Counting the Earth
Sue Nelson and Alice Hope explore the numbers behind nature, unpicking jargon and misinformation about climate, the environment, and biodiversity. Each month they start with a number and investigate what it really means, covering topics from net zero to hedgerows, worms, and water. The podcast is produced by Boffin Media for the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Episodes
20: Back garden biodiversity: 9,600
Recorded at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Alice and Sue explore the vital role our gardens play in supporting wildlife and how we can help shape these thriving mini ecosystems. At the UKCEH Nature Decoded exhibit, they meet UKCEH data scientist Alyssa Duffy, who introduces the innovative biodiversity‑monitoring technologies on display — from soil and freshwater acoustic sensors to the LepiSense, a
19: Unpacking Oil Palm: 80 million
From chocolate and shampoo to food, palm oil can be found in a range of packaged goods on the supermarket shelves and is used throughout industry. Its versatility makes it difficult to replace yet its production remains controversial due to high greenhouse gas emissions, the extensive deforestation carried out in Southeast Asia in the 1990s to make way for oil palm plantations, and habitat loss f
18: Whiplash weather: 90
Let’s talk drought. Yes, that’s right, drought! Our weather is experiencing extremes - from flooding to drought - so Alice and Sue delve into this whiplash weather with UKCEH senior hydrologist Lucy Barker. With the latest Hydrological Summary showing that January has been much wetter than average, they explore whether that is enough to replenish water reserves following the extended drought in 2
17: The Burning Issue: 3.7 million
Wildfires are evolving. Around the world they are becoming bigger, burning hotter, and harder to control with devastating impacts on humans, the economy and the environment. In this episode, Alice and Sue talk to UKCEH wildfire scientist Dr Douglas Kelley who outlines the causes of this change, drawing on examples from California and the Pantanal, the worlds’ largest tropical wetland. Closer to h
16: Encounters of the Invasive Kind: 2,104
What do raccoons, purple pitcher plants, signal crayfish and the yellow-legged hornet all have in common? No, this is not a joke - far from it. They are all on the GB invasive non-native species alert list. The introduction of invasive non-native species is one of the top causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. In this episode Sue and Alice meet up with UKCEH ecologist Professor Helen Roy to delve
15: Resistance Rising: 1.14 million
In this episode, Alice and Sue visit the River Kennet and the Reading Sewage Treatment Works to explore antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global issue. In 2021 1.14 million deaths were attributed to antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections, according to the UN Environment Programme. AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites become resistant to the medicines that are meant
14: Top of the crops: 2080
In this episode, Alice and Sue time travel to the year 2080, to explore what crops we might be growing in the UK, after 50 years of a changing climate. They speak with UKCEH Spatial Ecologist Dr John Redhead about horizon- scanning research on how climate change could shape the suitability of crops in the UK and the challenges this brings for UK farming systems.Alice also speaks with Josiah Meldru
13: Slow the flow: 5.7 million
In England alone, an estimated 5.7 million properties are at risk of flooding from rivers, the sea, surface water and groundwater. In this episode and in the wake of Storm Bert, Alice and Sue visit the Bruern Estate in Oxfordshire to explore how Natural Flood Management measures are reducing flood risks downstream in Milton-under-Wychwood. UKCEH senior hydrologist Dr Alejandro Dussaillant explain
12: Breaking down microplastics: 115
Microplastics are everywhere—tiny plastic particles that permeate our soil, water, food, drinking supplies, and even our bodies. But how much do we actually understand about their long-term effects on our health and the environment?In this episode, Alice visits UKCEH labs in Wallingford to explore these questions. Pollution scientist Dr Richard Cross shares insights into how microplastics impact t
11: Chilling facts about forever chemicals: 1000
In this episode of Counting the Earth, we find out about forever chemicals – persistent pollutants that can pose serious environmental and health risks. Alice and Sue brave the icy freezers of the Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme (PBMS) in Lancaster to meet UKCEH ecotoxicologist Lee Walker and discover how studying dead birds like buzzards and barn owls can offer critical clues about how these che
10: Into the woods: 30,000
In this episode, Alice and Sue take you on an exploration of the past, present and future of the UK’s woodlands. Sue visits the enchanting Heartwood Forest in Hertfordshire, where she meets Chris Nichols from the Woodland Trust to uncover the latest insights from the Bunce Woodland Survey. The survey reveals how our woodlands have changed over the past 50 years, and highlights the pressing challe
9: Puffin patrol on the Isle of May: 52,000
Sitting at the mouth of the Firth of Forth in Scotland, the Isle of May is a sanctuary for nesting seabirds and the destination for this episode.Join Alice and Sue as they journey to the island and meet UKCEH Field Manager Mark Newell and his dedicated team. Discover the critical work they do to monitor seabird colonies, including the iconic puffin, providing valuable insights into the health of o
8: A deep dive into Windermere: 79
Stretching over ten miles through Cumbria’s countryside, Windermere isn't just England's largest lake – it’s a real-life classroom, helping us to understand how our environment is changing over time. Join Alice and Sue as they venture onto the water with UKCEH scientists Eleanor Mackay and Heather Moorhouse. Together, they explore the deep waters and vibrant ecosystem of this iconic lake, where
7: What's the buzz: 1500
In this episode, Alice Hope and Sue Nelson get knee-deep in flowers to hear which plants attract the most pollinators – those vital bees, butterflies, wasps, beetles, flies and moths – and why.UKCEH ecologist Dr Claire Carvell takes Sue on a tour of the office wildflower meadow in Oxfordshire, discussing how citizen science is enhancing what we know about pollinators, and the latest findings from
6: Reflections on our rivers: 14
In this episode, Sue and Alice dive into the factors affecting the ecological health of our rivers. Alice goes wading in the River Kennet with Anna Forbes from ARK to explore river health monitoring first hand, encountering some fascinating river residents along the way. Then Sue and Alice chat with Dr Mike Bowes and Dr Eleanor Mackay of UKCEH about how both the state of our rivers and our approa
5: The secrets of the saltmarsh: 450
Sue and Alice explore these complex coastal ecosystems and discover their amazing benefits – from providing wildlife habitat to storing carbon.https://www.ceh.ac.uk/solutions/emerging-challenges/saltmarsh-blue-carbonHosts: Sue Nelson and Alice Hope Producer: Rachael BuchananCounting the Earth is a Boffin Media Production for the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
4: Soil Superheroes: 50 trillion
Delve into the vital statistics of earthworms, as Alice and Sue uncover the unsung heroes of our soil.Worm resourcesGarden worm ID chartEarthworm Society UK diagram of worm habitatsHosts: Sue Nelson and Alice Hope Producer: Rachael BuchananCounting the Earth is a Boffin Media Production for the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
3: Nature for net zero: 0
Sue and Alice visit Heartwood Forest and the Fens to explore how far nature-based solutions like planting trees and restoring peatlands can take us towards net zero.Hosts: Sue Nelson and Alice Hope Producer: Rachael BuchananCounting the Earth is a Boffin Media Production for the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
2: Hedgelife: 390,000
Sue and Alice poke around that great staple of the British countryside - the hedgerow - and discover a surprising variety of residents, from mice to molluscs.Hosts: Sue Nelson and Alice Hope Producer: Rachael BuchananCounting the Earth is a Boffin Media Production for the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
1: Coming soon...Counting the Earth
Sue Nelson and Alice Hope will explore the numbers behind nature and pick apart the jargon and misinformation surrounding climate, nature and biodiversity. Each month, they start with a number and investigate what it really means. From net zero to hedgerows, worms to water, Sue and Alice aren’t afraid to get their feet wet in the quest for facts.
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