Down to Earth

FRANCE 24 English
FRANCE 24 English

We meet the people behind fascinating environmental, health and technological innovations in a bid for sustainable solutions to our changing world. 

  1. 7 jul ·  Vídeo

    Climate-smart apartments designed to beat the heat

    While most of France suffered from last week's heatwave, a certain number of Montpellier residents were in total comfort in their apartments – without air conditioning.  From Middle Eastern-inspired latticework maximising ventilation to curved facades acting as giant sunshades, everything has been designed to keep the heat at bay.  And it works: indoor temperatures rarely rise above 25°C. In this edition, we look at the design keeping people cool in the heat.

  2. 1 jul ·  Vídeo

    Fixing fast fashion: France will pay you to repair your clothes

    Your ripped clothes deserve better than the bottom of your closet or – worse – the trash can. The French government is now paying people to get them repaired, in a bid to extend the life of clothing and avoid waste. Under the Repair Bonus scheme, consumers can get a discount worth up to €25 per item. Since its launch in 2023, more than 1 million repairs have been subsidised. Our Down to Earth team reports.

  3. 25 jun ·  Vídeo

    French co-op on a mission to prove organic farming can feed the world

    Many people assume that organic agriculture is expensive and hard to produce on a massive scale. But a group of 10 farmers in France's western Vendée region want to prove that chemical-free farming can feed a whole country. Their co-operative is 100 percent organic and local. Their vegetables are sold to schools, supermarkets and restaurants. The co-op's yields are on par with those of conventional farming. Our Down to Earth team reports.

  4. 22 jun ·  Vídeo

    How can France adapt to recurrent heatwaves?

    France is seeing a second consecutive heatwave in less than a month. Half the country is now under red alert as temperatures are expected to rise to 43°C in the southwestern city of Bordeaux and 39°C in the capital Paris. According to weather service Méteo-France, out of 51 heatwaves recorded nationwide since 1947, two-thirds have occurred since 2000 and about half of those episodes in the last 15 years.

  5. 15 jun ·  Vídeo

    2026 World Cup set to be 'most polluting' sporting event in history

    The 2026 World Cup is bringing excitement to football fans around the world, but it will also come at a cost for the environment. The 2026 edition is officially projected to be the most polluting sporting event in history, with a total carbon footprint of 9 million tonnes of CO2, nearly double the average of the last four tournaments. FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe tells us more.

  6. 10 jun ·  Vídeo

    They pay 30% less for electricity. Their secret? Solar panels

    Residents in the town of Escourse, France, pay 30 percent less for their electricity bills than elsewhere in the country. Their secret? Renewable energy. Since 2011, the town has invested more than €1.2 million in solar panels. Homeowners, local businesses and associations now use solar-powered energy. Home to some 800 people, Escourse now produces 60 percent of its own energy, and aims to become 90 percent self-sufficient by 2032.

  7. 8 jun ·  Vídeo

    Squid fleets exposed: Investigation reveals illegal fishing and forced labour

    June 8 marks World Oceans Day, a global event held every year to raise awareness of the impact of human actions on the ocean. Illegal fishing is one of them, threatening entire marine ecosystems. An investigation published by the non-profit Environmental Justice Foundation reveals widespread environmental destruction and human rights abuses across the global squid industry. Our Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe tells us more.

  8. 1 jun ·  Vídeo

    French doctors sound alarm over drinking water pollution

    Pesticides, microplastics and so-called forever chemicals: that’s the cocktail of substances millions of French people are exposed to simply from drinking tap water. According to France's National Association of Health professionals, representing private practice doctors, at least 30 percent of the population was exposed to contaminated water at least once in 2024. FRANCE 24's Environment Editor Valerie Dekimpe tells us more.

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Información

We meet the people behind fascinating environmental, health and technological innovations in a bid for sustainable solutions to our changing world. 

Ficha técnica

  • Canal
    FRANCE 24 English
  • Creado por
    FRANCE 24 English
  • Años en activo
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodios
    24
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Derechos de autor
    © France Médias Monde
  • Sitio web del podcast
    Down to Earth
  • Proveedor

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