Costing the Earth

The Power of Peat


Listen Later

In the fight against climate change the peatlands of the British Isles are one of our greatest assets. A healthy peat bog can absorb more carbon dioxide and store it for longer than forests of a similar size. But we're still destroying our peat at a frightening rate. It's mined for use by gardeners, it's burned in power stations, taken by traditional peat-cutters and ravaged by moorland fires.

In 'Costing the Earth' Tom Heap meets the people leading the fightback. He takes to the skies above the Peak District where helicopters are dropping rocks and heather brash onto remote hillsides to heal the wounds caused by two centuries of acid rain. He joins the teams blocking drains and planting pods of sphagnum moss in an effort to bring carbon-sucking life back to the blasted heaths of the peaks.

Producer: Alasdair Cross.

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

Costing the EarthBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

54 ratings


More shows like Costing the Earth

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,913 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,067 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,576 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,808 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,729 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,018 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,952 Listeners

F1: Chequered Flag by BBC Radio 5 Live

F1: Chequered Flag

790 Listeners

The Plodcast by Our Media

The Plodcast

110 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,245 Listeners

The Bomb by BBC World Service

The Bomb

1,010 Listeners

The Climate Question by BBC World Service

The Climate Question

178 Listeners

ZOE Science & Nutrition by ZOE

ZOE Science & Nutrition

2,131 Listeners