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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
Concrete
Insects
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes65Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Earth SciencesScience

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Artwork for Rare Earth

Latest Episodes

Helen Czerski and Tom Heap discover how new technology lets us listen in to the extraordinary sounds of the planet's waterways. From the deepest ocean to the tributaries, rivers and streams, this is an exploration of the sound made under water by ani... more

Is there any true wilderness left on our planet? Tom Heap and Helen Czerski consider the fear and fascination of the wild. They're joined by the writer Cal Flyn who has spent the last few years travelling the world in search of wilderness for her new... more

How can Britain- and the world- prepare itself for extreme heat? Tom Heap and Helen Czerski hear from the experts and from the people facing up to the hottest temperatures on the planet.

David Shukman, former BBC Science Editor asks how Britain shou... more

Amphibians are the most threatened type of vertebrates on the planet since the dinosaurs- and some of the most fascinating. Tom Heap and Helen Czerski are joined by a panel of amphibi-fans to celebrate the very best in frogs, toads, newts and salaman... more

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Recent Guests

Steve Simpson
Professor of Marine Biology, University of Bristol
University of Bristol
Episode: The Sound of Water
Jack Greenhalgh
Eco-acoustician
McGill University
Episode: The Sound of Water
Bob Mansergh
Commodore (retired) submarine captain
Former Submarine Service
Episode: The Sound of Water
Rosalyn Seddon
Principal Scientist
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CFAS)
Episode: The Sound of Water
Andrea Clarosa
Lecturer in Engineering Design
UCL
Episode: The Sound of Water
Tom Smith
Senior Research Fellow
University College London (UCL)
Episode: The Sound of Water
Sophie Grig
Research and Advocacy Director
Survival International
Episode: Into the Wild
Steve Carver
Professor of Rewilding and Wilderness Science
University of Leeds
Episode: Into the Wild
David Shukman
BBC Science Editor (guest)
BBC
Episode: Hotter Than Hell

Hosts

Helen Czerski
Host of Rare Earth; Environmental journalist with a focus on science communication
Tom Heap
Co-host and environmental journalist; discusses climate, energy, and urban sustainability

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 151 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom7 months ago
  • Very positive

    An excellent program.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wxfzm
    United Kingdom8 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
  • Absolutely Love This Show

    I love ‘Rare Earth’ which looks at both sides of each story and also reminds me of the progress being made which is something I often need. Its easy to be brought down by negative press around the environment but the presenters here do a great job of putting reality and balance to each subject. Keep it up BBC - this is what 2/3 of us want - according to the last episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Horner1412
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback notes the show occasionally runs long, suggesting shorter formats could improve engagement.
Guests and hosts are seen as credible, knowledgeable, and capable of nuanced discussions on tough environmental topics.
The show is praised for presenting multiple perspectives without sacrificing depth or rigor.
Listeners appreciate balanced, solutions-focused analysis that combines science with real-world actions.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Metals and Minerals
Q: I just wondered if each of you could pick one of them, something that it can do or something that can be used for that perhaps you couldn't do otherwise.
Iola mentions lithium and its importance for electric vehicle electrification, while Pierre adds that rare earth magnets are essential in electric motors.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Rare Earth

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

This show examines environmental science, policy, and real-world impacts of climate change through a thoughtful, solutions-minded lens. Episodes blend expert reporting, field voices, and science communication to unpack hot topics like extreme heat, wildlife conservation, energy transitions, and sustainable urban living. A notable trait is its habit of pairing researchers with practitioners and journalists to ground big-picture issues in practical action, from heat action plans to soil health and sustainable fashion. The format tends to mix in-depth dialogue with live demonstrations and field reports, making complex topics accessible without sacrificing rigor. Potential listeners who enjoy balanced, evidence-based conversations about how sci... more

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How many listeners does Rare Earth get?

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How many subscribers and views does Rare Earth have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Rare Earth?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Rare Earth:

1. More or Less
2. Rewilding the World with Ben Goldsmith
3. The Life Scientific
4. BBC Inside Science
5. Sliced Bread

How many episodes of Rare Earth are there?

Rare Earth launched 2 years ago and published 65 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. Steve Simpson
2. Jack Greenhalgh
3. Bob Mansergh
4. Rosalyn Seddon
5. Andrea Clarosa
6. Tom Smith
7. Sophie Grig
8. Steve Carver

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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