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BBC Inside Science

Do we need a new model of cosmology?

BBC Inside Science

BBC

Technology, Science

4.51.3K Ratings

🗓️ 16 May 2024

⏱️ 32 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Earlier this week, some of the world's leading astrophysicists came together at The Royal Society to question the very nature of our Universe. Does the Lambda Cold Dark Matter model, which explains the evolution of the cosmos and the Big Bang, need a rethink? Dr Chris North, an astrophysicist from the University of Cardiff, joins us in the studio to explain what this model says, and why it might need to be changed.

The last few weeks seem to have been a non-stop cycle of depressing climate stories, with floods in Pakistan, mass coral bleaching and last month being the hottest March ever recorded. It's perhaps no surprise that many people are anxious about the news. Vic Gill is joined by Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh, an environmental psychologist at the University of Bath, and Tom Rivett Carnac, an author, political strategist and co-host of the podcast Outrage + Optimism. Together they discuss climate anxiety, and how to stay engaged with the news without feeling overwhelmed.

And with all this wet weather, how are our precious insects faring? It turns out, bumblebees might have a trick up their fuzzy sleeves when the ground gets flooded - at least according to a new experiment led by Sabrina Rondeau from the University of Ottawa. We also get bumblebee expert Dave Goulson on the line to tell us more about these charismatic insects.

Presenter: Victoria Gill Producers: Alice Lipscombe-Southwell, Ella Hubber and Hannah Robins Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

Transcript

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0:00.0

Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of

0:07.0

Happiness Podcast.

0:08.0

For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want

0:14.4

to share that science with you.

0:16.1

And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.

0:19.4

I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that

0:25.4

calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds.

0:30.3

BBC Sounds, music, radio podcasts.

0:35.0

Hello, you lovely curious-minded people.

0:39.0

You're listening to BBC Inside Science,

0:41.0

first broadcast on the 18th of April 2024 and I'm Victoria Gill.

0:45.0

Now I don't know about you but some of the climate related news in the last few weeks

0:49.7

has left me feeling a bit overwhelmed.

0:53.0

More record-breaking temperatures, devastating heat waves,

0:56.2

and some abandoned emission-cutting targets to boot.

0:59.7

So today, rather than just delve into the science behind the stories, we want to talk climate anxiety

1:06.2

and how and why to stay positive and engaged with an issue that can seem so far beyond our control.

1:15.2

And as many of us here in the UK have been hoping for the rain to just please stop, we'll be finding out how the

1:19.8

biggest and furriest of our pollinating insects have biological secrets to surviving the deluge.

1:26.0

But I want to start today by questioning the very nature of our universe,

1:31.0

because earlier this week some of the world's leading astrophysicists

1:34.9

came together at the Royal Society to do exactly that. They're discussing a cosmological

...

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