Latest update: 20/07/2011 

- Arctic Ocean - climate change - environment - science - USA


The Age of Man?

Geologists are saying we're living in new times - so new that they're thinking of changing the name of the geological phase in which we live. The notion recognises humans as the driving force behind changes to the planet which is why the new epoch has been dubbed Anthropocene, or the Age of Man.

By Mairead DUNDAS

This week, we head to Grenoble in France where glaciologists have been recording evidence of increasing CO2 levels in the the atmosphere. Man's interference in the carbon cycle has been blamed for global warming, a phenomenon which could lead to permanent changes in the earth's strata.

Next, we head to the heart of the Arctic where scientists are researching the effects of ocean acidification. The resulting loss of biodiversity is seen as further proof of man's irreversible footprint.

And finally, we look at how one might survive in the new epoch. Followers of the Mayan calendar believe the world will end next year. They're among thousands of people investing in post-apocalyptic bunkers that can accommodate one thousand people underground for up to a year.

SOS: Plants in danger
07/05/2012 - ENVIRONMENT

SOS: Plants in danger

Across the world, plants and flowers are increasingly reaching the brink of extinction. We get the chance the hold one of the rarest plants in the world, find out how invasive species are killing precious forests in New Caledonia, and check out a controversial scheme to keep back the encroaching sands of the Sahara desert.
Into the deep
21/04/2012 - ENVIRONMENT

Into the deep

This week we head to the French island of Corsica to investigate an almost invisible pollution choking the Mediterranean Sea. Up to 250 billion fragments of plastic are believed to be swarming just below the water's surface.
Dry Horizons
07/04/2012 - ENVIRONMENT

Dry Horizons

Rising global temperatures mean drought is increasingly commonplace across the world. Farmers are seeing crop yields diminish as once-fertile lands dry up. This week we’re out exploring innovative water-saving techniques in France, Israel and Peru.
Green in the city
24/03/2012 - ENVIRONMENT

Green in the city

Is it possible to be eco-friendly and live in a city? We check out the ways urbanites are changing their city lifestyles to become greener.
World Water Forum: thirst for change
10/03/2012 - ENVIRONMENT

World Water Forum: thirst for change

This week we're in the French city of Marseille for the 6th World Water Forum. Over 25,000 leaders, experts and volunteers are gathering to discuss how to approach the most critical and endangered resource of all time: water.

Comments (2)

end of the world

it is impossible to believe in such theory despite the great maya civilization that most of human being like very much

among the war past and systemic problems, the essential is always preserved in order to protect a normally better future

the most biggest problem is the too many different schema build around the world : it is why governement all over the world appear to not make correctly their job, finally they prefer to protect their area in order everybody improved slowly the society and then the company

just because it is easier to be a lezard than to move up and down

in clear it is more easy to do nothing because of the complexity than to do something

end of the world

it is impossible to believe in such theory despite the great maya civilization that most of human being like very much

among the war past and systemic problems, the essential is always preserved in order to protect a normally better future

the most biggest problem is the too many different schema build around the world : it is why governement all over the world appear to not make correctly their job, finally they prefer to protect their area in order everybody improved slowly the society and then the company

just because it is easier to be a lezard than to move up and down

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