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BBC Inside Science

May 21, 2026 · Unknown · Original Source

BBC Inside Science

Episode Overview

This episode, available for the next 23 days, opens with a look at the atmospheric conditions of 2026. Following the lingering negative impact of the 2023 El Niño—a recurring weather pattern across the Pacific basin—new warnings suggest that another El Niño is currently developing in the Pacific Ocean. Authorities predict this upcoming event could rank among the most intense on record.

Climatologist Amanda Maycock from Leeds University joins host Roland Pease to break down the mechanics of this climate phenomenon and outline its potential global effects, which are expected to unfold from October through early next year.

Ancient Ecosystems and Deep-Sea Fossils

The program also shifts focus to deep time, featuring Scott Evans from the American Museum of Natural History. Evans has been investigating the Mackenzie Mountains in Canada’s Northwest Territory to study the biology and ecology of Earth’s earliest life forms, specifically those existing prior to the Cambrian explosion. The Cambrian period is known for the rapid diversification of animals with hard shells and bones, but before that era, certain global locations preserve rocks from the ancient ocean floor that reveal an ecosystem filled with soft-bodied, unusual creatures.

In Canada, Evans has uncovered a significant new collection of these fossils. However, these specimens were found far deeper than previous discoveries, raising the question of whether animal life originated in the darkest, deepest parts of the ocean rather than in shallow coastal pools.

The Impact of Bottom Trawling

Turning to modern environmental issues, the episode examines bottom trawling, a widespread fishing technique that drags heavy nets across the seafloor to maximize catch. This practice is noted for its destructive nature, tearing up the seabed and destroying everything in its path.

Roland Pease speaks with Amanda Vincent, a professor at the University of British Columbia’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries and founder of the international conservation group Project Seahorse. They discuss the potential benefits of banning bottom trawling, citing recent research that highlights a biodiversity renaissance off the coast of Scotland in areas where the practice has been prohibited for several years.

Additional Science News

The broadcast concludes with science journalist Gareth Mitchell, who details how bottom trawling can negatively impact technology and other scientific endeavors. The episode also includes updates on other news stories, such as recent solar storm activity and a reported shortage of robotic wolves in Japan.

Credits