Leading science journalists provide a weekly one-minute report on the science of the environment and the future of energy. Scientific American offers three other podcasts: the daily "60-Second Science," and the weekly "60-Second Psych" and "Science Talk." To view all our archived podcasts please visit: www.sciam.com/podcast http://www.sciam.com/podcast/ http://www.sciam.com/podcast/images/sciam_podcast_earth.jpg http://www.sciam.com/podcast/ 144 144 2009 Scientific American, Inc. http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss en-us Mon, 6 Jul 2009 00:45:00 -0500 A weekly podcast discussing the science of the environment and the future of energy. Leading science journalists provide a weekly one-minute report on the science of the environment and the future of energy. Scientific American offers three other podcasts: the daily "60-Second Science," and the weekly "60-Second Psych" and "Science Talk." To view all our archived podcasts please visit: www.sciam.com/podcast environment, green, technology, earth, recycle, organic, ecofriendly, renewable, environmentalism, sustainable, CO2, carbon, carbon footprint, carbon capture, carbon tax, pollution, global warming, climate change, arctic, arctic melt, podcast, alternative energy, solar energy, Scientific American, 60-Second Science, 60-Second, SciAm Scientific American webmaster@sciam.com Scientific American no From spider silk in goat's milk to tomato genes in salmon, genetically modified animals are proliferatingin the lab. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=3C4A6597-CD28-0D50-F4FF2844D9AC4A0B&ref=p_itune 3C4A6597-CD28-0D50-F4FF2844D9AC4A0B Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:08 -0500 The Wonderful World of Transgenic Animals From spider silk in goat's milk to tomato genes in salmon, genetically modified animals are proliferatingin the lab. David Biello reports 00:01:19 transgenic animals, Dolly the sheep, GMO, genetically modified animals, Scientific American no The government is pushing for it, but are high speed trains even possible in the U.S.? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=18ABAE6F-0F7F-7910-0F5367A879ED2C0C&ref=p_itune 18ABAE6F-0F7F-7910-0F5367A879ED2C0C Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:08 -0500 Can America's Trains Go High-Speed? The government is pushing for it, but are high speed trains even possible in the U.S.? David Biello reports 00:01:17 trains, high speed trains, Acela Express, Scientific American no In VORTEX2, the largest scientific study of tornadoes, scientists are trying to understand just what causes a twister to form. It's more complicated than you might think. Christie Nicholson reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=0E226D38-CC81-9282-7C2A6D13E92EE42E&ref=p_itune 0E226D38-CC81-9282-7C2A6D13E92EE42E Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:00:08 -0500 Getting to the Core of Twisters In VORTEX2, the largest scientific study of tornadoes, scientists are trying to understand just what causes a twister to form. It's more complicated than you might think. Christie Nicholson reports 00:02:52 VORTEX2, tornado, tornadoes, twister, twisters, severe storms, storms, thunder Scientific American no Are biofuels going to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions? David Biello reports. http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=EFEAE03F-065B-BF17-6E75EBB90944801B&ref=p_itune EFEAE03F-065B-BF17-6E75EBB90944801B Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:08 -0500 The Dirt on Biofuels Are biofuels going to play a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions? David Biello reports. 00:01:30 biofuels, global warming, climate change, greenhouse gas, carbon, corn, food, energy Scientific American no Jeff Wolfe, the CEO of groSolar, a leading U.S. solar energy distribution and installation company, explains why Germany is developing solar energy at a faster pace than the U.S. Steve Mirsky reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=B2A16F84-FD89-E84C-7F4FC37987ED219F&ref=p_itune B2A16F84-FD89-E84C-7F4FC37987ED219F Fri, 5 Jun 2009 19:05:08 -0500 Germany's Solar Head Start Jeff Wolfe, the CEO of groSolar, a leading U.S. solar energy distribution and installation company, explains why Germany is developing solar energy at a faster pace than the U.S. Steve Mirsky reports 00:01:30 Solar energy, renewables, groSolar Scientific American no Is organic better for you and the environment? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=88691AD7-B64E-ACDE-E0C558DE12CC6A03&ref=p_itune 88691AD7-B64E-ACDE-E0C558DE12CC6A03 Thu, 28 May 2009 14:00:08 -0500 Is Organic Really Better? Is organic better for you and the environment? David Biello reports 00:01:37 climage change, organic, organic food, global warming, environment, food, health, nutrition Scientific American no What is the link between solar activity and global warming? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=69BAECFC-C640-960A-317B40725216D53F&ref=p_itune 69BAECFC-C640-960A-317B40725216D53F Fri, 22 May 2009 15:00:08 -0500 Solar Forecasts and Climate Change What is the link between solar activity and global warming? David Biello reports 00:01:30 global warming, sunspots, sun, CO2, carbon, carbon dioxide, Scientific American no There is a host of existing technologies that could radically improve the internal combustion engines that power our cars. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=4149BD55-EA8A-7BAA-A578221B6D8C8EF4&ref=p_itune 4149BD55-EA8A-7BAA-A578221B6D8C8EF4 Thu, 14 May 2009 18:00:08 -0500 Tuning Up Car Engines There is a host of existing technologies that could radically improve the internal combustion engines that power our cars. David Biello reports 00:01:24 climate change, vehicles, carbon dioxide, electric cars, alternative fuels, internal combustion engines Scientific American no Is the government's new plan to pay people to trade in old, inefficient cars and trucks an environmental bane or boon? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=1FFDD16E-B0FD-9874-75953E1916FBF04B&ref=p_itune 1FFDD16E-B0FD-9874-75953E1916FBF04B Fri, 8 May 2009 07:00:08 -0500 Cash for Clunkers Is the government's new plan to pay people to trade in old, inefficient cars and trucks an environmental bane or boon? David Biello reports 00:01:25 climate change, global warming, fuel emissions, fuel efficient, vehicles, cars, gas mileage Scientific American no Some have linked the new strain of H1N1 to an industrial hog farm in Mexico, David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=FE1FDD97-B8C5-06B4-4356F776557F60A1&ref=p_itune FE1FDD97-B8C5-06B4-4356F776557F60A1 Fri, 1 May 2009 17:00:08 -0500 Can Swine Flu Be Blamed on Industrial Farming? Some have linked the new strain of H1N1 to an industrial hog farm in Mexico, David Biello reports 01:20:00 swine flu, H1N1, cafo, industrial agriculture, industrial farming, hog farm, pig farm Scientific American no Trees and other plants suck up carbon dioxide, so we might think planting forests will halt global warming. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=D8FB4A82-F69B-7BC7-AF43B6EC911DA2D9&ref=p_itune D8FB4A82-F69B-7BC7-AF43B6EC911DA2D9 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:08 -0500 Can Trees Save Us from Climate Change? Trees and other plants suck up carbon dioxide, so we might think planting forests will halt global warming. Unfortunately, it's not that simple. David Biello reports 00:01:19 climate change, trees, Earth day, Arbor Day, deforestation, global warming Scientific American no Genetic modification has been touted as a solution to hunger, but does it really boost yields? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=AFC0BFE7-DEB4-F487-B8829CE773A28F16&ref=p_itune AFC0BFE7-DEB4-F487-B8829CE773A28F16 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 11:00:08 -0500 Can Genetically Modified Crops Feed the World? Genetic modification has been touted as a solution to hunger, but does it really boost yields? David Biello reports 00:01:27 GMOs, genetically modified food, genetically modified crops, Scientific American no What happens to the animals when the economy collapses? http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=8CCA52AA-CCA2-26AD-EBBBD6C2306B09A8&ref=p_itune 8CCA52AA-CCA2-26AD-EBBBD6C2306B09A8 Thu, 9 Apr 2009 17:00:08 -0500 Can Zoos Survive the Economic Crisis? What happens to the animals when the economy collapses? 00:01:30 zoos, economic crisis, endangered species, Ebola, bird flu, disease, climate change Scientific American no Honeybees: A European import vital to food production--or are they? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=681E8C55-EAD0-E5A7-A755500C167200CA&ref=p_itune 681E8C55-EAD0-E5A7-A755500C167200CA Thu, 2 Apr 2009 14:30:08 -0500 The Curious Case of Bees Honeybees: A European import vital to food production--or are they? David Biello reports 00:01:37 honeybees, bees, honey, pollinate, pollen, Spring, seasons, colony collapse disorder, extinction Scientific American no The U.S.--and the world--has an abundant supply of coal. So does it make sense to turn it into a replacement for oil? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=452D7EBC-0439-3326-C1DB657B5F4710F7&ref=p_itune 452D7EBC-0439-3326-C1DB657B5F4710F7 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:00:08 -0500 Turning Coal to Liquid Fuel The U.S.--and the world--has an abundant supply of coal. So does it make sense to turn it into a replacement for oil? David Biello reports 00:01:24 climate change, clean coal, energy, oil, global warming, co2, carbon dioxide Scientific American no Sea level rise looks likely to come faster--and be worse--than even scientists anticipated. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=2120C027-9A03-1C98-65F68EEE5B6D25AD&ref=p_itune 2120C027-9A03-1C98-65F68EEE5B6D25AD Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:00:08 -0500 Land under Water Sea level rise looks likely to come faster--and be worse--than even scientists anticipated. David Biello reports 00:01:29 climate change, sea levels, global warming, carbon dioxide, Scientific American no What are the environmental challenges of electric cars? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=FC777335-D1FF-08E9-D407DA944277F1D8&ref=p_itune FC777335-D1FF-08E9-D407DA944277F1D8 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:00:08 -0500 Electric Cars and Peak Lithium What are the environmental challenges of electric cars? David Biello reports 00:01:19 energy, climate change, lithium, lithium batteries, global warming, Tesla Roadster, Chevy Volt, electric cars, cars, Scientific American no Everyone from motorists to television producers are buying offsets to save the climate. But do they work? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=D6CF9D07-AD52-F293-3150376BED8A1E23&ref=p_itune D6CF9D07-AD52-F293-3150376BED8A1E23 Thu, 5 Mar 2009 08:00:08 -0500 Carbon Offsets: Fact or Fiction? Everyone from motorists to television producers are buying offsets to save the climate. But do they work? David Biello reports 00:01:42 climate change, global warming, carbon dioxide, cap and trade, carbon capture, carbon storage, carbon offsets, Scientific American no Much of our plastic ends up floating in the North Pacific http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=B3587ACC-A967-5A4B-ADF9597065F4E390&ref=p_itune B3587ACC-A967-5A4B-ADF9597065F4E390 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:00:08 -0500 The Great Garbage Patch Much of our plastic ends up floating in the North Pacific 00:01:30 climate change, global warming, Great Garbage Patch, North Pacific Ocean, NOAA, Captain George Moore, plastic pollution, micro-plastic, Scientific American no Is environmental improvement the key to economic recovery? http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=908656E7-DD89-F9DE-35FD0EA9AE71E5AD&ref=p_itune 908656E7-DD89-F9DE-35FD0EA9AE71E5AD Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:00:08 -0500 A "Green" New Deal Is environmental improvement the key to economic recovery? 00:01:27 global warming, climate change, economic recovery, stimulus package, stimulus bill, green, Scientific American no Simply using instead of losing energy, the U.S.--and the world--could power its way out of crisis. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=6BCDB36C-A91E-8688-8CCA29A380672B65&ref=p_itune 6BCDB36C-A91E-8688-8CCA29A380672B65 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:08 -0500 Waste Not, Want Not: Energy via the Smart Grid Simply using instead of losing energy, the U.S.--and the world--could power its way out of crisis. David Biello reports 00:01:34 climate change, energy, energy grid, utilities, electricity, global warming, environment, energy-saving, Scientific American no You may never have heard of ecosystem services, but you'd be hard-pressed to live without them. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=473937EE-B7A8-E661-3CA13FB03A23A915&ref=p_itune 473937EE-B7A8-E661-3CA13FB03A23A915 Thu, 5 Feb 2009 11:00:08 -0500 Why Ecosystem Services Matter You may never have heard of ecosystem services, but you'd be hard-pressed to live without them. David Biello reports 00:01:48 ecosystem, nature, climate change, global warming, ecosystem services, Nature Conservancy, pollination, bees, Hurricane Katrina, wetlands, storm protection Scientific American no Imitating the sun remains an elusive goal for energy researchers. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=23BD1B5F-AE2F-D09E-10E4729750F68195&ref=p_itune 23BD1B5F-AE2F-D09E-10E4729750F68195 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:00:08 -0500 Forget Nuclear Fission, How about Fusion? Imitating the sun remains an elusive goal for energy researchers. David Biello reports 00:01:38 climate change, global warming, energy, sun, fusion, gravity, Scientific American no Despite cooling in some regions, overall Antarctic temperatures are increasing. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=0456E06D-DE79-3C24-B3ECACAD5097926B&ref=p_itune 0456E06D-DE79-3C24-B3ECACAD5097926B Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:08 -0500 Coldest Continent Warming, Too Despite cooling in some regions, overall Antarctic temperatures are increasing. David Biello reports 00:01:27 Antarctica, climate change, global warming, ice, greenhouse gas, ozone layer, Scientific American no That is the question facing the U.S. Supreme Court in a case on the waste from mining. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=DC580B8C-DC7E-8109-AB694CBBDFC785B4&ref=p_itune DC580B8C-DC7E-8109-AB694CBBDFC785B4 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:00:08 -0500 To Dump (in the Lake) or Not to Dump That is the question facing the U.S. Supreme Court in a case on the waste from mining. David Biello reports 00:01:27 mining, climate change, environment, mercury, toxic materials, fresh water, clean lakes, lakes, gold, Kesington mine, Supreme Court, Slate Lake Scientific American no U.S. states are beginning to attack another major source of global warming pollution besides power plants: your car. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=B873B336-F7AF-00A3-A9B3A358F2F6C660&ref=p_itune B873B336-F7AF-00A3-A9B3A358F2F6C660 Thu, 8 Jan 2009 18:00:08 -0500 Carbon Dioxide from Cars U.S. states are beginning to attack another major source of global warming pollution besides power plants: your car. David Biello reports 00:01:34 car, CO2, carbon, climate change, carbon dioxide, global warming, California labels, power plants, fossil fuels, Scientific American no Light-emitting diodes are beginning to replace the old-fashioned light bulb as well as newer compact fluorescent models. David Biello reports. http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=69D9339B-CD94-F35C-6B327B294CC865C0&ref=p_itune 69D9339B-CD94-F35C-6B327B294CC865C0 Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:00:08 -0500 The Future of Lighting Is Already on Your Christmas Tree Light-emitting diodes are beginning to replace the old-fashioned light bulb as well as newer compact fluorescent models. David Biello reports. 00:01:30 LED lights, Christmas tree lights, Light-emitting diodes, light bulbs, Christmas, holidays Scientific American no Are we running out of oil? http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=4B210B6D-DC20-2E8D-AFFD56D3B6B91D84&ref=p_itune 4B210B6D-DC20-2E8D-AFFD56D3B6B91D84 Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:30:08 -0500 A Holiday for Oil Are we running out of oil? 00:01:17 Hanukkah, holiday, oil, climate change, fossil fuel Scientific American no The ice is melting across the Arctic—and Antarctica is starting to thaw, too. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=271EEE73-F53F-6BEA-8915CDF516BD1599&ref=p_itune 271EEE73-F53F-6BEA-8915CDF516BD1599 Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:00:08 -0500 Santa in Danger: Polar Meltdown The ice is melting across the Arctic—and Antarctica is starting to thaw, too. David Biello reports 00:01:17 Santa Claus, Christmas, Arctic, South Pole, climate change, global warming, Scientific American no When deciding on real or fake trees for the holiday season, think through the green pros and cons. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=042E2E37-FBF3-7AC4-37B30D4EB5E673E9&ref=p_itune 042E2E37-FBF3-7AC4-37B30D4EB5E673E9 Thu, 4 Dec 2008 18:00:08 -0500 I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas (Tree) When deciding on real or fake trees for the holiday season, think through the green pros and cons. David Biello reports 00:01:22 Christmas trees, tree, plastic tree, fake trees, global warming, CO2, carbon, carbon footprint Scientific American no What's the best way to get home for the holidays? http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=D5A035A8-E71A-CC04-58F1A16D3755DC0A&ref=p_itune D5A035A8-E71A-CC04-58F1A16D3755DC0A Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:00:08 -0500 Planes, Trains and Automobiles What's the best way to get home for the holidays? 00:01:21 Thanksgiving travel, eco-travel, environmentally friendly travel Scientific American no Traditional Chinese medicine could eliminate the big striped cats. David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=BB1FAC41-EFC5-5E9C-896FB095DCCE06A9&ref=p_itune BB1FAC41-EFC5-5E9C-896FB095DCCE06A9 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:00:08 -0500 Wine Made from Tiger Bones Traditional Chinese medicine could eliminate the big striped cats. David Biello reports 00:01:10 tiger, medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, extinction Scientific American no Seems like when the economy's bad, the environment improves, but history shows otherwise http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=9760F10A-AEF4-CBA9-4437FFA743E47988&ref=p_itune 9760F10A-AEF4-CBA9-4437FFA743E47988 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:00:08 -0500 Is a Global Recession Good for the Environment? Seems like when the economy's bad, the environment improves, but history shows otherwise 00:01:23 wind farm, climate change, environment, economic downturn, T. Boone Pickens, oil, natural gas Scientific American no What is in store for environmental policy in the new Obama administration? http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=72B64434-C85D-EDEA-EE56A57CDAAC4A31&ref=p_itune 72B64434-C85D-EDEA-EE56A57CDAAC4A31 Thu, 6 Nov 2008 12:00:08 -0500 Obama and (Climate) Change What is in store for environmental policy in the new Obama administration? 00:01:26 global warming, Barack Obama, environment, cap and trade, climate change, U.S. president Scientific American no There is an environmental price for our love of chocolate on Halloween, but it may not be what you think http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=4ECF11CA-AE55-8C56-5937D27D5308698E&ref=p_itune 4ECF11CA-AE55-8C56-5937D27D5308698E Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:30:08 -0500 Chocolate: Treat or Trick? There is an environmental price for our love of chocolate on Halloween, but it may not be what you think 00:01:23 Halloween, treats, trick or treat, chocolate, environment, environmentally friendly, earth Scientific American no Bisphenol A, a common compound found in many plastics, has been listed as a toxic substance in Canada but is still deemed safe in the U.S. http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=26F10929-C3B5-EE2B-CF805CF9120ABE1E&ref=p_itune 26F10929-C3B5-EE2B-CF805CF9120ABE1E Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:08 -0500 Is BPA Bad for You? Bisphenol A, a common compound found in many plastics, has been listed as a toxic substance in Canada but is still deemed safe in the U.S. 00:01:25 BPA, bisphenol A, baby bottles, babies, plastic, number seven, National Toxicology Program, toxic, toxins Scientific American no What is the environmental impact of the Apple products you throw away? http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=01E0C066-D1CA-71C1-6389271E8BC7EB94&ref=p_itune 01E0C066-D1CA-71C1-6389271E8BC7EB94 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 03:30:08 -0500 How Toxic Is Your iPod? What is the environmental impact of the Apple products you throw away? 00:01:32 MacBook, MacBook Pro, Apple, Steve Jobs, environmentally friendly, environment, green, iPod, iPod Nano, Nano, Walkman, toxic waste Scientific American no Extinction juggernaut races across the globe http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=DDBD6BEC-9778-9ADC-FE372286BD2047D6&ref=p_itune DDBD6BEC-9778-9ADC-FE372286BD2047D6 Thu, 9 Oct 2008 00:00:08 -0500 Maul of the Wild: Sixth Extinction Wipes out Animals Worldwide Extinction juggernaut races across the globe 00:01:20 extinction, animals, 6th extinction, sixth extinction, financial bailout, International Union for Conservation of Nature Scientific American no Where do the candidates stand on the environment and energy? David Biello reports http://www.sciam.com/podcast/podcast.mp3?e_id=BA1158FC-CE2D-C8CD-B235287A4B7012B7&ref=p_itune BA1158FC-CE2D-C8CD-B235287A4B7012B7 Thu, 2 Oct 2008 09:00:08 -0500 Environmental Issues Divide Presidential Contenders Where do the candidates stand on the environment and energy? David Biello reports 00:01:13 U.S. election, U.S. presidential candidates, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, environment, climate change, energy, clean coal, drill baby drill Scientific American no