

Living Planet
DW
Looking to reconnect with nature? Want to make better decisions for the health of the planet? Every Friday, Living Planet brings you the stories, facts and debates on the key environmental issues of our time.
Episodes
Mentioned books

7 snips
Oct 4, 2024 • 31min
What’s better – leather or vegan leather?
In this enlightening discussion, Kerry Senior, an environmental scientist and Director of the UK Leather Federation, teams up with Michael Meyer, a professor in additive manufacturing and CEO of the Freiburg Institute. They dive into the ethical and environmental concerns surrounding leather and vegan leather alternatives. The conversation reveals the unexpected complexities of vegan leather, including hidden ingredients and plastic pollution. They also challenge consumer perceptions of luxury and sustainability while encouraging listeners to rethink their footwear choices.

Sep 27, 2024 • 14min
Chirping from the crypt
There are an estimated 50 to 430 billion birds worldwide. They're everywhere, but few of us take the time to listen. In this episode, our reporter Ben Restle joins a nocturnal Berlin birdwatching workshop in a rather eerie location. It’s perfect for witnessing the magical dawn chorus - you just need to make it through the night…

Sep 20, 2024 • 27min
Introducing: What on Earth
This week we are sharing an episode from What On Earth — a CBC Podcast dedicated to bringing you a world of climate solutions. “Ghosts in their fishing nets” takes us to the Yukon, where Indigenous communities are sounding the alarm over critically endangered Chinook salmon populations – and fighting to help the fish return.

Sep 13, 2024 • 36min
When ants invade
Which creatures tend their own gardens, keep livestock, wage wars and have been around since the dinosaurs? We’re talking about ants of course. Tiny but mighty, the ant universe is complex, fascinating, and mostly hidden. Ants are crucial for sustaining healthy ecosystems. But, as residents in one German town discovered, they can also wreak havoc when they invade new habitats.

Sep 6, 2024 • 33min
Suck, bury, store – Denmark wants your CO2, but why?
If you can't beat CO2 pollution, then bury it? That's basically the thought behind carbon capture and storage. Denmark wants to become a leader in these efforts, and has the geological underground to lock away billions of tons of CO2. But locals ask, will it blow up in their face? An exploration of carbon capture technology.

Aug 29, 2024 • 32min
The dirty truth about laundry
Our laundry routine impacts the environment with chemicals, microplastics, and energy use. Is our fear of being viewed as dirty making us overwash our clothes? Find out how to make smarter and greener laundry choices.

Aug 23, 2024 • 24min
What’s better – dairy or plant-based milk?
Whether you're an almond or soy milk enthusiast, or just curious about the latest trend in plant-based alternatives, find out which milk is the best choice for your health and the environment.

Aug 16, 2024 • 14min
The fox's tale
Foxes have thrived alongside us for centuries. Despite facing numerous threats, they continue to adapt and survive in our ever-changing world. But how are these clever animals finding their place in urban areas?

Aug 9, 2024 • 33min
Finding humanity beneath the Arches
America's iconic national parks are a great place to reconnect with nature. But are the crowds killing the vibe? Among the red rocks and tourists of Arches National Park in Southern Utah, reporter Sam Baker asks: Do we need solitude to find serenity in nature?

Aug 2, 2024 • 15min
The lost art of foraging
An urban park in the heart of Berlin might not seem like an ideal place to forage for hidden food treasures. But it's actually blessed with richer biodiversity than the sprawling countryside that wraps around it. And, if you lean in close enough, you'll find an astonishing diversity of plants to nourish, heal and soothe - and you might even untap some old wisdom within yourself along the way.


