The state of the world’s environment is one of the most important stories of the new century. Debates over the impact of climate change reverberate throughout the globe. So do disputes about what actions might be necessary, both to preserve the environment and to develop sources of energy for a growing global community.
The World’s environment coverage, led by environment editor Peter Thomson, examines the health of the planet and explores the impacts of human activity on everything from the earth’s ecosystems to the food we put on our plates.
Environment
Remembering Chernobyl after 25 years
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The nuclear crisis unfolding in Japan is taking place exactly 25 years after the worlds worst nuclear accident in Chernobyl. Brigid McCarthy reminds us of the scale of that disaster. Download MP3
Radiation in Japan affects food supply
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This month’s earthquake and tsunami in Japan has killed more than 18-thousand people, according to police. But the disaster at the Fukushima nuclear plant is still ongoing, affecting the food supply. Anchor Lisa Mullins talks to the BBC’s Mark Worthington in Tokyo. Download MP3
Japan relief effort remains logistical nightmare
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Japan has raised the alert level at its quake-damaged nuclear plant from four to five on a seven-point international scale of atomic incidents. At the same time, getting enough relief aid to the many displaced people in Japan has proven a logistical nightmare, due to gasoline shortages and damaged roads. Mary Kay Magistad reports from Japan. Download MP3Live updates from the BBC
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Japan tragedy looms at South by Southwest fest
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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with The World’s Marco Werman at the South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Marco met with a couple of attendees from Japan, and spoke to them about the tragedy and nuclear crisis unfolding in their country right now. Download MP3
Japan’s battle to prevent a nuclear meltdown
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Japan says it is stepping up efforts to cool overheating fuel at the tsunami-hit Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. Helicopters dumped tonnes of sea water to try to prevent fuel rods melting, and media reports said water cannon had now joined in the operation on the ground. Following the crisis, China suspended approval for new nuclear plants. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad is in Tokyo. Download MP3
Live updates from the BBC
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Radiation health risks in Japan
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Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with Laurie Garrett, Senior Fellow for Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations, about the risks to human health from the unfolding nuclear crisis in Japan. Download MP3
Japan Should Be First In Line for Potassium Iodide Pills | Union of Concerned Scientists
Anxiety in Tokyo
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The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports on the anxiety felt by Tokyo residents about possible radiation exposure from Japan’s earthquake and tsunami damaged nuclear reactors. Many city residents are skeptical of official statements seeking to reassure them. Download MP3
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Bushmeat black market thrives in Paris
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Genevieve Oger reports from Paris on the underground trade in bushmeat from West Africa. The illicit trade worries health officials and some, but not all, conservationists. Download MP3
The scale of illegal meat importation from Africa to Europe via Paris
Japan seeks to allay nuclear fears
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The operators of the Japanese nuclear plant damaged in Friday’s earthquake and tsunami, say essential cooling functions are being restored following a number of explosions and a fire which released dangerous levels of radiation. Anchor Marco Werman speaks with David Brenner who directs the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University. Download MP3
Live updates from the BBC
Japan’s nuclear crisis and Europe
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The World’s Clark Boyd reports that Japan’s troubles with its quake-damaged nuclear reactors are prompting European leaders to reassess the safety of their own reactors, and Europe’s reliance on nuclear energy in the future. Download MP3Bushmeat market in Ecuador rainforest
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Daniel Grossman reports on how illegal commercial hunting is threatening the animal diversity and rainforest ecosystem of the Yasuni National Park in Ecuador. Download MP3
History of earthquakes and tsunamis
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Last Friday’s earthquake was the largest on record to hit Japan. But there were huge quakes and tsunamis before records were kept. Anchor Marco Werman explores the history of quakes and tsunamis with Brian Atwater of the US Geological Survey. Download MP3
Japan struggling to cope
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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with The World’s Mary Kay Magistad in Tokyo about the humanitarian and nuclear crises unfolding in Japan. Download MP3
Update on Japan’s nuclear crisis
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Anchor Marco Werman speaks with The World’s Environment Editor Peter Thomson about the latest on Japan’s nuclear crisis.
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Japan battles nuclear nightmare
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Japanese authorities are battling to cool overheating nuclear reactors at a power station damaged in Friday’s earthquake and tsunami following a second explosion in 48 hours. The operators of the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant warned of the risk of a possible meltdown after the nuclear fuel rods at one reactor were exposed. Anchor Marco Werman talks with The World’s environment editor Peter Thomson.Download MP3Reuters factbox: What is happening inside Japan’s nuclear reactors?
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