Tune into BBC Radio 4 weekly from today (19 January) to listen to the new OU / BBC radio series, Rare Earth, with environmental journalist Tom Heap and physicist Helen Czerski.
The radio series digs into some of the biggest environmental issues facing our planet today, with fascinating insights from experts. You can listen on Fridays at 12pm and the series will also be available on BBC Sounds.
Each week, the show will tackle a major story about our environment and wildlife, work out how we got here and meet the brave and clever people with fresh ideas to help us, and nature, thrive.
Helen and Tom won’t shy away from the big stuff – temperatures rising while wildlife declines – but this won’t be a weekly dose of doom-laden predictions. Rare Earth is here to celebrate the wonder of nature and meet the people determined to keep it wonderful.
In the first episode launching today, Tom Heap and Helen Czerski dig deeper into the biggest environmental issues on the planet and ask how best to bring nature back from the brink.
Rare Earth was supported by academic consultants from The Open University, Dr Kadmiel Maseyk, Dr Emma Dewberry, Dr Vicky Taylor and Dr Martin Braun.
Dr Kadmiel Maseyk, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences at The Open University, said:
“Rare Earth should be very a very interesting series as it will cover a diverse range of topics of planetary environmental importance, and because the intention is to address some challenging questions when discussing these topics. As an academic advisor on the series we get a preview of the nature of the discussion between the guests and the hosts and can then provide any insight on specific topics we might have, highlight potential issues and also the points we think are great that are being considered.”
Dr Martin Braun, Staff Tutor in Physical Sciences at The Open University said:
“I think that the ‘Rare Earth’ series illustrates very well that our wonderful Earth is a planet of interrelated system that support humankind. It also prompts us to reflect on our privilege of using Earth’s resources wisely. I am glad that I can contribute to the success of this series.”
Dr Vicky Taylor, Senior Lecturer in Biology in at The Open University, added:
“It’s refreshing to be involved with this exciting new radio programme and an interdisciplinary team all focussed on providing a greater appreciation of the complexities involved in maintaining a more sustainable balance between human activities and the natural environment – home to all species on our shared Rare Earth.”
Further information:
This programme was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, with particular relevance to R58 BSc Biology, Q52 BSc Environmental Science and Q61 BSc/BA Design and Innovation.
- Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast & Partnerships
- Academic Consultants – Dr Kadmiel Maseyk, Dr Emma Dewberry, Dr Vicky Taylor and Dr Martin Braun.
- Media Fellows – Andrew Norton
- Broadcast Project Manager – Jo Shipp
- Digital Content Producer – Matthew Ray
Supporting Online content:
Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect where you can find extensive resources and information on topics related to this programme, including various ways you can help tackle some of the themes covered, along with debates such as ‘Should animals really be kept in Zoos?’.
