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Shared Planet

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

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Series exploring the complex interface between a growing human population and wildlife

Monty Don presents a series exploring the complex interface between a growing human population and wildlife

Shared Planet: Ocean Pollutants

03/12/2013

Ocean Pollutants

BBC Radio 4 - Shared Planet, Ocean Pollutants

Sea lions in California are developing cancer from ocean pollution. What can be done?

Sea lions in California develop cancer and it is thought ocean pollutants are the cause. In an increasingly crowded world can pollution be better controlled?

Sea lions in California are developing cancer and the most likely cause is pollution in the ocean. As world population grows and demands on agriculture increase, can we control the amount of damaging chemicals entering rivers and then being taken into the sea? Many of these agricultural and industrial chemicals are long lasting and highly toxic and, although officially banned, substances like DDT and PCBs are still in use in some areas. As pressure grows to control diseases in order to feed a growing world, solutions have to be found to stop these harmful chemicals damaging wildlife. Monty Don explores the problems of keeping our coastal waters free of toxins. Can we grow food and control disease while still protecting wildlife?

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