Home Planet - 13/07/2010

We know that the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have increased over the last 150 years or so; much has been said about possible negative effects. But could there be a silver lining to this gaseous cloud? Plants need carbon dioxide to photosynthesise so could more CO2 mean faster plant growth and bigger crops? Should we stop planting trees and just let nature take its course, slowly converting untouched grassland to forest? Is the disease trichomoniasis spreading in wild birds and if so, what can be done to halt it's progress? Do swans murder geese and do magpies deserve their reputation as the scourge of songbird nests? This week's panel is comprised of forest biologist Dr Nick Brown of Oxford University; Graham Appleton of the British Trust for Ornithology and Professor Philip Stott, an environmental scientist from the University of London. Contact: Home Planet BBC Radio 4 PO Box 3096 Brighton BN1 1PL Or email [email protected] Or telephone: 08700 100 400. Presenter: Richard Daniel Producer: Toby Murcott A Pier Production for BBC Radio 4.