New Scientist Podcasts
Weekly: The case for Arctic geoengineering; world’s oldest cheese
Sep 27, 2024
Delve into the controversial realm of Arctic geoengineering as innovative solutions are explored to combat ice loss. Discover the fascinating cooperative hunting between octopuses and fish, showcasing nature's teamwork. Uncover the astonishing find of 3,500-year-old cheese in China and its implications for ancient human fermentation. Lastly, confront the hidden dangers of microplastics lurking in our bodies, raising questions about their potential health risks and urging a need for environmental action.
25:05
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- The innovative geoengineering method of using underwater drones to artificially refreeze the Arctic shows promise but requires extensive testing before large-scale application.
- Recent observations of octopuses teaming up with fish for hunting reveal complex social interactions and intelligence among these solitary predators, demonstrating unexpected cooperation in nature.
Deep dives
Geo-Engineering Efforts to Refreeze the Arctic
As the Arctic experiences rapid ice loss at alarming rates, scientists are exploring geo-engineering solutions to artificially refreeze the region. One innovative approach involves using underwater drones to pump seawater onto the surface of the ice, reinforcing it by increasing its thickness. A recent field trial revealed that this method successfully thickened a specific ice area by 50 centimeters, demonstrating the potential for enhancing ice growth. However, despite early success, the project faces skepticism due to its small scale and the need for extensive further testing and optimization before broader deployment.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
