Fuzzy Logic Science Show

The Joy of Climate

Science is science, right? A collection of cold, miserable facts that live in a detatched ether. Well maybe, but what happens to them, what they mean, and how we interpret them is subject to human psychology.

It's no small question because it affects our treatment of global warming. Plus in some cases genuine research that is closed because it's unpalatable to other scientists.

Inez Harker-Schuch and (soon to be 'Dr') Jacqui Hoepner have both studied this effect.

Make sure you check out their Kickstarter campaign: a game to explore global warming.

Interview by Rod.

@FuzzyLogicSci

 

 

 

Food Myths

Food is not just nutrition, but one of the greatest sources of BS. The world is floating in a sea of myths, misconceptions, and straight rubbish.

We kick off with an interview from our archive with Professor Robert Street. His contemporary Sir Mark Oliphant was associated with one of the most enduring food myths - carrots.

Our guest today is Associate Professor Nenad Naumovski from the University of Canberra. And make sure you check out this week's Ask Fuzzy in Fairfax, can supplements ward off Alzheimer's.

Brought to you by Madeleine Parker and Rod.

The invisible hand of the environment

The environment: that thing that sits in the background, quietly do its job. It's not a shareholder, it's not a fund manager, and it's not a politician, but it is arguably the biggest single component in the economy.

How then do we account for it, how do we give it voice?

Professor Kate Auty shares her insights from from Ledbeater's Possum, to cows grazing near New York, and - the Columbian civil war.

Kate Auty is ACT Commissioner for Sustainability and the Environment, interviewed by Rod

Health Horizon

Health! It's a bewildering field, so many diseases, so many health issues, and a vast array of established and emerging treatments. How do you navigate all this?  You could be looking for a cure, or you might be an innovator with an idea you want to establish. You could be a health practitioner, or an investor.

Health Horizon is a hub where you can get in touch with the latest health developments. Hook into a network, see what's available, and track progress.  @HealthHorizon

Dr Matthew McGann and Coco Ho are our guests today, interview by Rod.

Fuzzy is on @FuzzyLogicSci

Anthropocene

This week Rod and Broderick talk about the future and the impact humans are having on the earth. How can we reduce climate change effects? The episode starts with a talk from Dr Will Howard talking about the anthropocene, recorded live from the Pint Of Science events in Canberra.

Marine Extremes

This week on Fuzzy, Broderick talks to three marine scientists about some of the extremes in their research. From Antarctica to Adelaide, these researchers have some great stories to share.

To hear more from them and other marine scientists, you can catch these speakers at the Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre Annual Marine Science Forum on June 3 & 4 at the Merimbula RSL. Tickets available from 

From the small to the big

This episode features recordings from the Pint of Science events held in Canberra. Dr Bryan Lessard discusses his love of booty-licious flies, while Professor Naomi Mclure-Griffiths discusses her mammoth task of mapping the milky way. Apologies for the poor recording quality in parts.

Planet, Interrupted

What creatures have we become? Clive Hamilton asks in this interview, contemplating how humanity has caused a rupture in the Earth system. We have triggered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene.

The term Earth system is crucial to understanding what this means. At one level, this podcast is an oscillating sound wave. It's a simple physical phenomenon, but at another level, it's the words, ideas, and emotions of a conversation. These are things that can emerge from a system.

Clive Hamilton is the author of numerous books including Requiem for a Species and Earthmasters. In this interview we focus on his latest book, Defiant Earth: The Fate of Humans in the Anthropocene.

Read more about Clive and other stories from people in the environment in Ten Journeys on a Fragile Planet.

Interview by Rod

The farmer and the land

Margie Fitzpatrick's family has been on the land since the early-mid 1800s. The property near Collector NSW has been severly affected by erosion but with years of care it's returning to health.

The journey has been made possible with the support from a deep network of people bringing skills and commitment.  Rivers of Carbon were there to celebrate years of work at Australind.

Interview by Rod

Energy in the community: success and failure

In October 2014, plans for a 600 megawatt wind farm on the King Island were dumped. A major cause was a divided community.  Rebecca Colvin tells a compelling story about what went wrong, of how the islanders split into pro and anti groups.

Meanwhile in Canberra, SolarShare is rolling out a community-energy solar farm. Lawrence McIntosh describes how they succeeded in getting their project running.

Dr Rebecca Colvin is from the ANU Climate Change Institute. You can read her paper here.

Brought to you by Rod, with help from Marcus Anderson.