Planet Hope
Rising temperatures and extreme weather have become the new normal - but all is not lost. In this podcast series about finding hope on a changing planet, The Times's Environment Editor Adam Vaughan sets out to understand what exactly is happening to the world around us and meets the experts trying to hold back the tide. Planet Hope is a podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.
Episodes
Bertie Gregory: why wildlife filmmaking can help protect nature
Bertie Gregory has spent much of his life bringing people closer to the natural world. From a childhood passion for photographing animals to filming some of the planet’s most extraordinary creatures, he has built a career telling stories from nature’s frontline. In this special episode, recorded to mark World Environment Day, the BAFTA and Emmy-winning filmmaker joins Tom Whipple to talk about his
Rewilding Namibia – Andreia Pawel’s million-hectare conservation vision
Andreia Pawel is co-founder of the Orange River-Karoo Conservation Area, one of the world’s most ambitious rewilding projects. Spanning more than a million hectares in Namibia, and with the support of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, it aims to restore lost ecosystems, reintroduce species and work with local Nama communities to build a new model for conservation. She tells Adam Vaughan how,
Steve Boyes on resilience, recovery, and Africa’s great rivers
Explorer and Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative partner Steve Boyes has spent decades navigating Africa’s wild rivers. He tells Adam Vaughan how illness and resilience has reshaped his outlook and why protecting rivers, landscapes and communities has become his life’s mission. Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Guest: Steve Boyes,
Grégoire Courtine and Jocelyne Bloch on restoring movement after paralysis
In Lausanne, Switzerland, neuroscientist and Rolex Awards Laureate Grégoire Courtine and neurosurgeon Jocelyne Bloch have pioneered a “digital bridge” that translates brain signals into spinal stimulation, giving people with paralysis new ways to regain movement. They tell Tom Whipple about the science behind the technology, the patients leading the way and their hopes for the future of movement r
Improving sight with a smartphone – Andrew Bastawrous on ending preventable blindness
Over a billion people live with preventable vision loss. Eye surgeon and Rolex Awards Laureate Andrew Bastawrous has created a smartphone app that is transforming eyecare, facilitating sight restoration for millions and changing lives. He tells Tom Whipple, how glasses – a 700-year-old invention – have transformed his own life, and why he’s determined no one should lose their sight for lack of acc
Ben Fitzpatrick’s fight to protect Australia’s Ningaloo Coast
Marine scientist Ben Fitzpatrick is fighting to protect the Ningaloo Coast and Exmouth Gulf – one of Earth’s last wild marine frontiers, home to whale sharks, dugongs, manta rays and vibrant coral reefs. Speaking with Adam Vaughan, he reflects on growing up in Western Australia and why safeguarding this rare ocean wilderness matters for future generations.Planet Hope is brought to you in paid part
The ocean’s voice - Sylvia Earle at 90
Legendary oceanographer Sylvia Earle has spent decades exploring the blue heart of our planet. From leading the first all-female aquanaut team to founding Mission Blue, she has dived deeper and stayed longer in the ocean than almost anyone alive. As she celebrates her 90th birthday, Rolex Testimonee, Sylvia reflects with Adam Vaughan on her extraordinary career, the changes she’s witnessed, and wh
Gina Moseley – unlocking climate secrets in the caves of Greenland
High in the Arctic, beneath Greenland’s ancient ice, lie caves that hold clues to our planet’s past and its future. Climate researcher and Rolex Awards Laureate Gina Moseley leads daring expeditions into these hidden worlds to uncover how our climate has changed over hundreds of thousands of years. She tells Adam Vaughan why exploring these caves matters to us all.Planet Hope is brought to you in
Rinzin Phunjok Lama – Protecting snow leopards and the sacred Himalayas
In the remote Himalayan valley of Humla, Rinzin Phunjok Lama is protecting endangered species like the snow leopard and wild yak. Using Buddhist principles, local knowledge, and community-led conservation, he is tackling climate change in one of the world’s harshest landscapes. He tells Adam Vaughan why saving one Himalayan valley matters to the world.Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partners
Meet Fernando Trujillo – Omacha, ‘the dolphin who became a man’
Deep in the Amazon, the mysterious pink river dolphins are under threat from pollution, mining, and habitat loss. Marine biologist Fernando Trujillo, known locally as Omacha, has dedicated more than 30 years to protecting them. From satellite-tagging dolphins to training fishermen and lobbying governments, he tells Adam Vaughan what it takes to safeguard one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth
Pablo García Borboroglu – The penguin guardian of Patagonia
From oil spills to climate change, penguins are on the frontline of environmental change. Pablo García Borboroglu has spent more than three decades rescuing colonies, moving shipping lanes, and protecting over 32 million acres of penguin habitat. He joins Adam Vaughan to share what it takes to keep these charismatic seabirds alive in a rapidly changing world.Guest: Pablo García Borboroglu, Founder
Series 3 – Exploring the Frontlines of Science and Conservation
Planet Hope returns for a third series – sharing stories of resilience, discovery and hope. Join Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor at The Times, as he meets extraordinary people from penguin guardians in Patagonia to pioneering neuroscientists giving new hope to people with paralysis. New episodes drop every Friday. Planet Hope is brought to by The Times in paid partnership with Rolex and
Earth Day with Planet Hope
This Earth Day, discover the podcast about people protecting the planet and the hope that’s still possible. Planet Hope, in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative returns this September.Catch up on previous episodes now and hear from leading voices like ocean explorer Sylvia Earle, conservationist Steve Boyes, photographer Paul Nicklen, social entrepreneur Beth Koigi, and
Finding Hope for our Planet
In this special episode of Planet Hope we reflect on the insights shared in the series about the future of our planet from the individuals finding solutions to the challenges we face - the explorers, naturalists and conservationists who are ensuring a brighter future for Planet Earth.This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. T
Capturing nature’s urgent calls with Paul Nicklen
In a world undergoing a rapid transformation due to climate change, a big question remains- is it possible to undo the damage to our planet? Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by National Geographic photographer and acclaimed conservationist Paul Nicklen to hear how he endeavours to safeguard our planet through photography. This is Planet Hope, a podcast from The Times i
Coral reef gardening with Titouan Bernicot
Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and vibrant ecosystems on our planet. Occupying less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, coral reefs are home to a quarter of all marine life and play a crucial role in protecting coastlines. However, over the last three decades, the world has lost half of its reefs from a combination of climate change, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution. Environment
Discovering the ocean's twilight zone with Luiz Rocha
The ocean's twilight zone is one of the most important marine areas you’ve most likely never heard of. Home to marine life yet to be discovered and integral to carbon sequestration, it is vital that we protect this layer of ocean that spans across the Earth. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by ocean explorer, Luiz Rocha, to learn more about his pioneering diving expeditions
Reconnecting to nature through sound with Michel André
Just as humans depend on sound for survival and expression, animals too rely on auditory cues to navigate their environments. However, nature is increasingly disrupted by human generated noise, from roaring engines to clanking machinery, disturbing the delicate balance of sound in the natural world. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by bioacoustics scientist and Rolex Awards
Strengthening the protection of oceans with Sylvia Earle
The acclaimed ocean explorer, scientist, conservationist and Rolex Testimonee, Sylvia Earle shares how her global network of ‘Hope Spots’ are transforming ocean conservation. Sylvia tells Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor of The Times, how our oceans span over 70% of the Earth’s surface, and serve as a crucial life source - providing oxygen, sustenance, and climate regulation - and yet escalating h
Rewilding the Earth with Kris Tompkins
The Southern Cone of South America is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse ecosystems in the world. However, decades of exploitation have taken their toll. Expansive lands left destroyed from ranching and species like the jaguar teetered on the brink of extinction. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by one of the most successful conservation philanthropists in histo
Solving hidden hunger with Felix Brooks-Church
Amidst a population of 8 billion, a staggering quarter silently live with hidden hunger every day. And with over a billion people living in Africa struggling to afford a healthy diet, a crucial question remains- how can hidden hunger be eliminated? Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by social entrepreneur and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Felix Brooks Church to hear ho
Respecting reptiles and rainforests with Romulus Whitaker
The Agumbe, known as one of the rainiest places in India and a sanctuary to King Cobras, holds one of the last surviving low-land rainforests. However, after years of logging and hunting native reptiles the rainforest, which plays a crucial role key to India’s rain patterns, is under threat. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by one of India’s leading conservationists and ren
Rekindling our connection to clothing with Denica Riadini-Flesch
If the current trajectory continues, fast fashion emissions are set to surge by 50% by 2030. And with textile production becoming a greater contributor to climate change than international aviation and shipping combined, a crucial question remains - how can the textiles industry harness the power of the circular economy to make global change. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joine
Safeguarding West Africa’s last untouched rainforest with Inza Koné
In Côte d’Ivoire, the Tanoé-Ehy Forest stands as one of West Africa’s last untouched rainforests, a refuge for unique flora and fauna. Despite boasting West Africa's highest biodiversity, aggressive human activities have spared only 2% of the country’s forests. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by Primate Conservation Biologist Inza Koné, a 2023 Rolex Awards for Enterprise L
Restoring ancient Andean forests with Constantino Aucca Chutas
The High Andes are one of the most important biodiversity hotspots in the world, but without urgent intervention, this landscape and its surrounding natural beauty will be lost. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by conservationist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Constantino Aucca Chutas to hear how he is working with local communities to restore ancient cloud forest
Harvesting drinking water from the air with Beth Koigi
Even for countries with adequate water resources, water scarcity is not uncommon. But for those who live in remote and poverty struck areas of the world, water scarcity can be the difference between life and death. With reports suggesting that by 2025 half of the world's population could be living in areas facing water scarcity, is there a way to turn the tide? Environment Editor for The Times, Ad
Series 2 of Planet Hope coming soon…
Planet Hope from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Follow the podcast now to never miss an episode.Rising sea levels, increasingly extreme weather patterns, alarming extinction of species—these headlines surround us everyday and are intensifying far more rapidly than we had ever feared.Yet, amidst these global threats, hope remains boundless.In this podcast s
Building corridors of life in Brazil’s rainforest with Laury Cullen Jr
The loss of forests across earth has increased at alarming levels. Five hundred years ago, the Atlantic Forest in Brazil spanned 330 million acres - more than three times the size of California- and by the 1970s, 80 percent of the woodland had been lost. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by entrepreneur and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Laury Cullen Jr to hear how he
Reducing food waste with Nnaemeka Ikegwuonu
It is estimated that 37 percent of Nigerian agriculture is lost due to inefficient or non-existent cold chains. And this food spoilage - due to a lack of cold storage - costs 93 million small farmers in Nigeria a quarter of their annual income. The food production crisis in Nigeria is a serious issue that has significant implications for the country’s economy and the livelihoods of the most populo
The power of conservation photography with Cristina Mittermeier
We have all seen the images of bleached coral reefs, fishermen throwing back inadvertent catches and overflow waste pipes being pumped out to sea. But how do these photographs help to conserve the planet and has time run out to truly make a difference? Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by photographer, conservationist and Rolex-partner, Cristina Mittermeier, to learn how she
Capturing Polar sea ice Before It’s Gone with Felicity Aston MBE
The Earth’s average surface temperature has risen by one Celsius since the late 19th century, an increase which has a lasting impact on our entire planet, not to mention some of the world's coldest and extreme areas. With reports suggesting that Arctic sea ice is now shrinking by 12.6% per decade, crucial data found in polar sea ice which can help predict future climate change is disappearing befo
Protecting the planets wildlife with Paula Kahumbu
There is no denying that humans have an obligation to protect animals and the ecosystems that they live in, but with an estimated 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence on Earth the question is, where do we start? Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by wildlife conservationist and Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year in 2021, Paula Kahumbu, to learn h
Forecasting volcanic eruptions with Andrew McGonigle
In 2022 Mauna Loa, the world's largest active volcano, erupted on Hawaii's Big Island. Fortunately this event didn't result in any fatalities - but the same can't be said for other recent eruptions in places like Indonesia, Tonga and the Philippines. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by volcanologist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Andrew McGonigle to learn more abo
Mapping the future of Africa’s resources with Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim
An ever-increasing world population and human advancement has offset a complex balance on our natural resources, one which is damaging the way many people live. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan visits environmental advocate and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim who has experienced first-hand the effects of climate change with Lake Chad drying up - changing t
Alleviating human-wildlife conflict with Krithi Karanth
As the world population continues to surge, conflicts between people and wildlife over food, resources and space for living are heightening. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by conservationist and Rolex Awards for Enterprise Laureate Krithi Karanth to explore how she is using technology to help local communities in India mitigate animal attacks and lessen animosity bet
Predicting the Earth’s climate with Tom Matthews
The Earth’s climate has been known to change in the past, but it’s only since the industrial revolution that there have been changes to our climate which have been driven by humans. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan joins climate scientist and National Geographic Explorer Tom Matthews to investigate how his work, mapping the planet’s most extreme climates, can help us to better unders
Establishing a healthier global population with Mark Kendall
Medical inequity jeopardises the safety of everyone and contributes to growing inequalities in and between countries. Take vaccinations for example, we know how important they are for ensuring a longer and healthier life, yet during the Covid-19 pandemic statistics have shown that of the more than 10 billion doses of the coronavirus vaccine distributed worldwide, only one percent have been adminis
Revolutionising the world's plastic waste problem with Miranda Wang
With estimates suggesting that there are more than 5 trillion pieces of micro and macro plastics in our seas and continued reports stating that a truckload of plastic enters our oceans every minute, we can no longer turn a blind eye to the life cycle of plastic products once they are thrown in the bin. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan is joined by scientist, tech entrepreneur and Rol
Navigating The Great Spine of Africa with Steve Boyes
The balance between wilderness areas and the species that depend on them are fragile and are being threatened. Environment Editor for The Times, Adam Vaughan joins conservationist and National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes in Zimbabwe to investigate why Africa’s greatest water sources - the rivers that run through the heart of the continent - are crucial to a prosperous future environment in Afr
Coming soon - Planet Hope
Introducing Planet Hope - a new podcast from The Times in partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative. Follow the podcast now to never miss an episode.Each day we watch as rising temperatures, extreme weather and extinctions are accepted as the new normal. The list of bleak headlines feels endless.It’s no wonder hope is wavering. But all is not lost.In this podcast series,
Recommended
The Psychology Perspective
Write Me Dirty with Katherine Ryan
RHISE: Real History in Simple English (A2-B1, British)
Quickly Kevin; will he score? The 90s Football Show
The Jon Richardson Show on Absolute Radio
British English Listening Practice - English Go! Podcast
BIG KICK ENERGY
Out To Lunch
A Life More Wild
Boot Boy Radio
Shut Up I’m Talking
ADHD Chatter
