Podcasts about human hands shaping our planet

October 22, 1975. After traveling millions of miles through space, a Soviet spacecraft plunges through thick clouds of sulfuric acid to land on Venus. Its goal: take a photograph of another planet's surface and send it back home—history's first up-close glimpse at a world other than our own. Venus, our closest neighbor, is similar in size to Earth and may even share some planetary material. It's why scientists sometimes call it our twin planet. Yet its rock-melting temperatures and poisonous atmosphere make it profoundly different. If anything, it is our evil twin. What's behind humanity's long fascination with Venus? And what can the differences between these cosmic twins teach us about our home planet…its present, and its possible future?Special thanks to our guests, David Grinspoon, author of Venus Revealed: A New Look Below the Clouds of Our Mysterious Twin Planet, and Sally's twin sister, Eliza Helm. Grinspoon's latest book is called Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet's Future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The record of the rocks is not just the history of Earth; it's your history too. Geologists can learn about events going back billions of years that influenced – and even made possible – our present-day existence and shaped our society. If the last Ice Age had been a bit warmer, the rivers and lakes of the Midwest would have been much farther north and the U.S. might still be a small country of 13 states. If some Mediterranean islands hadn't twisted a bit, no roads would have led to Rome. Geology is big history, and the story is on-going. Human activity is changing the planet too, and has introduced its own geologic era, the Anthropocene. Will Earthlings of a hundred million years from now dig up our plastic refuse and study it the way we study dinosaur bones? Plus, the dodo had the bad luck to inhabit a small island and couldn't adapt to human predators. But guess what? It wasn't as dumb as you think. Guests: Walter Alvarez – Professor of Geology, University of California, Berkeley, and author of A Most Improbable Journey: A Big History of Our Planet and Ourselves Eugenia Gold – Instructor, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University David Grinspoon – Senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, and author of Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet's Future Originally aired January 16, 2017 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The record of the rocks is not just the history of Earth; it’s your history too.  Geologists can learn about events going back billions of years that influenced – and even made possible – our present-day existence and shaped our society. If the last Ice Age had been a bit warmer, the rivers and lakes of the Midwest would have been much farther north and the U.S. might still be a small country of 13 states. If some Mediterranean islands hadn’t twisted a bit, no roads would have led to Rome. Geology is big history, and the story is on-going. Human activity is changing the planet too, and has introduced its own geologic era, the Anthropocene. Will Earthlings of a hundred million years from now dig up our plastic refuse and study it the way we study dinosaur bones? Plus, the dodo had the bad luck to inhabit a small island and couldn’t adapt to human predators. But guess what? It wasn’t as dumb as you think. Guests: Walter Alvarez – Professor of Geology, University of California, Berkeley, and author of A Most Improbable Journey: A Big History of Our Planet and Ourselves Eugenia Gold – Instructor, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University David Grinspoon – Senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, and author of Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future Originally aired January 16, 2017

We spend a lot of time discussing the impacts of the climate crisis we need to avoid as a global community, including but not limited to sea-level rise, climate refugees, and the collapse of our agricultural system. But astrobiologist David Grinspoon argues that we need to go beyond simply mitigating the risks of climate change and consider what kind of future we want to create. And he sees the rise of planetary change agents conscious of their role as bigger than mere epoch status as typically conceived of with the Anthropocene. David posits that this change deserves its own eon, the Sapiezoic, or Time of Wisdom.   Dr. David Grinspoon is the author of Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future. He is also part of the team working with NASA on a proposed mission to Venus! On this bonus episode of Reversing Climate Change, David is back on the show with Ross to discuss the basic units of the geological time scale and explain why he proposes calling this new time marked by human impact and self-awareness the Sapiezoic Eon rather than the Anthropocene Epoch.   Listen in for insight on what’s unique about the current transition in geological time and learn how we can create a vision for the future that includes a sustainable, lasting global civilization.   Key Takeaways   [3:31] David’s work on DAVINCI+ Part of team proposing NASA mission to Venus Selected as one of four finalists (two will fly) Other planets help us better understand Earth   [7:32] The basic units of the geologic time scale Only five eons, each spans billions of years Epochs = much smaller units (millions of years)   [11:23] The Anthropocene vs. the Sapiezoic  Anthropocene = proposed epoch to mark human forces changing Earth Eons represent new relationship between life + planet that causes irreversible change David proposes Sapiezoic Eon = time of wisdom (cognitive processes changing planet)   [18:51] The Sapiezoic Eon as an aspirational goal Opportunity to think about how we want to change planet Use technology to transition to lasting, sustainable state   [24:29] David’s concept of the Terra Sapiens Use growing knowledge to create vision of future we want (Wise Earth) Imagine role for ourselves on planet as sustainable, global civilization   Connect with Ross    Nori Nori on Patreon Nori on Facebook  Nori on Twitter Nori on Medium Nori on YouTube Nori on GitHub Nori Newsletter Email hello@nori.com Nori White Paper Subscribe on iTunes Carbon Removal Newsroom   Resources   Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future by David Grinspoon David on Twitter Funky Science Story Hour David on RCC EP047 The Wizard and the Prophet: Two Remarkable Scientists and Their Dueling Visions to Shape Tomorrow’s World by Charles C. Mann 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann 1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created by Charles C. Mann DAVINCI+ Peter Brannen on RCC Bonus #4

If you want to verify carbon capture for a reforestation or forest conservation project, you’re looking at a price tag of anywhere between $100K and $400K, depending on the size of the forest. But a new company called Pachama is working to make the process much more affordable and add trust to the system, harnessing AI to measure carbon capture in forests.   Diego Saez Gil is the Cofounder and CEO of Pachama, a startup developing the technologies to bring trust, transparency and efficiency to the forest carbon market. His team leverages machine learning to accelerate the validation of carbon captured in reforestation and forest conservation projects.  On this episode of the podcast, Diego joins Alexsandra, Ross and Christophe to explain how LiDAR technology works and discuss how Pachama is using it to measure carbon capture with stunning accuracy.     Diego shares the benefits of using Pachama’s platform in terms of adding trust to the system and reducing the transaction costs associated with verifying reforestation projects in carbon markets. He also discusses the fight over development versus conservation in Brazil and describes his take on the role of corporations in reversing climate change. Listen in for insight around the need for an abundance mindset in developing climate solutions and learn how Diego thinks about carbon markets as a mechanism to align incentives on the path to reversing climate change.   Key Takeaways   [1:40] The work Diego and his team do through Pachama Build tools to measure + monitor carbon capture in forests Use data to validate offset projects in carbon markets   [3:29] How Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology works Device uses laser to create 3D image of environment Apply deep learning to measure biomass, carbon capture (< 1.5% error)   [7:08] Why we should trust that Pachama’s algorithm works Works by comparing shapes and volumes to ground truth Results consistent with traditional forester’s measurements   [9:08] The expense associated with verifying reforestation projects Must send forester to take sample, do carbon stock assessment Costs between $100K and $400K depending on size   [10:46] Pachama’s approach to onboarding new clients Go to projects using traditional protocols for verification Add trust to system and reduce transaction costs   [13:47] How we can improve the design of forestry projects in carbon markets Base contribution to buffer pool on risk profile of individual project Bodies that create standards usually open to ideas for improvement   [15:51] Pachama’s progress in its first year in business Onboarded 10 projects in US and Brazil Continue to add data, improve algorithm   [17:10] Pachama’s needs around data collection LiDAR and ground truth numbers Data lives in governments, universities and companies   [18:11] The complexity of land and development politics  Large reforestation projects up against armed illegal loggers Political narrative emboldens developers to exploit resources Carbon markets create income for people in those areas Indigenous communities should benefit most from projects   [24:06] Diego’s insight into the role of corporations in reversing climate change Responsibility to benefit society at large for long term Reduce emissions and offset what can’t in short term   [27:51] Diego’s entrepreneurial path to reversing climate change Grew up in Argentina between rainforest + Andes Took sabbatical to live with native community in Amazon Inspired by power of nature, shocked by deforestation Apply technology for scaling solutions to climate change   [30:44] How the scarcity vs. abundance mindset plays into Diego’s work Scarcity mindset created climate crisis, abundance will solve We’re all connected and must come together for challenge   [34:50] How David Grinspoon’s work influenced Diego Love big-picture view of humanity (one of many species to change planet) Attracted to optimism, potential for humans to be stewards   Connect with Alexsandra, Ross & Christophe   Nori Nori on Facebook  Nori on Twitter Nori on Medium Nori on YouTube Nori on GitHub Nori Newsletter Email hello@nori.com Nori White Paper Subscribe on iTunes Carbon Removal Newsroom   Resources   Pachama Pachama on Twitter Email info@pachama.com  VERGE 19 Paris Agreement American Carbon Registry Verified Carbon Standard Climate Action Reserve The Gold Standard The Uninhabitable Earth: Life After Warming by David Wallace-Wells GreenBiz Y Combinator Buckminster Fuller Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future by David Grinspoon David Grinspoon on RCC EP047 Carl Sagan Lynn Margulis James Lovelock A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle Eric Kornacki on RCC EP082

Like it or not, humans have become the dominant agent of change on the planet, and as we proceed further into the Anthropocene period, we have a responsibility to accept responsibility and find a way to gracefully integrate our presence. But what if we are not the only ones who have experienced this phenomenon? What if the process of inadvertent planetary change is universal? What if the climate challenges we face are a natural part of planetary evolution? David Grinspoon is an astrobiologist and award-winning author whose research focuses on the climate evolution of Earth-like planets and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe. David serves as a Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute and Adjunct Professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Science at the University of Colorado, and he has received the Carl Sagan Medal for Public Communication of Planetary Science. He was also the inaugural Chair of Astrobiology at the US Library of Congress, where he studied human impact on Earth systems. David is the author many books, including the ground-breaking Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future. Today, David joins Ross, Christophe and Paul to discuss the significance of the study of space in understanding our own planet. He offers insight around our obligation to learn to work WITH the planet, the concept of Great Filter events, and the utility of viewing our current challenges in the context of planetary evolution. David also shares his take on the longevity of civilizations and the growing alignment of local self-interest and global interests when it comes to climate solutions. Listen in for David’s predictions of where we’ll be 100 years from now and learn about the spiritual aspect of his work in connecting us with something larger than ourselves.   Resources David Grinspoon Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future by David Grinspoon Chasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Plutoby Alan Stern and David Grinspoon Carl Sagan Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Spaceby Carl Sagan SETI Institute Our Final Century: Will the Human Race Survive the Twenty-First Century? by Martin Rees Books by Carl Sagan   Connect with Nori Nori Nori’s Crowdfunding Campaign Nori on Facebook Nori on Twitter Nori on Medium Nori on YouTube Email hello@nori.com Nori White Paper Subscribe on iTunes   Key Takeaways [3:33] David’s path to reversing climate change Always been ‘space geek’ Rise of astrobiology in planetary science Influence of Carl Sagan, activism First Chair of Astrobiology (Library of Congress)  [7:13] The significance of the study of space Priceless info about own planet + how it works Other examples of planetary evolution  [10:08] The role of humans in running the planet We have agency, moral obligation to prevent catastrophe Knowledge of Earth gives us responsibility to act  [15:00] David’s insight on the Anthropocene New geological era, humanity as dominant agent of change Not realistic to stop changing planet without mass die-off Learn to work WITH planet, ‘gracefully integrate presence’ [21:12] The idea of Great Filter events (Fermi paradox) No evidence of other technological civilizations May mean most don’t make it through ‘tech adolescence’ Potential that others struggling with similar issues Inadvertent planetary change = stage of evolution Sign of maturity to realize impact, change behavior [28:52] David’s take on the longevity of civilizations Useful time scale of 10K years recorded human history Leverage technology to work for, not threaten survival Hopeful to imagine others have survived challenges  [34:53] The alignment of self-interest and global interests Money to be made in reversing climate change Examples of local innovation that impacts planet as whole [38:57] David’s view of the next 100 years Trends in right direction to minimize damage Equal parts foresight and tragedy (not worst case) Post-fossil fuel world, population will level off/decline [42:48] The spiritual aspect of David’s work Makes us feel connected to things larger than selves Redefining selves as species = spiritual challenge Tipping points in physical and social systems Daily activities informed by fact that global species  

If you’re a technologist or designer who happens to be passionate about reversing climate change, what do you do? Join an advocacy group? Donate to a nonprofit organization? Write your congressperson? What if you could leverage your skill set and play an active role in reducing the amount of CO2in the atmosphere?  Jacob Farny is the Principal Product Designer at Nori. His background in design and consulting spans a variety of industries, from healthcare to retail to big data. Jacob’s role at Nori leverages his training in human computer interaction and user research. Michael Leggett serves as Nori’s Director of Product. His resume includes 13-plus years of building design teams at Google and Facebook, where he led several projects in user experience, including Gmail, Messenger, and Facebook Ads. Today, Jacob and Michael join Ross and Christophe to explain the concept of human-centered design and how it informs their work at Nori. They discuss the challenge of teaching users what they need to know without making a product too complex and walk us through the three pillars of high-quality product design. Listen in for insight around how the Nori product adds a third layer to the typical product design model and learn how the team is applying their unique skill sets to reverse climate climate change.   Resources  The Hitchhiker’s Guide Series Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future by David Grinspoon The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman Nori’s Crowdfunding Campaign   Key Takeaways [2:39] Jacob’s role at Nori User interface, research Product workflow (based on personas) [4:13] The concept of human-centered design Start with users, find appropriate solution Experience matters more than features [8:30] Jacob’s roots in Indiana Grew up surrounded by farmland Developed ‘Bill’ persona [13:46] Michael’s journey to Nori Grew up considering form and function Job at Google as designer (10 years) Moved by Inconvenient Truth 100-day plan to work in climate space [17:46] Michael's role at Nori Storytelling (investors, customers, each other) Contribute ‘strong opinions held loosely’  [20:57] The abstracting vs. teaching design schema Transparent about important stuff Drive car without understanding engine Leverage mental model (relate to familiar)  [24:28] The three pillars of quality product design Simple—don’t make people think Useful—solve real problem Well-made—reliable, robust and beautiful  [27:11] The Nori Design Team three-layer cake metaphor Products include front- and back-end Nori adds methodologies for storing CO2 Design instruction manual to measure, verify Must consider how fits into ‘Bill’s life’ [31:28] What has surprised Jacob and Michael Mitigation vs. carbon capture and storage Concepts of soil science (inexact models) [36:25] Nori’s so-called software approach   Provides route for technologist to work on issue Potential users part of marketplace test  

In this episode, Helen and Seyi explore the link between space exploration and improving things on Earth for all its inhabitants. They speak to a man who has travelled into space four times, astronaut Mark Kelly. They also hear from Will Pomerantz of Virgin Orbit, working to make space more accessible.Their third guest, David Grinspoon, is an astrobiologist and author. His books include Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future, and Chasing New Horizons: Inside the Epic First Mission to Pluto. Dr. Grinspoon explains the lessons we can learn from exploring space and other worlds in protecting this one. For more reading, check out our website https://www.virgin.com/in-focus/earth-unscrewed-podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

ENCORE The record of the rocks is not just the history of Earth; it's your history too. Geologists can learn about events going back billions of years that influenced – and even made possible – our present-day existence and shaped our society. If the last Ice Age had been a bit warmer, the rivers and lakes of the Midwest would have been much farther north and the U.S. might still be a small country of 13 states. If some Mediterranean islands hadn't twisted a bit, no roads would have led to Rome. Geology is big history, and the story is on-going. Human activity is changing the planet too, and has introduced its own geologic era, the Anthropocene. Will Earthlings of a hundred million years from now dig up our plastic refuse and study it the way we study dinosaur bones? Plus, the dodo had the bad luck to inhabit a small island and couldn't adapt to human predators. But guess what? It wasn't as dumb as you think. Guests: Walter Alvarez – Professor of Geology, University of California, Berkeley, and author of A Most Improbable Journey: A Big History of Our Planet and Ourselves David Grinspoon – Senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, and author of Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet's Future Eugenia Gold – Instructor, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ENCORE  The record of the rocks is not just the history of Earth; it’s your history too.  Geologists can learn about events going back billions of years that influenced – and even made possible – our present-day existence and shaped our society. If the last Ice Age had been a bit warmer, the rivers and lakes of the Midwest would have been much farther north and the U.S. might still be a small country of 13 states.  If some Mediterranean islands hadn’t twisted a bit, no roads would have led to Rome. Geology is big history, and the story is on-going.  Human activity is changing the planet too, and has introduced its own geologic era, the Anthropocene.  Will Earthlings of a hundred million years from now dig up our plastic refuse and study it the way we study dinosaur bones? Plus, the dodo had the bad luck to inhabit a small island and couldn’t adapt to human predators.  But guess what?  It wasn’t as dumb as you think. Guests: Walter Alvarez – Professor of Geology, University of California, Berkeley, and author of A Most Improbable Journey: A Big History of Our Planet and Ourselves David Grinspoon – Senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, and author of Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future Eugenia Gold – Instructor, Department of Anatomical Sciences, Stony Brook University

For thinking about the future of life on Earth in planetary terms, no one can match the perspective of an astrobiologist. David Grinspoon notes two major shifts in Earth’s biological regime: 1) 2.1 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria flipped the whole planet from anaerobic to oxygen-based life; 2) now, as humans assume domination of the Earth’s living systems. “We suddenly find ourselves running a planet,” he says, “without knowing how it should be done. We’re at the controls, but we’re not in control.” The cyanobacteria were unaware of their role. We are aware of ours. What should we do about that? Grinspoon is professor of Astrophysical and Planetary Science at the University of Colorado and Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. His books include: Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future (02016); Lonely Planets (02004); and Venus Revealed (01998).

Sometimes when we are having personal or health problems, it helps to get an outside perspective: talk to other friends who have experienced similar problems and how they dealt with them, and other friends about how they avoided those problems.  Talk to experts.  Then using all that input, we try to make the best choice to solve the problems and to live a long and happy life.  This is perhaps the situation we find ourselves in now with the health of our environment and the long-term viability of the human race.  So where to we look for that “outside perspective” and expert help?  The answer may be: look to other planets and talk to those who study them.  This is the approach astrobiologist Dr. David Grinspoon takes in his new book: “Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet’s Future”. Dr. Grinspoon is a senior scientist at the Planetary Science Institute, an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado, and in 2013 he was appointed the inaugural Chair of Astrobiology at the Library of Congress.  We had a chance to talk with Dr. Grinspoon about how he compares Earth's story to those of other planets, and how our present moment is not only one of peril, but also great potential, especially when viewed from a 10,000-year perspective. The podcast of the show is below, and you also can hear the extended interview here. Hosts: Joel Parker, Susan Moran Producer and Engineer: Joel Parker Additional contributions: Beth Bennett Executive Producer: Joel Parker Listen to the show:

  This is the full interview with Dr. David Grinspoon, author of the book "Earth in Human Hands: Shaping Our Planet's Future".  Excerpts of this interview by Joel Parker aired on How on Earth on our January 10, 2017 show. Listen here:

Released: 28 November 2016 Duration: 59 minutes, 2 seconds   Astrobiologist and Author David Grinspoon joins us to talk about his new book, Earth in Human Hands - Shaping Our Planet's Future. Following all the great demotions, humanity is about to get a great promotion - and we're not ready for it, but we have no choice.   Credits: Host and Producer: Paul Carr Announcer: Erin Carr Music: DJ Spooky, Erika Lloyd, George Hrab