Living Planet

Dan Luscher, an urban planning enthusiast advocating for 15-minute cities, joins Lindsay Sturman, a TV writer involved in the Livable Communities Initiative. They discuss the vision of cities where everything is a short walk or bike ride away. While celebrating the sustainability of these urban designs, they tackle the controversies and conspiracy theories surrounding them. The conversation highlights the urgent need for transformed spaces, inclusive zoning, and innovative solutions to create vibrant, walkable communities, all while addressing socioeconomic disparities.

Scientists in the US have found a way to grow plants in complete darkness. Could this be the future of farming, reducing land use and environmental impact? Or will traditional agriculture remain irreplaceable?

What would you do to save your home from disappearing? As sea levels rise, the tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu mulls a permanent move to the metaverse to save its culture. But not everyone is giving up just yet.

As Dublin grapples with a water crisis, a proposed pipeline threatens the River Shannon's future. Tales from an 82-year-old shed light on the river's rich history. Friends reminisce about childhood adventures and the changing wildlife along the river. Tensions rise as urban demands clash with rural ecological concerns, while sustainability challenges loom over data centers' water and energy use. The podcast explores the delicate balance between development and preserving this vital waterway.

We recently devoted an episode to exploring LED light pollution in one of Germany’s brightest cities. In part two, we hear from a motley team of researchers who want to rewild urban cities. An artist and an ethicist are leading the way with a “light clock,” an intriguing thought experiment on the relationship between light and time.

Who doesn't love a good story? Even in the noise of today, some books keep on drawing new readers. Outdated in many ways, yet standing the test of time, can those with strong natural settings foster an appreciation of the world around us? An English county with its fair share of well-known writers might be a good place to explore that idea.

What happens to bees in winter? These busy creatures don't just vanish when the cold sets in. In this second episode of our Naturally Connected mini-series we learn about the amazing survival strategies of bees.

What is it about the sea that draws us in? From rugged cliffs to sandy shores, Tamsin Walker explores the ocean’s magnetic pull and the mysteries of its hold on us in this opening episode of our Naturally Connected mini-series.

Before we ring in the New Year, Living Planet has some answers to your listener questions. Which is better for the environment: reusable or paper coffee cups? And what about the water footprint of the meat industry? Does it really take 15,000 liters of water to produce one kilo of beef? Plus, our favorite moments of 2024.

Curtis van der Schaaf, an Assistant Professor and forestry extension specialist at Mississippi State University, unpacks the sustainability debate between real and artificial Christmas trees. He discusses the ecological impact of both choices, emphasizing the benefits of sourcing trees locally from tree farms. Curtis also explores innovative uses for post-holiday real trees in culinary creations, like Christmas tree needle-infused ice cream. Listeners are encouraged to consider quality, sentiment, and community connections when selecting their holiday trees.