logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2016
42m 22s

Fracking

SPOTIFY STUDIOS
About this episode
We often hear stories about fracking that go like this: a gas company comes to a small town, starts drilling wells, and then terrible things start to happen. People get sick. Water burns from taps. Earthquakes ruin houses. And the climate will soon be destroyed. But, is fracking really a disaster unfolding? To find out, Science Vs speaks to Prof. Robert Jack ... Show More
Up next
Apr 16
Running: Will It Wreck Your Body?
Lots of us love — or love to hate — running. And we do it because it’s supposed to be healthy, right?! But then we hear tons of stories about runners getting hurt — sometimes so badly that they have to hang up their sneakers. And there are people on social media going even furthe ... Show More
31m 19s
Apr 9
Artemis: Why Are We Really Going Back to the Moon?
The moon race is back! NASA’s Artemis II mission just sent four astronauts around the moon. And other countries — and billionaires — are lining up to take a crack at returning to the moon too. But why are we really going? Some say this is a lunar gold rush, that countries want to ... Show More
34m 53s
Apr 2
How To Stop Scrolling
The apps on our phones do an amazing job of sucking us in. In fact, a big court case just found that some of these companies should be held responsible for basically designing products to be addictive. And that might not be shocking for lots of us, who feel the pull of these algo ... Show More
37m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
Fracking Science
The government has lifted a moratorium on fracking imposed in 2019 following a series of small earthquakes caused by exploratory drilling. The British Geological Survey was asked to investigate, we speak to two of the authors of their new report into fracking and earthquakes, sei ... Show More
32m 28s
Aug 2020
The Witch of Wind
For decades, coal fueled the town of Somerset, MA. But when the coal plant went bust -- taking with it millions in tax dollars -- the town struggled. That’s when a local politician, the self-proclaimed Queen of Coal, learned that an unexpected industry could revive the economy. T ... Show More
44m 6s
Dec 2020
Breaking Buildings’ Addiction to Fossil Fuels
If we’re going to deal with climate change, we’ve got to talk about buildings. Thirty percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions can be traced back to our homes, offices and other buildings – how we heat and cool them, how we insulate them (or don’t) and the electricity we use. But ... Show More
56m 16s
Oct 2020
Presenting: Drilled
Decades ago, the oil company Exxon made a decision that drastically changed our country’s response to climate change. At the time, the company’s scientists were warning about global warming and Exxon was investing in the research and development of renewable energy technologies. ... Show More
40m 42s
May 2024
Troubled Waters on Cape Cod: Loved to Death (Part 1)
In the first episode of a three-part series, environmental reporter Barbara Moran is on Cape Cod to find out why the crystal clear water there is turning “pea-soup green”—and how communities are scrambling to clean it up. For more information, read WBUR’s coverage of the efforts ... Show More
14m 12s
May 2024
Troubled Waters on Cape Cod: Liquid Gold (Part 3)
Cape Cod communities are facing an expensive mandate to clean up their wastewater. Urine diversion or “pee-cycling” could be a cost-effective pollution solution. In the third and final installment of our three-part Fascination series about Cape Cod’s “yellow tide,” environmental ... Show More
9m 19s
Mar 2021
Is Your Carbon Footprint BS?
We're tackling a sibling debate: Do your individual actions matter when it comes to climate change? Or is it all about big, systemic change? In this episode, we break down both sides of the argument. We lay out the actions that have the biggest impact on your carbon footprint – a ... Show More
47m 17s
Oct 2021
Are Dams Cute… Or Not So Cute? with Professor Heather Randell
Dams, what’s their story? Are they scenic sites? Harmful structures? This week, Professor Heather Randell and Jonathan go on a journey through dam history, ecology, and sociology. Listen in to learn about why dams are built; who they serve; and how they can cause displacement, ch ... Show More
55m 54s
Jul 2023
C&EN Uncovered: Can tires turn green?
<p id="docs-internal-guid-ee6fb806-7fff-7c3f-bcaa-c1ca440dfb4a" dir="ltr" style= "line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"> <span style= "font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font ... Show More
16m 5s
May 2024
The Kings and Queens of "the Water Prom"
The Colorado River – and the people that rely on it – are in a state of crisis. Climate change and overuse are taking a significant toll. Seven states must compromise and reach a solution to prevent the river from collapsing. In late 2023, tensions were running high between the m ... Show More
45m 18s