Gulf Streams

We sit down with Dr. Kyle Shelton, Director of the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies, to talk about his book, Power Moves and the history of Houston's transit infrastructure. Throughout, we discuss the environmental consequences of car dependency, when alternative movements in transit have proved successful, and why Houston is a leading example for understanding how sprawl is reshaping American cities across the country. 

Today in our series on energy pasts and futures, we're delving into nuclear energy. On one hand, nuclear represents the future of science and technology, inspiring thinkers during the "Atomic Age." On the other hand, nuclear's capacity for devastation makes it among the most feared sources of power ever. On today's show we're delving into the history of nuclear energy, and especially why it is so feared – and if this fear is deserved or not. 

In our ongoing conversation around the pasts and futures of energy, today we're talking about Geothermal. Heat from deep under the Earth's surface, geothermal offers a possible route to energy storage and creation around the world. We sit down with Cindy Taff, CEO of Sage Geosystems, to learn about new companies seeking to bring geothermal power to more places around the globe. Later in the hour we hear from our researcher Nomin about the rise in AI and new energy demands. 

In a wide-ranging conversation, my cohost this week, Dr. Casey Williams (Rice University) and I sit down with Dr. Nikki Luke (University of Tennessee Knoxville) to talk all about energy transitions, especially as to how the coming changes to the sector could impact laborers, and how to ensure we can keep the lights on for everyone. Later in the hour our researcher Sophia shares another critter corner, this time with Lillie Stockseth of the Houston Zoo. 

Jeff VanderMeer is the author of sixteen books, a wide range of short stories, as well as the co-editor of multiple anthologies. He is widely regarded as a leader in the "New Weird" movement, and his best-selling novels, such as Hummingbird Salamander and the Southern Reach Series have helped open new directions in contemporary science fiction. His novel Annihilation was turned into a 2018 film directed by Alex Garland and starring Natalie Portman. Jeff VanderMeer joins us (with Dr. Kelly McKisson as co-host) to talk about the role of fiction in reimagining our real environment, and how the Gulf Coast has shaped his writing. His latest book, Absolution, is on shelves now. 

How are young people learning about the environment and climate change? On today's episode we talk to three Houston students who are behind SEE (Students for Environmental Education) and have been teaching other, younger students, the things they'd wished they'd know sooner. Then we speak with Dr. Judy Dickey about the state of climate education more broadly. 

What happens to an oil rig after it's past its prime? On today's show, we sit down with Dolly Jørgensen (University of Stavanger, Norway) to talk all about the Rigs to Reefs programs throughout the Gulf Coast. Later in the hour, our researcher Jadyn talks with Taylin Nelson (Rice University) about the environmental origins and ideas in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. 

Solastalgia, or the distress of feeling the loss of home from environmental change, is the subject of a new art exhibit at San Jacinto College (South Campus). A collaboration between artists and theatremakers, we're talking about what a series of projects (including the theatrical work The Pitts) with three of the artists behind the shows: Bradly Brown, Jonelle Walker, and Sarah Welch. 

You can learn more about the exhibit here: 

Gallery page: https://www.sanjac.edu/programs/areas-of-study/arts/art-design/south-campus-gallery

Theater Page: https://www.sanjac.edu/programs/areas-of-study/arts/theatre-film/south

Ticket Page: https://secure.touchnet.com/C22834_ustores/web/store_main.jsp?STOREID=82&FROMQRCODE=true

Transportation accounts for about a 28% of greenhouse gas emissions in the US alone. Much of our transportation system also exacerbates related problems like air pollution and flooding. But increasingly there are calls to build our urban areas in ways that reduce these problems – chiefly, by reducing auto-dependency. On today's program we talk through questions of car-centric design with two local advocates, Alex Spike and Alondra Torres, and my co-host Dr. Casey Williams (Lecturer in Environmental Studies at Rice University). Later in the hour our researchers bring in a related story and the first in a new series called "Critter Corner."

Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) has been making news across the region over the last year with new export terminals authorized and then revoked. On today's show, we sit down with two advocates, Naomi Yoder of Texas Southern University, and James Hiatt of For a Better Bayou, who walk us through the environmental risks around these developments.