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Is planet Earth getting greener?

Jordan Peterson says Earth has greened by 20% in 20 years. Is he right?

Canadian psychologist and culture war commentator Jordan Peterson says planet Earth has got 20% greener in the last 20 years.

But satellite data tells a different story.

We investigate the correct number, with the help of Dr Chi Chen, from Rutgers University in the US.

Presenter: Kate Lamble
Series producer: Tom Colls
Production co-ordinator: Brenda Brown
Sound mix: Giles Aspen
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sun 11 Aug 202423:50GMT
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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Broadcasts

  • Sat 10 Aug 202404:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
  • Sat 10 Aug 202410:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Sat 10 Aug 202415:50GMT
    BBC World Service News Internet
  • Sun 11 Aug 202408:50GMT
    BBC World Service West and Central Africa
  • Sun 11 Aug 202410:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
  • Sun 11 Aug 202422:50GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
  • Sun 11 Aug 202423:50GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa

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When can you trust statistics?

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Podcast

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    Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life