Esme Stallard, a BBC climate and science reporter, dives into the murky world of carbon offsetting. She discusses a recent study revealing that many offset schemes fail to achieve real emissions reductions. The conversation tackles whether these initiatives are simply distractions from more effective climate action. Additionally, Joshua Gabriel Oluwaseyi, a Nigerian climate activist, shares insight into the impact of these schemes in his country, questioning their true value. Together, they shed light on the ethical dilemmas surrounding carbon credits.

Shawn Yuan, a journalist at the BBC’s Global China Unit, provides vital insights into the devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Tibet. He discusses ongoing rescue efforts hampered by winter conditions and the challenges of gathering information in a highly restricted region. The conversation also highlights the geopolitical context and the importance of Shigatse, along with the historical issues residents face. Yuan sheds light on the long-term challenges for survivors in impoverished areas, underscoring the complexity of disaster recovery.

Elon Musk's recent political stirrings have sparked debate across Europe. He criticized UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer while endorsing the far-right AfD ahead of German elections. World leaders like Macron and Scholz reacted to his controversial tweets, raising concerns about misinformation. The podcast delves into how Musk influences politics not just in Europe, but also in Latin America, where he has both friends and critics. The discussions also touch on the darker aspects of the wellness industry, revealing alarming truths that demand attention.

Asthma poses a silent epidemic across Africa, with nearly half of the world's sufferers found on the continent. Many individuals, especially children, go undiagnosed due to socio-economic barriers and cultural stigmas. Experts discuss the alarming rise in asthma linked to urbanization and worsening air quality in cities like Lagos. They highlight the urgent need for better air quality and awareness of asthma's health impacts. As cities grow and pollution increases, efforts are underway to tackle this pressing health challenge.

Bollywood films are known for their epic love stories, energetic dance numbers and huge stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra. However, the industry - like Hollywood - has faced a slump since the Covid pandemic. But 2024 marked a new trend; the box office success of horror. Shaitaan, for example, earned over $25m worldwide. We speak to film critic and journalist Yasser Usman and Bollywood influencer Aaina Mehta to hear whether they think witches, zombies and evil spirits could pull more people back to the cinema. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Editor: Julia Ross-Roy

In the middle of the Karakum desert in Turkmenistan, there’s a massive fiery pit officially called the Darvaza Crater - but also known as the “gates of hell”. The fire - which is man made - has been burning for over 50 years. But now satellite images suggest that the brightness of the crater has started to dim. Turkmenistan is trying to finally put out the fire. Alex from the What in the World team tells us all about how the fire started and why it’s taken so long to put it out. We hear from explorer George Kourounis who is (as far as we know) the only person to go down into the pit. And BBC journalist Alistair Coleman gives us some facts about Turkmenistan and its leaders. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Alex Rhodes Editor: Verity Wilde

The Rights of Nature movement wants to give inherent rights to nature - so forests, animals and rivers would have the right to protection. More and more countries are starting to adopt this kind of legislation. Ecuador became the first country in the world to codify Rights of Nature in its constitution in 2008. In New Zealand, legislation has recognised the mountainous region Te Urewera and the Whanganui River as legal persons. In 2022, the Spanish lagoon Mar Menor became the first natural entity to be granted legal status as a person within Europe. BBC Climate and science reporter Georgina Rannard explains how it works and whether the approach is helping to protect the environment. Another part of the movement wants to see nature recognised for the role it plays in music too. The people behind a track called The Song of the Cedars are petitioning Ecuador’s copyright office to recognise Los Cedros forest as a co-creator, given it was composed there.Sounds Right is a global music initiative which encourages artists who use sounds from nature - like rain or animal noises - in their tracks to redirect some of the royalties they collect to help conserve and protect nature. Bill Sellanga, aka Blinky Bill, a musician and DJ based in Nairobi, tells us why he signed up, for his track OH WAH feat. NATURE. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Nathalia Jimenez Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Mora Morrison Editor: Verity Wilde

A tragic plane crash in South Korea claimed 179 lives, prompting national mourning and urgent safety inspections. Families are grappling with loss and demanding accountability, highlighting the emotional aftermath of this disaster. Investigators are examining potential causes, including a bird strike, while the incident unfolds against a backdrop of political instability. The discussion also reflects on the impact of the event on victims' families and the call for better safety measures in the airline industry.

Jimmy Carter — the 39th president of the United States — has died at the age of 100. A former peanut farmer in Georgia, he rose to the very top of American politics by portraying himself as an outsider. Once in office, he pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders, became the first U.S. president to take climate change seriously and brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel. But his presidency was tarnished by a series of challenges and failures, from high inflation to a botched hostage rescue in Iran.Following his one-term presidency, Carter went on to establish the Carter Center to promote human rights around the world. Among other things, he helped broker a truce in Sudan’s decades-long civil war, and his organisation’s work has helped nearly eradicate the parasitic infection Guinea worm. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his work to find peaceful solutions for international conflicts. William Lee Adams, a BBC reporter who grew up in Georgia, discusses Carter’s life, legacy and how he’ll be remembered. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart with William Lee Adams Producers: Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde

A campaign on TikTok recently started a fresh conversation about cultural appropriation of food. It started when content creator Yen Bui, who now lives in London, highlighted that a British-owned restaurant chain called Pho had trademarked the name of the Vietnamese national dish a while ago, which limited the rights of other restaurant owners to use the word in their names because they could have faced legal action. Yen Bui tells us why she started the campaign, and why it matters to so many.What is cultural appropriation of food? US-based content creator Kim Pham explains. And the BBC’s Charlotte Edwards talks us through how and why trade marks are used in food in the first place.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: William Lee Adams Producers: Mora Morrison and Hayley Clarke Editor: Verity Wilde