The Most Important Question

In Episode 14, Quinn (Brian abandoned him) asks himself: How do we improve America’s agriculture system?On the mic, Emily Cassidy, the Sustainability Science Manager at the illustrious and beautiful California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, and a leading member of their new climate action initiative, Planet Vision.Emily's the co-author of a highly cited paper called “Solutions for a Cultivated Planet”, investigating how to sustainably feed 9 billion people. Today we put Emily’s long background in natural resources science to use and discuss the steps America, and Americans, need to take to improve our food system, and make it healthier. For the air, for the land, for the water, and for each of us, inside our bodies.Also: Jane Goodall, and cow farts vs. cow burps.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links:  Emily Cassidy on Twitter PlanetVision on Twitter California Academy of Sciences PlanetVision JANE documentary Netherlands greenhouses Added Sugars on the new nutrition label Michael Pollan on how to eat: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” BBC: Most nutritious foods Trump’s Book Club: A Short History of Nearly Everything, by Bill Bryson Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 13, Quinn and Brian plot a blueprint for suing the pants off fossil fuel companies. Of course we don't know where to start, so we asked for help.Meet the mastermind: Mayor Serge Dedina of tiny Imperial Beach, California, one of the first cities to sue fossil fuel companies for climate change damages.We discuss what led to their suit, but more importantly, actions other cities should be taking to plan for the future, including their own legal action. Also: surfing, Nazis, and grandmas.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links: Mayor Serge Dedina on Twitter Wild Coast Serge’s book choice: Homo Deus, by Yuval Noah Harari Blue Carbon Australia Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 12, Quinn and Brian ask: Can algorithms predict the next major pandemic? Pretty please?Joining us: Dr. Sam Scarpino, Assistant Professor of Marine & Environmental Sciences and Physics and a core faculty member in the Network Science Institute at Northeastern University.We discuss whether, and if so, how advanced algorithms and data science can help predict and prevent the next major pandemic. Also, the importance of a liberal arts education, bad wifi in 2018, and my wife’s iPhone. Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links:  Dr. Sam Scarpino on Twitter Sam’s book selection: On Immunity: An Inoculation Dharma.ai Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 11, Quinn & Brian ask with fingers crossed: Can carbon capture be a building block in climate action?On the mic: David Hawkins, director of the climate program at the National Resources Defense Council, and the man basically responsible for you breathing clean air most days. So, you’re welcome.  We discuss David’s history of working to safeguard the planet, but more specifically, his thoughts on the futuristic but necessary technology that is carbon capture, and whether we can pin our hopes on it. Stay tuned for his thoughts on using your voice and vote to move the needle.Also: yodeling. Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links: David Hawkins on Twitter NRDC.org https://echo.epa.gov Enter a city or state name or zip code and it will crank out a facilities list. For example, put in Houston, TX and hit the search icon. On the right hand side there will be a count of facilities with violation info (eg, 154 with significant violations). You can select one of those items and a list of individual facilities will be retrieved. Next, click on a facility of interest to get more detail. Next, vote your representative out of office. Have a nice day! The Invention of Nature by Alexander Humboldts The Lorax by Dr. Seuss Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 10 (we made it!), Quinn & Brian read a picture book. And a damn good one. Introducing The Tantrum That Saved The World.On the mic: Megan Herbert, Aussie co-author and illustrator of the popular new children’s book about climate change activism. We talk about the book, her co-author, esteemed climate scientist and science communicator Michael E, Mann, as well as modeling behavior for our kids, providing them with tools now and in the future to become agents of change, and also drinking. Order Megan and Michael’s book right now at WorldSavingBooks.com! Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links:  Megan Herbert on Twitter Michael E. Mann on Twitter MeganHerbert.com WorldSavingBooks.com Earth 101 Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 9, Quinn and Brian cower under the desk and ask: How do we stay safe from infectious disease (zombies)?Please meet Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, an infectious diseases physician, Assistant Professor at Boston University, and the Director of Infection Control and Medical Response at National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory. Yeah. Exactly what you imagine. That's her job. You're welcome.We discuss historical pandemics, modern-day factors in the growth of new and return of old infectious diseases, our current level of preparedness, zombies, Minority Report, hand washing, and of course, anti-vaxxers.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links:  Dr. Nahid Bhadelia on Twitter Interview with Dr. Bhadelia on interconnectedness GHSA Her book for Trump: Spillover The Coming Plague The Sixth Extinction CDC's One Health Program Her award-winning photo in Nat Geo Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 8, Quinn and Brian ask: How do we safeguard science in American schools?Here to answer: Don Duggan-Haas, a lifetime advocate for science education standards (he literally wrote the textbook, and yes, this is the correct use of “literally”), as well as Therese Etoka and Jai Bansal, two immigrant high school students who fought to keep climate change science a part of the Boise, Idaho public school curriculum.Together, we form a game plan to ensure every American student gets a comprehensive science education. Also: Black Panther, Shuri (swoon), the Justice League, James T. Kirk, thoughts on Parkland, and more.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links: Don Duggan-Haas on Twitter Therese Etoka on Twitter Jai Bansal on Twitter Donate to send the Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change to every public school science teacher The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change (online) The Teacher-Friendly Guide to Climate Change (print) So You Want to Talk About Race A People’s History of the United States Warnings: Finding Cassandras to Stop Catastrophes Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 7, Brian and Quinn ask: How can we use the ocean without using it up? Meet Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist, policy expert, and conservation strategist extraordinaire. And like a hundred other things, because her hobbies include saving the planet, what about you, punk? Find out how the ocean’s doing, who should be responsible for keeping it clean, how representation is a nightmare on ocean conservation boards just like everywhere else, and finally, the seafood you definitely should and should not be eating.  Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message! Links:  Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on Twitter Ocean Collectiv Dr. Johnson’s work for National Geographic Dr. Johnson on FundingTheOcean.org  Will the Ocean Ever Run Out Of Fish? (cartoon) Seafood Watch by Monterey Bay Aquarium (app) Billion Oyster Project Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 6, Quinn and Brian meet the queer female volcanologist who wants to change CongressToday's guest is the one and only Jess Phoenix, volcanologist, geologist, and Congressional candidate for CA-25. We discuss her experience in the field, her unlikely move into politics, and the lessons she’s learned as a female scientist that might help others to come. Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links: Jess Phoenix on Twitter Jess 2018 Blueprint Earth Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 5, Quinn and Brian conclude (for now!) their conversations with conservative climate activists, asking: Is climate action worth getting kicked out of Congress? Uniquely qualified to answer is former Congressperson Bob Inglis of South Carolina. Bob’s the founder of RepublicEN.org, a small government, free-enterprise, "we need to save the world" climate action group. Hear how he’s trying to move the (very heavy) GOP needle, and what could possibly persuade current conservatives to risk their seat to save the planet.  Also discussed: sailing, Brian running a marathon vs. Bob, ill-timed construction, and angry juice cleanses.  Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message! Links:  Bob Inglis on Twitter RepublicEN.org Bob’s TED talk Alfred Coffee Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord