Down to Earth

Every year, 250 million containers travel across the oceans. But some never make it to port. Many are lost in storms, falling off cargo ships and polluting our shores. Just a few weeks ago, beaches in southern England were covered in thousands of onions and frozen French fries from cargo loads. Nearly 30 tons of plastic pellets also spilled onto Spanish beaches after six containers fell off a Norwegian ship. Our France 2 colleagues report. 

Glaciers are vital to Earth's water supplies, yet they are being pushed to the brink of collapse. Half of the world's glaciers could disappear by the end of the century. A French mountain climber is putting her experience to use by helping scientists collect ice samples from major glaciers around the world. Living and dormant species found within them could provide vital clues in the fight against global warming. The Down to Earth team has the story.

Recent protests in Iran erupted over economic collapse and political repression. But beneath the discontent, analysts also point to a deeper ecological crisis. The country has been gripped by a severe drought for six consecutive years, and many cities including its capital Tehran are on the verge of "water bankruptcy". FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe explains. 

China may be the world's number one polluter in real time, but Beijing is also driving the world's most ambitious renewables rollout, at breakneck speed. China is now home to nearly a third of the world's total installed solar and wind capacity, although it's yet to kick the coal habit. Our colleagues at France 2 visited some of the country’s flagship projects.

Keeping warm in the winter isn't easy in Finland, one of Europe's coldest countries. But in one Finnish town, residents are kept toasty warm thanks to cheap, efficient and renewable heat stored in a so-called "sand battery". Our France 2 colleagues report. 

In Brazil, where cattle ranching is a major industry, jaguars are seen as a threat and are hunted to prevent attacks on livestock. Along with habitat loss, the illegal killing of jaguars has pushed the species to the brink of extinction. According to the World Wild Fund (WWF), there are only about 173,000 jaguars left in the wild. But one Brazilian nature reserve is giving these big cats a place to recover and thrive. Our France 2 colleagues report. 

Oysters are a Christmas staple in France, but thousands of empty shells are bound for trash bins once the festivities are over. One French company is rescuing waste shells and using them to make porcelain and paving stones. Our Down to Earth team reports.

International shipping accounts for 3 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. But a new path is emerging: starting in 2026, sailing cargo ships will set off from France to the United States, some flying the French flag. The big question is whether this innovation can succeed in convincing industry giants. Our France 2 colleagues report.

Rare earth elements, which are crucial for the defence, auto and electronic industries, have become a geopolitical battleground. On Wednesday, the EU unveiled a €3 billion plan to curb its dependence on China for rare earths, since Beijing controls 95 percent of the world's supply. But a young French-American scientist has developed a groundbreaking process for recovering rare earths from neon light bulbs and potentially other electronic appliances, paving the way for the recycling of these essential metals. Our Down to Earth team reports.

One of the biggest Broadway shows of the past decade has made its way across the Atlantic, and is now on at the Théâtre de la Madeleine in Paris. "Dear Evan Hansen" follows a teenager named Evan Hansen, who suffers from severe social anxiety. Written by Pasek and Paul, the composers of "The Greatest Showman" and "La La Land", the musical touches on themes of family drama, teen angst and the power of social media. FRANCE 24's Genie Godula spoke to Kevin Barnachea, one of the stars of the show, in Entre Nous.