Costing the Earth
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Costing the Earth: The Cost of Cruising
Is the new generation of cruise ships a threat to our shores? Julian Rush investigates.
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CostEarth: 14 May 13 The Cost of Cruising
The wreck of the Costa Concordia shone a light on the environmental impact of cruising. Julian Rush investigates the industry as the salvage process begins.
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CostEarth: 07 May 13 Bees Fight Back
Tom Heap goes in search of the facts behind the debate about how much damage modern pesticides are doing to honey bees and other essential pollinating insects.
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CostEarth: 30 Apr 13 Amphibian Extinction
Forty per cent of the world's amphibian species are at risk of extinction. Tom Heap asks if people know or care enough to save them from dying out.
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CostEarth: 23 Apr 13 The Black Fish
Tom Heap meets the radical activists who are determined to stop illegal fishing.
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CostEarth: 16 Apr 13 Deepest Lake in the World
Lake Baikal is the oldest and deepest lake on Earth. Dr Anson Mackay drill into its environmental secrets.
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CostEarth: 09 Apr 13: Rhino CSI
Tom Heap investigates plans to build a UK wide DNA database of Rhino horn in an effort to curb the illegal trade threatening their future.
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CostEarth: 02 Apr 13 The Urban Farmers
Alice Roberts meets the urban farmers of Britain as they turn the wasteland green.
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CostEarth: 26 Mar 13: Exotic Pets
Miranda Krestovnikoff asks if the trade in reptiles and amphibians could or should be banned.
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CostEarth: 19 Mar13 Green Babies
Dr Alice Roberts asks whether we can still have babies if we care about the planet.
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CostEarth: 12 Mar 13 The House That Heats Itself
Miranda Krestovnikoff looks at new building materials for environmentally-friendly houses and asks where you should start if you want to build your own eco-home.
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CostEarth: 06 Feb 13 Beyond The Grid
Micro-solar lamps are now lighting parts of Africa that the grid cannot reach. Tom Heap investigates how the solar spread is emulating the wide reach of mobile phones in Africa.
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CostEarth: Electrifying Africa 26 Feb 13
A geothermal revolution is set to electrify Africa. Tom Heap visits the Rift Valley in Kenya, a potential source of abundant energy to find out if promises to light up even the remotest parts of the continent are going to come true.
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CostEarth: Dash for Ash 190213
Tom Heap whether burning our waste to create energy is the sustainable solution we need.
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CostEarth: Attack of the Killer Nettles 12 Feb 13
Tom Heap on the rise of nettles and brambles in the British countryside.
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CostEarth: Robot Farmers 05 Feb 13
Sarah Cruddas meets the robots who will soon be running our farms.
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CostEarth: Berlin's Big Gamble 29 Jan 13
Tom Heap reports on Germany's Energy Revolution.
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CostEarth: 13 Dec 12 Future Forests
Tom Heap investigates the future shape of our forests in an age of ash dieback.
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CostEarth: 23 Oct 12 Apocalypse Then and Now
More bombs were dropped on Laos in the Vietnam War than the US dropped on Germany and Japan. Those bombs still have an environmental impact today. Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 16 Oct 12 Cruel Harvest
On World Food Day Tom Heap investigates the future of our food supply.
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CostEarth: 09 Oct 12 Tsunami Debris
What threat is held in the 1.5million tonnes of debris from the Japanese tsunami?
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CostEarth: 07 Oct 12 Wave Goodbye?
Can Orkney's waves and tides take Britain closer to a green energy future? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 26 Sept 12 Apocalypse Then and Now
The Vietnam War left enormous scars on Laos. Tom Heap asks if the country's environment can be healed.
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CostEarth: 19 Sept 12 Cruel Harvest
2012's disastrous harvest has raised vital questions about the crops we grow. Should we continue to use food for fuel when prices are rising? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 11 Sep 12 Chinese Salmon
Now catering for China, Conor Woodman asks how the Scottish salmon industry can grow by 50% without damaging the environment.
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CostEarth: 4 Sep 12 People Power
Tom Heap breaks a sweat to see new ways humans are powering their own energy needs.
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CostEarth: 28 Aug 12 Britain's Wilderness
It was the first attempt in England to turn a large landscape back into a wilderness. After 10 years what has been achieved in Ennerdale Valley in the Lake District?
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CostEarth: 21 Aug 12 Climate 2060 - The Sea
Rising sea temperatures are already bringing new species to our shores. What will British fish and chip shops be serving up in 2060? Tom Heap investigates.
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CostEarth: 14 Aug 12 Climate Change 2060- The Land
How will climate change alter Britain by 2060? Tom Heap reports from Madeira, home of the climate we're predicted to inherit.
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CostEarth: 22 May 12 Jellyfish Invasion!
Are jellyfish taking over our oceans? Miranda Krestovnikoff reports.
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CostEarth: 15 May 12 Pushing Water
Could we prevent drought and flood by rebalancing Britain's water supply? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 08 May 12 The Return of the king
Coal is our dirtiest fuel but consumption is rising throughout the world. Tom Heap investigates the return of Old King Coal and the failure to find cheap alternatives.
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CostEarth: 01 May 12 Genetically Modified Brunch
Could the new generation of genetically-modified plants offer real benefits for our health and environment? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 21 Apr 12 Cruise Ships And Creeks
Cornwall's economy could get a big boost from the enlargement of Falmouth Harbour. But what are the consequences for the region's delicate eco-system? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 14 Apr 12 Britain in Flames
It's wildfire season in Britain but do we take the risks seriously? Tom Heap investigates.
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CostEarth: 10 Apr 12 What lies beneath
Mining is set to return to Cornwall as tin and tungsten prices continue to rise. Tom Heap meets the new prospectors hoping to make the area profitable once again.
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CostEarth: 03 Apr 12 Frozen Fish
The pristine waters of the Antarctic may hold the secrets of sustainable fishing. Tom Heap and Gerard Baker investigate.
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CostEarth: 27 Mar 12 The Sands of Time
Can we save Britain's sand dunes? Tom Heap joins experts from Plantlife at work in South Wales.
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CostEarth: 20 Mar 12 Outbreak!
New diseases are phenomenally hard to predict, track and treat. Tom Heap asks where the next pandemic will come from and how we'll tackle it.
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CostEarth: 13 Mar 12 The Power of Peat
The peatlands of the British Isles are under threat. Tom Heap meets the people trying to return them to health.
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CostEarth: 06 Mar 12 Rebel Without A Car
Young people are turning their back on the car. Tom Heap asks how manufacturers are trying to bring back youthful allure to their products.
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CostEarth: 28 Feb 12 Nuclear Power Without the Nasties?
Could we have clean, green nuclear power? Could thorium be the answer? Julian Rush reports.
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CostEarth: Tunnel Beneath the Thames
Every time London suffers a serious rain storm raw sewerage overwhelms the Victorian sewers and pours into the River Thames. Professor Alice Roberts searches for a solution.
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CostEarth: 14 Feb 12 Bambi Bites Back
Increased deer numbers are changing the British countryside. Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 7 Feb 12 Adapting Insects
Professor Alice Roberts investigates a new generation of weapons in the war against malaria.
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CostEarth: Bottle Bank Wars
In San Francisco recycling is so profitable that gangs are fighting over the bottle banks. Tom Heap meets the green warriors of the trash for cash movement.
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CostEarth: 26 Oct 11 Let it snow!
Planes grounded, airports shut, chaos on the roads: Tom Heap investigates ways to keep Britain moving if we have an other harsh winter, and asks if future winters will be as bad.
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CostEarth: 19 Oct 11 March of the Pylons
Britain needs a new generation of pylons to bring new sources of power to the grid. Will this ruin the British countryside? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 12 Oct 2011: Gold of the Conquistadors
What impact is the global mining boom having on the fragile environments of the Andes and the Amazon? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 05 Oct High Speed Hell?
Can we make Britain's transport quieter? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: 28 Sept Waters of Arabia
Yemen is suffering from a water crisis that is causing widespread malnutrition. Leana Hosea visits to find out if there are any solutions.
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CostEarth: A Very Large Hole in the Sahara
Scientists are looking at novel ways to reverse global warming. Miranda Krestovnikoff investigates which futuristic geoengineering concepts could become a reality.
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CostEarth: 14 Sept 11 The Air That I Breathe
Can we clean the air that we breathe? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: Bug Mac and Flies
In Costing The Earth Tom Heap tucks into a portion of locusts and asks if eating insects is good for his diet and better for the planet than a piece of steak.
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CostEarth: 31 Aug 11: Cave Carnage
Amazing, unique creatures populate the caves of the Balkans. Increasing economic development is threatening their survival. Tom Heap investigates in Croatia.
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CostEarth: Nature's Medicine Cabinet 25 May 11
Alice Roberts explores the revolution in medical treatment inspired by nature. Will we protect wildlife more effectively if we know we can gain health benefits from it?
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CostEarth: California Gasping
Anyone who's seen Jack Nicholson in Chinatown knows that California has a long-standing problem with water. The Governor has demanded a solution by the end of this year. Tom Heap finds out if that could be feasible.
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CostEarth: Real Avatar TX110511
Tim Hirsch explores the Amazon to discover what Director James Cameron has decribed as 'the real Avatar'. The Belo Monte Dam will flood a 500 kilometre square area and displace more than 20,000 people including indigenous tribes. Renewable energy for one of the fastest growing economies but at what cost?
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CostEarth: Green Teens 040511
Tom Heap finds out if teenagers can ever be green
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CostEarth: Cocoa 270411
Tom heap takes a look at the impact of speculation on the chocolate bar and asks whether we should pay more still for our food.
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CostEarth: Peak Leak 20 Apr 11
The wrecked ships of the Second World War are rapidly releasing their cargoes of munitions, chemicals and oil. Can this threat to the marine environment be stopped? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: Deepwater One Year On 13 Apr 10
It was billed as the worst environmental disaster in American history. One year on Tom Heap tours the Gulf Coast to gauge the real damage.
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CostEarth: Solar Goldrush TX 060411
Tom Heap takes a look at the potential for solar PV in the UK and asks whether the governments cuts to feed in tariffs will halt the industry before it begins.
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CostEarth: Alien Invaders 230311
Tom Heap battles invasive species
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CostEarth: Britain's Nuclear Future 23 Mar 11
Will the events in Japan hold back the nuclear revival in Britain? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: Carbon Trading 16 Mar 11
Can we trade our way to a greener, cleaner future? Tom Heap investigates.
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CostEarth: Fur or Faux 09 Mar 11
Fur sales are up worldwide. Tom Heap investigates the industry to find out why it seems to be back in fashion and to uncover the truth behind the rearing of animals for fur.
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CostEarth: OK Coral 020311
Tom Heap delves deep to find out how coral is on the frontline of climate change and whether there are any signs of hope.
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CostEarth: 23 Feb 11 The Real Eco-Warrriors
Could the army lead us into a green future? Tom Heap asks if military might and money can spur change that helps us all.
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CostEarth: Digging Up Britain 160211
Dr Alice Roberts investigates the impact of metal detecting on the heritage in our landscape
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CostEarth: Arctic Dreams 09 Feb 11
The Arctic Goldrush is speeding up as global warming makes oil, gas, gold and uranium more accessible. Will the native people be able to hang onto their culture as the Arctic changes around them? Tom Heap reports.
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CostEarth: Into the Arctic
Tom Heap reports on the Arctic goldrush. As the region gets warmer it's becoming easier for gold, iron, uranium and oil and gas to be extracted. What will the affect be on the Arctic environment?
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CostEarth: Spring Forwards 27 Oct 10
Could changing the clocks save energy and lives? Alice Roberts investigates.
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CostEarth: Grapes of Wrath 20 Oct 10
Are our fine wines under real threat from drought, climate change and road building? Tom Heap investigates.
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CostEarth: Lawyers save the planet TX 131010
Tom Heap finds out about the new environment champions taking the green movement into the world's courtrooms
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CostEarth: Fake Plastic Sea 06/10/10
Dr Alice Roberts finds out about the discovery of the latest plastic waste patch in the South Atlantic and asks what can we do to solve the problem of aquatic plastics.
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- London, United Kingdom
- Environment
- BBC
- English
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