It’s taken nearly four decades for a global phase out of leaded petrol, light aircraft still use fuel containing lead to keep flying their planes. The US and the EU are looking to phase out this source of harmful lead pollution, but the UK is hanging back.

Aviation fuel AVGAS 100LL uses Tetraethlylead for fuel stability. When this lead is jettisoned from the engine at takeoff, these poisonous compounds are released into the air and soil – impacting the environment, and potentially exposing people in the surrounding area.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2 million deaths globally were attributed to chemical exposures in 2019, with lead exposure attributed to nearly half of these deaths. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead, which can cause “profound and permanent” adverse health impacts according to the WHO.

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Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today.

We want to hear from our listeners on what we can do to improve the podcast. To help us, and to be in with a chance to win £100 in John Lewis vouchers, please take part in our five-minute survey: https://www.endsreport.com/podcastsurvey

For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The ming vase that Sir Kier Starmer is holding heading into the general election and the green policies held inside.
• The implications of Reform UK’s manifesto promises, including a pledge to axe net zero within the first 100 days of office.
• And for the news-in-brief, we find out more about one of the worst cases of illegal tree felling in Wales for over three decades, the King’s favourite environmentalist and the Environment Bank’s chief stepping down after 18 years at the helm.

For our deep dive, we’ll take-off with Tim Johnson, director of the Aviation Environment Federation, to gain his fascinating insights into the science of contrails, the need to get to grips with aviation emissions and the airport expansions that could break our carbon budgets.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today.

We want to hear from our listeners on what we can do to improve the podcast. To help us, and to be in with a chance to win £100 in John Lewis vouchers, please take part in our five-minute survey: https://www.endsreport.com/podcastsurvey

For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The latest green policies and pledges hoping to win votes at the next election. We’ll discuss Labour’s pledge to create national forests for all, the Lib Dem’s love for water slides and water policy action and discuss where a new Conservative government might stand on the environment if elected.

• For the news-in-brief, we find out more about the firefighters being tested for PFAS contamination, the phosphates moratorium lifted in Poole Harbour and new data confirming that the Asian hornet is now able to tough it out when it comes to the UK’s winters.

• For our Deep Dive, we’ll speed through the facts of the secret ecological killer that is road run-off – a toxic cocktail of chemicals that is infiltrating our waterways across the country.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today.

We want to hear from our listeners on what we can do to improve the podcast. To help us, and to be in with a chance to win £100 in John Lewis vouchers, please take part in our five-minute survey: https://www.endsreport.com/podcastsurvey

For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The green politics influencing voters and what it could mean heading into an election.
• A highly protected SSSI bulldozed with Natural England’s blessing
• And for the news-in-brief, we find out more about the landowner lobby chief appointed to Natural England’s board, new data confirming that UK bathing waters now rank amongst the worst in Europe for pollution and a beaver boom kicking off in east Kent.

For our deep dive, we speak to evolutionary biologist and molecular ecologist, Professor Richard Buggs from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew about all things trees, the scourge of ash dieback disease, scientists of colour and how his Christian faith helps his science.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK’s biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today.

We want to hear from our listeners on what we can do to improve the podcast. To help us, and to be in with a chance to win £100 in John Lewis vouchers, please take part in our 5-minute survey: https://www.endsreport.com/podcastsurvey.

For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The green policies at risk of being lost before the next general election and what a future Labour government might mean for green policy.
• PLUS the EA’s concerted attempts to thwart FOIs, the tree-climbing lawyer and friends who won a fight against the chainsaws and a failed case over the pollution of the River Wye, which actually may help in the long run. We'll bring you the news in brief.

For this episode’s deep dive, we discuss the findings of a groundbreaking PFAS investigation about a small town in North Yorkshire that has become the most PFAS polluted place in the country.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Whitehouse, Feargal Sharkey, The Crown’s Jim Murray... This week's episode, recorded from the UK River Summit, features the rockstars of the water world and an environmental lawyer on a mission. Listen to the ECO Chamber to find out what you've missed.

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK's biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today. For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The bugs bothering England’s bathing waters;
• The crypto outbreak plaguing Devon residents;
• And the United Utilities scandal haunting Windermere – England’s largest and very dirty lake.

For this week's episode we report from the River Summit at Morden Hall where we hear thoughts from big fish such as Feargal Sharkey, Paul Whitehouse, Jim Murray, Guy Shrubsole and the Environment Agency's Philip Duffy.

For our deep-dive, we speak with Fish Legal's Angela Henry about their landmark legal victory against the government and how the process of informing public bodies actually works.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK's biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today. For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The on-going beef between the government and the post-Brexit environmental watchdog – the Office for Environmental Protection and this time it's over the state of our waterways.
• We find out if the move to drop two green infringement cases against the UK means the EU has finally bowed out from pursuing legal challenges over the channel.
• And knotweed, the seven deadly bins and the new designated bathing water sites, we’ll bring you the news-in-brief.

For our deep-dive, we take a forensic look at how the UK's green policy is diverging not just from the EU but also within the devolved nations.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every week, the ENDS team enters the ECO Chamber to discuss the UK's biggest green news stories, and take a forensic look at one of the deep-rooted environmental issues facing us today. For this week’s Big Green News, the team discusses:

• The fallout of the local elections… was it really the ULEZ wot won it in London?
• We’ll also be finding out why the government has suffered another defeat in the courts over its failed climate plans.
• SEPA’s new green assessment scheme, DEFRA ministers’ close ties with the shooting industry, and the sound of our own trumpet – we discuss the news-in-brief.

For our deep-dive, we speak with environmental activist Tony Whitehead, a campaigner with the Alliance for Nature on Dartmoor, a group fighting for the ecological restoration of the national park.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.