Elements
We normally think about the economy in terms of financial markets, economic statistics and company results. But it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that our economy is really about the underlying materials. We take a closer look at some of those materials – the chemical elements that are the basic building blocks of the universe. Where do we get them from? What do we use them for? And where do they end up? Across four programs we take a look at carbon materials, Program Duration: 4 x 26 minutes 30 seconds (or 30 minutes including news bulletins, billboards & promos)
Broadcast windows and transmission times:
Program One: Feb 8 – March 7
Welcome to the Elements
A mining engineer working with Rio Tinto explains the geological processes that formed useful concentrations of these fundamental building blocks over millions of years, and the often brutal process of extracting them. We hear about a project that melts down mobile phones to highlight the disturbing stories behind some of the 40 elements they contain. And we take a guided tour of the world’s main trading forum for eleven of the biggest elements – the London Metal’s Exchange.
Program One transmission times:
Saturday, February 8 at 0932 EST and 2232 EST
Sunday, February 9 at 0632 EST
Wednesday, February 12 1932 EST
Prog Two: Feb 15 – March 14
Phosphorus and Helium
We take a look at two very different elements that have one thing in common – they are being used unsustainably. Helium is essential for operating MRI scanners, but a top chemist explains that he is so concerned that the world’s helium supplies are leaking out into space that he has called for a ban on party balloons. We also visit US national helium reserve which is fast running dry. In a parallel story, a top investor explains why Morocco now enjoys a natural monopoly on phosphates – an essential fertilizer without which the world would starve. And we look at efforts at one sewage works to prevent this vital element from being flushed away out into the oceans.
Program two transmission times:
Saturday, February 15 at 0932 EST and 2232 EST
Sunday, February 16 at 632 EST
Program Three: Feb 22 – March 21
Carbon
We find out why carbon is essential both for life, and for the energy industry. The former head of Shell tells us why our dependence on carbon fuels makes him fear for his grandchildren. But could carbon also provide solutions to our energy crunch? The head of research and development at Airbus discusses how carbon fiber is being used to cut fuel bills in modern aircraft. And we visit the home of graphene research to find out how this wonder material could be used in everything from solar panels to a new generation of super-durable batteries.
Program three transmission times:
Saturday, February 22 at 0932 EST and 2232 EST
Sunday, February 23 at 632 EST
Program Four: March 1-28
Tin
Tin is the main material used in the soldering of all electronics, particularly in circuit boards, meaning that virtually all electronic devices, new and old, are dependent on this element. We ask whether the world should be worried that the tin solder used to hold our electronic world together could corrode in cold weather. We find out how one third of world tin supplies come from the tiny Indonesian island of Bangka – but the impact on the local community includes deforestation and dangerous working conditions. Plus we take a look at how tin is used in glass manufacturing.
Program four transmission times:
Saturday, March 1 at 0932 EST and 2232 EST
Sunday, March 2 at 632 EST
Clock: These programs follow the regular BBC World Service Clock.
Download: The programs are available to download from the Specials section of the BBC Partner Site.