Q&A: Beavers, solar panels in the Sahara and nuclear waste

From The Climate Question by BBC World Service

March 15, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

The episode features a panel answering listener questions about beavers, solar panels in deserts, and the need for upgraded electricity grids.

The Climate Question panel answer your queries. Do beavers protect the planet? Should we put solar panels in deserts? And why does the world need to upgrade its electricity grids? Host Graihagh Jackson puts your head-scratchers to Justin Rowlatt, BBC climate editor; Akshat Rathi, senior climate reporter for Bloomberg News and host of Bloomberg's Zero podcast; and Caroline Steel, presenter of BBC CrowdScience. Got a question for the next listeners' show? You can email us at theclimatequestion@bbc.com or leave a WhatsApp message at + 44 8000 321 721 Production team: Diane Richardson and Grace Braddock Sound Mix: Tom Brignell and Johnny Hall Production Coordinator: Brenda Brown Editor: Simon Watts Picture Credit: A beaver. Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

People in this episode

Host: Graihagh Jackson

Guests: Justin Rowlatt, Akshat Rathi, Caroline Steel

Topics covered

beavers
solar panels
nuclear waste
electricity grids
climate change
environmental protection

Keywords

beavers
solar panels
Sahara
nuclear waste
electricity grids
climate questions

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC World Service, Bloomberg News, BBC CrowdScience