On The Green Fence

Introducing: Delayland – Germany and the Missing Magic

Once dubbed an "economic miracle”, things don't run like they used to in Germany. This new DW original podcast endeavors to find out how Germany lost its magic and who’s

Energy crisis: The comeback of coal in Germany?

Germany is firing up old coal plants to ensure energy supply this winter. What does this mean for the country's coal phaseout and climate targets?

Farewell and new beginnings

After a great run, the On the Green Fence podcast is coming to a close. But we also have some good news for you.

Can we recycle our way out of the plastic crisis?

Globally only 9% of all plastic waste is recycled. But why are mechanical recycling rates so low? And could chemical recycling help achieve our targets or is this the wro

Why don't we use more bioplastics?

Substituting fossil-based plastics with compostable ones could help address plastic pollution. But not all bioplastics are eco-friendly or biodegradable. A startup from t

Could plastic-eating enzymes help curb pollution?

Each year, millions of tons of plastic waste ends up in the environment where it can last for centuries. But the discovery of plastic-gobbling enzymes has raised hopes of

The growing microplastics problem: risks and solutions

Microplastics have been found everywhere — from the deepest parts of the ocean to the heights of Mount Everest. A problem that is set to intensify as we produce over 400

The plastics age: How did we get here?

Each year, the world produces 430 million tons of plastics – and that figure is set to triple by 2060. How did plastics become such a big part of our lives? And what need

Trailer: The global plastics crisis, new podcast series

Global plastics production has doubled over the past two decades. Despite rising consumer awareness, there is more single-use plastic waste than ever before. Pollutive pl

More allergies due to climate change?

By 2050, half the world's population could be affected by at least one allergy. Is global warming to blame? Find out more about rising pollen levels and one of the most a

How lab-grown meat could help the climate

Global demand for meat is growing, but animal agriculture has a significant carbon footprint. Could cultivating steaks, nuggets and sushi in a lab be a solution? (This ep

Climate crisis: Is cli-fi counterproductive?

Climate fiction has become a significant cultural phenomenon, reflecting the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for creative responses to this global challenge. B

The rise of climate fiction

Cli-fi is growing increasingly popular as the climate crisis deepens. But could this mainly dystopian genre play a constructive role in tackling the challenge of global w

Why more 'edible cities' are a good idea

The German town of Andernach uses its public spaces to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs that anyone can pick free of charge. It's also a social project that has given som

Understanding our food choices

Supermarkets stock thousands of food products flown in from all over the world. And we've become used to this bounty of choice, often at the cost of the environment. But

AI: 'It will be a wild ride'

Machines that can outsmart humans are the stuff of sci-fi novels. But some in the tech industry believe that if rapid advances in AI continue, there could someday be syst

AI: What are the downsides for the environment?

Artificial intelligence has tremendous potential to help us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, the technology itself has a big carbon footprint, and i

How AI can help us protect the planet

The field of artificial intelligence is growing fast. Not only is it bringing profound changes to the way we live and work, it's also proving to be a powerful tool in the

Climate change: The biggest health threat to humanity

The impacts of climate change are making us sick and claiming the lives of 13 million people every year. According to the World Health Organization, climate change is the

The Rhine: Protecting a precious water source

Ahead of World Water Day, we look at how the Rhine was transformed from a heavily polluted and stinking river into a clean waterway. Today, it supplies over 30 million pe