Unexpected Elements

Going home


Listen Later

This week we’re looking at a political agreement that will hand back sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. In the 1970s, the UK removed the entire Chagossian population to make way for a US military base. The islanders have been fighting for their right to return ever since. If deal can be agreed, the islanders are hoping they will have the chance to go home.

And this got us thinking about all things home-related.

First up, we discover the intriguing reasons why you can’t smell your own home, then we take a closer look at our homes and all the creatures that live there, before finding out about the ‘home scars’ created by limpets.

Next we hear from Dr Nadescha Zwerschke, a scientist who spent time on Rothera research station in Antarctica. She reveals how she made this isolated outpost feel like home.

Also, we reveal that global talks to agree a reduction in plastics have collapsed, which could have an impact on all our homes from a pollution perspective.

And finally – a type of pasta that would be no good for your homecooked recipes.

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Tristan Ahtone and Godfred Boafo

Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Harrison Lewis and William Hornbrook
Sound engineer: Gavin Wong

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Unexpected ElementsBy BBC World Service

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

336 ratings


More shows like Unexpected Elements

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,877 Listeners

More or Less by BBC Radio 4

More or Less

854 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,074 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,576 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,801 Listeners

In Our Time: Science by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time: Science

753 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,766 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,041 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,960 Listeners

The Naked Scientists Podcast by The Naked Scientists

The Naked Scientists Podcast

603 Listeners

Nature Podcast by Springer Nature Limited

Nature Podcast

753 Listeners

Health Check by BBC World Service

Health Check

93 Listeners

Discovery by BBC World Service

Discovery

961 Listeners

BBC Inside Science by BBC Radio 4

BBC Inside Science

407 Listeners

Science Weekly by The Guardian

Science Weekly

426 Listeners

Science Magazine Podcast by Science Magazine

Science Magazine Podcast

821 Listeners

Curious Cases by BBC Radio 4

Curious Cases

766 Listeners

The Life Scientific by BBC Radio 4

The Life Scientific

231 Listeners

Science In Action by BBC World Service

Science In Action

330 Listeners

CrowdScience by BBC World Service

CrowdScience

474 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,215 Listeners

The Missing Cryptoqueen by BBC Sounds

The Missing Cryptoqueen

1,026 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

790 Listeners

The World, the Universe and Us by New Scientist

The World, the Universe and Us

116 Listeners

The Bomb by BBC World Service

The Bomb

1,014 Listeners