Living Planet | Deutsche Welle

How clean is our snow? Is it safe to eat for dogs? Scientists have found traces of dangerous substances in Lake Victoria, Africa's biggest lake. And what to do with Fukushima's radioactive water and other nuclear waste in our oceans.

This week on the show, we take a look at lithium-ion batteries — how they are both necessary to ending our dependence on fossil fuels and how our increased demand for lithium is affecting communities on either side of the globe. We also hear about how the UK is using a citizens' assembly to find the best solutions to address climate change.

This week we have stories of activists. In one case, fighting against hydropower, despite the fact that it has helped Montenegro reduce its dependence on coal. We hear how environmental activists in certain parts of the world often face much more perilous consequences for their work. We'll also look at threats faced by journalists covering the environment.

East Africa is dealing with the worst locust infestation in decades. No one knows why millions of fruit bats descend on one particular spot in Zambia every year — but they are actually helping our environment. We also hear how South Africa's Black Mambas are keeping rhinos safe by stopping the invasion of poachers.

One year after the Brumadinho dam collapse in Brazil that killed 270 people and wreaked havoc on the environment, we talk about how to avoid similar tragedies in the future. We also hear how development is pitted against our environment in India's metropolis Mumbai and visit peatlands in the Democratic Republic of Congo that store massive amounts of CO2.