<p>“That’s the end of coal in the UK for electricity.” </p><p>The UK’s last coal-fired power station has closed, ending Britain's 142-year reliance on coal. </p><p>But what difference will the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar make – and could it mark a new dawn for clean energy? </p><p>After 20 years of research into microplastics and headline upon headline on their potential harms, how much do we really know about these tiny particles? </p><p>Also this week, Marnie turns lab rat for a navigation experiment, and why are we all so obsessed with Moo Deng? </p><p>Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producers: Sophie Ormiston, Ella Hubber &amp; Gerry Holt Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Andrew Rhys Lewis </p><p>BBC Inside Science is produced in partnership with the Open University. </p><p>If you want to test your climate change knowledge, head to bbc.co.uk - search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to the Open University.</p>

BBC Inside Science

BBC Radio 4

Could coal shut-down mark new era for energy?

OCT 31, 202428 MIN
BBC Inside Science

Could coal shut-down mark new era for energy?

OCT 31, 202428 MIN

Description

<p>“That’s the end of coal in the UK for electricity.” </p><p>The UK’s last coal-fired power station has closed, ending Britain's 142-year reliance on coal. </p><p>But what difference will the closure of Ratcliffe-on-Soar make – and could it mark a new dawn for clean energy? </p><p>After 20 years of research into microplastics and headline upon headline on their potential harms, how much do we really know about these tiny particles? </p><p>Also this week, Marnie turns lab rat for a navigation experiment, and why are we all so obsessed with Moo Deng? </p><p>Presenter: Marnie Chesterton Producers: Sophie Ormiston, Ella Hubber &amp; Gerry Holt Editor: Martin Smith Production Co-ordinator: Andrew Rhys Lewis </p><p>BBC Inside Science is produced in partnership with the Open University. </p><p>If you want to test your climate change knowledge, head to bbc.co.uk - search for BBC Inside Science and follow the links to the Open University.</p>