In the bay of France's famed Mont-Saint-Michel, postcard-perfect villages are slowly being swallowed by the sea. In the space of just 70 years, the Saint-Jean-le-Thomas coastline has receded by 300 metres. Many residents say the question is no longer if the sea will advance, but when. So what can they do about it? Our France 2 colleagues report from Normandy.

New Delhi could see artificial rain fall over the Indian capital for the first time later this week. The regional government is trialling a cloud-seeding experiment to induce artificial rain in a bid to bring the city's severe air pollution under control. New Delhi is regularly ranked among the world's most polluted capitals. Last week, after days of fireworks to celebrate Diwali, particulate matter levels rose to more than 56 times the safe limit. FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valérie Dekimpe tells us more.

Are winegrowers forever doomed to use pesticides? Some French scientists say no. A team of researchers and a burgeoning startup are working to bring microalgae-based fungicides to market. They would save vineyards from mildew and other harmful fungi, with no synthetic chemicals. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Caroline Baum.

For the past two years, the share of organic farmland has dropped drastically in France, with many farmers abandoning organic methods and reverting back to industrial farming. It means that now just over 10 percent of France's total farmland is organic, compared to a target of 21 percent in 2030 and a wider EU target of 25 percent. Organic farmers are now accusing the French government of leaving them to fend for themselves. But there could be positive signs on the horizon. FRANCE 24's Andrew Hilliar tells us more.

In some parts of Europe, the number of hedgehogs has halved️. Animal activists warn that these tiny, spiky creatures could disappear by 2050. In France and the UK, rescue centres are racing to save them – with the help of new technology. Our France 2 colleagues report.

Today, more and more people are rethinking their way of life: what they eat, what they buy and how they move around, all in the name of environmental concerns. Some have turned to so-called eco-villages – small communities designed to have a minimal use of resources and impact on the environment. Our Down to Earth team travelled to Scotland, home to one of the world's first eco-villages, to find out more.

The illegal trade in rare insects is booming across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Exotic ants, spiders and beetles are collected and sold as pets. Some species are worth a fortune on the global black market. But scientists are raising alarm bells, as many of these insects are vital to local ecosystems. Our France 2 colleagues report.

Every year, the world throws away 1 billion tonnes of food and households are responsible for 60 percent of it. As we mark the International Day of Awareness of Food Waste, FRANCE 24 is looking at solutions to curb the problem. Ordinary citizens, businesses and even zoos have found surprising ways to save food. We take a closer look in this edition of Down to Earth.

It’s a sacred sanctuary for bisons, wolves and countless birds. The Białowieża Forest is the last untouched forest in Europe. Not a single tree has ever been cut down there. Located between Poland and Belarus, it fascinates scientists and nature lovers alike. Our France 2 colleagues report.

World leaders will convene at a climate summit hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday in New York. Countries face mounting pressure to set more ambitious emission reduction targets for 2035 ahead of COP30 in Brazil. Governments were invited to submit their updated pledges by February 2025. Of the 195 Paris Agreement signatories, only 13 countries have met the deadline, while a total of 37 have submitted new plans. FRANCE 24’s Valérie Dekimpe explains.