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BBC Inside Science

Battles with flames

BBC Inside Science

BBC

Technology, Science

4.51.3K Ratings

🗓️ 24 August 2023

⏱️ 34 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We're in the heart of summer in Europe, where extreme heat has spiralled into out-of-control wildfires across the Mediterranean, leading thousands to flee their homes. Previously on Inside Science we've looked at how and why temperatures are soaring across the globe. Now we're homing in on one of the most visible effects of that. First, BBC climate and science reporter Georgina Rannard paints a picture of the link between these fires and climate change. Next up we hear from Professor Stefan Doerr, director of the Centre for Wildfire Research at Swansea University, on whether Europe is prepared for a future where these blazes are more frequent and intense. Another effect of climate change you might have heard about this week is the potential collapse of the Gulf Stream. Georgina explains why leading researchers have reservations about the science behind that claim. We investigate a sometimes overlooked and under-reported source of pollution: particles from vehicle tyres. Dr Marc Masen from Imperial College London tells us about the impact they’re having on our health. And pollution from tyres is affecting flora and fauna too. Dr Paul Donald, senior researcher at Birdlife International, explains how vehicles on our roads have impacted wildlife in the environment. Finally, from four wheels to two wheels! Geneticist and body weight scientist Dr Giles Yeo is cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats with two glucose monitors on his arm. He tells us what he's hoping to learn. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producer: Hannah Fisher Content producer: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell Research: Patrick Hughes 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.

0:09.4

Has he got any distinction features?

0:10.9

His anonymity.

0:11.9

But who is he?

0:12.9

What's his name?

0:13.9

Banksy.

0:14.9

Apparently I've met him twice.

0:16.6

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

0:24.4

Listen on BBC Science.

0:27.7

Hello, this episode of BBC Inside Science was first broadcast on the 27th of July 2023.

0:35.6

Hello, coming up over the next half hour, wild weather.

0:40.0

Wildfires on the Greek island of Rhodes have now forced almost 20,000 people to abandon their homes.

0:46.7

Our houses may be not be there tomorrow, maybe now we're on fire, we don't know what to do.

0:53.0

The sky was orange and the smoke was quite thick.

0:56.4

We felt like we needed to get out of there and people were obviously anxious on where do we go?

1:02.2

With Greece, Algeria, Sicily, Portugal and Croatia on fire,

1:06.6

it seems like wildfires are becoming more frequent, but are they?

1:10.8

And do we need new ways to prevent them?

1:13.2

We've invested far too little in those preventative management measures.

1:18.5

And England's chief medical officer, Chris Whittie,

...

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