A thriving economy exists around our natural resources: tourists flock to take in beautiful destinations. But maintaining and leveraging these sites takes work. So today we're talking about EcoTourism, both how nature can attract tourists (and their dollars), and the ways that tourists are increasingly thinking about how they can "travel green." Our guests are Sasha Francis (Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council) and Dr. Bryan Schmidt (William and Mary).
Jun 23, 2025•54 min•Ep. 84
On today's show our researcher Jadyn turns the tables to sit down with Weston Twardowski (Rice University) to talk all about the environmental consequences of the agricultural system how what we choose to eat impacts the world around us.
Jun 02, 2025•58 min•Ep. 83
In today's episode, we talk with Dr. Chris Funk (Director of the Climate Hazards Center at UCSB) and Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon (Texas State Climatologist) about the growing impact of drought across Texas and how global climate patterns are shaping local conditions. They break down the science behind water scarcity, what to expect in the coming years, and what communities can do to prepare. Then, we learn a bit more about local animals and fauna from our student researcher, Sophia. This episode is ...
May 20, 2025•51 min•Ep. 82
As our environments change, whether from natural disaster or man-made forces, part of adapting to our new reality is processing the loss of what was as we accept what is. On today's show, Dr. Chaney Hill (Rice University) sits down with our usual host Dr. Weston Twardowski (Rice University), Dr. Jennifer Ladino (University of Idaho), and Dr. Nick Koenig (University of Idaho) to talk about the ways that we process environmental change. Later in the hour our research Sophia has another Critter Cor...
May 12, 2025•57 min•Ep. 81
We sit down with Ian Rosenberg (Senior Vice President of Projects & Planning) and Karen Farber (Vice President of External Affairs) at Buffalo Bayou Partnership to talk about the expansion of Buffalo Bayou East and the coming projects that will remake one of the most iconic parks in Houston over the next few years. Later in the hour our researcher Nomin has a piece on the surprising environmental differences between common products, and our researcher Sophia chats animals and local fauna....
May 05, 2025•54 min•Ep. 80
Today we sit down with Matthew Tejada (Natural Resources Defense Council), the Deputy Director of Environmental Justice at the Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama, President Trump, and President Biden. Tejada, a longtime Houston environmentalist, is now working diligently with the NRDC to advocate for cleaner, safer environments. We have a direct conversation about the changes the new presidential administration has meant for the EPA and environmental research, and what the fut...
Apr 28, 2025•58 min•Ep. 79
On today's episode we sit down with Dr. Korey Evans (Rice University) and Dr. Scott Egan (Rice University) who recently hosted a symposium all about biodiversity and what it means to the Houston region. Later in the hour our researcher Sophia kicks off a new series all about green spaces around Houston.
Apr 21, 2025•58 min•Ep. 78
The Columbia Tap Trail, a historic train line in Houston, is a four-mile path where residents have practiced tactical urbanism for decades. Now, with new support from the city and funders, the trail is becoming more of a community resource for the thousands who live nearby. Edward D. Pettitt, doctoral candidate the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, joins us to discuss his work with the Friends of Columbia Tap, a group of residents working to bring this new vision to life....
Apr 14, 2025•58 min•Ep. 77
On today's show we sit down with Leigh Fondakowski, the playwright behind the documentary theatre show SPILL. SPILL recounts the events leading up to, and following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon and subsequent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The Moody Center for the Arts, at Rice University, will be mounting a production of the show April 11th and 12 . We revisit that moment and discuss how the world has changed in the wake of the largest oil spill in global history. Later in the hour, our researc...
Apr 06, 2025•56 min•Ep. 76
Often when we think of environmental hazards and climate change, it feels as though nature is fighting us. What if we reimagined nature as our partner, our ally, in the fight against climate change? Today we sit down with Jim Blackburn (Rice University) and Dr. Carrie Masiello (Rice University) to talk all about Nature Based Solutions.
Mar 31, 2025•50 min•Ep. 75
Is nuclear energy the future? Or is it doomed to be a decreasingly important energy source in a rapidly changing landscape. On today's show we sit down with two different thinkers on opposite ends of the debate around the future of nuclear: Dr. MV Ramana (University of British Columbia), and Paris Ortiz-Wines (Mothers for Nuclear). This episode is guest hosted by our researcher Nomin Rentsendorj.
Mar 24, 2025•57 min•Ep. 74
On today's show we're joined by Dr. Casey Williams (Environmental Studies Lecturer at Rice University) as co-host, Dr. Randal Hall (Environmental Historian at Rice University), and Dr. Gökçe Gunel (Anthropologist at Rice University) discussing this year's major energy conference in Houston, CERA Week. Later in the episode two Rice Anthropologists, Dr. Dominic Boyer and Dr. Cymene Howe, discuss their work on glaciers.
Mar 17, 2025•59 min•Ep. 73
On today's episode we sit down with Dan Gearino of Inside Climate News to talk about the growing solar industry in Texas. Later in the hour we're joined by the Electric Vehicle Association of Houston to talk about how EV's have never been more popular in the area.
Mar 13, 2025•59 min•Ep. 72
Botanical gardens are a feature of great cities around the world, and since 2020, Houston has a botanical garden of its own, the Houston Botanic Garden . On today's show we sit down with three of the garden's staff to talk all about the role of botanical gardens in cities, and what makes the Houston Botanic Garden so special.
Mar 04, 2025•56 min•Ep. 71
On today's show we're talking about the very materials we use to build our homes and buildings. We sit down with Jesus Vasallo (Rice University) to talk all about the future of building materials and the coming prevalence of plant-based construction approaches.
Feb 24, 2025•58 min•Ep. 70
Today we sit down with Jonathan Levy (University of Chicago) to talk all about the past of Houston to understand what might be coming in its future. In particular, where Houston can serve as a leading example in the coming world of climate adaptation. Later in the hour our researcher Jadyn has a story on animal welfare during disasters.
Feb 17, 2025•58 min•Ep. 69
Dr. Cyrus Reed is the Conservation Director of the Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter. The Lone Star Chapter is the oldest environmental organization in Texas, and today they're sharing with us some of the most important issues in front of the Texas Legislature this session regarding energy security, environmental protection, and water quality.
Feb 10, 2025•50 min•Ep. 68
Today we sit down with Geoff Winningham, an award winning photographer, to talk all about his experiences charting Buffalo Bayou and learning about Houston's ecology for his book, Along Forgotten River. Our researcher Sophia and regular host Weston Twardowski learn about adventuring along the bayou, and discuss how it continues to change as we reshape it today.
Feb 03, 2025•54 min•Ep. 67
The first of two episodes focused on exploring the Bayous of "Bayou City," our researcher Sophia Soltes talk with ecologist Suzanne Simpson (Galveston Bay Foundation) and advocate Yudith Nieto (Bayou City Waterkeeper) about the history, health, and importance of the city's bayous. Later in the episode our researcher Jadyn Bray-Boyce shares the psychological benefits of spending time in nature.
Jan 27, 2025•52 min•Ep. 66
On today's show we have an update on Project 11, the expansion of the Port of Houston, and the history of polluted soil in local neighborhoods as a result of port dredging. We're joined by Leticia Gutierrez (Air Alliance Houston), Cleo Sharp (Achieving Community Tasks Successfully), and Naomi Yoder (the Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice) to learn more.
Jan 20, 2025•28 min•Ep. 65
Today our researcher Nomin Rentsendorj sits down with Dr. Cin-Ty Lee to talk about his cutting edge geological research. Dr. Lee is a geologist/petrologist/geochemist whose work has moved into bioacoustics to study wildlife – especially birds. In this fascinating conversation, he walks us through his work.
Jan 13, 2025•54 min•Ep. 64
Today we sit down with Alison Weaver, Founding Executive Director of the Moody Center for the Arts, to talk about what can be accomplished through collaborations between environmentalists, scientists, and artists. The Moody Center has been dedicated to producing community engaged work, much of which explores the environment, for years and has a new exhibit opening that speaks to how we can reimagine our world through art – and even solve some it's environmental challenges.
Jan 09, 2025•56 min•Ep. 63
On today's show we're diving into the unexpectedly important role of laughter and comedy in addressing climate change. Our guest, Dr. Aaron Sachs (Cornell University), walks us through the importance of comedy to survival, social movements, and, he argues, fighting climate change.
Dec 16, 2024•56 min•Ep. 62
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.
Dec 09, 2024•59 min•Ep. 61
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.
Dec 02, 2024•58 min•Ep. 60
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.
Nov 25, 2024•52 min•Ep. 59
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.
Nov 18, 2024•58 min•Ep. 58
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 McKiss...
Nov 11, 2024•59 min•Ep. 57
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.
Nov 04, 2024•55 min•Ep. 56
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.
Oct 28, 2024•58 min•Ep. 55
