
Episode 538
Phosphorus: Essential to All Life But Are We Running Out?
Peak phosphorus could be as little a decade away. We need to act now but what can we do?
The Naked Scientists Podcast · The Naked Scientists
May 9, 201658m 17s
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Show Notes
If you've followed environmental stories over the years, you'll know this tune. Scientists have long been singing off the same songbook when it comes to fossil fuels, deforestation and pollution. But drum not often banged is the dwindling supply of phosphorus. It's is an essential element for all life. It makes up our DNA and all organisms need it for energy. It cannot be replaced, there is no synthetic substitute. In other words, without phosphorus, there is no life. This week on the Naked Scientists, we investigate whether we're running out of phosphorus for fertiliser and what we can do... Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists
Topics
phosphorusphosphatefamineshortagehungrypeakfarmingfertiliser