Science (Audio)

The State of California has been steadfast in battling climate change and has passed several pieces of legislation including the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 which established a comprehensive program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from all sources throughout the state. California is at the forefront of working towards 100-percent renewable energy by 2045. Siva Gunda, the Vice Chair of the California Energy Commission, and Wade Crowfoot, the Secretary of California Natural Resources Agency, discuss lessons learned from the state's adaptation to the growing threat of climate change and the action policymakers are taking to prevent that threat from growing. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 38164]

The 2022 Carbon Sequestration Symposium at California State University, Bakersfield, focuses on engaging the community, industry, policymakers, and academia in the topic of carbon sequestration. According to several studies, Kern County has been identified as a prime location for the geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's Roger Aines, Ph.D., and Kim Mayfield, Ph.D., discuss efforts underway to capture and store carbon dioxide as a viable option to mitigate climate change. Series: "Climate Solutions " [Science] [Show ID: 38157]

The United States Southern Command's (USSOUTHCOM) is responsible for providing contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation for Central and South America, and the Caribbean. USSOUTHCOM is one of the eleven unified combatant commands in the Department of Defense. While regional security is an important aspect of its mission, climate change is having an affect on its area of responsibility. Climate change is impacting our national security and the security of our partners and allies. USSOUTHCOM's area of responsibility faces increased demand for humanitarian and disaster relief assistance during a hurricane season that could see a record number of storms. This comes as several Central and South American countries face a drought. Former U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay, Leslie Bassett moderates a discussion with the commander of USSOUTHCOM, GEN. Laura Richardson who underlines the effort being made to help combat climate change in the region. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 38163]

Join Birch Aquarium’s Senior Director of Animal Care, Science and Conservation, Jenn Moffatt, for a first-hand account of how their new exhibit went from concept to reality. Get an inside look at the Little Blues’ journey, from the arrival of the birds from Australia, to a time lapse record of the construction of the penguin habitat over the last 9 months. Learn how the Birch husbandry team cares for these charismatic birds, Scripps researchers study penguins and how we’re working to establish a successful breeding colony to responsibly support and sustain Little Blue Penguin populations within the accredited zoos and aquariums community. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Science] [Show ID: 37916]

In 1957, the USSR launched Sputnik 1, the first human object to leave Earth. In the 65 years since then the region of Earth orbit has become filled with satellites and space junk. The proliferation of debris has led to the prediction of Kessler Syndrome, a state where a never-ending cascade of collisions between orbital objects renders parts of space unusable for human purposes. However, there are many different ways to look at the space junk surrounding Earth. For example, it is also an archaeological record of humanity’s first steps into outer space, a cultural landscape created by the combined effects of natural and cultural processes, and a technological signature of the same kind that SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) researchers are looking for around exoplanets in other solar systems. It’s unclear when or whether the tipping point into Kessler Syndrome might be reached, but if humanity is confined to Earth in the future, what will this mean? Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 37913]

Spanning nearly 63 million square miles from California to China, the Pacific Ocean is by the far the largest of the world's ocean basins. The Pacific contains more than half of the free water on the planet and is the deepest ocean on Earth. Climate change impacts are being felt around the globe, but what do we do about it? Much of the ocean is still waiting to be explored, but human activities like industrial fishing, deep-sea mining, and fossil-fuel burning are changing it in significant ways. Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor Brice Semmens moderates a discussion with NOAA Administrator, Richard Spinrad and State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary of Ocean, Fisheries and Polar Affairs, Maxine Burkett on the State of the Pacific Ocean and how the hemisphere can work together to combat the growing effects of climate change. Series: "Institute of the Americas" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 38162]

Using carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategies to mitigate climate change is a land-intensive endeavor. To capture one gigatonne of CO2 through direct air capture requires a facility & energy production footprint of at least hundreds, but potentially tens of thousands of square kilometers. To capture one gigatonne of CO2 via reforestation requires about 862,000 square kilometers of arable land (nearly the size of the Kalahari Desert). We currently release about 40 gigatonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year, so…do the math. And land that is allocated for CDR must compete with other land use claims: for urbanization, agriculture, biodiversity, and renewable energy technologies. But what if our perspective was slightly… more aqueous? Oceans, which make up 70% of the Earth’s surface, already absorb more than 10 billion tonnes of CO2 annually. Series: "Climate Solutions " [Science] [Show ID: 38190]

Data is everywhere but how can it be effectively harnessed to answer questions and guide meaningful research? Cue the data science librarian! With a skill set that includes sourcing and vetting data as well as the ethical implications, the librarian is a key resource to researchers and students alike. UC San Diego's Stephanie Labou shares what it is like to be one of the first data science librarians and how data is changing our world. Series: "Data Science Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 37196]

Gilberto Mosqueda, PhD, is a professor of structural engineering at UC San Diego. His work focuses on protecting buildings from earthquake damage. How did he find is way to such an interesting and rewarding career? A first gen college student, his parents instilled a strong work ethic and an understanding of the value of education. He shares how finding mentors and connecting with other students in STEM fields helped motivate him to pursue advanced degrees and a career focused on research and innovation. Series: "Education Channel" [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 37899]

Who has access to data and what can be done with that data? Shannon Ellis, Ph.D., shares how she is training undergraduate students to be effective, inclusive and ethical data scientists. She discusses how data can be used, the limits of data science, and the barriers and biases that may shape data sets and potential conclusions. Series: "Data Science Channel" [Science] [Education] [Show ID: 37838]