Volcanoes Changing the Earth-PW074

David Clague is our guest on Planet Watch. He is a senior scientist and volcanologist at MBARI, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute. He talks about how Kilauea and other large active volcanoes help us learn more about our planet. Dave’s research interests are nearly all related to the formation and degradation of oceanic volcanoes, • Read More »


Fossil Free UC: A Divestment Movement with Momentum-PW073

At the University of California, students and faculty are engaged in a campaign to get one of the country’s largest public university systems to divest their financial interests in fossil fuel companies on moral grounds and with the argument supporting polluting industries that contribute to global warming is contrary to the values of the institution.They • Read More »


Bus Rapid Transit: A Cleaner Alternative-PW071

Stan Sokolow trained and practiced as an orthodontist most of his life. But his interest in solving the world’s transportation problems became an obsession when he got inspired by reading about successes in other countries with this innovative solution. Find out which cities are already using this method of people moving and which are about • Read More »


Finding Planet B: Exoplanet Hunter Jonathan Fortney-PW068

Jonathan Fortney is a planet hunter. His job as head of UC Santa Cruz’s Astronomy Department is to look for exoplanets, planets orbiting other solar systems. He talks about what it would mean to find life, any life, elsewhere and how that ties in to our own stewardship of our own living planet.



Saving the Holy Trinity of Chocolate, Coffee and Vanilla-PW065

A visit with Patricia Rain, the Vanilla Queen and a look at the future fate of our favorite flavors. Patricia Rain is an author, educator, culinary historian, and owner of The Vanilla Company, a socially conscious, product-driven information and education site dedicated to the promotion of pure, natural vanilla, and the support of vanilla farmers worldwide. The Vanilla • Read More »


Green Buildings-Cool Planet: Strategies for Efficiency-PW064

Guests Len Beyea, an energy efficiency engineer/expert on green buildings and efficiency and Peter Drekmeier, former Mayor of Palo Alto and an eco warrior for the Tuolumne River, among other causes, share their insights on how local municipalities and private companies can drastically reduce their carbon footprint by lowering energy use in buildings. Plus a • Read More »


Climate Restoration: Pipe Dream or Survival Strategy?-PW062

Peter Fiekowsky is an entrepreneur committed to leaving a world we’re proud of for our  children.  He is a founder of initiatives in climate restoration: 300×2050.com  and Healthy Climate Alliance. Founder and president of AVI LLC. Board  member of Repower Capital Inc. MIT physicist with 27 patents. Peter is an expert at identifying  and specifying • Read More »


Digging into the Past to Save the Future-PW059

In this episode, we look at how archeologists are working with native tribes to mitigate the impact of sea level rise on native burial sites. We explore mapping the complex webs of interdependence involved in one native fishery and how that sheds light on our own food systems. Our guest is Mike Newland, a professional • Read More »


Better Living Through Chemistry: A Methanol Future?-PW058

Dr. Surya Prakash, author of Beyond Oil and Gas: The Methanol Economy, which he co-wrote with George Olah and Alain Goeppert. Find out about his latest discovery for converting methane gas to plastics and other chemical science breakthroughs such as methanol which can reduce pollution. Prakash is holder of the George A. and Judith A. • Read More »