- 27 minutes ago
How seaweed can help cut methane emissions, making fertilizer from wastewater, crops that nourish themselves—this time Tomorrow Today explores innovative solutions for climate protection and wetland restoration.
Category
🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:08Cows burp on average around a thousand times a day and that has an impact on climate change.
00:13It's why scientists around the world are looking into feed additives that could reduce how much gas cattle produce.
00:22New ideas for agriculture and much more this time around on DW's science programme.
00:28Welcome to Tomorrow Today.
00:32His job is bad for the climate and he knows it.
00:36Adam Wesley raises cattle on the Australian island of Tasmania as his family has done for generations.
00:42The lush green pastures provide the ideal conditions.
00:46The problem is that his herd of around a thousand cattle also burps releasing climate warming methane.
00:52For a long time Adam wasn't too concerned but these days he's keen to do something about it.
01:00If we can prove that we're taking the methane out of the animals and having a low carbon or a
01:07zero carbon piece of steak on the shelf.
01:10The way everything's going, as people look down, they actually read the fine print on packets these days.
01:19It's not just grab the cheapest thing, you know.
01:23Adam has been introduced to a potential solution, one that could help him cut his methane emissions.
01:32It was discovered beneath the surface of the ocean in the Australian coastal waters.
01:39We meet entrepreneur Sam Elsom, who's brought us to the beach to tell us all about it.
01:46The ocean washes up tons of seaweed along the shore.
01:51Years ago, scientists discovered that when cattle also eat a particular species of red algae, they produce less methane when
01:59they burp.
02:00One of those seaweeds was an absolute standout and that's the asparagopsis.
02:05We had a tiny dietary inclusion, so just 0.2% of that animal's diet virtually eliminates the methane emissions.
02:10And the researchers at the time thought it was a mistake.
02:14They re-ran the whole experiment, thinking that their apparatus was broken, only to find that this is a very
02:21real outcome.
02:23Sam spotted a business opportunity that could benefit both farmers and the climate.
02:31He founded a company in remote Tasmania and assembled a team of specialists.
02:37He believes there's no better place for a project like this.
02:42As we drive down the East Coast Highway, you can see that agriculture is an important industry in this region
02:48as well, mainly sheep farming.
02:53So, you know, there's this tension, I guess, in some ways between industry and the environment.
03:04Sam now grows the seaweed on land.
03:08Temperatures and water conditions are easier to control there, and it's easier to harvest.
03:14Tons of asparagopsis are growing in these aquaculture facilities, all destined to become cattle feed.
03:23Growing the seaweed at scale has turned out to be harder than expected, but it's a challenge that will hopefully
03:29pay off.
03:30Researchers found that compounds in this marine algae interfere with the chemical process that creates methane inside a cow's digestive
03:39system.
03:40The effect can even be observed under a microscope.
03:44That's what makes this baragopsis so unique, this cell structure that reacts with enzymes at the final stages of digestion
03:52and stop methane in livestock.
03:55So the seaweed acts as a kind of methane blocker.
03:59The company turns it into feed supplements, including oils.
04:04Sea feed product.
04:05And additives hidden inside the lick blocks, which Adam uses on his farm.
04:13At first, the cattle were almost as skeptical as the farmer himself, but they've actually developed quite a taste for
04:21the blocks.
04:22And with every lick, a little of the seaweed makes its way into their digestive system.
04:28Yeah, they just love the lick block. I don't know. I haven't tasted it. You have to taste it and
04:33see what tastes so good.
04:35While the cattle lick the seaweed blocks and, occasionally, our camera, Adam is collecting data.
04:43We've got the lick block in the tub there. They come in as soon as you tread on the platform.
04:50It's got an EID panel reader in there, reads their individual ear tag, and there's a little methane sensor in
04:59there.
05:00The data is analyzed by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, which also funds the project.
05:06A handful of farmers are already taking part.
05:11Adam says that if they're expected to pay for the supplements in the future, they'll need to see a return.
05:16He's hoping that less energy lost as methane will boost meat yields.
05:20Researchers believe it may.
05:23Obviously, if we might have to spend a little bit on putting some lick blocks out with cattle,
05:29then hopefully, for every dollar you outlay, you might get a bit more than a dollar back. It would be
05:35really nice.
05:37Globally, cattle farming is responsible for around a quarter of human-caused methane emissions.
05:44So, can a small amount of seaweed in cattle feed really make a difference when it comes to climate change?
05:51To find out, we're visiting Tim Flannery near Sydney, one of Australia's most prominent environmental scientists.
05:57He says changing what cattle eat may be easier than changing the way the meat industry works or people's eating
06:04habits.
06:05There is no climate silver bullet.
06:07But in the short to medium term, if you want to reduce the amount of warming we experience,
06:12methane is the only pathway we have really for doing that.
06:15Yes, we should be eating less meat, but we should also be eating meat that doesn't generate methane.
06:20So, while we still have cattle, it seems to mean an absolute no-brainer that we should reduce the methane
06:28that they generate.
06:29For Adam, cattle farming and climate action don't have to be at odds.
06:34And he's willing to take part in this small experiment that could prove to be a big step forward.
06:43Next up, another new approach in agriculture.
06:47Although, it's actually based on an old idea.
06:50It's all about…
06:54Would you eat this tomato if it were fertilized with human pee or poop?
06:58Crops need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
07:03We already put some of those back into the soil through animal manure and compost.
07:08And yet, Europe still imports large amounts of fertilizers.
07:12But fertilizer prices have boomed in recent years.
07:15So, why do we go to such lengths to produce and mine nutrients for food only to flush some of
07:21them away afterwards?
07:22Couldn't we just close that loop?
07:24Funnily enough, the discovery of phosphorus has a lot to do with human urine.
07:30When a German alchemist was trying to make gold, he processed huge amounts of urine.
07:35And accidentally isolated phosphorus instead.
07:39But phosphorus is a finite resource, so why waste it with every flush?
07:43The main reason is safety.
07:46Human waste contains pathogens, medicine residues, heavy metals, and microplastics.
07:51But so does animal manure.
07:53That's why both have to be processed.
07:56Around the world, there are many projects that successfully process human pee, poop, and sewage.
08:02On average, we people individually produce 5.7 kilograms of nitrogen, 0.6 kilograms of phosphorus, and 1.2 kilograms
08:11of potassium per year.
08:13And most of these nutrients are in urine.
08:15The tricky part is recovering them before they mix with feces and flushing water.
08:22That's why researchers in Sweden develop toilets that separate urine from the rest.
08:27The collected urine is then stabilized and dried into a concentrated fertilizer that looks and behaves more like the products
08:34farmers already use.
08:36Poop is trickier, but even that's been done.
08:39On this farm in Mexico, farmer Tomas Villanueva grows fruit and vegetables using compost made from human feces.
08:47The waste comes from dried toilets where it's collected without being flushed into the sewer.
08:53It's then mixed with materials like straw and stone powder and composted for several months.
08:59As bacteria break the material down, the compost heats up.
09:03The high temperature kills the pathogens, leaving behind a soil-like fertilizer that the farm uses for crops, including cabbage
09:10and beetroot.
09:11So far, so good.
09:14If we collect pee and poop right at the source, we can use them.
09:18But what about when they've already entered the sewer?
09:22Around 1,000 liters of sewage flow through this German wastewater treatment plant every second.
09:29But that sewage also contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
09:34Researchers are trying to recover those nutrients and turn them into liquid fertilizers.
09:39The scientists estimate that recovering just 10% of the nutrient potential at this one plant could provide enough nutrients
09:47to grow around 3% of all the tomatoes Germany consumes per year.
09:53With over 80% of mined phosphorus already used by the food industry, demand for the element is likely to
10:01rise even further in the future.
10:04Human waste could be part of the solution.
10:06So, would you eat the tomato now?
10:15How about a tomato that fertilizes itself?
10:18Wouldn't that be a game changer?
10:22Cell biologist Thomas Ott is researching a special ability some plants have, like white clover, which is able to fertilize
10:31itself.
10:31It doesn't need any synthetic fertilizer to grow well.
10:36The secret lies in its roots, which provide a home for special bacteria.
10:41You can see where in the roots they're found, in these small nodule-like structures.
10:47Inside these nodules, the bacteria busily produce a kind of natural fertilizer.
10:52The plant provides a habitat where they can thrive, and they give something back.
10:57Through this symbiosis with the bacteria, the clover can essentially fertilize itself with nitrogen.
11:04The relationship is beneficial to both species.
11:08Now a research team in the southern German city of Freiburg is trying to transfer this principle to crop plants.
11:15They hope that their numerous experiments in the lab and greenhouse will one day allow farmers to dispense with synthetic
11:21fertilizer almost entirely.
11:25Making synthetic fertilizer is very energy-intensive, and most of that energy still comes from fossil sources.
11:31We estimate that producing a ton of it generates roughly 2 to 8 tons of CO2.
11:39When transport and application are also taken into account, the use of synthetic fertilizers generates around 1.1 billion tons
11:48of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide every year.
11:53That's almost twice Germany's total annual emissions.
11:57Hence the team's attempt to get bacteria to provide self-fertilization in crop plants as well.
12:03Their focus is on the genetics.
12:05Most plants already carry genes that allow them to partner up with fungi.
12:10By making small genetic modifications, the researchers hope to enable cooperation between plants and bacteria too.
12:19Plants already have this basic potential.
12:22What we need now to understand is how to make them respond specifically to the bacteria.
12:26Use the existing program to essentially open that door, just as some plants already do.
12:33To reach that goal, the researchers first need to understand when plants allow bacteria to colonize their roots.
12:42There are many genes involved.
12:45First, the plant has to recognize the bacteria and distinguish them from harmful bacteria.
12:50Then there's the entire process of how the bacteria enter the root.
12:54It's actually quite rare for plants to allow bacteria into their cells.
13:02If the pairing succeeds, the plant begins supplying the bacteria with sugar, while the bacteria capture nitrogen and later convert
13:10it into fertilizer.
13:11It's a give-and-take relationship, one that means the plant has to produce additional carbohydrates.
13:18Because the bacteria need a significant amount of sugar, the plant might have to boost its production somewhat.
13:24International projects looking at that aspect are already quite advanced and could, in principle, compensate for the extra demand.
13:32For it to work, the plants have to be genetically modified, even if, in Europe at least, genetic engineering is
13:40still controversial.
13:42We believe that there's no way around a genetic engineering approach because we need to introduce new genes,
13:49ones that many crop plants don't have, that are borrowed from legumes.
13:53We have to be open. An enormous amount has changed in the last few years, both in the technology and
13:59the degree of control we have over it.
14:02The researchers have already carried out initial tests with tomato plants with promising results and are currently conducting experiments with
14:11cassava.
14:12Largely unknown in Europe, it's one of the world's most important staple foods.
14:17More than 500 million people depend on the root as a source of nutrition.
14:23Successfully modifying the plants could take five years, and in the future, other crops could be engineered to self-fertilize,
14:30reducing the need for a synthetic alternative.
14:36What good are self-fertilizing crops if climate change makes them impossible to grow?
14:41Tomorrow's plants are being developed against a backdrop of collapsing ecosystems.
14:46Rewetting peatlands could help mitigate disaster.
14:52Peatlands, bogs and fens are shrouded in mystery and legend.
14:57Few know as much about the unique habitats as leading German expert Franziska Tannenberger.
15:05Fens are ecosystems that developed in places that have water in excess, like here.
15:12Plants that grow here, which are adapted to the wet conditions, don't decompose completely, but form peat, what I'm standing
15:20on.
15:20There are many important reasons to protect peatlands, especially in Germany, where most have been destroyed.
15:29Tannenberger has studied peatlands for many years and campaigned for their conservation.
15:34Fens like this one, the Molmer Seewiesen, are rare.
15:38Since its restoration three years ago, many bog plants and animals have made a comeback in the area.
15:49You can see the transition here quite well.
15:53This is a sedge plant that grows in bogs like this.
15:56The leaves on top are green, of course, and the roots down below are these white and brown things you
16:02see.
16:02That's where it's already transitioning into peat.
16:05That's the special thing that happens in peatlands.
16:08The roots don't decompose completely.
16:10More is created than is broken down again.
16:14Peat that builds up over thousands of years forms very special ecosystems.
16:20And protecting them is about more than just everyday conservation.
16:25We face real societal challenges like the climate crisis and the biodiversity crisis, to name just two.
16:32And at some point we realize that although peatlands can't save the world and solve every problem, a lot really
16:39does come together there.
16:41Although peatlands cover just 4% of all land globally, they play a key role in ecosystems.
16:48They trap more carbon than all the world's forests combined, providing a habitat for rare plants and animals.
16:56In Germany, 95% of all bogs and fens have been drained, the source of 7% of the country's
17:03greenhouse gas emissions.
17:05If drained peatlands were re-wetted, they could begin storing carbon again instead of emitting it,
17:11which is why Franziska Tannenberger campaigns for more of them to be restored in Germany.
17:16But what about the farmers who currently make their livelihood from land that was once a bog?
17:24In the past, protecting peatlands often meant halting agriculture in those areas that we were re-wetting.
17:31Buying up the land, maybe turning it back into wilderness, which is a great thing.
17:36But considering the fact that we have almost 2 million hectares of peatlands in Germany,
17:42where we now want to gradually raise water levels, this strategy alone won't cut it.
17:50That's why Tannenberger is talking about options with farmers like Henning Christ, who's taking part in a re-wetting project.
17:58The goal is to make peatland protection and agriculture complementary rather than just one or the other.
18:05But as Christ explains here, even just getting around on waterlogged ground isn't easy because you can't drive on it.
18:14Re-wetting poses new problems for farmers.
18:18Together with farmers, Tannenberger wants to explore possibilities for agriculture in peatlands,
18:25whether in saturated areas or, like here, in places that dry out in the summer.
18:31Henning Christ could now use this land to grow fodder for his animals, but its quality won't be very high.
18:37Of course we want to do our bit, because climate protection is a really big issue.
18:44But it also means downsides for us, no question.
18:47The land isn't quite as attractive economically as it used to be.
18:53The farmer receives some subsidies for conservation efforts,
18:57but they aren't enough to make up for an inferior harvest, or the risks.
19:02Tannenberger also wants policymakers to get more involved in peatland protection,
19:08and pushes for more state support.
19:10The researcher shuttles constantly between northern Germany, Berlin and Brussels,
19:15talking to everyone involved, like here at the German Council for Sustainable Development and Advisory Panel,
19:21or with people at the country's agricultural associations,
19:25who fear output and income in the sector will suffer.
19:29On the one hand, it helps if you're really convinced that your issue is worth it.
19:34And in the case of peatlands, I'm very certain about the many synergies,
19:37climate, biodiversity, sustainable management, that everything is involved.
19:42Also, I think it's very important to talk about timeframes.
19:46Not everyone has to implement climate protection 100% tomorrow,
19:50but we all have to work together to get there.
20:00Hear that? It's the Eurasian bittern.
20:04Found in marshes and bogs, if you know where to look.
20:10Four people, one mission. They're looking for birds.
20:14The more they spot, and the rarer the species, the better.
20:17It's easy here in the German state of Brandenburg.
20:21A common swift, next to that falcon up there.
20:25The four are amateur ornithologists, more commonly known as birders,
20:30members of a rapidly growing community.
20:33Biology student Simon Kizey has been a bird watcher for about 10 years.
20:39For me, it started with photography. I was just curious about nature.
20:43And there's also a bit of collector's bug involved, like collecting Pokemon cards.
20:48For many birders, spending time in nature is also a way to escape the sensory overload of everyday life.
20:56Finding like-minded companions is easier than ever.
20:59This group from Berlin connected online.
21:02On this excursion, everyone gets their money's worth.
21:05There's so much going on, any second a new bird might appear.
21:09Breeding pairs are active, and migratory birds are passing through heading north.
21:14You never know what you're going to see.
21:15That's the joy of it. Every bush could hold a new surprise.
21:22From an inconspicuous Savi's warbler to an endangered osprey.
21:29There are even two black-headed gulls, rare in the area.
21:33New sightings roll in practically by the second.
21:40The most important rule of bird watching is to remain mindful of nature.
21:45One reason conservationists welcome the hobby's growing popularity.
21:52The best way to learn is to go out with someone who has a lot of experience.
21:57That's why we offer guided walks and also specialist groups.
22:01Just get up early, grab a pair of binoculars, and learn how to use them properly.
22:06So you spot birds fast.
22:08And then really learn which bird is singing.
22:11That's what I recommend.
22:15On websites like Germany's Onito or the American platform eBird,
22:21enthusiasts can report sightings.
22:24An app called Merlin, which recognizes songs and calls, helps identify species.
22:32Other than that, you don't need much to get started.
22:37All you really need is a simple pair of binoculars and something that helps you identify birds properly.
22:43It's a lot more fun when you actually get a good look at the bird and can identify it using
22:47a field guide.
22:52Simon's group has spotted 64 species today.
22:56But it's not a competition.
22:58Among birders, nobody is keeping score.
23:02They're too busy looking up at the sky.
23:08Do you have a science question?
23:10Then send it to us as a video, text or voice message.
23:14If we answer it in the show, then we'll send you a little gift as a thank you.
23:18So go on, just ask.
23:26How did the eyes of spiders evolve?
23:33Most spiders have eight eyes, although a few have only six.
23:38Generally, they have two larger principal eyes and the rest are secondary eyes.
23:43They help give spiders almost 360-degree vision, which they need.
23:49That's because spiders have no neck, so they can't turn their heads.
23:53To see any predators or prey, they need to turn their entire bodies.
23:59Jumping spiders need especially keen vision.
24:03That's because their various sets of eyes do different things.
24:07The front pair identifies detail and color, helping it to determine whether a target really is potential prey.
24:15And the secondary eyes calculate the distance to it and its direction of motion.
24:23Other spiders, like yellow sack spiders, are nocturnal, so they need to have good night vision.
24:31When it comes to insects, scientists know quite a bit about how their eyes develop.
24:36But so far, researchers haven't studied the eyes of spiders in as much detail.
24:42In one study, biologists looked at spider embryos to see how their eyes develop.
24:49First, they had to remove the tiny arachnids from their egg sacs.
24:54The scientists were also interested in the genes that determine how spider eyes develop.
25:00That included comparing their activity to the activity of genes that determine eye development in other groups of animals.
25:08There were a lot of similarities.
25:11The researchers found that the same genes that determined the development of other sophisticated eye structures in other animals
25:18were also active in spider eye development.
25:22They were involved, for example, in the development of the compound faceted eyes in insects.
25:28These findings support the theory that the astonishingly diverse types of eyes found throughout the animal kingdom
25:35could potentially all be traced back to a common ancestor.
25:46That's all we have time for now, but thanks for watching, and hope to see you again soon on Tomorrow
25:52Today.
25:53Bye-bye!
26:04Bye-bye!