Science and Service - DR. LINDA BIRNBAUM on Public Health, Environmental Science - Highlights

Science and Service - DR. LINDA BIRNBAUM on Public Health, Environmental Science - Highlights

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Scientist Emeritus & Fmr. Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
& the National Toxicology Program

There are thousands of chemicals in our water, just like there are in air, just like there are in food. We sometimes compartmentalize too much. We forget, but what is food? Food is made up of chemicals. And I think we need to be broader in our understanding because, for example, we all have on us and within us our Microbiomes and we think about the GI bacteria and we now know that if people are obese they have very different microbial content in their gut compared to people who are not obese. And we know that a baby born by C-section section has a different position than a baby born vaginally. And we know that these things have impacts. We know that many of the bacteria have the ability for example to metabolize the contaminants as well as things in our food. And we know that you can have a different response depending upon what people are eating.

Environmental Health Vanguard - The Career of DR. LINDA BIRNBAUM - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Environmental Health Vanguard - The Career of DR. LINDA BIRNBAUM - National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

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Scientist Emeritus & Fmr. Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
& the National Toxicology Program

There are thousands of chemicals in our water, just like there are in air, just like there are in food. We sometimes compartmentalize too much. We forget, but what is food? Food is made up of chemicals. And I think we need to be broader in our understanding because, for example, we all have on us and within us our Microbiomes and we think about the GI bacteria and we now know that if people are obese they have very different microbial content in their gut compared to people who are not obese. And we know that a baby born by C-section section has a different position than a baby born vaginally. And we know that these things have impacts. We know that many of the bacteria have the ability for example to metabolize the contaminants as well as things in our food. And we know that you can have a different response depending upon what people are eating.

The Business of Less: The Role of Companies & Households on a Planet in Peril - ROLAND GEYER - Highlights

The Business of Less: The Role of Companies & Households on a Planet in Peril - ROLAND GEYER - Highlights

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Author of The Business of Less
Professor at Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara

So, if we study transportation, then we need to study urban development and infrastructure. Suddenly, we need to think about housing. We need to think about the co-location of jobs and shops, and you realize it's all connected. That might be one of the challenges of urban sustainability. It's all connected. So the way we move around is connected to the way we built the city. And I think the intrinsic sustainability or non-sustainability in urban areas seems to be designed in. Especially in the United States where there are just so many places where, if you don't have a car, you're basically stranded. You can't go anywhere. The European model is to have co-located things, and I miss that. I think it has some intrinsic sustainability built-in.

ROLAND GEYER - Professor at Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara - Author of The Business of Less

ROLAND GEYER - Professor at Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, UC Santa Barbara - Author of The Business of Less

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Roland Geyer is a Professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, University of California at Santa Barbara, and the author of The Business of Less. Since 2000, he has worked with a wide range of governmental organizations, trade associations, and companies on environmental sustainability issues. His overarching goal is to help develop the knowledge, tools, and methods necessary to reduce the environmental impact from industrial production and consumption.

This interview was conducted by Mia Funk & Yansong Li with the participation of collaborating universities and students. Associate Interviews Producer on this podcast was Yansong Li. Digital Media Coordinator is Phoebe Brous.

Mia Funk is an artist, interviewer and founder of The Creative Process & One Planet Podcast (Conversations about Climate Change & Environmental Solutions).

DAVID AUBURN - Pulitzer & Tony Award-Winning Playwright, Screenwriter & Director

DAVID AUBURN - Pulitzer & Tony Award-Winning Playwright, Screenwriter & Director

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Playwright and Director

I think the big thing writing for the theater has given me is the awareness that it's possible to inhabit another person's subjectivity fully enough to give voice to a set of experiences that aren't your own and you can do that in a way that gives solace and interests people. We're all capable of those kinds of acts of imagination that can bring us closer to the subjectivity of other people.

Just Enough: Lessons in Living Green from Traditional Japan - AZBY BROWN - Highlights

Just Enough: Lessons in Living Green from Traditional Japan - AZBY BROWN - Highlights

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Author of Just Enough · Small Spaces · Lead Researcher for Safecast
Authority on Japanese Architecture, Design & Environmentalism

In Edo Japan, basically life was pretty good, and they recycled everything. Everything was reused, upcycled. Waste was considered taboo. A person who was wasting was considered an ugly person. So there’s a lot that we could talk about design, the layout, scale. Buildings were rarely taller than two storeys. Very good use of environmental features, microclimates, use of wind for cooling, passive solar heating. Good use of planting, gardens, etc. But regarding cities of the future, I think the main thing is it needs to be a place where people feel like they belong and want to take responsibility.


AZBY BROWN - Author of Just Enough - Leading authority on Japanese architecture, design & environmentalism - Lead researcher for Safecast

AZBY BROWN - Author of Just Enough - Leading authority on Japanese architecture, design & environmentalism - Lead researcher for Safecast

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Author of Just Enough · Small Spaces · Lead Researcher for Safecast
Authority on Japanese Architecture, Design & Environmentalism

In Edo Japan, basically life was pretty good, and they recycled everything. Everything was reused, upcycled. Waste was considered taboo. A person who was wasting was considered an ugly person. So there’s a lot that we could talk about design, the layout, scale. Buildings were rarely taller than two storeys. Very good use of environmental features, microclimates, use of wind for cooling, passive solar heating. Good use of planting, gardens, etc. But regarding cities of the future, I think the main thing is it needs to be a place where people feel like they belong and want to take responsibility.


A Voice for the Planet: YOLANDA KAKABADSE's Impact on Environmental Policy at WWF & IUCN - Highlights

A Voice for the Planet: YOLANDA KAKABADSE's Impact on Environmental Policy at WWF & IUCN - Highlights

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Fmr. Minister of Environment, Ecuador
Fmr. President: WWF Int’l, World Conservation Union, Founder Fundacion Futuro Latinoamericano

One of the reasons why we haven't been able to overcome many of the climate crisis factors is because people don't understand what it means. What is it about? What can I do? Usually, when we hear these experts speak about the climate crisis, at least me, I don't understand 9/10ths of the speech or the document. Simplifying the message, allowing that difficult scientific knowledge to become popular language that I can use when explaining to a child, to a rural person, to someone who has a different type of education, that knows much more about the planet but not necessarily about university, explaining those difficult issues will make a difference. And we have to invest much more in that. Speaking difficult scientific language is not helpful to the majority of society.

Building a Sustainable Future - YOLANDA KAKABADSE discusses Conservation Fundación Natura and WWF

Building a Sustainable Future - YOLANDA KAKABADSE discusses Conservation Fundación Natura and WWF

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Fmr. Minister of Environment, Ecuador
Fmr. President: WWF Int’l, World Conservation Union, Founder Fundacion Futuro Latinoamericano

One of the reasons why we haven't been able to overcome many of the climate crisis factors is because people don't understand what it means. What is it about? What can I do? Usually, when we hear these experts speak about the climate crisis, at least me, I don't understand 9/10ths of the speech or the document. Simplifying the message, allowing that difficult scientific knowledge to become popular language that I can use when explaining to a child, to a rural person, to someone who has a different type of education, that knows much more about the planet but not necessarily about university, explaining those difficult issues will make a difference. And we have to invest much more in that. Speaking difficult scientific language is not helpful to the majority of society.

From Titanic to The Mindy Project: SALVADOR PEREZ on Designing Iconic Characters - Highlights

From Titanic to The Mindy Project: SALVADOR PEREZ on Designing Iconic Characters - Highlights

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President · Costume Designers Guild
The Mindy Project, Pitch Perfect trilogy, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Veronica Mars

Whether you're telling a story for the people at work or you're telling a story for your character on camera, I think that we tell a story every day by what we wear.

The Art of Costume Design with SALVADOR PEREZ, President of the Costume Designers Guild

The Art of Costume Design with SALVADOR PEREZ, President of the Costume Designers Guild

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President · Costume Designers Guild
The Mindy Project, Pitch Perfect trilogy, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Veronica Mars

Whether you're telling a story for the people at work or you're telling a story for your character on camera, I think that we tell a story every day by what we wear.

Powering the Future: PAULA PINHO on Just Transition and Energy Policy at the European Commission - Highlights

Powering the Future: PAULA PINHO on Just Transition and Energy Policy at the European Commission - Highlights

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Director of Just Transition at the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy

She is responsible for Just Transition, Consumers, Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Energy security. She has been previously Head of Unit at the Directorate-General Energy in the European Commission. She was responsible for Energy Strategy and Policy coordination and then for Renewables and Energy System Integration Policy and Decarbonisation and Sustainability of Energy Sources. She was Acting Director for Energy Policy where she has overseen notably the work of international energy relations, financial instruments and inter-institutional relations.

A Just Transition: PAULA PINHO Discusses Energy Strategy in the European Union

A Just Transition: PAULA PINHO Discusses Energy Strategy in the European Union

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Director of Just Transition at the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy

She is responsible for Just Transition, Consumers, Energy Efficiency, Innovation and Energy security. She has been previously Head of Unit at the Directorate-General Energy in the European Commission. She was responsible for Energy Strategy and Policy coordination and then for Renewables and Energy System Integration Policy and Decarbonisation and Sustainability of Energy Sources. She was Acting Director for Energy Policy where she has overseen notably the work of international energy relations, financial instruments and inter-institutional relations.

Cognition and Its Complexities w/ EARL K. MILLER - Prof. of Neuroscience, MIT Picower Institute for Learning and Memory

Cognition and Its Complexities w/ EARL K. MILLER - Prof. of Neuroscience, MIT Picower Institute for Learning and Memory

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Picower Professor of Neuroscience
MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory & Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences

There are a lot of distractions in cities. So it's always good to maybe take some time out, be in a quieter place with no distractions so you can let your thoughts run. And that leads into the creative process because new ideas, new thoughts and where they come from. They come from following the garden path of associations in your mind. One thought leads to another, leads to another until your mind is in a new place it's never been before. Or you put two thoughts together that were never together before, but now they are because you managed to somehow follow this garden path of thoughts from one thought to the other. That's where creativity comes from, that's where your ideas come from, seeing things in a new way, seeing things that were never together before. And if you have constant distractions that interferes with that process.

Inside the Mind with Neuroscientist EARL K. MILLER - MIT Picower Institute for Learning & Memory

Inside the Mind with Neuroscientist EARL K. MILLER - MIT Picower Institute for Learning & Memory

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Picower Professor of Neuroscience
MIT’s Picower Institute for Learning and Memory & Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences

There are a lot of distractions in cities. So it's always good to maybe take some time out, be in a quieter place with no distractions so you can let your thoughts run. And that leads into the creative process because new ideas, new thoughts and where they come from. They come from following the garden path of associations in your mind. One thought leads to another, leads to another until your mind is in a new place it's never been before. Or you put two thoughts together that were never together before, but now they are because you managed to somehow follow this garden path of thoughts from one thought to the other. That's where creativity comes from, that's where your ideas come from, seeing things in a new way, seeing things that were never together before. And if you have constant distractions that interferes with that process.

Origins of the Modern Mind: Three Stages in the Evolution of Culture & Cognition - MERLIN DONALD - Highlights

Origins of the Modern Mind: Three Stages in the Evolution of Culture & Cognition - MERLIN DONALD - Highlights

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Psychologist, Neuroanthropologist & Cognitive Neuroscientist
Author of Origins of the Modern Mind, & A Mind So Rare

Lots of people have written books both optimistic and pessimistic about the Internet. It's a wonderful thing, it gives an opportunity to broaden our experience. I think in many ways the Internet is the only hope if you want to eliminate racism and want to raise the bar across the world, but at the same time, the inequalities are completely ridiculous. They've reached a point of insanity, and we have a moral issue. Is one person ever worth twice as much as another person? Can you justify one human being owning 10 times as much as another person? I don't think you can. I don't think that the president of the biggest cooperation in the world is worth 10 times the poorest person in the world, but that's not what we have. Sometimes he may be “worth” a million times more, a hundred thousand times more. That’s crazy.

MERLIN DONALD - Author of A Mind So Rare: The Evolution of Human Consciousness - Psychologist, Neuroanthropologist & Cognitive Neuroscientist

MERLIN DONALD - Author of A Mind So Rare: The Evolution of Human Consciousness - Psychologist, Neuroanthropologist & Cognitive Neuroscientist

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Psychologist, Neuroanthropologist & Cognitive Neuroscientist
Author of Origins of the Modern Mind, & A Mind So Rare

Lots of people have written books both optimistic and pessimistic about the Internet. It's a wonderful thing, it gives an opportunity to broaden our experience. I think in many ways the Internet is the only hope if you want to eliminate racism and want to raise the bar across the world, but at the same time, the inequalities are completely ridiculous. They've reached a point of insanity, and we have a moral issue. Is one person ever worth twice as much as another person? Can you justify one human being owning 10 times as much as another person? I don't think you can. I don't think that the president of the biggest cooperation in the world is worth 10 times the poorest person in the world, but that's not what we have. Sometimes he may be “worth” a million times more, a hundred thousand times more. That’s crazy.

A Journey Through Art: IAN WARDROPPER's Vision for The Frick Collection - Highlights

A Journey Through Art: IAN WARDROPPER's Vision for The Frick Collection - Highlights

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Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Director · The Frick Collection

I firmly believe that the arts should be a part of everybody's education. It's not just learning the history of art, but it's about opening up creativity as a means that can be useful to somebody throughout one's life.

Masterpieces Unveiled: IAN WARDROPPER - Director of The Frick Collection

Masterpieces Unveiled: IAN WARDROPPER - Director of The Frick Collection

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Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Director · The Frick Collection

I firmly believe that the arts should be a part of everybody's education. It's not just learning the history of art, but it's about opening up creativity as a means that can be useful to somebody throughout one's life.

Living Queer History: Remembrance & Belonging in a Southern City w/ DR. G. SAMANTHA ROSENTHAL