Seeds of Change by Generation Anthropocene

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Most of the changes scientists see on our planet are either visible to the naked eye or directly measurable. But changes to our water systems are among the most difficult to see. In this episode, we travel from the Antarctic ice sheet capturing over 60 percent of all freshwater on Earth, to massive groundwater aquifers that remain particularly elusive, to a freshwater system that acts as the primary economic, cultural, and environmental driver of southern Asia. In short, we go in search of hidden water.

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In this compilation, we draw from our 80+ episodes to explore the anthropocene: what it is, how it's defined, and what it means for you. This piece was released in cooperation with SmithsonianMag's Anthropocene hub.

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How does geography affect the outcomes of history? We seek an answer from archaeologist Ian Morris, and explore a case study of the Navajo.

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Invertebrates. Gutless, spineless– but perhaps under-appreciated invertebrates. We probably don’t spend enough time thinking about that other category of organisms on earth, so on this episode we’re going to spend some time with maybe the most overlooked group of Eukaryotes: Fungi. As it turns out, there are (at least) five MIND BLOWING facts about fungi that we all need to know. We’ll then travel to Southeastern Alaska to study the changing forest community. A wave of climate-driven ecological change is sweeping across the region, and we’ll learn about what this means for forests and the people who live there. Finally on today’s show we leave the invertebrates and debut a new segment that we’re calling Convos with Kau (as in coversation with Kaustubh Thirmulai, PhD candidate in paleoclimate at UT-Austin).

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This week, we explore communication: how do we talk? how do we hear? and what the hell are we even saying? And what about the rest of the animal kingdoms? African elephants don’t just communicate through trumpeting – they also use seismic waves. Elephant behavior expert Caitlin O’Connell explains this “second language,” and how it’s helping advance hearing aid technology. She also tells us about her new work of fiction, Ivory Ghosts, which draws attention to the intensifying problem of illegal ivory trade. We then talk to evolutionary biologist Nicole Creanza, who explains that we can learn a lot about early human migration across the globe not just through genetics, but also through our languages.

As cities continue to grow, scientists are trying to define the "Urban Equation" - a mathematical expression that defines not just a group of buildings, but a complex network of physical and social interactions. Why? Because our cities control previously elusive aspects of human evolution. In this episode, Luis Bettencourt and Tyler Nordgren discuss various elements of the urban equation. We see how to break an urban metropolis down into a series of mathematical symbols and how our cities are dramatically affecting a cultural connection reaching back nearly 400 years.

Music used in this episode by Kevin MacLeod.

As cities continue to grow, scientists are trying to define the “Urban Equation” – a mathematical expression that defines not just a group of buildings, but a complex network of physical and social interactions. Why? Because our cities control previously elusive aspects of human evolution. To understand our cities is to understand us. In this episode, Luis Bettencourt and Tyler Nordgren discuss various elements of the urban equation. We see how complex networks give rise to creativity; how to break an urban metropolis down into a series of mathematical symbols; and how our cities are dramatically affecting a cultural connection reaching back nearly 400 years. Season 7, Episode 2 – June 4, 2015

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After 30 years in high-tech marketing and general management, Anne Sanquini began a second career as a researcher studying how to motivate people to take precautionary action to protect their homes and school against earthquakes. Her work over the past four years led her to Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. She was on the ground during the April 25 earthquake, the very quake she had been preparing for. Season 7, Episode 1 – May 26, 2015

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Emma Marris, author of Rambunctious Garden, believes that in the Anthropocene we should widen our repertoire of conservation strategies, rather than relying on traditional conservation methods that “look backwards.” She also and suggests that we can learn to appreciate all forms of nature, big and small. Season 6, Episode 7

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