Shah Selbe

THIS IS UPLIFTING, I PROMISE. And it might just make you switch careers. As a bookend to last week's Oceanology episode, Conservation Technologist Shah Selbe chats about saving the planet with some well-intentioned technology. Wind turbines, solar cars, and all the ways in which sensors, drones, recycled smartphones and real-time data reporting can help conserve species, spaces and communities that are threatened. Hear inspiring tales of travel, art, adventure and putting engineering to good use from a former rocket-science turned professional do-gooder.Also discussed: crocodile astrology, fishing vests and hippo power displays.Conservify.orgShah Selbe on Twitter and InstagramMore episode sources and linksBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, pins, totes!Follow @Ologies on Twitter and InstagramFollow @AlieWard on Twitter and InstagramSound editing by Steven Ray MorrisTheme song by Nick Thorburn

Rocket scientist Shah Selbe discusses using open-source technologies for conservation challenges. Their team deploys drones, sensor networks, smartphone apps, and acoustic buoys for ecosystem monitoring. They also introduce the open-source hardware and online platform FieldKit for real-time monitoring. Other topics include China's wildlife trade ban, fires in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands, lowland gorillas in Equatorial Guinea, and excitement about conservation technology and collaboration.

Shah Selbe, former spacecraft engineer turned conservation technologist, discusses their work in applying technology to conservation, including drone technology. They emphasize the importance of open data and collaboration in the conservation field and highlight the Okavango Wilderness Project. The podcast also covers the power of storytelling in conservation, the future of consumer fire technology, and the role of technology in environmental science.