Global Issues - Most Popular

Innovations that address global challenges such as education, environment, and health (more)

Global Issues

Craig Venter - Genetics and Environmental Sustainability

Can environmental sustainability be supported by genetics? In this audio interview, Craig Venter, a pioneer in genetic research, discusses some of his key discoveries that are advancing the state of science in genomics and synthetic life. He shares how, in his current work on DNA programming and building synthetic organisms, he is using the building blocks of life to approach society's most pressing problems such as energy and food.

Global Issues

Dan Burden - Environmental Sustainability in Walking Cities

Dan Burden has studied and defined what makes for a pedestrian-friendly community. Even more important, he knows why such places are so valuable for everyone—walkers and drivers alike. In this audio lecture, Burden discusses why walkability is crucial to the sustainability of communities, and what they can do to encourage it.

Offsetting Green Guilt - Thumbnail

Offsetting Green Guilt

By Matthew J. Kotchen 6

Voluntary carbon offsets allow people to invest in projects that allegedly counteract their greenhouse gas emissions. But can voluntary offsets help slow global warming? Or are offsets a way for consumers to buy their way out of bad feelings?

Tackling HIV - Thumbnail

Tackling HIV

By Corey Binns

Grassroot Soccer uses the world’s most popular sport to educate kids in sub-Saharan Africa about HIV and its prevention.

From the Ground Up - Thumbnail
Environment

From the Ground Up

By Brandon Keim

Part academic institution, part activist group, part think tank, ATREE crosses sectors to breed a new species of conservation agency in India.

Books to Grow On - Thumbnail

Books to Grow On

By Aaron Dalton

How did Room to Read create more than 5,000 libraries in less than eight years? The media have largely focused on founder John Wood as the catalytic figure in the organization's success story. Of equal importance, however, is Room to Read's solid and replicable operational choices.

Global Issues

Panel Discussion - Recycling’s Role in Environmental Sustainability

In this education podcast, a panel of experts debates the importance of recycling in the effort to achieve environmental sustainability. Those against argue that recycling at the household level doesn't lead to the perceived benefits, but instead wastes more money and precious time. Those in favor argue that we are nearing a resource crisis that can be mitigated by the re-use of recycled material. Due to brief profanity, this program may not be appropriate for work or family listening.