Down to Earth

The construction industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, consuming half of the planet’s natural resources, 40 percent of its energy and 16 percent of its water, as well as generating greenhouse gas emissions and waste. But here in France, the company Bat'Ipac has found an alternative: building with recycled cardboard instead of concrete. FRANCE 24's Alexandra Renard and Aurore Cloé Dupuis report. 

Coral reefs rank as some of the planet’s most vital ecosystems. Although they cover just 0.2 percent of oceans, reefs are home to a quarter of marine biodiversity. Scientists warn they could vanish in as little as a decade, unless we rapidly slow the rate of global warming. In Monaco, a team of scientists have decided to create a "Noah's Ark" for coral reefs, hoping to collect and preserve all species known to humankind before it's too late. Our Down to Earth team reports. 

One year after France’s northern Pas-de-Calais region was hit by record floods, victims are still recovering from the disaster. FRANCE 24 visited the town of Blendecques, where an entire neighbourhood is set to be demolished and transformed into a stormwater basin to prevent future flooding. Residents now say they're among the first in France to have been "displaced" by the climate crisis.

Nearly three years after more than 100 countries promised to tame methane emissions, the indiscriminate release of this powerful greenhouse gas is still rampant. FRANCE 24's reporters followed the trail of methane leaks in Romania, home to one of Europe's largest oil reserves. 

Turtles have inhabited our oceans for over 150 million years, ever since dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Yet today, six out of seven living species are considered endangered. They usually live in tropical waters. However, since the late 2000s, one species – the loggerhead sea turtle – has been coming to lay its eggs in the south of France. Scientists believe that this unprecedented phenomenon could be linked to rising global temperatures. The Down to Earth team reports. 

From crop failures to shrinking lakes, Europe is increasingly suffering from a lack of water. According to the European Environment Agency, around 30 percent of the continent's population is already affected by shortages. Preventing water leaks has become a priority for many cities. In France, a special dog brigade has been trained to locate leaky pipes. As the dogs are able to detect chlorine, they can pinpoint leaks quickly and efficiently. Our team at Down to Earth reports.

Can man and wolves coexist? Several European countries are grappling with this question, as wolves naturally regain ground across the continent. Switzerland is the latest country that's having to adapt to their return. Wolves were first spotted there in 2012, with their numbers tripling to reach at least 300. Shepherds have since had to face growing attacks, but one NGO has made it its mission to reconcile sheep and wolves, offering a unique service to help. Our Down to Earth team reports.

Around the world, record-shattering temperatures are feeding demand for air conditioning. 135 million individual ACs are sold every year, a figure set to triple by 2050 according to the International Energy Agency. This rush to cool air could in turn become a major driver of electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In Paris, a little-known network of underground water pipes aims to cool down buildings, without resorting to polluting AC units. 

Organisers of the Paris Olympics have promised the event will be "historic for the climate". As part of its climate strategy, the committee established a goal of generating no more than half the planet-warming gases produced by previous Summer Games in London and Rio, pledging to slash emissions in three main categories: construction, transportation and operations. So how is Paris faring, compared to its predecessors? And can a planetary event like the Olympics ever be sustainable?

An Australian environmental activist has become the first person to run the entire length of the Seine River, a total of 848km from its source to the sea, in 30 days. Mina Guli set off on this epic journey last month to draw attention to efforts being made to clean up the Seine, and the need for all cities to restore rivers. The 53-year-old completed her Seine River Run challenge earlier in July, crossing the finishing line in the port city of Le Havre.