BBC Radio 4 LW

Frontiers

Factual: Science & Nature

Programme exploring new ideas in science and meeting the researchers responsible

Programme exploring new ideas in science and meeting the scientists and researchers responsible for them, as well as hearing from their critics

Frontiers: Carbon Detectives

Carbon Detectives

28/07/2010

BBC Radio 4 - Frontiers, Carbon Detectives

Richard Hollingham meets the scientists trying to track our carbon emissions.

Richard Hollingham meets the researchers who are trying to develop a network of tracking stations that can monitor greenhouse emissions, using a suite of chemical fingerprints.

Richard Hollingham meets the scientists trying to track our carbon emissions.

International climate treaties are entirely based on national declarations of greenhouse-gas emissions. But there is at present no independent way of testing those declarations. National carbon accounts are carefully audited --- but so were the financial accounts of Greece, one expert notes, wryly. 

On the other hand, once exhaust fumes have gone into the atmosphere, who knows where they go. Richard Hollingham meets the researchers who are trying to develop a network of tracking stations that can monitor greenhouse emissions, using a suite of chemical fingerprints. They have already shown that one key gas is on the increase, when national reports said it was being controlled. And although much of the expertise is in Britain, the UK government is dragging its heels some say, in supporting the network. 

Producer: Roland Pease.

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Frontiers

Carbon Detectives

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4