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EPISODE · Aug 8, 2025 · 49 MIN

Floods, mangroves and rampaging tractors

from Unexpected Elements · host BBC World Service

This week, floods have hit the global headlines. First up, we delve into the various reasons why floods form. After learning about the causes of floods, we discover a nature-based solution in the form of mangrove forests. Laura Michie from the Mangrove Action Project tells us why these ecosystems are important, and how they can protect coastal zones.We also find out that humans have moved so much water around the planet that we’ve shifted the location of the geographic North Pole. Plus, a rare flooding event is currently taking place in the Australian Outback, awakening an ecosystem after years of dormancy. And what could happen when hackers take control of tractors?All that, plus many more Unexpected Elements. Presenter: Marnie Chesterton, with Andrada Fiscutean and Sandy Ong Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, with Lucy Davies, Debbie Kilbride and Margaret Sessa Hawkins

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 8, 2025

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Floods, mangroves and rampaging tractors

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