Kenyan waste picker John Chweya and plastics scientist Steve Fletcher discuss plastic pollution impact and solutions. Science journalist Florence Williams delves into heartbreak research. Dr. Lara Cassidy reveals Avar empire discoveries from ancient DNA. Dr. Erica McAlister defends flies as pollinators.
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Systemic Change Needed for Plastic
Tackling plastic pollution requires systemic global change beyond individual actions.
Cutting virgin plastic production is essential, as waste management alone can't keep up.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Health Risks of Waste Picking
John Chweya described the hazardous conditions at Kenyan landfills, including inhaling toxic smoke from burning plastic.
This exposure causes severe health issues among waste pickers, often ignored due to lack of healthcare access.
insights INSIGHT
Industry Lobbying Impacts Treaty
Plastics and fossil fuel industry lobbyists strongly resist cutting virgin plastic production due to economic interests.
Involving all stakeholders including industry is debated, balancing problem creation against pragmatic solutions.
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As the UN tries to get a global agreement on plastic waste we hear from two delegates at the conference in Ottawa; John Chweya, a Kenyan waste picker, and plastics scientist, Steve Fletcher, discuss the impacts of plastic pollution and the possible solutions.
Taylor Swift’s new album, The Tortured Poets Department, exposes the pain a break up can cause. Heartbreak is a common theme in music and art – but what does science have to say about it? Florence Williams, science journalist and author of Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey, talks us through the research on what actually happens in our bodies when we go through a break-up.
The nomadic Avar empire ruled over eastern and central Europe from the sixth to the ninth century but very little was known about them – until now. From studying ancient DNA, researchers have discovered a wealth of information about how the Avars lived. Dr Lara Cassidy, Assistant Professor in Genetics at Trinity College Dublin, explains the findings, and how it’s even possible to learn so much from ancient DNA.
We all know how bees great are – but what about all the other pollinators? Dr Erica McAlister from the Natural History Museum in London speaks out in defence of the fly.
Presenter: Victoria Gill
Producers: Hannah Robins and Sophie Ormiston
Editor: Martin Smith