Fifteen-year-old Tai Poole won’t rest until he’s uncovered the mysteries of the universe, one probing question at a time. In Season 4 of his Webby-winning podca...
Can our generation make Earth Day cool again? (Bonus from What On Earth)
The climate is changing. So are we. On What On Earth, you’ll explore a world of solutions with host Laura Lynch and our team of journalists. In 1970, 20 million people showed up to fight for the environment on the first Earth Day. More than five decades later, is it time for this much tamer global event to return to its radical roots? OG organizer Denis Hayes recounts how – amidst other counterculture movements at the time – his team persuaded roughly one in ten Americans to take to the streets. As he approaches 80, Denis offers his singular piece of advice to the next generation of climate leaders. Then, environmental warriors Maria Blancas and Axcelle Campana share ideas on what a reinspired Earth Day could look like – including making it a public holiday.More episodes of What On Earth are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/YX9QBtvDWe love to hear from our listeners and regularly feature them on the show. Have a question or idea? Email [email protected]
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29:12
How do we fix recycling?
Tai tries to do his part by recycling whenever he can. But it turns out just tossing stuff into the blue bin doesn't do a whole lot: less than 10 percent of our plastic waste actually gets recycled, with the rest either ending up in landfill, burned or shipped overseas! How did we get here? Tai turns to people looking for creative ways to tackle trash around the world, and learns how we can all be more mindful of what we decide to throw away.
In this episode Tai talks to:
- Calvin Lakhan, research scientist at York University
- Olivia Kwok, supervisor of Waste and Diversion Programs with the city of St. Albert
- Nate Maynard, Taiwan-based sustainability consultant and environmental researcher
- Andrea McKenzie, zero waste project engineer for the city of Vancouver
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30:46
Why do we laugh?
Laughing makes us feel real good, whether you’re in on the joke or not. But does it serve a specific purpose? Why do we find some jokes hilarious and others to be total groaners? In this episode, Tai peels the science and sociology of laughter down to its evolutionary roots.
In this episode Tai talks to:
- Sophie Scott, professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London and stand-up comedian
- Andrew Phung, actor, improv comedian and creator of the sitcom Run the Burbs
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25:45
Are we alone in the universe?
So far, the only intelligent life we know of is right here on Earth — us! But could there be life on other planets just waiting to be discovered? In this episode, Tai goes deep in the cosmos to explore how scientists are searching for signs of life beyond our little blue dot, and what their work can tell us about our place in the universe.
In this episode Tai talks to:
- Nathalie Cabrol, astrobiologist and director of research at the SETI Institute
- Jacob Haqq-Misra, senior research investigator at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
- Heidi White, astrophysicist at the University of Toronto
For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759
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28:50
How do animals know where they’re going?
We know birds can travel large distances day or night, rain or shine, even if they’ve never migrated before. If you confuse a spiny lobster and drop it far from home, it can still find its way back. How do they do that? In this episode, Tai discovers the mysterious and mind-boggling ways animals navigate.
In this episode Tai talks to:
- David Barrie, researcher and author of Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find Their Way
- Ken Lohmann, biology professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Samantha Patrick, senior lecturer in marine biology at the University of Liverpool
For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759
Fifteen-year-old Tai Poole won’t rest until he’s uncovered the mysteries of the universe, one probing question at a time. In Season 4 of his Webby-winning podcast, Tai talks to everyone from NASA scientists to stand-up comedians to his equally curious little brother Kien. If you’ve ever wondered why nothing feels as good as a deep belly laugh or why it’s impossible not to finish a bag of Doritos, Tai has you covered.
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