The weather forecast sees the world in 25-kilometre squares. Your entire city fits inside one of them — along with the hill, the valley and the coastline that make your weather completely different from the next suburb. Jonathan Ferrer builds AI that fills in what's inside that square.

From a lab in Abu Dhabi, he takes blurry global forecasts and sharpens them to 200 metres: enough to say which streets turn dangerous in a heatwave, or whether a farmer needs to harvest this week. It runs on the same technology that generates images from a text prompt. It starts with static and refines until real weather appears. We talk about whether AI is worth its energy cost, whether this is a bubble, and why he insists that the old-fashioned meteorologists are now more necessary, not less.

Timestamps

• 01:30- From Spain to Australia to Abu Dhabi
• 03:04- Research at the University of Queensland and CSIRO
• 04:03- Why applied science matters for real world impact
• 09:29- Why generative AI matters for weather and climate
• 13:48- Working with governments on climate and infrastructure decisions
• 16:24- Balancing AI cost, energy use, and public value
• 20:57- Ethics, transparency, and energy efficient deployment
• 31:43- Agriculture, crop planning, and localised weather risk
• 35:04- Why traditional models and domain expertise are still essential

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¿Qué tienen en común un iceberg, un poema y tu abuela diciéndote que no abras el refrigerador cuando llegas acalorado? 🌎

Más de lo que crees. En este episodio conocimos al Dr Alfredo Yañez: científico que se fue hasta la Antártida… y poeta que le escribe a la selva maya. Nos habló de por qué a veces la ciencia se queda sin palabras y tiene que pedirle ayuda al arte. No hace falta ser científico. Solo hace falta tener ganas de mirar el mundo distinto.

Capitulos

00:21 La Convergencia entre Arte y Ciencia

01:28 Experiencias en la Antártida

03:29 Microorganismos y su Impacto en el Calentamiento Global

05:45 Conexiones Estéticas en la Ciencia

09:37 La Poesía como Herramienta de Comunicación Científica

13:38 La Influencia de la Naturaleza en la Poesía

18:45 Crecimiento en Chetumal y su Diversidad Cultural

23:25 Creando Comunidades a Través del Aprendizaje

25:36 La Intersección entre Arte y Ciencia

28:24 El Oficio de Escribir y su Relación con la Ciencia

33:24 La Importancia de Dejar un Legado

39:01 La Narrativa de las Leyendas y su Significado

44:04 Reflexiones Finales sobre el Arte y la Vida

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Tenemos nuevo blog! * https://sciencebehindtheglass.com/blog

Referencias Libro: https://share.google/TZ5C13zuADdUtO3ws

¿Y si los seres más subversivos del planeta no tuvieran voz… ni cerebro? Los hongos rompen fronteras, ignoran jerarquías y desarman todo lo que los humanos creíamos ordenado. ¿Son, entonces, los verdaderos anarquistas de la naturaleza? Desde Róterdam, y a partir de la exposición Hongos: los diseñadores de la anarquía, nos sentamos a conversar con la Dra. Karen Muñoz. Hablamos de la muestra, de hongos benéficos y patógenos, de diseño, de ciencia… e incluso de un poema a las ranas. No te pierdas esta conversación.

Capitulos

00:20 Explorando la exposición Hongos Anarquistas

05:03 El papel de los hongos en los ecosistemas

07:35 El arte como medio para comprender la ciencia

10:12 La conexión entre los hongos y la salud humana

13:06 La importancia del equilibrio en los ecosistemas

15:57 La representación artística de los hongos

18:45 El impacto del cambio climático en la biodiversidad21:40 Reflexiones finales y conversaciones por venir

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Referencias

• https://nieuweinstituut.nl/en/projects/fungi-anarchistische-ontwerpers
• https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251125-the-mysterious-black-fungus-from-chernobyl-that-appears-to-eat-radiation
• https://mariafernandacardoso.com/projects/spiders-of-paradise/

Some women don't just lead, they are warriors. Today's guest is one of them. Te Awa Puketapu, is a Māori language champion, social leader, and an extraordinary force for change in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Of Ngāi Tuhoe, Ngāti Ruapani, and Te Atiawa descent, Te Awa was raised speaking te reo Māori and was among the very first children ever enrolled in a Kōhanga Reo in 1982. That early immersion didn't just give her a language, it gave her a purpose.

From the Office of the Children's Commissioner to Hutt City Council, she has spent her career fighting for Māori whānau (family), children, and communities. As a 2022 Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity, she is now boldly shaping the next forty years of te reo Māori revitalisation, putting language sovereignty, Māori-led solutions, and the next generation of leaders front and centre. She is a warrior. She is a leader. She is inspiration.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Māori Identity and Culture

02:47 The Treaty of Waitangi: Historical Context and Misinterpretations

05:51 Language Revitalization: The Kohanga Reo Movement 09:02 The Importance of Language in Shaping Worldview

11:59 Connection to Nature: Māori Perspectives

14:47 The Role of Women in Māori Society

17:48 Navigating Colonial Systems: Challenges and Resurgence 20:59 Community Support and Collective Action

23:56 Inspiration and Hope for the Future

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1

References

Strochlic, N. "The Race to Save the World's Disappearing Languages." National Geographic, April 16, 2018.

Awarau, A. "The Māori saved their language from extinction. Here's how." National Geographic, June 28, 2024.

https://www.socialequity.atlanticfellows.org/fellows-search/te-awa-puketapu

We dive into the fascinating world of atoms and molecules, focusing on their significant impact on our journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Join us as we explore the insights of Professor Adam Lee, a leading chemist whose research is paving the way for revolutionary changes in energy production and manufacturing.

Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations.

🎯 In this episode, you will learn:

• Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations.

• How turning toxic waste from African oil crops into nylon and biodiesel can transform rural economies.

• What solar panel waste has to do with the future of batteries — and why the solution takes just one millisecond.

• How a tiny silver-infused material is changing the way hospitals treat burn victims — without turning anyone blue.

• Why Prof. Lee thinks the biggest obstacle to a sustainable future isn't science at all — it's economics, policy, and what we choose to do with education.

Timestamps:

03:58 Working Across Continents: How Culture and Geography Shape the Science You Do

06:30 Buffel Grass and Invasive Plants: Local Problems as Global Opportunities

09:14 Waste Valorisation: Turning Toxic African Oil Waste Into Nylon and Biodiesel

14:44 What Is Catalysis? The Invisible Engine Behind 35% of the World's GDP

20:26 Nanomaterials Explained: The Lego Analogy That Changes Everything

20:55 Plastic Recycling: Why Chemical Recycling Is the Real Breakthrough We Need

27:35 Nature-Based Catalysis: How the Human Cell Inspired a New Research Approach

46:20 Where Is the Hope? Why an Economist Might Save the Planet Before a Chemist

51:58 The Ivory Tower Problem: Why Science Funding and Public Education Are Under Threat

References

→ Abbas et al. (incl. Adam F. Lee & Karen Wilson). "Catalysis at the Intersection of Sustainable Chemistry and a Circular Economy." One Earth, Cell Press, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.04.018 https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00208-2

→ Adam Lee — Editor-in-Chief, Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (open-access journal). Scilight Press. https://www.sciltp.com/journals/csc

→ Challenges and Opportunities in Recycling Technology of Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Solar Panels." Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2025. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-025-00692-3

We dive into the fascinating world of atoms and molecules, focusing on their significant impact on our journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Join us as we explore the insights of Professor Adam Lee, a leading chemist whose research is paving the way for revolutionary changes in energy production and manufacturing.

Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations.

🎯 In this episode, you will learn:

• Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations.

• How turning toxic waste from African oil crops into nylon and biodiesel can transform rural economies.

• What solar panel waste has to do with the future of batteries — and why the solution takes just one millisecond.

• How a tiny silver-infused material is changing the way hospitals treat burn victims — without turning anyone blue.

• Why Prof. Lee thinks the biggest obstacle to a sustainable future isn't science at all — it's economics, policy, and what we choose to do with education.

Timestamps:

03:58 Working Across Continents: How Culture and Geography Shape the Science You Do

06:30 Buffel Grass and Invasive Plants: Local Problems as Global Opportunities

09:14 Waste Valorisation: Turning Toxic African Oil Waste Into Nylon and Biodiesel

14:44 What Is Catalysis? The Invisible Engine Behind 35% of the World's GDP

20:26 Nanomaterials Explained: The Lego Analogy That Changes Everything

20:55 Plastic Recycling: Why Chemical Recycling Is the Real Breakthrough We Need

27:35 Nature-Based Catalysis: How the Human Cell Inspired a New Research Approach

46:20 Where Is the Hope? Why an Economist Might Save the Planet Before a Chemist

51:58 The Ivory Tower Problem: Why Science Funding and Public Education Are Under Threat

References

→ Abbas et al. (incl. Adam F. Lee & Karen Wilson). "Catalysis at the Intersection of Sustainable Chemistry and a Circular Economy." One Earth, Cell Press, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.04.018 https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00208-2

→ Adam Lee — Editor-in-Chief, Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (open-access journal). Scilight Press. https://www.sciltp.com/journals/csc

→ Challenges and Opportunities in Recycling Technology of Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Solar Panels." Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2025. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-025-00692-3

What is a forest worth? A river? The air you breathe?

In a world where economic development often overshadows environmental sustainability, understanding the intricate relationship between biology and economics is crucial. In this enlightening episode of Science and the Glass, Cesar Augusto Ruiz Agudelo shares his journey from biology to economics, emphasising the importance of valuing nature beyond mere numbers.

What you will learn in this podcast:

• The valuation of ecosystems cannot be reduced to a monetary price; there are values ​​and relationships that no monetary metric fully captures.

• The predominance of GDP growth distorts the perception of progress. GDP masks social and ecological losses, reducing development to a material metric.

• Economic incentives can be powerful, but dangerously reductive.

• Socio-ecological resilience offers a comprehensive view of vulnerability.

• Effective communication and social networks are key to generating change.

Timestamps:

01:06 César’s Journey: From Biology to Ecosystem Economics

08:15 Types of Value: Relational, Intrinsic, and Instrumental

24:48 Environmental Economics in Practice: Policy, Incentives, and Context

36:18 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Its Global Impact

45:00 Socio-Ecological Resilience: Systems, Tipping Points, and Identity

55:00 Colombia Case Study: Mangroves, Violence, and Real-World Valuation

1:03:27 Science, Advocacy, and How to Speak Truth to Power

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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1

References

IPBES – Global Assessment (Resumen para tomadores de decisiones)

https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274

IPBES – Summary for policymakers (PDF)

https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf

La importancia del capital natural (Anthesis Colombia)

https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/

“The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Colombia. Challenges, Gaps and Future Pathways”

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways

¿Cuánto vale un bosque? ¿Y un río? ¿Y el aire que respiras?

Para el PIB, la respuesta es simple: nada. Solo cuentan cuando se explotan.

El Dr. Cesar Ruiz es experto en capital natural y servicios ecosistémicos. En este episodio nos explica por qué la economía global está construida sobre una base que no mide, por qué Colombia es un caso de estudio único en el mundo, y qué herramientas existen para cambiar la forma en que valoramos la naturaleza.

Que aprenderá en este podcast:

· La valoración de los ecosistemas no puede reducirse a un precio monetario; existen valores y relaciones que ninguna métrica monetaria capta por completo.

· El predominio del crecimiento del PIB distorsiona la percepción de progreso. El PIB oculta pérdidas sociales y ecológicas, reduciendo el desarrollo a una métrica material.

· Incentivos económicos pueden ser poderosos, pero peligrosamente reductores

· La resiliencia socioecológica ofrece una visión integral de la vulnerabilidad

· La comunicación efectiva y las redes sociales son clave para generar cambio

Lista de Capitulos:

00:00 La Conexión entre Naturaleza y Economía

03:00 Valoración de la Naturaleza y Servicios Ecosistémicos

08:58 Retos de la Valoración Económica

12:03 Impacto del PIB en la Naturaleza

14:50 Instrumentos Económicos para la Conservación

22:18 Instrumentos Económicos y su Efectividad

24:48 Incentivos y Comportamiento Económico

30:24 El Valor del Capital Natural

36:18 Resiliencia Socioecológica y su Aplicación

Encuentranos en:

www.sciencebehindheglass.com

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Referencias

IPBES – Global Assessment (Resumen para tomadores de decisiones)

https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274

IPBES – Summary for policymakers (PDF)

https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf

La importancia del capital natural (Anthesis Colombia)

https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/

“The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Colombia. Challenges, Gaps and Future Pathways”

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways