Looking Glass

Ambient air pollution is responsible for 4.2 million deaths a year and almost all of the world’s population are exposed to dangerous levels. How can physics help us to make our air cleaner? With Dr Suzanne Bartington and Dr Mark Richards.

Every year, wildfires ravage the planet, burning homes, killing wildlife and scorching the earth. Can the physics of how fire spreads give us the answers to stop it? And can we use fire to our advantage? With Professor Martin Wooster and Tercia Strydom.

Much of our planet could become uninhabitable – so how can physics help protect our soil, enable farmers to continue farming and allow communities to survive? Featuring Professor Sacha Mooney and Dr Jacqueline Hannam.

As the earth dries up, towns and countries face their very own day zero crises – while other communities risk rising sea levels obliterating their homes. How can physics help keep water where we want it, and in a form we can access? Featuring Professor Kevin McGuigan and Dr Ana Mijic.

Our third series opens by exploring the relationship between activism and climate policy. Host Gemma Milne is joined by climate scientist and outgoing IOP Chief Executive Paul Hardaker and climate activist and director of Green New Deal UK Fatima Ibrahim as they discuss how climate activism is changing – and the role physics and organisations such as the IOP should play in it.

In the series so far, we’ve heard about the visions and potential pathways for a new green economy from some of the people working to make it happen. But what role do physicists have to play? Gemma talks to two physicists at very different stages in their careers to get their perspectives. Featuring Professor Martin Freer and Luke Wheeler.