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Rare Earth

BBC Radio 4
Climate Change
Renewable Energy
Biodiversity
Sustainability
Carbon Emissions
Environmental Conservation
PFAS
Electric Vehicles
COP30
Seabirds
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Urban Wildlife
Electricity Demand
Pollution
General Election
Net Zero
Amazon Rainforest
Insects
Concrete
Carbon Dioxide

Environmental journalist Tom Heap and physicist Helen Czerski tackle major stories about our environment and wildlife, celebrate the wonder of nature and meet the people determined to keep it wonderful.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes69Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Earth SciencesScience

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Artwork for Rare Earth

Latest Episodes

Helen Czerski and Tom Heap ask if nature is really red in tooth and claw. Is life all about survival of the fittest or are we all working together on a changing planet?

They're joined by Rowan Hooper, author of Togetherness, lichen expert April Win... more

How will the environment be changed by an Andy Burnham government? As the new parliamentary session opens, Tom Heap and Helen Czerski leaf through the government in-tray to reveal the big decisions that will need to be taken on energy, transport and ... more

Helen Czerski and Tom Heap investigate the environmental impact of volcanoes from prehistory to the present day, and find out about their cultural significance in art and literature.

On today's panel: Dr Will Hutchison, volcanologist at the Univers... more

Who's the hero that will protect us from the impact of extreme heat, rain and whatever else climate change might throw at us in future? Forget someone in a cape, maybe it's the person quietly sketching buildings on a bit of paper.

Architects shape ... more

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Recent Guests

Will Hutchison
Volcanologist at St Andrews University
St Andrews University
Episode: Volcano
Hólmfríður Sigurðardóttir
Chairs the Surtsey Research Society in Iceland
Surtsey Research Society
Episode: Volcano
Fiona Stafford
Professor of English Language and Literature at Oxford University
Oxford University
Episode: Volcano
Isabel Allen
Editor of Architecture Today
Architecture Today
Episode: Drawing Our Future Homes
Barnabas Calder
Reader in Architecture at the University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Episode: Drawing Our Future Homes
Jay Morton
Director at Bell Phillips Architects
Bell Phillips Architects
Episode: Drawing Our Future Homes
Jasmine Tippett
Participant in the WeCanMake retrofit pilot
WeCanMake Bristol
Episode: Drawing Our Future Homes
Melissa Mean
Participant in the WeCanMake Bristol project
WeCanMakeMake Bristol
Episode: Drawing Our Future Homes
Jess Hrivnak
Sustainability lead for the RIBA; owner of a net-zero home showcased in the episode
RIBA
Episode: Drawing Our Future Homes

Hosts

Helen Czerski
Co-host and host with extensive science and media credentials
Tom Heap
Host and co-host with environmental journalism focus

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 154 ratings
  • “Interesting”? No!!! “FASCINATING”!!!

    Just sit down….. ready? ….. LISTEN! That’s all!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laurie Whitten
    France3 months ago
  • Don’t trust any BBC programmes

    Sad to say I can’t trust any BBC programmes anymore.

    Talking about Darwin & climate change but sense of emergency about the “climate crisis”atall ??

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    veganman1961
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Very positive

    An excellent program.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wxfzm
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Don’t trust any BBC programmes

    Sad to say I can’t trust any BBC programmes anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    veganman1961
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Thank you

    Really loving this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kristi history
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Overall, the show is seen as informative and engaging with strong reporting and panel discussions.
Guests and topics are diverse, bringing depth without overwhelming the audience.
Occasional format choices (debate-style or long form) can feel lengthy to some listeners.
Listeners appreciate balanced, solution-focused climate coverage and real-world examples.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Drawing Our Future Homes
Q: What is the most effective way to retrofit existing housing stock to reduce emissions?
A combination of retrofitting key envelope improvements, prioritizing 50-80% gains where possible, and leveraging community-led, scalable pilots that can be replicated across streets and blocks to create systemic change while addressing financing and maintenance issues.
Fashioning the Future
Q: What are your top tips for someone who wants to help make the world a better place when it comes to clothing?
Ask questions of brands about their production practices and reduce the number of pieces you buy, focusing on quality over quantity.
Fashioning the Future
Q: What should we be making clothes out of? What fabrics do work?
The most appropriate materials depend on the local environment, like wool from sheep for the UK, but also exploring alternatives like hemp and flax is important.
A Whale's Life
Q: What should we take away from all this? How do we think about whales in the future?
We need to acknowledge their ecological importance and the interconnectedness of all species, considering them as relatives within our communities.
A Whale's Life
Q: How has our relationship with whales evolved over the centuries?
Historically, humans have scavenged and hunted whales for thousands of years, indicating an evolving relationship that has become more complex with technological advancements and cultural perspectives.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Rare Earth

What is Rare Earth about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Environmental storytelling that spans oceans, forests, cities, and the built environment. Across episodes, listeners encounter deep dives into underwater acoustics, climate adaptation, biodiversity, and practical solutions for sustainable living—from retrofitting homes and reshaping transport to rewilding landscapes and pollinator-friendly practices. The show pairs researchers, journalists, and practitioners to unpack complex science, policy, and everyday choices, often balancing urgent environmental challenges with hopeful, hands-on strategies. A notable strength is its breadth and practicality: it surfaces real-world case studies, field reporting, and emerging tech in accessible formats that help listeners understand how science translate... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Rare Earth?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rare Earth:

1. Rewilding the World with Ben Goldsmith
2. BBC Inside Science
3. More or Less
4. Science Weekly
5. The Climate Question

How many episodes of Rare Earth are there?

Rare Earth launched 3 years ago and published 69 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Rare Earth?

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What guests have appeared on Rare Earth?

Recent guests on Rare Earth include:

1. Will Hutchison
2. Hólmfríður Sigurðardóttir
3. Fiona Stafford
4. Isabel Allen
5. Barnabas Calder
6. Jay Morton
7. Jasmine Tippett
8. Melissa Mean

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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