The Royal Institution lecture has been a Christmas tradition in Britain since 1825, when it was initiated by the renowned scientist Michael Faraday at a time when organised education for the young was scarce on the ground.
The lectures continue to this day but have become engaging, mind-expanding BBC Four television programmes for people of all ages.
Irish environmental scientist Tara Shine will be part of a threesome delivering their take on the world during this yearâs programmes.
The theme is âPlanet Earth â a userâs guideâ and will see presenters unravel astonishing global systems and remarkable natural wonders that sustain life. They will explore how human activity has become an overwhelming geological force âdisrupting the finely-tuned systems that have kept our planet running smoothly for billions of years,â Shine explains.