In this episode, we’re going to explore the world of urban forests and hear about how they can transform concrete jungles into vibrant livable spaces. We reached out to a couple of experts from the Canadian Forest Service to talk about the ins and outs of urban forest management. This episode is also a double feature, with our friends from the Statistics Canada podcast “Eh-sayers” talking about the ironies of data when it comes to the environment. Both stories share a common theme: “it’s not easy being green.” Recommended Links: • What trees should I plant in an urban forest? (Simply Science V ..read more

There seems to be a lot of excitement about natural hydrogen lately. But why is the level of interest peaking now? Could it be part of the solution to the climate crisis? Is it the environmentally friendly game changer everyone is looking for? Or not? To answer those questions and more, we reached out to one of our hydrogen experts, as well as a scientist from the University of Toronto. Recommended Links: • Cleaner Digging with Hydrogen - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/simply-science/cleaner-digging-hydrogen/21757 • The Hydrogen Strategy - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/climate-chang ..read more

We, as human beings, find ourselves in a challenging situation when it comes to carbon emissions. Almost everything we do in our modern lives produces carbon emissions, which impact the very environment we live in. Is it possible to maintain our quality of life AND reduce our carbon emissions? Our scientists are working hard to address that issue. Listen to find out how. Recommended Links: • Carbon Management (Natural Resources Canada) - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/carbon-management/4275 • Environment and Climate Change Canada - https ..read more

We all know metals like gold, copper and nickel are essential to our way of life. Metals are used in just about everything. So how do we make sure that we have a continuous supply of these metals? How do you find new ore deposits to make sure we meet future demand? Our scientists are working hard to specifically address that issue. Listen to find out how. Recommended Links: • Geological Survey of Canada - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-and-data/research-centres-and-labs/geological-survey-canada/17100 • Geoscientists Canada - https://geoscientistscanada.ca/ • Prospector and Develop ..read more

There’s nothing quite like a Canadian winter. Majestic scenery, fun outdoor activities, and brutally cold days that cause your heating bill to skyrocket. Scientists and engineers at Natural Resources Canada believe a promising technology can help reduce your energy consumption, the heat pump. On this episode: What are heat pumps? How do they work? Why is everyone talking about them? Are they right for you? Listen to find out. Recommended Links: • Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/energy-star-canada/about/energy-star-announcements/publi ..read more

In Cape Bathurst, where Canada's mainland meets the Arctic Ocean, an entire coastline is burning. Aptly named the Smoking Hills, it's home to a really unique geological feature: a deposit of sedimentary rock that's been burning and smouldering continuously for thousands of years. On this episode, we'll be speaking with a research scientist who visited the hellish landscape to study it first-hand. Recommended Links: New geological research in Canada’s Arctic provides clues about life on Mars - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/new-geological-research-canadas-arctic-provides-clues-about-lif ..read more

There are, on average, over 4,000 earthquakes in Canada each year. Many of those earthquakes occur in Western Canada, but Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces also see their fair share of seismic events. On this episode, we’ll be speaking with a seismologist who has spent over 30 years studying earthquakes in Eastern Canada. Recommended Links: Earthquakes Canada — https://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/index-en.php The Great ShakeOut – https://www.shakeoutbc.ca/ Newspaper archives detail 1855 quake that shook the Maritimes (Simply Science Article) – https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science ..read more

On this episode, we’re going to look at a real-life bug battle that rivals Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III! We have with us an entomologist — or bug expert — who’s going to break down this iconic matchup. Make sure to listen to find out which bug is brave enough to take on the spruce budworm. Recommended Links: • Bug fight: the emerald ash borer vs. parasitic wasps (Inspect and Protect podcast) — https://inspection.canada.ca/chronicle-360/inspect-and-protect-podcast/episode-4/eng/1633713369501/1633713370314 • Spruce Budworm (Natural Resources Canada) — https://www.nrcan.gc.c ..read more

We use methane every day to heat our homes, grow our food, create fertilizers and produce things like hydrogen that we use in clean fuel cells. But methane is a really potent greenhouse gas and a significant contributor to global warming. On this episode, we discuss what is methane, how we use it, and how we can reduce the amount we release in the atmosphere. Recommended Links: Emissions Reduction Fund (Natural Resources Canada) – https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-and-data/funding-partnerships/funding-opportunities/current-funding-opportunities/emissions-reduction-fund/22781 Environment and Clim ..read more

If you introduce a foreign species to a new environment, even by accident, it can wreak havoc on the ecosystem. On this episode, we talk to a scientist who has been dealing with one of these foreign species, the Asian longhorned beetle. This insect is black and white, about the same length as your thumb, and likes to get around by hitching rides on your car! Links of interest… Asian longhorned beetle (Natural Resources Canada): https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-forestry/wildland-fires-insects-disturban/top-forest-insects-diseases-cana/asian-longhorned-beetle/13369 Asian lon ..read more