How Fungi Shape Our World, From Carbon Sinks to Zombie TV: | Ep217: Merlin Sheldrake

What if the key to solving our climate crisis lies beneath our
feet? Could tiny fungal networks be the unsung heroes of carbon
sequestration? And how might reimagining our relationship with
fungi transform our understanding of life on Earth? 


This week on Cleaning Up, Bryony Worthington sits down with
Merlin Sheldrake, author of the bestselling "Entangled Life," to
explore the extraordinary world of fungi. Sheldrake reveals how
these remarkable organisms are not just passive participants in
our ecosystem, but active innovators that have been shaping our
planet for a billion of years.


 From their crucial role in carbon cycling and soil health
to their potential in creating sustainable materials, fungi may
be a powerful solution to some of our most pressing environmental
challenges. Sheldrake takes us on a journey through fungal
networks, discussing their intelligence, chemical capabilities,
and symbiotic relationships that challenge our understanding of
life. 


Leadership Circle: 


Cleaning Up is supported by the Leadership Circle, and its
founding members: Actis, Alcazar Energy, Davidson Kempner,
EcoPragma Capital, EDP of Portugal, Eurelectric, the Gilardini
Foundation, KKR, National Grid, Octopus Energy, Quadrature
Climate Foundation, SDCL and Wärtsilä. For more information on
the Leadership Circle, please visit
https://www.cleaningup.live. 


Discover more: 


Merlin’s Book, Entangled Life:
https://www.merlinsheldrake.com/entangled-life 

Fungi: Web of Life Trailer —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCf7YywIBZ8 

Society for the Protection of Underground Networks:
https://www.spun.earth