Down to Earth: Earthworms and the Power of Dirt

We all use batteries in our day-to-day lives from phones to laptops to remote-controlled toys, but we know so little. How do they work? What are they made from? Why do we use different batteries for different purposes? Lithium-ion, lead-acid, maybe even alkaline batteries you have heard of, but a battery made from dirt? Do not swap your batteries yet as we charge through at high rates from the theory of batteries to near depletion at the end with the generation of portable power from dirt. This may sound like an electric dream but by the end of our circuit, you will believe in the potential of dirt batteries with little resistance to the idea.

Charles Darwin called earthworms “Nature’s ploughs”. Today, scientists call them soil ecosystem engineers. But why exactly are earthworms important? And how do they contribute to soil processes and ecosystem health? David digs deep into the secret lives of earthworms to reveal why they are vital for our soils and our future. Get ready to learn about their fascinating natural history – from giant earthworms, to sex and migration.