Living Planet

Although freshwater sustains us in so many ways, it's often taken for granted — until it's gone. Peatlands drained for palm oil plantations in Indonesia exact an ecological and human toll. Kenya's Athi River, once a prime tourist attraction, has become a stinking cesspool. And, Bhutan banks on hydropower for its clean energy development.

As rising numbers of COVID-19 infections keep us home, you may be dreaming of getting out and about. In Spain, we explore whether the coronavirus pandemic could boost ecotourism. And, lynx are hunted in Latvia, despite being protected in the EU. We join a group of hunters to investigate wildlife management in the Baltic country — and they gut an elk. Plus, Kenya's next wave — of locusts.

This week on the show, we hear how new measures in the UK will use English farms to address environmental problems. But not everyone is convinced that the new scheme will work. We also explore the environmental toll of our consumption, especially our digital gadgets. And we take a look at the emotional toll online activism can take on environmentalists.

In this year-end special, we reflect on the challenges of the pandemic and beyond. From lockdown benefitting sea turtles, to a resourceful biogas solution, to taking the time for new DIY projects like gathering your own food — we listen back to a few of the year's strongest stories about resilience in the face of adversity.

On this special Christmas episode, we talk about meat. Producing that turkey, ham or roast beef has a huge environmental footprint, and most of the animals are not treated well. Living Planet is joined by On the Green Fence to discuss the meat paradox — and whether it's possible to eat animals and still have a clear conscience.

It's all about insects! We'll find out how the "murder hornet" could spread across the US and Europe, the ways in which climate change is challenging beekeepers in Botswana, and why scientists are racing to document populations of edible insects in South Africa.

When it comes to the environment, politics has a big role to play. This is top of mind as the Paris Agreement enters its fifth year. This week, we take a look at the rise of the Greens in Germany, as well as one country that is at top of the class when it comes to meeting their Paris commitments. We also explore the changing political environment in the United States.

What does it mean to be a mama or papa who's thinking about the environment? We hear about how our connection to nature in childhood shapes our actions later in life, and how climate change and pollution pose special risks to pregnancy. Plus, we visit a family in Germany living a low-carbon lifestyle.

Villagers in the Ecuadorian Amazon are wondering how they'll survive an oil spill that's contaminated their water supply and put their future at risk. Also, why cars destined for the scrap heap are ending up on Africa's roads, and the campaign to save lions left behind in the wake of Sudan's conflict.

We find out how people are tackling plastic pollution around the world, from testing British waters for microplastics, to an Indonesian scientist making packaging from seaweed — and efforts in France to recycle discarded face masks. Plus, why environmentalists in Kenya fear the African continent could become a dumping ground for US plastic.