What in the World

Is climate change making plane turbulence worse?


Listen Later

Two flights have made the headlines recently after being hit by severe turbulence. Early investigations into a Singapore Airlines flight say that the plane dropped around 54m over 4.6 seconds. One passenger died of a suspected heart attack and dozens were injured.

Injuries from turbulence is pretty rare but scientists think that climate change could be making severe turbulence more likely in the future. The BBC’s climate and Science reporter, Esme Stallard, joins us to explain what causes severe turbulence and what scientists are doing to limit it.

It’s not just planes that fly, birds also have to deal with stormy weather. Researchers are now studying our feathered friends to better understand and predict turbulence. Emily Shepard, a researcher in bird flight and air flow, tells us how this might help.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld

WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Emily Horler and Baldeep Chahal
Editor: Verity Wilde

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

What in the WorldBy BBC World Service

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

12 ratings


More shows like What in the World

View all
The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,835 Listeners

Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,778 Listeners

Science Weekly by The Guardian

Science Weekly

404 Listeners

Business Daily by BBC World Service

Business Daily

535 Listeners

Discovery by BBC World Service

Discovery

954 Listeners

World Business Report by BBC World Service

World Business Report

286 Listeners

Unexpected Elements by BBC World Service

Unexpected Elements

357 Listeners

Business Matters by BBC World Service

Business Matters

48 Listeners

Tech Life by BBC World Service

Tech Life

57 Listeners

The Inquiry by BBC World Service

The Inquiry

756 Listeners

CrowdScience by BBC World Service

CrowdScience

477 Listeners

People Fixing the World by BBC World Service

People Fixing the World

246 Listeners

Learning English from the News by BBC Radio

Learning English from the News

261 Listeners

The Explanation by BBC World Service

The Explanation

27 Listeners

The Global Story by BBC World Service

The Global Story

171 Listeners