Cambridge Science Festival: Energy and the Environment Series

Lectures curated around energy and the environment, including alternative cars, global warming, conservation methods, aquaculture, and wind power in connection with the Cambridge Science Festival.

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Jeremy Rifkin: Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis
Jeremy Rifkin
February 16, 2010
00:10:42
Jeremy Rifkin discusses his book, The Empathic Civilization: The Race to Global Consciousness in a World in Crisis, with Bethanne Patrick.
Global Markets in the 2009 Economic Crisis (Part 3)
Arun Prasad
June 20, 2009
00:31:35
Arun Prasad of Itaas, Inc., and Alex Stuebler of Siemens Energy & Automation address the Southern Center for International Studies' Young Professionals annual conference. They focus on understanding the underlying challenges and opportunities vis-a-vis energy and automation.
Connecting Corals and Climate Change
Kim Cobb
May 12, 2009
00:34:29
Kim Cobb, Assistant Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, describes what corals can tell us about climate change. Cobb spent two years at the California Institute of Technology in the department of geological and planetary sciences, after earning her doctorate in oceanography in 2002.
William McDonough: Cradle to Cradle Design
William McDonough
December 2, 2008
01:23:00
Architect and designer William McDonough speaks about his Cradle to Cradle philosophy and design practice.
Diverse Applications of Nuclear Technology
Ian Hutchinson
March 8, 2007
02:01:55
Ian Hutchinson and experts doing work a variety of areas of nuclear technology from MIT and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research discuss the wide range of applications represented by their research.
Future of Nuclear Energy
Allison Macfarlane
March 1, 2007
01:45:35
Allison Macfarlane and Andrew Kadak discuss the future of nuclear energy with Victor Reis, Senior Advisor, Office of the Secretary, US Department of Energy. John Durant moderates.
Commotion in the Ocean
Amy Bower
February 28, 2007
01:03:52
Oceanographer Amy Bower tells of the adventures she and her team have shared, as they try to put together the complex puzzle that is our Earth's climate system.This includes battling pirates on the high seas.
Opportunities and Challenges for Farming the Deep Blue
Richard Langan
November 6, 2006
00:46:19
Richard Langan describes his research in molluscan shellfish restoration and aquaculture in near shore and open ocean environments.
Transitioning to a Sustainable Energy Economy
John Heywood
November 1, 2006
01:34:30
John Heywood and Stephen Ansolabehere discuss the kind growing pains that may be involved in moving towards a sustainable energy policy.
New Technologies in a Sustainable Energy Economy
Dan Nocera
October 25, 2006
01:32:48
Angela Belcher and Dan Nocera describe the growing of living fuel cells and other emerging energy technology and brainstorm with an audience about new solutions. They discuss what kind of research and development initiatives are contributing to meeting this long-term challenge.
Aquaculture: Evolution of the Blue Revolution
Barry Costa-Pierce
October 23, 2006
00:59:42
Barry Costa-Pierce, director of the Rhode Island Sea Grant College Program and Professor of Fisheries & Aquaculture at the University of Rhode Island, discusses the latest thinking in aquaculture.
Meeting Global Energy Demands Sustainably
Kerry Emanuel
October 18, 2006
01:32:58
Kerry Emanuel and Ernest Moniz discuss our dependency on fossil fuels and public attitudes limiting change.
AltWheels: Overview of Transportation Choices
Stephen Connors
September 17, 2006
00:25:01
Stephen Connors reconvenes the AltWheels symposium by focusing on the gap that exists between exciting new technologies and the limited potential they present in solving our transportation problems.
Audio-only
Creating Green Cities & More Sustainable Landscapes
Peter Smith
September 17, 2006
01:25:00
Planners, architects, and advocates discuss the broader issues surrounding the needs for more sustainable living spaces, specifically focusing on urban and suburban areas.
Audio-only
A Sustainable Transportation Vision for New England
Chella Rajan
September 17, 2006
01:32:47
Chella Rajan moderates a panel discussion on the important stakes that cities, states, employers, the environment, and the public have in future patterns and costs of transportation.
Audio-only
Stephen Connors: Future of Alternative Energy Begins Now
Stephen Connors
September 17, 2006
00:23:51
Stephen Connors closes the 2006 AltWheels Symposium by leading a discussion with attendees about the symposium's themes and questions.
Audio-only
Soft Car: Human-Friendly Car Design
Mitchell Joachim
September 17, 2006
01:16:25
Mitchell Joachim shares some of his 'out of this world' thinking regarding the future of automobile design. Joachim's work is to rethink car design based upon more humanistic principles.
Audio-only
Hopeful Future: Alternative Energy and Transportation
Roger Saillant
September 17, 2006
00:55:26
Roger Saillant, CEO of PlugPower, discusses the reasons to be hopeful about the future of alternative energy and transportation.
Alternative Options: Where Will You Fuel Up in 2015?
Stephen Connors
September 16, 2006
00:37:11
Panelists representing several different perspectives come together to discuss the pros, cons, and the likelihood that fuels such as biodiesel, natural gas, and others could challenge petroleum's dominance in the energy market.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies in New England
Brad Bradshaw
September 16, 2006
01:12:19
This lecture takes the mystery out of the technology behind hydrogen fuel cells and considers the many possibilities and challenges of moving to a hydrogen economy. Is it feasible to create a hydrogen infrastructure in New England?
Audio-only
Models of Sustainable Transportation Across the Globe
Steve Jones-D'Agostino
September 16, 2006
01:25:30
This presentation discusses some examples of efforts in the realm of alternative energy that have been successful. Concentrating on the necessity to emphasize sustainability and rethink marketing strategies, this panel discussion brings a variety of perspectives from all over the world.
Future of Driving: What Will Be on the Road in 2015?
Bilal Zuberi
September 16, 2006
01:01:54
This panel discusses the different technologies, environmental impacts, and timelines of hybrid, natural gas, all electric, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as well as some ways that we can make our own vehicles a little more efficient.
Audio-only
Wind Energy in Boston Harbor and Beyond
James Manwell
June 12, 2006
01:13:30
Wind power is one of the most appealing sources of renewable energy today. Learn about the history of wind energy in the area (including windmills and sailing vessels) and hear about more recent developments, particularly in Hull.
Ocean Exploration and Conservation
Gregory S. Stone
May 30, 2006
00:55:12
Gregory S. Stone relates details of the recent designation of the world's third largest marine protected area around the Phoenix Islands in the central Pacific.
IDEAS Boston Youth Summit: James Poss
James Poss
May 3, 2006
00:13:13
Jim Poss, inventor of the BigBelly, a solar-powered trash receptacle/compactor, discusses his more than eight years of experience in renewable energy technology manufacturing and product development. This lecture is presented by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.
Audio-only
David Helvarg: Fifty Ways to Save the Ocean
David Helvarg
April 24, 2006
00:59:12
David Helvarg, environmental writer, presents his new book, 50 Ways to Save the Ocean.
Nantucket Sound Offshore Wind Farm Debate
Christopher Lydon
April 5, 2006
01:05:25
The WGBH Conservation Initiative hosts a debate concerning the proposed development of America's first offshore wind farm in the shallow waters of Nantucket Sound.
Plan B 2.0: Rescuing a Planet
Lester Brown
April 5, 2006
01:03:28
Lester Brown discusses his latest book, Plan B 2.0: Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble, in which he outlines a rescue plan for a world facing oil and water shortages and the disruptions caused by global climate change.
Assessing the Health of the Environment III
Robert T. Watson
November 21, 2005
01:19:25
Robert Watson, chief scientist and director of the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Network of the World Bank, and Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, explores the implications of the 2005 report of the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
Assessing the Health of the Environment II
Robert T. Watson
November 21, 2005
01:03:34
Robert Watson, chief scientist and director of the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Network of the World Bank, and chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, explores the implications of the 2005 report of the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
Assessing the Health of the Environment I
Robert T. Watson
November 21, 2005
01:26:05
Robert Watson, chief scientist and director of the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Network of the World Bank, and Chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, explores the implications of the 2005 report of the U.N. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.
NOVA scienceNOW: Fuel Cells
Troy Livingston
November 10, 2005
00:53:27
Fuel cell researcher, Martin Baucom moderates a discussion of the science of fuel cell research at a Science Café after a screening of NOVA scienceNOW: Fuel Cells.
Boston IDEAS 2005: Amy Smith
Amy Smith
October 6, 2005
00:19:46
A MacArthur fellow and mechanical engineer, Amy Smith discusses her interest in creating elegantly simple life-enhancing solutions and labor-saving technologies for the developing world.
Audio-only
Red Sky at Morning: Crisis of the Global Environment
James G. Speth
April 14, 2004
01:15:01
James Gustave Speth, armed with the latest data about the global environmental crisis, explains why current methods of tackling the problem (international negotiations and treaties) have failed, and exposes the disaster waiting to happen if we stay the current course.
Power of One: Local Heroes of Biodiversity
Leo Kenney
April 30, 2003
01:17:09
Sean Sheehan and Sheila Globus describe their project called Turn the Tide. Take nine simple actions and join more than 12,000 participants nationwide in helping the environment, and in seeing the results of combined action.
Power of the Coin: Power of Faith
Heather Tausig
April 23, 2003
01:09:29
Caroly Shumway describes global collaborative efforts between conservationists and the faith community, including the New England Aquarium's Changing Hearts and Minds Project in Papua New Guinea.
Energy and National Security
Jeb Sharp
March 12, 2003
01:49:54
Panelists probe some of the most provocative questions around the issue of fundamental sustainability. They ask what the real costs are of Middle Eastern oil, how secure is the US power grid, and whether the US can improve its energy security.
Climate Change Series
Climate Change Series
40 Lectures
Lectures curated around the political and public debate regarding climate change, and what actions to take in response.