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BBC Inside Science

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BBC Inside Science

BBC

Technology, Science

4.51.3K Ratings

🗓️ 5 July 2023

⏱️ 34 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

For World Ocean Day, Gaia Vince finds out how the planet’s seas could help us to generate clean power, capture CO2 and feed the world. Gaia is joined in the studio by science journalist and marine biologist Olive Heffernan. She dives into the controversy regarding the potential of mining in deep oceans and discusses whether the seas could become the location for Industrial Revolution 2.0. We’re used to seeing seaweed wrapped around our sushi rolls but it’s so much more than that. As well as being a tasty addition to what we eat, seaweed plays a vital role in absorbing CO2. Gaia speaks to Vincent Doumeizel, a senior adviser on oceans to the UN Global Compact; he’s also the food programme director at the UK-based charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation. He’s confident that seaweed could enable us to sustainably feed a growing global population in the coming decades. Phytoplankton – microscopic species of algae that exist on the surface of the sea – also absorb huge amounts of carbon from the atmosphere. Sir David King, founder and chair of the Climate Crisis Advisory Group and former chief scientific adviser to the UK Government has the radical idea that artificial whale poo could boost phytoplankton growth, leading to an increase in fish stocks and, consequently, improved biodiversity in the oceans. He tells Gaia about his project and the potential it has for carbon capture. When we think of energy generation from the oceans, we tend to think of offshore technology such as wind turbines. But what about generating electricity using the water itself? Gaia speaks to Eco Wave Power’s Inna Braverman who reveals how her project harnesses the power of the waves by attaching to existing coastal structures such as piers and jetties, to provide a source of clean, renewable energy. Presenter: Gaia Vince Producer: Hannah Fisher Content Producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell Editor: Richard Collings

Transcript

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0:00.0

He's a rule breaker, a trend setter. He reshaped art and redefined graffiti.

0:07.4

How does he smell?

0:08.4

Like paint.

0:09.3

Has he got any distinction features?

0:10.8

His anonymity.

0:11.9

But who is he?

0:13.2

What's his name?

0:14.1

ANXIE.

0:15.0

Harenky, I've met him twice.

0:16.5

The Banksy story.

0:18.0

Banksy's work is always about the human spirit versus establishment.

0:24.3

Listen on BBC Science.

0:27.5

This is the podcast version of Inside Science, First Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Thursday

0:33.6

8 June 2023.

0:36.3

This is a blue planet.

0:38.8

More than 70% of Earth's surface is ocean.

0:42.1

We have heated, trashed, acidified, polluted and overhunted this vital life support system.

0:48.5

This climatic engine.

0:50.1

This bountiful ladder.

0:51.7

This last great wilderness.

0:54.3

What a day we're on the cusp of brand new industries with the power to transform our oceans

1:00.0

this century for good or for ill.

...

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