irene Quaile What to do About Water Government heads, scientists, NGOs and experts have all flocked to Istanbul Turkey to discuss the future of one of the most vital resources on the planet. Melting polar ice is causing sea levels to rise, flooding land used for homes. If it keeps up, entire cities along coastlines will be under water. But on top of that, rising salt water also infiltrates into fresh water reserves, ruining it for us, for animals and for plants. And if one considers that only 3 percent of the water on the planet is actually potable, we can't exactly afford to lose any of it to sea water. The fifth World Water Forum opened on Monday, March 16, in Istanbul, Turkey. Thousands of people are at the meeting -- from heads of state and environmental and business leaders to scientists and activists – all there to discuss ways to manage and conserve this precious resource. On top of everything already mentioned, the meeting comes as the United Nations warns of potential conflicts over water scarcity. Report: Dorian Jones Flushing Without Water Water has a million uses. The water we drink keeps us alive while the water we use in the bathroom keeps us clean. So far it's been a vital part of waste removal, but what if it didn't have to be? What we do behind closed bathroom doors generally stays that way -- behind closed doors. It’s not a topic we generally embrace in polite conversation, and some people refuse to discuss it with anyone. Toilets are infamous for using large amounts of water -- there's no secret there -- but what alternatives are there? Water seems to be a pretty necessary part in the process of removing the waste we produce. Report: Catherine Graue Climate Witness: Florida In Living Planet's 'Climate Witness' mini-series we hear first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. In the northern hemisphere, the month of March means the promise of many things: warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and the renewal of spring. Along the coast of Florida it also means that the sea turtles are returning to the beaches to nest. These creatures have been around for over 200 million years, but if something isn't done to help them, they may very well vanish from the planet. Normally climate witnesses talk about how climate change is affecting their region or the plants and animals that inhabit it, and while warming temperatures are having an affect on turtle populations, most of damage done is caused by man. Dr. Kirt Rusenko is a marine conservationist with the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in the US state of Florida. Report: Susan Stone tag:odeo.com,2009-03-18,24327919 Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24292694-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World In this week's show we take a critical look at the IWC's plans to allow Japan to hunt whales off their coast, head over to Thailand so see the effects damming rivers in China is having on people downstream, and learn how the Vietnamese farmers are using the power of waste. Click on the links below to listen to the show or the reports in it.Japan Plans Hunts Closer to Home The IWC's proposal to allow Japan to hunt for whales in coastal waters if they scale back their hunt of the coast of Antarctica is causing an uproar in the international community. The International Whaling Committee (IWC) has been meeting behind closed doors in Rome this week. Member states had come together to discuss a proposal to allow the Japanese to hunt whales in their coastal waters in return for a scaling back of whaling in Antarctic waters. The Japanese are well known for the "scientific whaling" that they do, mostly in the waters around Antarctica, but moving the hunt closer to home has angered Japan's n... In this week's show we take a critical look at the IWC's plans to allow Japan to hunt whales off their coast, head over to Thailand so see the effects damming rivers in China is having on people downstream, and learn how the Vietnamese farmers are using the power of waste. Click on the links below to listen to the show or the reports in it.Japan Plans Hunts Closer to Home The IWC's proposal to allow Japan to hunt for whales in coastal waters if they scale back their hunt of the coast of Antarctica is causing an uproar in the international community. The International Whaling Committee (IWC) has been meeting behind closed doors in Rome this week. Member states had come together to discuss a proposal to allow the Japanese to hunt whales in their coastal waters in return for a scaling back of whaling in Antarctic waters. The Japanese are well known for the "scientific whaling" that they do, mostly in the waters around Antarctica, but moving the hunt closer to home has angered Japan's neighbors. Korea, in particular, has said that if Japan is allowed to hunt in coastal waters, then they would seek a quota and commence commercial whaling. In addition, there is still the matter of whaling done by Norway and Iceland. To help sort through these issues, Living Planet speaks with Nicolas Entrup, head of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Germany. Interview: Mark Mattox Chinese Dams Damaging to Downstream Neighbors China is notorious for damming its rivers in an attempt to supply power to part of their enormous population. But it isn't just the Chinese who are forced to deal with the side effects. Chinese dams are the classic example of an environmental Catch 22. They provide clean, renewable energy, but the damming of rivers in China has displaced millions of people and destroyed acres upon acres of land. One of the most heavily dammed rivers in China is the Mekong, a 5,000 km long stretch of water that travels through six countries. It’s the lifeblood of river towns from the mountains of western China, to the flood plains of southern Vietnam where it spills into the South China Sea. The people in these towns are used to the natural cycle of the river. They expect the water levels to increase in the wet season, and decrease in the dry. They know the types of fish, their migration and breeding patterns. But a massive flood last August that ravaged downstream communities has highlighted concerns that the river is changing. Downstream users say Chinese dams and rapids blasting are damaging the river, and endangering their livelihoods. Report: Elise Potaka The Power of Waste: Biogas in Vietnam Many of the 85 million people living in Vietnam have no access to the power grid. What they do have access to is plenty of animal waste, and they're putting that to good use. The Southeast Asian country of Vietnam is still a developing nation, but the socialist republic is undergoing rapid change. With a population of 85 million people and rapidly growing industrial sector demand for energy is on the rise. That also goes for remote places in the countryside. About three-quarters of Vietnam's population live off the land far away from the cities. Most of these country dwellers are poor and many still don't have access to gas or electricity. The government wants to extend the country's power grid by 2010, but that's expensive, and not all remote villages will benefit from the extension. For the places the state can't reach, renewable energy could become a real alternative. Biogas, especially, has started to play an increasing role for farmers Report: Vu Lan Anh, Nguyen Thi Kim Chi and Silke Bartlick / Gudrun Heise In this week's show we take a critical look at the IWC's plans to allow Japan to hunt whales off their coast, head over to Thailand so see the effects damming rivers in China is having on people downstream, and learn how the Vietnamese farmers are using the power of waste. Click on the links below to listen to the show or the reports in it.Japan Plans Hunts Closer to Home The IWC's proposal to allow Japan to hunt for whales in coastal waters if they scale back their hunt of the coast of Antarctica is causing an uproar in the international community. The International Whaling Committee (IWC) has been meeting behind closed doors in Rome this week. Member states had come together to discuss a proposal to allow the Japanese to hunt whales in their coastal waters in return for a scaling back of whaling in Antarctic waters. The Japanese are well known for the "scientific whaling" that they do, mostly in the waters around Antarctica, but moving the hunt closer to home has angered Japan's neighbors. Korea, in particular, has said that if Japan is allowed to hunt in coastal waters, then they would seek a quota and commence commercial whaling. In addition, there is still the matter of whaling done by Norway and Iceland. To help sort through these issues, Living Planet speaks with Nicolas Entrup, head of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Germany. Interview: Mark Mattox Chinese Dams Damaging to Downstream Neighbors China is notorious for damming its rivers in an attempt to supply power to part of their enormous population. But it isn't just the Chinese who are forced to deal with the side effects. Chinese dams are the classic example of an environmental Catch 22. They provide clean, renewable energy, but the damming of rivers in China has displaced millions of people and destroyed acres upon acres of land. One of the most heavily dammed rivers in China is the Mekong, a 5,000 km long stretch of water that travels through six countries. It’s the lifeblood of river towns from the mountains of western China, to the flood plains of southern Vietnam where it spills into the South China Sea. The people in these towns are used to the natural cycle of the river. They expect the water levels to increase in the wet season, and decrease in the dry. They know the types of fish, their migration and breeding patterns. But a massive flood last August that ravaged downstream communities has highlighted concerns that the river is changing. Downstream users say Chinese dams and rapids blasting are damaging the river, and endangering their livelihoods. Report: Elise Potaka The Power of Waste: Biogas in Vietnam Many of the 85 million people living in Vietnam have no access to the power grid. What they do have access to is plenty of animal waste, and they're putting that to good use. The Southeast Asian country of Vietnam is still a developing nation, but the socialist republic is undergoing rapid change. With a population of 85 million people and rapidly growing industrial sector demand for energy is on the rise. That also goes for remote places in the countryside. About three-quarters of Vietnam's population live off the land far away from the cities. Most of these country dwellers are poor and many still don't have access to gas or electricity. The government wants to extend the country's power grid by 2010, but that's expensive, and not all remote villages will benefit from the extension. For the places the state can't reach, renewable energy could become a real alternative. Biogas, especially, has started to play an increasing role for farmers Report: Vu Lan Anh, Nguyen Thi Kim Chi and Silke Bartlick / Gudrun Heise tag:odeo.com,2009-03-11,24292694 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:30:00 -0700 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24253544-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Micro Hydro in Rural Kenya -- Growing Crops for Biofuels in Mali -- Home-based Power PlantsMicro Hydro Powers Rural Kenya Many places in Africa are situated far from centralized power grids, forcing people there to use expensive and harmful kerosene to light their homes. It also makes owning simple things like televisions and mobile phones quite complicated. When we think of hydropower, huge centralized dam projects usually come to mind. While these provide electricity without emitting carbon dioxide into the air, due to the effects they have on their surroundings – flooding valuable land and upsetting eco-system - their environmental benefits are often disputed. But in places like India and now in Kenya, small hydropower plants are providing clean energy to rural regions dependent on kerosene for lighting, while still preserving the environment. Report: Kateri Jochum Plants for Fuel: Balancing Food and Energy Needs in Mali Biofuels – love them or hate them. They have great potentia... Micro Hydro in Rural Kenya -- Growing Crops for Biofuels in Mali -- Home-based Power PlantsMicro Hydro Powers Rural Kenya Many places in Africa are situated far from centralized power grids, forcing people there to use expensive and harmful kerosene to light their homes. It also makes owning simple things like televisions and mobile phones quite complicated. When we think of hydropower, huge centralized dam projects usually come to mind. While these provide electricity without emitting carbon dioxide into the air, due to the effects they have on their surroundings – flooding valuable land and upsetting eco-system - their environmental benefits are often disputed. But in places like India and now in Kenya, small hydropower plants are providing clean energy to rural regions dependent on kerosene for lighting, while still preserving the environment. Report: Kateri Jochum Plants for Fuel: Balancing Food and Energy Needs in Mali Biofuels – love them or hate them. They have great potential, if used in the right way, to help reduce our dependence on petroleum. Of course what good is having fuel, if we can't afford it due to the skyrocketing price of food? Once seen as a potential solution to the world's energy problems, biofuels have been getting a lot of bad press of late. Ever since a United Nations expert condemned the growing of crops to produce biofuels instead of food as a “crime against humanity,” countries have been reviewing their plans to invest in the area. But in Mali the authorities have not given up on biofuels. The government has just set up an official body to manage the sector and says that biofuels can play an important part in the development of the country as long as their use is regulated. One project is already underway, helping villagers grow jatropha plants next to food crops. The people behind the project hope that the oil from the jatropha seeds can bring in extra income to the villages or be used in the village directly as a fuel. Living Planet reports on how the company - Mali Biocarburant - is trying to set itself up as a model of good practice when it comes to exploiting biofuels. Report: Martin Vogl Mini Power Plants Liberate You from the Grid Every house producing its own electricity? More and more German companies have discovered a market niche, that isn't just saving homeowners money, but is also helping them reduce their carbon foot print. Getting your power from places other than a centralized grid isn't limited to the far-flung corners of Africa. Since last autumn, Germany has been encouraging the production of decentralized heat and electricity in an attempt to reduce the nation's carbon footprint. Every company producing combined heat and power, or CHP, units will have 25 percent of their budget subsidized – and not without reason. Other European countries are already leaps and bounds ahead of Germany in this area. In Finland, Sweden and Norway 40 percent of electricity and heat come from CHP. The same goes for the Netherlands. In Germany that number is more like 12 percent. The advantages to CHP are obvious. There's only a 10 percent energy loss and allow homeowners to reduce their heat and electricity costs by a third. The buildings have to be at least 250 square meters – anything less than that isn't profitable – but the demand from people with single-family homes is there, which is why multiple firms have been working on a viable system for quite some time. Some of them will even be available later this year. Report: Annegret Faber / Sarah Stolarz Micro Hydro in Rural Kenya -- Growing Crops for Biofuels in Mali -- Home-based Power PlantsMicro Hydro Powers Rural Kenya Many places in Africa are situated far from centralized power grids, forcing people there to use expensive and harmful kerosene to light their homes. It also makes owning simple things like televisions and mobile phones quite complicated. When we think of hydropower, huge centralized dam projects usually come to mind. While these provide electricity without emitting carbon dioxide into the air, due to the effects they have on their surroundings – flooding valuable land and upsetting eco-system - their environmental benefits are often disputed. But in places like India and now in Kenya, small hydropower plants are providing clean energy to rural regions dependent on kerosene for lighting, while still preserving the environment. Report: Kateri Jochum Plants for Fuel: Balancing Food and Energy Needs in Mali Biofuels – love them or hate them. They have great potential, if used in the right way, to help reduce our dependence on petroleum. Of course what good is having fuel, if we can't afford it due to the skyrocketing price of food? Once seen as a potential solution to the world's energy problems, biofuels have been getting a lot of bad press of late. Ever since a United Nations expert condemned the growing of crops to produce biofuels instead of food as a “crime against humanity,” countries have been reviewing their plans to invest in the area. But in Mali the authorities have not given up on biofuels. The government has just set up an official body to manage the sector and says that biofuels can play an important part in the development of the country as long as their use is regulated. One project is already underway, helping villagers grow jatropha plants next to food crops. The people behind the project hope that the oil from the jatropha seeds can bring in extra income to the villages or be used in the village directly as a fuel. Living Planet reports on how the company - Mali Biocarburant - is trying to set itself up as a model of good practice when it comes to exploiting biofuels. Report: Martin Vogl Mini Power Plants Liberate You from the Grid Every house producing its own electricity? More and more German companies have discovered a market niche, that isn't just saving homeowners money, but is also helping them reduce their carbon foot print. Getting your power from places other than a centralized grid isn't limited to the far-flung corners of Africa. Since last autumn, Germany has been encouraging the production of decentralized heat and electricity in an attempt to reduce the nation's carbon footprint. Every company producing combined heat and power, or CHP, units will have 25 percent of their budget subsidized – and not without reason. Other European countries are already leaps and bounds ahead of Germany in this area. In Finland, Sweden and Norway 40 percent of electricity and heat come from CHP. The same goes for the Netherlands. In Germany that number is more like 12 percent. The advantages to CHP are obvious. There's only a 10 percent energy loss and allow homeowners to reduce their heat and electricity costs by a third. The buildings have to be at least 250 square meters – anything less than that isn't profitable – but the demand from people with single-family homes is there, which is why multiple firms have been working on a viable system for quite some time. Some of them will even be available later this year. Report: Annegret Faber / Sarah Stolarz tag:odeo.com,2009-03-04,24253544 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24213019-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World China Drought Threatens Farmers -- U.S-Norwegian Polar Expedition Heads Home -- The Tide is High in the Netherlands -- The Science of Sand Storms Chinese Drought Leaves Farmers Without Water Drought is seriously affecting a number of provinces in northern and central China. While lack of rain is to blame for the drought, rapid industrialisation, pollution and the depletion of ground water reserves are making conditions worse. Snowfall and rain in some parts of northern China have eased what the Chinese government has called the worst drought in nearly five decades. Yet many farmers still fear for their winter wheat harvest and water use remains a pressing issue. Experts say the problem is bound to get worse unless China drastically changes the way it deals with its precious resources. Living Planet finds out if farmers are changing their practices as they face the long drought. (Report: Ruth Kirchner) U.S-Norwegian Polar Expedition Heads Home to Troll On the 20th of February the new... China Drought Threatens Farmers -- U.S-Norwegian Polar Expedition Heads Home -- The Tide is High in the Netherlands -- The Science of Sand Storms Chinese Drought Leaves Farmers Without Water Drought is seriously affecting a number of provinces in northern and central China. While lack of rain is to blame for the drought, rapid industrialisation, pollution and the depletion of ground water reserves are making conditions worse. Snowfall and rain in some parts of northern China have eased what the Chinese government has called the worst drought in nearly five decades. Yet many farmers still fear for their winter wheat harvest and water use remains a pressing issue. Experts say the problem is bound to get worse unless China drastically changes the way it deals with its precious resources. Living Planet finds out if farmers are changing their practices as they face the long drought. (Report: Ruth Kirchner) U.S-Norwegian Polar Expedition Heads Home to Troll On the 20th of February the new German Neumayer Station III, erected by the Alfred Wegener Institute, was inaugurated in Antarctica to conduct long-term scientific polar research. Days later a U.S – Norwegian scientific expedition headed back to Troll Research Station to report on the continent’s ice sheets, a potential source for the ‘big melt’ expected from global warming. The 12-member team Norwegian-American Scientific Traverse of East Antarctica is one of the leading projects in the 2007-2009 International Polar Year. Living Planet speaks with American leader of the Traverse, Tom Neumann about their latest findings after a season of climate research. (Interview: Cheryl Northey) The Netherlands Facing More Challenges to Flood Control Over 60% of the population in the Netherlands lives below the sea level and they have been fighting to protect their land and homes from the sea or flooding rivers for centuries. There have been notorious flood disasters in the Netherlands; in 1995 torrential rain nearly caused two rivers in the Dutch province of Brabant, Holland to flood and around 100,000 people were evacuated. Now the Netherlands faces a new challenge to its flood control defences. Living Planet takes a look at how the country plans to protect villages and towns from the expected sea level rise due to global warming. (Report: Maja Graham) Early Warning System for Sandstorms Could Save Lives About one third of the world’s land mass is covered by deserts and savannahs which are spreading. The root cause for this desertification is unsustainable agriculture which leaves the soil degraded. Every year as many as 12 million hectares of productive farmland are lost that way. As the dry lands are increasing so are the numbers of sand and dust storms. They endanger people’s health and can cause enormous economic damage. Predicting sand and dust storms accurately and well ahead of time is tricky business. As Living Plant reports, US researchers seem to have found a solution to the problem that could be implemented worldwide. (Report: Madeleine Amberger) China Drought Threatens Farmers -- U.S-Norwegian Polar Expedition Heads Home -- The Tide is High in the Netherlands -- The Science of Sand Storms Chinese Drought Leaves Farmers Without Water Drought is seriously affecting a number of provinces in northern and central China. While lack of rain is to blame for the drought, rapid industrialisation, pollution and the depletion of ground water reserves are making conditions worse. Snowfall and rain in some parts of northern China have eased what the Chinese government has called the worst drought in nearly five decades. Yet many farmers still fear for their winter wheat harvest and water use remains a pressing issue. Experts say the problem is bound to get worse unless China drastically changes the way it deals with its precious resources. Living Planet finds out if farmers are changing their practices as they face the long drought. (Report: Ruth Kirchner) U.S-Norwegian Polar Expedition Heads Home to Troll On the 20th of February the new German Neumayer Station III, erected by the Alfred Wegener Institute, was inaugurated in Antarctica to conduct long-term scientific polar research. Days later a U.S – Norwegian scientific expedition headed back to Troll Research Station to report on the continent’s ice sheets, a potential source for the ‘big melt’ expected from global warming. The 12-member team Norwegian-American Scientific Traverse of East Antarctica is one of the leading projects in the 2007-2009 International Polar Year. Living Planet speaks with American leader of the Traverse, Tom Neumann about their latest findings after a season of climate research. (Interview: Cheryl Northey) The Netherlands Facing More Challenges to Flood Control Over 60% of the population in the Netherlands lives below the sea level and they have been fighting to protect their land and homes from the sea or flooding rivers for centuries. There have been notorious flood disasters in the Netherlands; in 1995 torrential rain nearly caused two rivers in the Dutch province of Brabant, Holland to flood and around 100,000 people were evacuated. Now the Netherlands faces a new challenge to its flood control defences. Living Planet takes a look at how the country plans to protect villages and towns from the expected sea level rise due to global warming. (Report: Maja Graham) Early Warning System for Sandstorms Could Save Lives About one third of the world’s land mass is covered by deserts and savannahs which are spreading. The root cause for this desertification is unsustainable agriculture which leaves the soil degraded. Every year as many as 12 million hectares of productive farmland are lost that way. As the dry lands are increasing so are the numbers of sand and dust storms. They endanger people’s health and can cause enormous economic damage. Predicting sand and dust storms accurately and well ahead of time is tricky business. As Living Plant reports, US researchers seem to have found a solution to the problem that could be implemented worldwide. (Report: Madeleine Amberger) tag:odeo.com,2009-02-25,24213019 Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24130779-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Getting hot under the collar for China’s lakes -- Discover the next generation of solar cell research – Bold Brits heading to the Poles – Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf in Germany?Listen online with our Audio on Demand or subscribe to our podcast. China’s White Collar Workers Go Green at Lashi Lake In China there is often a vast cultural divide between the country’s urban population and their rural counterparts. Yet, a new generation of Chinese are trying to bridge the gap through the act of volunteering. Last year an estimated 6 million Chinese volunteered their time to assist with the aftermath of the Sichuan Earthquake, and in staging the Beijing Olympics. Yet, it is not just the big events. In this second visit to the Lashi Lake area in the Yunnan province, Living Planet follows a group of environmental volunteers. They have come from China’s big cities to Lashi Lake to learn more about the environmental challenges locals face. (Report: Elise Potaka) Dye-Sensitive Solar Cells ... Getting hot under the collar for China’s lakes -- Discover the next generation of solar cell research – Bold Brits heading to the Poles – Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf in Germany?Listen online with our Audio on Demand or subscribe to our podcast. China’s White Collar Workers Go Green at Lashi Lake In China there is often a vast cultural divide between the country’s urban population and their rural counterparts. Yet, a new generation of Chinese are trying to bridge the gap through the act of volunteering. Last year an estimated 6 million Chinese volunteered their time to assist with the aftermath of the Sichuan Earthquake, and in staging the Beijing Olympics. Yet, it is not just the big events. In this second visit to the Lashi Lake area in the Yunnan province, Living Planet follows a group of environmental volunteers. They have come from China’s big cities to Lashi Lake to learn more about the environmental challenges locals face. (Report: Elise Potaka) Dye-Sensitive Solar Cells Could Help Renewable Energy Production Imagine if the glass windows in your office building or house could also generate electricity to heat or cool the building, or if your car’s sun-roof could also power the radio and air conditioning. This could be a reality in a few years if the technology known as dye-sensitised solar cells or dye solar cells, gets off the ground. Studies are underway in a number of different countries around the world, from Australia and New Zealand, to the United States, the UK and Germany. Living Planet found out more from the German research team about the potential of this technology. (Report: Cinnamon Nippard) British Explorers Prepare for an Ambitious Arctic Survey British Explorers Pen Hadow, Ann Daniel and photographer Martin Hartley planned to trek across the North Pole last year but funding fell through. A year later, on the 24th February they plan to set off from northern Canada's Arctic border to the pole, taking measurements of ice and snow levels in the Arctic as they go. The hope is the results of their research can be presented at the international conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December. Living Planet speaks with Polar Explorer Pen Hadow about the impending expedition. (Interview: Cheryl Northey) German Community Questions Coexisting With Wolves Environmentalists are up in arms and German animal rights activists are howling after officials in Saxony said they might let hunters shoot wolves in the Lusatia region. In the past decade a population of around 40 wolves has established a solid foothold in this sparsely-populated region of eastern Germany. Up until now this wolf population has been strictly protected under European Union legislation. Yet these predators have multiplied to an extent that some critics say they are becoming a danger and it is only a matter of time before there is an attack on a human. Living Planet visits the Muskauer Heath natural reserve near the German-Polish border to find out more. (Report: Uwe Hessler) Getting hot under the collar for China’s lakes -- Discover the next generation of solar cell research – Bold Brits heading to the Poles – Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf in Germany?Listen online with our Audio on Demand or subscribe to our podcast. China’s White Collar Workers Go Green at Lashi Lake In China there is often a vast cultural divide between the country’s urban population and their rural counterparts. Yet, a new generation of Chinese are trying to bridge the gap through the act of volunteering. Last year an estimated 6 million Chinese volunteered their time to assist with the aftermath of the Sichuan Earthquake, and in staging the Beijing Olympics. Yet, it is not just the big events. In this second visit to the Lashi Lake area in the Yunnan province, Living Planet follows a group of environmental volunteers. They have come from China’s big cities to Lashi Lake to learn more about the environmental challenges locals face. (Report: Elise Potaka) Dye-Sensitive Solar Cells Could Help Renewable Energy Production Imagine if the glass windows in your office building or house could also generate electricity to heat or cool the building, or if your car’s sun-roof could also power the radio and air conditioning. This could be a reality in a few years if the technology known as dye-sensitised solar cells or dye solar cells, gets off the ground. Studies are underway in a number of different countries around the world, from Australia and New Zealand, to the United States, the UK and Germany. Living Planet found out more from the German research team about the potential of this technology. (Report: Cinnamon Nippard) British Explorers Prepare for an Ambitious Arctic Survey British Explorers Pen Hadow, Ann Daniel and photographer Martin Hartley planned to trek across the North Pole last year but funding fell through. A year later, on the 24th February they plan to set off from northern Canada's Arctic border to the pole, taking measurements of ice and snow levels in the Arctic as they go. The hope is the results of their research can be presented at the international conference on climate change in Copenhagen in December. Living Planet speaks with Polar Explorer Pen Hadow about the impending expedition. (Interview: Cheryl Northey) German Community Questions Coexisting With Wolves Environmentalists are up in arms and German animal rights activists are howling after officials in Saxony said they might let hunters shoot wolves in the Lusatia region. In the past decade a population of around 40 wolves has established a solid foothold in this sparsely-populated region of eastern Germany. Up until now this wolf population has been strictly protected under European Union legislation. Yet these predators have multiplied to an extent that some critics say they are becoming a danger and it is only a matter of time before there is an attack on a human. Living Planet visits the Muskauer Heath natural reserve near the German-Polish border to find out more. (Report: Uwe Hessler) tag:odeo.com,2009-02-18,24130779 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/24070898-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Breaking down Germany's Environment Bonus -- Catching up with cyclists in Africa -- Investigating crocodile deaths in South Africa -- and -- Testing an eco-friendly jet fuel Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Germany's Environment Bonus Criticized The German government is offering 2,500 euros to anyone willing to trade in their old car for a new, eco-friendly one. But whether they'll do any good is anyone's guess. To cushion the impact of the global economic crisis, the German government is starting to implement a second stimulus package worth some 50 billion euros. While everyone agrees that the resources allocated to infrastructure programs will be money well spent, other measures in the package are highly controversial. One of those most debated is a bonus of 2,500 euros which you get if you scrap you old car and buy a new, more environmentally friendly one. The idea is to boost the country's ... Breaking down Germany's Environment Bonus -- Catching up with cyclists in Africa -- Investigating crocodile deaths in South Africa -- and -- Testing an eco-friendly jet fuel Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Germany's Environment Bonus Criticized The German government is offering 2,500 euros to anyone willing to trade in their old car for a new, eco-friendly one. But whether they'll do any good is anyone's guess. To cushion the impact of the global economic crisis, the German government is starting to implement a second stimulus package worth some 50 billion euros. While everyone agrees that the resources allocated to infrastructure programs will be money well spent, other measures in the package are highly controversial. One of those most debated is a bonus of 2,500 euros which you get if you scrap you old car and buy a new, more environmentally friendly one. The idea is to boost the country's ailing car industry, but critics argue that German car makers will be the last to profit, and that the environment could be getting a raw deal. Report: Mark Mattox / Emily Schwing Cyclists Continue to Spotlight Climate Change Two German cyclists are nearing the end of their year-long trip through 12 African countries. Along the way they've covered over 7,000 kilometers and planted hundreds of trees. Living Planet has been following the adventures of Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon over the past 10 months as they cycle across Africa to bring awareness to climate change. The two Germans are cycling across 12 African countries. They are around two months short of finishing their trip and are currently making their way through Namibia. Their campaign is called "Cycle Generation- Feel Africa", and is supported by the United Nations Environment Program as well as by the World Future Council. Living Planet caught up with the two intrepid cyclists as they arrived in the Namibian capital Windhoek. Interview: Mark Mattox Crocodile Deaths Plague South Africa South Africa hopes to make its mark as one of the key players amongst the industrial nations. Whilst the economy booms, the environment is often sadly ignored, such as at Loskop dam where the crocodiles are dying. South Africa hopes to be the first industrialized African nation. Social problems and poverty are rife, and so the government is trying to beef up the economy. All too often however, the pursuit of economic success leaves environmental issues by the way side. One of those issues has become quite visible at the Loskop dam, where water intended for agricultural use is stored. Crocodiles which had made the reservoir their home are dying out. What's worse: while the loss of these animals is tragic, it's only the tip of the iceberg Report: Dagmar Roehrlich / Ranjitha Balasubramanyam American Airliner Tries Out Biofuel Biofuels have gotten a bit of a bad reputation. They take away valuable agricultural products that could be used to fill empty stomachs and can be difficult to deliver to market. Could a biofuel made from algae change that? Recently Continental Airlines became the first U.S. commercial carrier to conduct a demonstration flight powered in part by alternative fuels, though large-scale use of such fuel is forecast to be several years away. The Houston-based company made the flight with a Boeing 737-800. The flight took about 1 hour, 45 minutes and had no passengers. Continental chairman and chief executive Larry Kellner said the goal was to analyse technical aspects of using biofuels, including effects on the plane's mechanical systems. In this case, the alternative fuel was derived from algae and jatropha plants and used in only one of the plane's two engines. Does this mean we’re any closer to sustainable air and land travel? Report: Naomi Fowler Breaking down Germany's Environment Bonus -- Catching up with cyclists in Africa -- Investigating crocodile deaths in South Africa -- and -- Testing an eco-friendly jet fuel Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Germany's Environment Bonus Criticized The German government is offering 2,500 euros to anyone willing to trade in their old car for a new, eco-friendly one. But whether they'll do any good is anyone's guess. To cushion the impact of the global economic crisis, the German government is starting to implement a second stimulus package worth some 50 billion euros. While everyone agrees that the resources allocated to infrastructure programs will be money well spent, other measures in the package are highly controversial. One of those most debated is a bonus of 2,500 euros which you get if you scrap you old car and buy a new, more environmentally friendly one. The idea is to boost the country's ailing car industry, but critics argue that German car makers will be the last to profit, and that the environment could be getting a raw deal. Report: Mark Mattox / Emily Schwing Cyclists Continue to Spotlight Climate Change Two German cyclists are nearing the end of their year-long trip through 12 African countries. Along the way they've covered over 7,000 kilometers and planted hundreds of trees. Living Planet has been following the adventures of Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon over the past 10 months as they cycle across Africa to bring awareness to climate change. The two Germans are cycling across 12 African countries. They are around two months short of finishing their trip and are currently making their way through Namibia. Their campaign is called "Cycle Generation- Feel Africa", and is supported by the United Nations Environment Program as well as by the World Future Council. Living Planet caught up with the two intrepid cyclists as they arrived in the Namibian capital Windhoek. Interview: Mark Mattox Crocodile Deaths Plague South Africa South Africa hopes to make its mark as one of the key players amongst the industrial nations. Whilst the economy booms, the environment is often sadly ignored, such as at Loskop dam where the crocodiles are dying. South Africa hopes to be the first industrialized African nation. Social problems and poverty are rife, and so the government is trying to beef up the economy. All too often however, the pursuit of economic success leaves environmental issues by the way side. One of those issues has become quite visible at the Loskop dam, where water intended for agricultural use is stored. Crocodiles which had made the reservoir their home are dying out. What's worse: while the loss of these animals is tragic, it's only the tip of the iceberg Report: Dagmar Roehrlich / Ranjitha Balasubramanyam American Airliner Tries Out Biofuel Biofuels have gotten a bit of a bad reputation. They take away valuable agricultural products that could be used to fill empty stomachs and can be difficult to deliver to market. Could a biofuel made from algae change that? Recently Continental Airlines became the first U.S. commercial carrier to conduct a demonstration flight powered in part by alternative fuels, though large-scale use of such fuel is forecast to be several years away. The Houston-based company made the flight with a Boeing 737-800. The flight took about 1 hour, 45 minutes and had no passengers. Continental chairman and chief executive Larry Kellner said the goal was to analyse technical aspects of using biofuels, including effects on the plane's mechanical systems. In this case, the alternative fuel was derived from algae and jatropha plants and used in only one of the plane's two engines. Does this mean we’re any closer to sustainable air and land travel? Report: Naomi Fowler tag:odeo.com,2009-02-11,24070898 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/23977289-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Challenges Establishing Worldwide International Agency for Renewable Energies -- Reducing Forest Depletion in Kenya with Stoves – Simple Ways of Thinking Globally by Acting Locally Worldwide International Agency for Renewable Energies Renewable energy is seen as one of the key solutions to the current challenges facing the world’s energy future. Is the world ready for this shift? A conference intended to establish an International Agency for Renewable Energies (IRENA) was held in Bonn, Germany on 26th January 2009. The aim of IRENA is to become the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale. Living Planet has more about the participant’s expectations and priority activities discussed at the recent conference. (Report: Maja Graham) Reducing Forest Depletion with Firewood Saving Stoves At one time, a large percent of Kenya was covered with forests. Today, less than two percent of country's forests... Challenges Establishing Worldwide International Agency for Renewable Energies -- Reducing Forest Depletion in Kenya with Stoves – Simple Ways of Thinking Globally by Acting Locally Worldwide International Agency for Renewable Energies Renewable energy is seen as one of the key solutions to the current challenges facing the world’s energy future. Is the world ready for this shift? A conference intended to establish an International Agency for Renewable Energies (IRENA) was held in Bonn, Germany on 26th January 2009. The aim of IRENA is to become the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale. Living Planet has more about the participant’s expectations and priority activities discussed at the recent conference. (Report: Maja Graham) Reducing Forest Depletion with Firewood Saving Stoves At one time, a large percent of Kenya was covered with forests. Today, less than two percent of country's forests remain. Settlements around the Mau forests and on the outskirts of Mount Kenya are considered the reason for this depletion. It is also the use of firewood for domestic cooking and as a source of energy for industry that contribute to the depletion. Projects like the Green Belt Movement have tried to plant new trees and revitalize the forests, but the increasing demand for firewood still outweighs the increased supply. Living Planet looks at what is being done to prevent Kenya’s woodlands from disappearing forever. (Report: Kateri Jochum) Young Professionals Thinking Globally by Acting Locally People who are interested in climate protection can catch public transport or using energy-saving light bulbs to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. One young couple in Cologne, Germany are also looking beyond those simple measure and are incorporating changes in their spending habits by buying locally grown food and recycled furniture to lessen their impact on the environment. Living Planet visits the young couple’s apartment to get some more tips. (Report: Nina Plonka / Sarah Stolarz) Challenges Establishing Worldwide International Agency for Renewable Energies -- Reducing Forest Depletion in Kenya with Stoves – Simple Ways of Thinking Globally by Acting Locally Worldwide International Agency for Renewable Energies Renewable energy is seen as one of the key solutions to the current challenges facing the world’s energy future. Is the world ready for this shift? A conference intended to establish an International Agency for Renewable Energies (IRENA) was held in Bonn, Germany on 26th January 2009. The aim of IRENA is to become the main driving force in promoting a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use of renewable energy on a global scale. Living Planet has more about the participant’s expectations and priority activities discussed at the recent conference. (Report: Maja Graham) Reducing Forest Depletion with Firewood Saving Stoves At one time, a large percent of Kenya was covered with forests. Today, less than two percent of country's forests remain. Settlements around the Mau forests and on the outskirts of Mount Kenya are considered the reason for this depletion. It is also the use of firewood for domestic cooking and as a source of energy for industry that contribute to the depletion. Projects like the Green Belt Movement have tried to plant new trees and revitalize the forests, but the increasing demand for firewood still outweighs the increased supply. Living Planet looks at what is being done to prevent Kenya’s woodlands from disappearing forever. (Report: Kateri Jochum) Young Professionals Thinking Globally by Acting Locally People who are interested in climate protection can catch public transport or using energy-saving light bulbs to reduce greenhouse gases emissions. One young couple in Cologne, Germany are also looking beyond those simple measure and are incorporating changes in their spending habits by buying locally grown food and recycled furniture to lessen their impact on the environment. Living Planet visits the young couple’s apartment to get some more tips. (Report: Nina Plonka / Sarah Stolarz) tag:odeo.com,2009-01-28,23977289 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/23918146-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Balancing Human Use and Ecosystems in the Arctic -- New Device Offers Possibility of Controlling Electricity Costs -- Animal Species Under Threat in Asia -- Organic Food Industry on Show at International Green WeekChallenges Facing the Arctic Frontiers Arctic Frontiers is an annual conference taking place for the third time in the town of Tromsö, in the Norwegian Arctic from the 18th to the 23rd of January. The aim is to bring together scientists, politicians, environmental organisations and indigenous peoples – in short all the stakeholders in the region – to discuss the future of the Arctic, against the background of alarmingly rapid climate change under the motto "Balancing human use and ecosystem protection". (Report: Irene Quaile) Intelligent Electricity Meters Make Energy Consumption Clear One of Germany’s biggest energy suppliers has started a campaign to install intelligent electricity meters in private homes. Customers of the company Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW) can see... Balancing Human Use and Ecosystems in the Arctic -- New Device Offers Possibility of Controlling Electricity Costs -- Animal Species Under Threat in Asia -- Organic Food Industry on Show at International Green WeekChallenges Facing the Arctic Frontiers Arctic Frontiers is an annual conference taking place for the third time in the town of Tromsö, in the Norwegian Arctic from the 18th to the 23rd of January. The aim is to bring together scientists, politicians, environmental organisations and indigenous peoples – in short all the stakeholders in the region – to discuss the future of the Arctic, against the background of alarmingly rapid climate change under the motto "Balancing human use and ecosystem protection". (Report: Irene Quaile) Intelligent Electricity Meters Make Energy Consumption Clear One of Germany’s biggest energy suppliers has started a campaign to install intelligent electricity meters in private homes. Customers of the company Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW) can see their energy use in real time on the Internet, which means that they can better analyse and control their energy consumption. In the trial period, more than one third of households reduced their energy use by ten percent. This means in the test period alone, CO2 emissions were reduced by around 157 tonnes. (Report: Kate Hairsine) Scientists Discover New East Asian Mammals Species East Asia is one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots, with over 150 species recorded in the area. It is also a hot spot for the flourishing illegal wildlife trade. In spite of efforts by conservation organizations wildlife trading has been steadily increasing over the years. Animals are poached for food, for fashion, for medicine, and for trophies. Conservationists are racing against time to save the animals they know about and to discover what may still be out there. (Report: Madeleine Amberger) Bio Industry Blooming at International Green Week Berlin The International Green Week (IGW) was established in 1926 for food, agriculture, and horticulture industries and producers worldwide. The world’s largest agricultural fair takes place in Berlin between the 16th to the 25th of January 2009. Exhibitions at the IGW include fresh produce, fish, meats, and dairy products combined with a selection of international wine, beer, and spirits. This year the IGW is set against the backdrop of the global economic crisis but as Living Planet discovered the organic food industry is optimistic. (Report: Tanya Wood) Balancing Human Use and Ecosystems in the Arctic -- New Device Offers Possibility of Controlling Electricity Costs -- Animal Species Under Threat in Asia -- Organic Food Industry on Show at International Green WeekChallenges Facing the Arctic Frontiers Arctic Frontiers is an annual conference taking place for the third time in the town of Tromsö, in the Norwegian Arctic from the 18th to the 23rd of January. The aim is to bring together scientists, politicians, environmental organisations and indigenous peoples – in short all the stakeholders in the region – to discuss the future of the Arctic, against the background of alarmingly rapid climate change under the motto "Balancing human use and ecosystem protection". (Report: Irene Quaile) Intelligent Electricity Meters Make Energy Consumption Clear One of Germany’s biggest energy suppliers has started a campaign to install intelligent electricity meters in private homes. Customers of the company Energie Baden-Württemberg (EnBW) can see their energy use in real time on the Internet, which means that they can better analyse and control their energy consumption. In the trial period, more than one third of households reduced their energy use by ten percent. This means in the test period alone, CO2 emissions were reduced by around 157 tonnes. (Report: Kate Hairsine) Scientists Discover New East Asian Mammals Species East Asia is one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots, with over 150 species recorded in the area. It is also a hot spot for the flourishing illegal wildlife trade. In spite of efforts by conservation organizations wildlife trading has been steadily increasing over the years. Animals are poached for food, for fashion, for medicine, and for trophies. Conservationists are racing against time to save the animals they know about and to discover what may still be out there. (Report: Madeleine Amberger) Bio Industry Blooming at International Green Week Berlin The International Green Week (IGW) was established in 1926 for food, agriculture, and horticulture industries and producers worldwide. The world’s largest agricultural fair takes place in Berlin between the 16th to the 25th of January 2009. Exhibitions at the IGW include fresh produce, fish, meats, and dairy products combined with a selection of international wine, beer, and spirits. This year the IGW is set against the backdrop of the global economic crisis but as Living Planet discovered the organic food industry is optimistic. (Report: Tanya Wood) tag:odeo.com,2009-01-21,23918146 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/23879401-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World German research vessel causes controversy -- Raising a voice for the environment in China -- and – Environmentally friendly worship. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Polarstern Sets Sail to Fertilize Southern Ocean Fertilizing oceans to cause plankton blooms is a highly controversial undertaking, and despite international outcry, it seems a German research vessel may carry out that task in the near future. The German research vessel Polarstern is currently on its way to the Southwest Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean. The team of 48 scientists on board left Cape Town, South Africa on January 7th to carry out the experiment. About two weeks will be required to reach the area and carefully select a suitable location, after which a patch of 300 square kilometres will be fertilized with six tons of dissolved iron. The hope is that this will lead to rapid growth of the minute, unicellular algae ... German research vessel causes controversy -- Raising a voice for the environment in China -- and – Environmentally friendly worship. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Polarstern Sets Sail to Fertilize Southern Ocean Fertilizing oceans to cause plankton blooms is a highly controversial undertaking, and despite international outcry, it seems a German research vessel may carry out that task in the near future. The German research vessel Polarstern is currently on its way to the Southwest Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean. The team of 48 scientists on board left Cape Town, South Africa on January 7th to carry out the experiment. About two weeks will be required to reach the area and carefully select a suitable location, after which a patch of 300 square kilometres will be fertilized with six tons of dissolved iron. The hope is that this will lead to rapid growth of the minute, unicellular algae known as phytoplankton. These algae not only provide the food sustaining oceanic life, but also play a key role in regulating concentrations of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Living Planet spoke with Ulrich Bathman, a researcher with the Alfred-Wegener-Institute or AWI in Bremerhaven, which owns the Polarstern. Interview: Mark Mattox and Ulrich Bathmann, Alfred-Wegener-Institute German Research Vessel Causes Controversy The mission to fertilize the Southern Ocean has caused environmental groups around the globe to cry foul. The Polarstern mission to fertilize an area off the coast of Antarctica has drawn a considerable amount of criticism. Environmental groups from around the world have called on the Germans to stop the ship and the experiment. Most cite the UN Convention on Biodiversity’s announcement last May of a moratorium on experiments such as these until further study on their safety and effectiveness has been determined. One of the most vocal critics is the ETC Group, an International Civil Society Organization based in Ottawa, Canada. Living Planet spoke with Jim Thomas, a researcher at ETC group about the mission and his organizations specific objections to it. Interview: Mark Mattox and Jim Thomas, ETC Group Villagers in China Stand up for the Environment Participatory decision-making is not what you expect in a country like China, where generally decisions about economic development are made using a top-down approach. In China, infrastructure like roads, bridges and dams are built in the name of the greater good. Affected communities are rarely consulted and just have to do their best to deal with the social and environmental impacts. In the country’s south-west Yunnan province, one group of villagers is not only building more sustainable livelihoods, but they’re also taking a seat at the negotiating table. Report: Elise Potaka Climate Witness Series: Zugspitze In Living Planet’s ‘Climate Witness’ series we hear first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. The mountains that define the border between Germany, Austria and Switzerland are world famous as both a winter and summer holiday destination. At this time of year skiers, snowboarders and other winter sports enthusiast come from all over the globe to take advantage of the powdery snow. Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, is one of the most popular destinations in the mountain range. Here, as elsewhere in the Alps, the glaciers are under attack from warming temperatures and the changing climate. This week we hear from Petra Vogt, with the tourism bureau in the town of Garmisch Partenkirchen at the base of the Zugspitze. She has spent most of her life in these mountains and has seen the change they have undergone. Report: Emily Schwing German research vessel causes controversy -- Raising a voice for the environment in China -- and – Environmentally friendly worship. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Polarstern Sets Sail to Fertilize Southern Ocean Fertilizing oceans to cause plankton blooms is a highly controversial undertaking, and despite international outcry, it seems a German research vessel may carry out that task in the near future. The German research vessel Polarstern is currently on its way to the Southwest Atlantic Sector of the Southern Ocean. The team of 48 scientists on board left Cape Town, South Africa on January 7th to carry out the experiment. About two weeks will be required to reach the area and carefully select a suitable location, after which a patch of 300 square kilometres will be fertilized with six tons of dissolved iron. The hope is that this will lead to rapid growth of the minute, unicellular algae known as phytoplankton. These algae not only provide the food sustaining oceanic life, but also play a key role in regulating concentrations of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Living Planet spoke with Ulrich Bathman, a researcher with the Alfred-Wegener-Institute or AWI in Bremerhaven, which owns the Polarstern. Interview: Mark Mattox and Ulrich Bathmann, Alfred-Wegener-Institute German Research Vessel Causes Controversy The mission to fertilize the Southern Ocean has caused environmental groups around the globe to cry foul. The Polarstern mission to fertilize an area off the coast of Antarctica has drawn a considerable amount of criticism. Environmental groups from around the world have called on the Germans to stop the ship and the experiment. Most cite the UN Convention on Biodiversity’s announcement last May of a moratorium on experiments such as these until further study on their safety and effectiveness has been determined. One of the most vocal critics is the ETC Group, an International Civil Society Organization based in Ottawa, Canada. Living Planet spoke with Jim Thomas, a researcher at ETC group about the mission and his organizations specific objections to it. Interview: Mark Mattox and Jim Thomas, ETC Group Villagers in China Stand up for the Environment Participatory decision-making is not what you expect in a country like China, where generally decisions about economic development are made using a top-down approach. In China, infrastructure like roads, bridges and dams are built in the name of the greater good. Affected communities are rarely consulted and just have to do their best to deal with the social and environmental impacts. In the country’s south-west Yunnan province, one group of villagers is not only building more sustainable livelihoods, but they’re also taking a seat at the negotiating table. Report: Elise Potaka Climate Witness Series: Zugspitze In Living Planet’s ‘Climate Witness’ series we hear first-hand testimony about the consequences of climate change. The mountains that define the border between Germany, Austria and Switzerland are world famous as both a winter and summer holiday destination. At this time of year skiers, snowboarders and other winter sports enthusiast come from all over the globe to take advantage of the powdery snow. Germany’s highest peak, the Zugspitze, is one of the most popular destinations in the mountain range. Here, as elsewhere in the Alps, the glaciers are under attack from warming temperatures and the changing climate. This week we hear from Petra Vogt, with the tourism bureau in the town of Garmisch Partenkirchen at the base of the Zugspitze. She has spent most of her life in these mountains and has seen the change they have undergone. Report: Emily Schwing tag:odeo.com,2009-01-14,23879401 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/23841201-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Cycling to promote environmental awareness -- Eco-friendly funerals -- Rabbit infestation in France -- and -- Using the web to carpool. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Cycling Against Climate Change Two Germans are so intent on speaking out against climate change that they've started cycling across Africa. They're planting trees and spreading a message of hope and responsibility to those who don't often hear it. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon have chosen an innovative way of drawing attention to climate change: the two Germans are cycling across 12 African countries. The started back in April, and are currently in Zambia, in the south of the African continent. Altogether, their trip will last one entire year. Their campaign is called "Cycle Generation- Feel Africa", and is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme as well as by the World Future Council. Living Planet ca... Cycling to promote environmental awareness -- Eco-friendly funerals -- Rabbit infestation in France -- and -- Using the web to carpool. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Cycling Against Climate Change Two Germans are so intent on speaking out against climate change that they've started cycling across Africa. They're planting trees and spreading a message of hope and responsibility to those who don't often hear it. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon have chosen an innovative way of drawing attention to climate change: the two Germans are cycling across 12 African countries. The started back in April, and are currently in Zambia, in the south of the African continent. Altogether, their trip will last one entire year. Their campaign is called "Cycle Generation- Feel Africa", and is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme as well as by the World Future Council. Living Planet caught up with the two cyclists as they arrived Lusaka. Interview: Mark Mattox with Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon Being Green After You’ve Left the Scene Just because you’ve shuffled of your mortal coil doesn’t mean you can’t continue to give the environment a helping hand. In the UK, 70 percent of all funerals are cremations, a higher percentage than anywhere else in the world. This has turned into a pollution problem because of mercury emissions from dental fillings which melt in the process. Now “green” or “eco-burials” are gaining popularity in the UK. It is estimated that by the end of 2010 around 12 percent of all UK burials will be “green”. Living Planet pays a visit to Manchester, England, to find out what constitutes an “eco-funeral”, and why this industry is catching on. Report: Lars Bevanger Rabbits Infest French Countryside They’re cute, fuzzy, and breed like – well, rabbits. And they’re taking over the French countryside. Rabbit is a dish that regularly appears on French menus, especially in the countryside. But an explosion in the number of wild rabbits has caused damage to many farmers’ crops. And it’s created tension with hunters who have been taken to court, accused of failing to control them. It’s thought the rabbit population is almost as high as it was in the 1950s before myxomatosis was introduced to control the numbers. There are complaints that the hunting season is not long enough and the authorities have been blamed for not taking the problem seriously enough. Report: Alasdair Sanford The Eco-Friendly Commute A new German website is making it easy for Berliners to commute to work, school and football practice in an eco-friendly manner. Lots of students have creative and innovative ideas during their time at university. Too often though, those ideas stay in lecture halls and never make it out into the real world. Well here in Germany a competition is making sure that is no longer the case. It’s called Generation D and its goal is to discover offbeat and unknown projects in the areas of society, economics and ecology. Recently the winners in each category were announced in Berlin. Report: Lydia Leipert / Sarah Stolarz Cycling to promote environmental awareness -- Eco-friendly funerals -- Rabbit infestation in France -- and -- Using the web to carpool. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Cycling Against Climate Change Two Germans are so intent on speaking out against climate change that they've started cycling across Africa. They're planting trees and spreading a message of hope and responsibility to those who don't often hear it. Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon have chosen an innovative way of drawing attention to climate change: the two Germans are cycling across 12 African countries. The started back in April, and are currently in Zambia, in the south of the African continent. Altogether, their trip will last one entire year. Their campaign is called "Cycle Generation- Feel Africa", and is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme as well as by the World Future Council. Living Planet caught up with the two cyclists as they arrived Lusaka. Interview: Mark Mattox with Ragna Schmidt-Haupt and Amiram Roth-Deblon Being Green After You’ve Left the Scene Just because you’ve shuffled of your mortal coil doesn’t mean you can’t continue to give the environment a helping hand. In the UK, 70 percent of all funerals are cremations, a higher percentage than anywhere else in the world. This has turned into a pollution problem because of mercury emissions from dental fillings which melt in the process. Now “green” or “eco-burials” are gaining popularity in the UK. It is estimated that by the end of 2010 around 12 percent of all UK burials will be “green”. Living Planet pays a visit to Manchester, England, to find out what constitutes an “eco-funeral”, and why this industry is catching on. Report: Lars Bevanger Rabbits Infest French Countryside They’re cute, fuzzy, and breed like – well, rabbits. And they’re taking over the French countryside. Rabbit is a dish that regularly appears on French menus, especially in the countryside. But an explosion in the number of wild rabbits has caused damage to many farmers’ crops. And it’s created tension with hunters who have been taken to court, accused of failing to control them. It’s thought the rabbit population is almost as high as it was in the 1950s before myxomatosis was introduced to control the numbers. There are complaints that the hunting season is not long enough and the authorities have been blamed for not taking the problem seriously enough. Report: Alasdair Sanford The Eco-Friendly Commute A new German website is making it easy for Berliners to commute to work, school and football practice in an eco-friendly manner. Lots of students have creative and innovative ideas during their time at university. Too often though, those ideas stay in lecture halls and never make it out into the real world. Well here in Germany a competition is making sure that is no longer the case. It’s called Generation D and its goal is to discover offbeat and unknown projects in the areas of society, economics and ecology. Recently the winners in each category were announced in Berlin. Report: Lydia Leipert / Sarah Stolarz tag:odeo.com,2009-01-07,23841201 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/23822616-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World The Environmental Impact of Oil Sands Production in Canada -- Traditional Rice Farming Practices Under Threat in Asia -- Balancing Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development all in this edition of Living Planet. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.The Impact of Oil Sands Extraction in Alberta, Canada Oil sands or tar sands is a term to describe naturally occurring deposits of sand or clay, water and a thick, heavy substance called bitumen. It is processed to produce synthetic crude oil. Alberta contains the second largest proven concentration of oil in the world and the vast majority of that is found in oil sands deposits. There are 87 active oil sands projects in Alberta. In 2006, Alberta exported about 1.35 million barrels per day of crude oil to the United States. The World Wide Fund for Nature wants to stop the expansion of oil sands because they are the fastest contributor to Canada’s gree... The Environmental Impact of Oil Sands Production in Canada -- Traditional Rice Farming Practices Under Threat in Asia -- Balancing Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development all in this edition of Living Planet. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.The Impact of Oil Sands Extraction in Alberta, Canada Oil sands or tar sands is a term to describe naturally occurring deposits of sand or clay, water and a thick, heavy substance called bitumen. It is processed to produce synthetic crude oil. Alberta contains the second largest proven concentration of oil in the world and the vast majority of that is found in oil sands deposits. There are 87 active oil sands projects in Alberta. In 2006, Alberta exported about 1.35 million barrels per day of crude oil to the United States. The World Wide Fund for Nature wants to stop the expansion of oil sands because they are the fastest contributor to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. (Report: Pamela Schobess) Asia's Rice Paddies Threatened by Industrial Development From Bali to Vietnam, traditional rice paddies are being replaced by golf courses, hotels and industrial parks. As Asian economies surge, younger people in particular are choosing less labour-intensive work than rice farming. These factors have been cutting into the rice production. Global stocks of rice are their lowest in two decades and as result rice prices have almost tripled. Alarmed by its inability to feed a fast growing population, the Philippine government ordered a halt to the conversion of farmland for other uses. Indonesia used to be a rice exporter now it's importing rice. (Report: Rebecca Henschke) Finding a Solution to Deforestation in Developing Countries One activity that generates more greenhouse gasses than planes, trains, and automobiles is deforestation. Forests are disappearing at a rate of around 13 million hectares per year. Clearing rainforests to make way for agriculture is responsible for about 20% of all greenhouse gasses. Countries are trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Now, a number of key countries to take early action to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation . Negotiators at the recent Climate Change Talks in Poznan, Poland are trying to hammer out a solution – and as Living Planet reports, that’s easier said than done. (Report: Steve Zwick) The Environmental Impact of Oil Sands Production in Canada -- Traditional Rice Farming Practices Under Threat in Asia -- Balancing Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development all in this edition of Living Planet. Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.The Impact of Oil Sands Extraction in Alberta, Canada Oil sands or tar sands is a term to describe naturally occurring deposits of sand or clay, water and a thick, heavy substance called bitumen. It is processed to produce synthetic crude oil. Alberta contains the second largest proven concentration of oil in the world and the vast majority of that is found in oil sands deposits. There are 87 active oil sands projects in Alberta. In 2006, Alberta exported about 1.35 million barrels per day of crude oil to the United States. The World Wide Fund for Nature wants to stop the expansion of oil sands because they are the fastest contributor to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. (Report: Pamela Schobess) Asia's Rice Paddies Threatened by Industrial Development From Bali to Vietnam, traditional rice paddies are being replaced by golf courses, hotels and industrial parks. As Asian economies surge, younger people in particular are choosing less labour-intensive work than rice farming. These factors have been cutting into the rice production. Global stocks of rice are their lowest in two decades and as result rice prices have almost tripled. Alarmed by its inability to feed a fast growing population, the Philippine government ordered a halt to the conversion of farmland for other uses. Indonesia used to be a rice exporter now it's importing rice. (Report: Rebecca Henschke) Finding a Solution to Deforestation in Developing Countries One activity that generates more greenhouse gasses than planes, trains, and automobiles is deforestation. Forests are disappearing at a rate of around 13 million hectares per year. Clearing rainforests to make way for agriculture is responsible for about 20% of all greenhouse gasses. Countries are trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. Now, a number of key countries to take early action to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation . Negotiators at the recent Climate Change Talks in Poznan, Poland are trying to hammer out a solution – and as Living Planet reports, that’s easier said than done. (Report: Steve Zwick) tag:odeo.com,2008-12-31,23822616 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/23808689-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World In this special Living Planet feature "Unbaking Alaska" join a field-trip to the Arctic region of Alaska with the "Climate Change College". Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Unbaking Alaska -- A Living Planet Special Feature The Arctic is being affected dramatically by climate change. Melting sea ice and coastal erosion are having an impact on the traditional lifestyles of the indigenous population. In this special Living Planet feature "Unbaking Alaska", Deutsche Welle's Irene Quaile joins a field-trip to the Arctic region of Alaska with the "Climate Change College". These "young ambassadors" from across Europe visit the region to find out how climate change is affecting the area and the indigenous Inupiat people, and how scientists monitor this. In the Arctic town of Barrow, the northernmost settlement in the USA, the group finds out first-hand how climate change is affecting the traditional h... In this special Living Planet feature "Unbaking Alaska" join a field-trip to the Arctic region of Alaska with the "Climate Change College". Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Unbaking Alaska -- A Living Planet Special Feature The Arctic is being affected dramatically by climate change. Melting sea ice and coastal erosion are having an impact on the traditional lifestyles of the indigenous population. In this special Living Planet feature "Unbaking Alaska", Deutsche Welle's Irene Quaile joins a field-trip to the Arctic region of Alaska with the "Climate Change College". These "young ambassadors" from across Europe visit the region to find out how climate change is affecting the area and the indigenous Inupiat people, and how scientists monitor this. In the Arctic town of Barrow, the northernmost settlement in the USA, the group finds out first-hand how climate change is affecting the traditional hunting patterns on which the Inupiat lifestyle is based. The students are to apply – and communicate – this knowledge when they get back to their home countries, inspired to "unbake" Alaska by combating global warming. (Report: Irene Quaile) In this special Living Planet feature "Unbaking Alaska" join a field-trip to the Arctic region of Alaska with the "Climate Change College". Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Unbaking Alaska -- A Living Planet Special Feature The Arctic is being affected dramatically by climate change. Melting sea ice and coastal erosion are having an impact on the traditional lifestyles of the indigenous population. In this special Living Planet feature "Unbaking Alaska", Deutsche Welle's Irene Quaile joins a field-trip to the Arctic region of Alaska with the "Climate Change College". These "young ambassadors" from across Europe visit the region to find out how climate change is affecting the area and the indigenous Inupiat people, and how scientists monitor this. In the Arctic town of Barrow, the northernmost settlement in the USA, the group finds out first-hand how climate change is affecting the traditional hunting patterns on which the Inupiat lifestyle is based. The students are to apply – and communicate – this knowledge when they get back to their home countries, inspired to "unbake" Alaska by combating global warming. (Report: Irene Quaile) tag:odeo.com,2008-12-24,23808689 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet http://odeo.com/episodes/23770646-Living-Planet-Environment-Matters-Around-the-World Building a Climate Bridge Between the US and Germany -- Biodynamic Farming in Morocco -- Dancing the Night Away for an Eco-Friendly Cause -- these stories and more in this edition of Living Planet.Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Climate Bridge Fosters Ideas Between Germany and America As of this week there is officially a bridge connecting Germany with the United States, and while it may not be a traditional bridge you can drive on, it is sure to have a huge impact on the nations it connects. The Transatlantic Climate Bridge is meant to foster partnership and the exchange of eco innovations and ideas between the US and Germany. The German launch was back in September in Berlin, and this week scientists, politicians and climate experts met at the German embassy in Washington to inaugurate the American half of the bridge. Among those in attendance was Dr. Eicke Weber with the Fraunhofer Institut... Building a Climate Bridge Between the US and Germany -- Biodynamic Farming in Morocco -- Dancing the Night Away for an Eco-Friendly Cause -- these stories and more in this edition of Living Planet.Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Climate Bridge Fosters Ideas Between Germany and America As of this week there is officially a bridge connecting Germany with the United States, and while it may not be a traditional bridge you can drive on, it is sure to have a huge impact on the nations it connects. The Transatlantic Climate Bridge is meant to foster partnership and the exchange of eco innovations and ideas between the US and Germany. The German launch was back in September in Berlin, and this week scientists, politicians and climate experts met at the German embassy in Washington to inaugurate the American half of the bridge. Among those in attendance was Dr. Eicke Weber with the Fraunhofer Institute in the southern German city of Freiburg. Interview: Mark Mattox / Dr. Eicke Weber, Fraunhofer Institute Biodynamic Farming in Morocco It’s and idea that started in Austria over a century ago and now it’s making a difference in Morocco. The area around Taroudant in southern Morocco is one of the most fertile regions in the country. In the foothills of the Atlas Mountains a pioneering biodynamic farm that is operated in accordance with a strict ecological philosophy is producing crops that are selling at a high price in Europe. But it isn’t just for the luxury export market far away from where it’s grown. This "super" green produce also appears on the adjoining hotel table and is paving the way for the region to increase its agricultural income. Reporter: Sylvia Smith Eco-Partying in Amsterdam Dancing the night away for an eco-friendly cause. As important as it is, sustainability is just not that sexy. While lugging recycling to the curb or going elbow-deep into a giant pile of compost is rewarding on many levels, what if you could make a difference just by drinking, dancing, and hanging out with your friends? A new trend – maybe you could call it eco-partying – makes that a reality. Bars and nightclubs bid a percentage of one night of profits - the one committing the largest wins extra customers through this eco-non-profit, everyone goes out and has a good time and the next day the eco-experts come and tell the bar what to do with their windfall that will save energy and make their business more environmentally efficient. Reporter: Susan Stone Building a Climate Bridge Between the US and Germany -- Biodynamic Farming in Morocco -- Dancing the Night Away for an Eco-Friendly Cause -- these stories and more in this edition of Living Planet.Tune in via the live-stream or download the program as a podcast. Send your comments and questions to features@dw-world.de.Climate Bridge Fosters Ideas Between Germany and America As of this week there is officially a bridge connecting Germany with the United States, and while it may not be a traditional bridge you can drive on, it is sure to have a huge impact on the nations it connects. The Transatlantic Climate Bridge is meant to foster partnership and the exchange of eco innovations and ideas between the US and Germany. The German launch was back in September in Berlin, and this week scientists, politicians and climate experts met at the German embassy in Washington to inaugurate the American half of the bridge. Among those in attendance was Dr. Eicke Weber with the Fraunhofer Institute in the southern German city of Freiburg. Interview: Mark Mattox / Dr. Eicke Weber, Fraunhofer Institute Biodynamic Farming in Morocco It’s and idea that started in Austria over a century ago and now it’s making a difference in Morocco. The area around Taroudant in southern Morocco is one of the most fertile regions in the country. In the foothills of the Atlas Mountains a pioneering biodynamic farm that is operated in accordance with a strict ecological philosophy is producing crops that are selling at a high price in Europe. But it isn’t just for the luxury export market far away from where it’s grown. This "super" green produce also appears on the adjoining hotel table and is paving the way for the region to increase its agricultural income. Reporter: Sylvia Smith Eco-Partying in Amsterdam Dancing the night away for an eco-friendly cause. As important as it is, sustainability is just not that sexy. While lugging recycling to the curb or going elbow-deep into a giant pile of compost is rewarding on many levels, what if you could make a difference just by drinking, dancing, and hanging out with your friends? A new trend – maybe you could call it eco-partying – makes that a reality. Bars and nightclubs bid a percentage of one night of profits - the one committing the largest wins extra customers through this eco-non-profit, everyone goes out and has a good time and the next day the eco-experts come and tell the bar what to do with their windfall that will save energy and make their business more environmentally efficient. Reporter: Susan Stone tag:odeo.com,2008-12-17,23770646 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:30:00 -0800 no Living Planet: Living Planet: Environment Matters Around the World Living Planet