People Fixing the World

This podcast explores innovative ways to protect wildlife from human activities, such as using AI to predict bird flight paths at a windfarm in Finland and using green LED lights on fishing nets in Cyprus to warn turtles. It also discusses global initiatives to reduce turtle bycatch, protect marine wildlife, and prevent bird strikes at wind turbines.

In the US, police officers spend about a fifth of their time responding to mental health crises. This is something they are often not trained for, and figures also show that people with untreated mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed during a police encounter.We go to Arizona where some 911 calls are now being responded to by mental health professionals who are trained to de-escalate a situation and help someone experiencing a crisis to get the support they need. This is part of a trend across the United States where a new nationwide mental health helpline called 988 has also recently been launched.We also visit Denmark, where people going to their doctor with mental health issues are being prescribed ‘culture vitamins’ in an effort to tackle anxiety, stress and depression.Presenter: Myra Anubi Producer/US reporter: Craig Langran Denmark reporter: Adrienne Murray Editor: Jon Bithrey Sound Mix: Andrew Mills(People in Aalborg, Denmark on street art tour, Adrienne Murray)

In a special programme, Myra Anubi is in Nairobi, Kenya at the final of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation which rewards the best new innovators on the continent. Their exciting solutions deal with access to healthcare, plastic recycling, waste disposal and pest detection. She meets the finalists and finds out which one of them has walked away with the £50,000 prize.Presenter: Myra Anubi Producer: Richard Kenny Editor: Jon Bithrey Sound Mix: Annie Gardiner(Image: Finalists in the 2024 Africa Prize, Royal Academy of Engineering)

Tourism brings money and opportunities to communities around the world, but it brings risks too. Sometimes an influx of tourists changes a place, damages the environment or leads to the exploitation of local people.But the social enterprise Local Alike has a different model. They have worked with dozens of villages in Thailand to get them ready before “opening up” to tourists. During this process, which can take months or even years, they help locals identify the meals, activities and sights that will interest visitors, and they bring in outside investment to improve the village. Then they help establish a fair stream of revenue for the community.We travel with Somsak Boonkam, the founder of Local Alike, as he faces his toughest challenge yet: to work with his own home town as it prepares for tourists.Presenter: Myra Anubi Producer/reporter: William Kremer Series Producer: Jon Bithrey Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound mix: Andrew Mills

Exploring innovative water-saving solutions worldwide, from underground rain devices in India to clay liquids for desert farming in the US. Learn about projects in Cyprus for eco-friendly wastewater reuse and how farmers are tackling water scarcity challenges.

Exploring the decline of US shopping malls and the innovative repurposing solutions such as a school in a former department store and a mall turned healthcare center. Global perspective on empty malls in India, China, and Brazil.

What we wear helps us express ourselves and communicate to others in the most immediate way. But the tools we frequently use to do that, such as clothing and haircare are not available to everyone equally.One in six of us has a disability of some sort - according to the World Health Organisation - but most clothing and beauty brands don’t take account of that. From making shops accessible to catering for differences in design and size, few companies address these particular needs.This week on People Fixing The World we’re talking to people trying to change that. Hair and Care is a London-based hairstyling workshop which helps people with visual impairments take better care of their hair.Plus, we bring together two entrepreneurs who’ve brought adaptive clothing to Africa and Asia allowing people with disabilities to fully express themselves in the way they dress. We also meet the UK-based adaptive clothing company that could affect the way we all dress – by working with technology companies to develop a scanner that will help in tailoring for all body shapes.Presenter: Myra Anubi Reporters: Emma Tracey, Claire Bowes Producer: Claire Bowes Series Producer: Jon Bithrey Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound mix: Hal Haines(Image: Wearapy model photoshoot)

The podcast discusses Mexico City's water crisis due to a growing population and climate change. Scientists are using plants to clean sewage water, urban planners are redesigning the city's relationship with water, and an architect has created a park to absorb excess rainwater

Exploring climate change initiatives in El Salvador, from preserving mangrove forests to protecting endangered sea turtles. Community engagement, conservation efforts, and innovative strategies play a crucial role in combating the global impacts of climate change.

If you could invent a new kind of school what would it look like? What skills would you teach children, and how would the school be run?On this edition of People Fixing The World we visit the Mechai Pattana School in Thailand which was founded by the campaigner Mechai Viravaidya in 2008, on principals of charity and leadership. Children are responsible for every aspect of running the school, from buying food for the kitchens to disciplining fellow students and even recruiting new staff.The children also run their own businesses, and perform several hours of community service every week. Many of the students come from underprivileged backgrounds, but their school fees are “paid” by planting 800 trees a year, together with their families.The idea is for the school to produce “change-makers” – could it be a model for others to follow?Presenter: Myra Anubi Producer/reporter: William Kremer Series Producer: Jon Bithrey Editor: Tom Bigwood Sound mix: Annie Gardiner