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One Planet: 13/05/2010

Factual: Science & Nature

13/05/2010

BBC World Service - One Planet, 13/05/2010

Mike chats to Britain's first Green MP, messes with oil spill detergents and talks retro

Britain has just elected it's first Member of Parliament from the Green Party. Caroline Lucas won her place in the House of Commons thanks to the residents of Brighton, a city on the south coast of England. In this week's show Mike heads to this seaside resort to find out why this corner of the country has shunned the main political parties and gone green. There he chats to resident writer Gilly Smith, and catches up with the newly elected MP.

Of course in many other parts of the world, green politicians have been winning elections for decades, so from Brighton beach, Mike - via the magic of satellite - has a chat with our correspondent in Germany about the rising influence of greens across Europe. And he asks "what have they been able to do once in power?"  

Also in the show we investigate the detergents being sprayed into the Gulf of Mexico in an effort to limit environmental damage from that oil spill. And Mike sits down with American property magnate Anthony Malkin to discuss why he's spending tens of millions of dollars to make the Empire State Building more energy efficient - apparently it's all down to Darth Vadar and rather large electricity bills.

Lots to talk about in this week's show. As ever, tune in, have a listen and let us know what you think. Email the team at oneplanet@bbc.com or join in the conversation on our Facebook page, the link's below.

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