Down to Earth

Fungi are normally associated with the forest floor and, yes, mould. In reality, they are fascinating living beings with hidden superpowers. Whether it's detoxifying polluted soil, or even replacing fossil fuels, mushrooms could be an invaluable ally for the planet. In this episode of Down to Earth, we meet the scientists and entrepreneurs working to unlock their full potential.

From the construction industry to car manufacturing, steel is everywhere. It's the most commonly used metal, but also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. In this edition of Down to Earth, we take a closer look at what can be done to clean up one of our dirtiest industries.

Flash floods engulfing cities and washing away entire communities are yet another reminder of the climate crisis. But are we bound to live with the ever-present danger of deadly downpours? And how can cities prepare for the next big disaster? We take a closer look in this edition of Down to Earth.

Last year, this Scottish archipelago produced more electricity from green sources than it can use. Its secret? The power of tides, waves and wind.

The Netherlands is one of Europe's largest per capita emitters of greenhouse gases and the livestock industry is largely to blame. Home to 4 million cows, the country is now under pressure to tackle methane emissions but also a so-called nitrogen crisis ravaging ecosystems. The government is even considering plans to reduce livestock numbers. We take a closer look in this edition of Down to Earth.

It's been billed as the most consequential climate summit since the Paris agreement. Is COP26 in Glasgow our last chance to rein in global warming? We take a closer look in this special edition of Down to Earth.

As temperatures continue to rise, climate change is turning glaciers into lakes. In the Alps, glacial lake outbursts are no longer a distant threat but a reality.

An electrified highway, with infrastructure similar to that used in a tram, is being billed as one of the solutions to reduce the heavy toll of carbon emissions linked to long-haul transport. Electronic giant Siemens has already built the technology on several stretches of German highways, enabling trucks to charge their batteries while they drive. The Down to Earth team went to see how it works.

When China suddenly announced in 2017 that it would no longer accept foreign waste, Poland quickly became a new dumping group for European trash. The Down to Earth team takes a closer look at an illegal business that's more lucrative than narcotics.

Around the world, wetlands are still disappearing three times faster than forests, erasing entire ecosystems. While tropical rainforests are often called the lungs of the Earth, wetlands are described as the kidneys. They can absorb large quantities of water, filtering pollutants and helping to prevent floods. They have also become key allies in the fight against climate change, as they can capture CO2 from the atmosphere. In this episode of Down to Earth, we explore what is being done to bring damaged wetlands back to life.