Simply Science

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What’s an urban forest? Jun 06, 2024

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In this episode, we’re going to explore the world of urban forests and hear about how they can transform concrete jungles into vibrant livable spaces. We reached out to a couple of experts from the Canadian Forest Service to talk about the ins and outs of urban forest management. This episode is also a double feature, with our friends from the Statistics Canada podcast “Eh-sayers” talking about the ironies of data when it comes to the environment. Both stories share a common theme: “it’s not easy being green.” Recommended Links: • What trees should I plant in an urban forest? (Simply Science Video) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paRluAdUiAw • More Trees to Plant in an Urban Forest (Simply Science Video) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhq3O15LKZw • Download the My Tree app! (NRCan App) – https://natural-resources.canada.ca/our-natural-resources/forests/sustainable-forest-management/my-tree/19974

Is natural hydrogen the solution? Mar 11, 2024

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There seems to be a lot of excitement about natural hydrogen lately. But why is the level of interest peaking now? Could it be part of the solution to the climate crisis? Is it the environmentally friendly game changer everyone is looking for? Or not? To answer those questions and more, we reached out to one of our hydrogen experts, as well as a scientist from the University of Toronto. Recommended Links: • Cleaner Digging with Hydrogen - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/simply-science/cleaner-digging-hydrogen/21757 • The Hydrogen Strategy - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/climate-change/canadas-green-future/the-hydrogen-strategy/23080

Managing our Carbon Emissions Sep 27, 2023

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We, as human beings, find ourselves in a challenging situation when it comes to carbon emissions. Almost everything we do in our modern lives produces carbon emissions, which impact the very environment we live in. Is it possible to maintain our quality of life AND reduce our carbon emissions? Our scientists are working hard to address that issue. Listen to find out how. Recommended Links: • Carbon Management (Natural Resources Canada) - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/carbon-management/4275 • Environment and Climate Change Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html • Mission Innovation - http://mission-innovation.net/ Simply Science Website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg%3Fview_as%3Dsubscriber%253Fsub_confirmation%253D1&token=5be173-1-1594998865448 Simply Science on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRCanScience Simply Science on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Science-580046026023390 Simply Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysciencenrcan/ Simply Science on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-canada

The gold standard of mineral exploration Jun 13, 2023

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We all know metals like gold, copper and nickel are essential to our way of life. Metals are used in just about everything. So how do we make sure that we have a continuous supply of these metals? How do you find new ore deposits to make sure we meet future demand? Our scientists are working hard to specifically address that issue. Listen to find out how. Recommended Links: • Geological Survey of Canada - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/science-and-data/research-centres-and-labs/geological-survey-canada/17100 • Geoscientists Canada - https://geoscientistscanada.ca/ • Prospector and Developers Association of Canada - https://www.pdac.ca/ • Quebec Mineral Exploration Association - https://aemq.org/en/ Simply Science Website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg%3Fview_as%3Dsubscriber%253Fsub_confirmation%253D1&token=5be173-1-1594998865448 Simply Science on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRCanScience Simply Science on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Science-580046026023390 Simply Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysciencenrcan/ Simply Science on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-canada

A heated conversation on heat pumps Feb 21, 2023

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There’s nothing quite like a Canadian winter. Majestic scenery, fun outdoor activities, and brutally cold days that cause your heating bill to skyrocket. Scientists and engineers at Natural Resources Canada believe a promising technology can help reduce your energy consumption, the heat pump. On this episode: What are heat pumps? How do they work? Why is everyone talking about them? Are they right for you? Listen to find out. Recommended Links: • Heating and Cooling With a Heat Pump - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/energy-star-canada/about/energy-star-announcements/publications/heating-and-cooling-heat-pump/6817 • Adapting Heat Pumps to Our Canadian Climate (Simply Science Video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=276AP6Uh5nU • The future of home heating: Hybrid home heating systems offer energy savings and reduce GHG emissions (Simply Science Article) - https://natural-resources.canada.ca/simply-science/the-future-home-heating-hybrid-home-heating-systems-offer-energy-savings-and-reduce-g/22236 Simply Science Website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg%3Fview_as%3Dsubscriber%253Fsub_confirmation%253D1&token=5be173-1-1594998865448 Simply Science on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRCanScience Simply Science on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Science-580046026023390 Simply Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysciencenrcan/ Simply Science on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-canada

The Smoking Hills May 03, 2022

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In Cape Bathurst, where Canada's mainland meets the Arctic Ocean, an entire coastline is burning. Aptly named the Smoking Hills, it's home to a really unique geological feature: a deposit of sedimentary rock that's been burning and smouldering continuously for thousands of years. On this episode, we'll be speaking with a research scientist who visited the hellish landscape to study it first-hand. Recommended Links: New geological research in Canada’s Arctic provides clues about life on Mars - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/new-geological-research-canadas-arctic-provides-clues-about-life-on-mars/24273 How do you do research in the Arctic? (Simply Science Video) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QywOjkDjQa0 Making up for lost time in Canada’s Far North (Simply Science Article) - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/making-for-lost-time-canadas-far-north/24224 Simply Science Website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg%3Fview_as%3Dsubscriber%253Fsub_confirmation%253D1&token=5be173-1-1594998865448 Simply Science on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRCanScience Simply Science on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Science-580046026023390 Simply Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysciencenrcan/ Simply Science on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-canada

Earthquakes in Eastern Canada Mar 03, 2022

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There are, on average, over 4,000 earthquakes in Canada each year. Many of those earthquakes occur in Western Canada, but Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces also see their fair share of seismic events. On this episode, we’ll be speaking with a seismologist who has spent over 30 years studying earthquakes in Eastern Canada. Recommended Links: Earthquakes Canada — https://earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/index-en.php The Great ShakeOut – https://www.shakeoutbc.ca/ Newspaper archives detail 1855 quake that shook the Maritimes (Simply Science Article) – https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/newspaper-archives-detail-1855-quake-shook-the-maritimes/21869 It takes only seconds to save lives (Simply Science Article) – https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/it-takes-only-seconds-save-lives/23896 Can We Predict Earthquakes? (Simply Science Podcast) – https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/can-we-predict-earthquakes-ask-nrcan/22377 Simply Science Website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg%3Fview_as%3Dsubscriber%253Fsub_confirmation%253D1&token=5be173-1-1594998865448 Simply Science on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRCanScience Simply Science on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Science-580046026023390 Simply Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysciencenrcan/ Simply Science on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-canada

Who can take on the spruce budworm? Oct 13, 2021

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On this episode, we’re going to look at a real-life bug battle that rivals Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III! We have with us an entomologist — or bug expert — who’s going to break down this iconic matchup. Make sure to listen to find out which bug is brave enough to take on the spruce budworm. Recommended Links: • Bug fight: the emerald ash borer vs. parasitic wasps (Inspect and Protect podcast) — https://inspection.canada.ca/chronicle-360/inspect-and-protect-podcast/episode-4/eng/1633713369501/1633713370314 • Spruce Budworm (Natural Resources Canada) — https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests/wildland-fires-insects-disturbances/top-forest-insects-and-diseases-canada/spruce-budworm/13383 • Digging Up Dirt on the Spruce Budworm (Simply Science podcast) — https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/digging-dirt-on-the-spruce-budworm/22633 • Slowing Down the Spruce Budworm (Simply Science podcast) — https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/slowing-down-the-spruce-budworm-ask-nrcan/22113 • When ‘bringing your work home’ means ‘make room in the fridge’ (Simply Science article) — https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/when-bringing-your-work-home-means-make-room-the-fridge/23068 • Slowing Down the Spruce Budworm (Simply Science video) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FAXH0JGLjA Simply Science Website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg%3Fview_as%3Dsubscriber%253Fsub_confirmation%253D1&token=5be173-1-1594998865448 Simply Science on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRCanScience Simply Science on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Science-580046026023390 Simply Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysciencenrcan/ Simply Science on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-canada

Reducing Methane Emissions Jun 29, 2021

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We use methane every day to heat our homes, grow our food, create fertilizers and produce things like hydrogen that we use in clean fuel cells. But methane is a really potent greenhouse gas and a significant contributor to global warming. On this episode, we discuss what is methane, how we use it, and how we can reduce the amount we release in the atmosphere. Recommended Links: Emissions Reduction Fund (Natural Resources Canada) – https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-and-data/funding-partnerships/funding-opportunities/current-funding-opportunities/emissions-reduction-fund/22781 Environment and Climate Change Canada - https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html Climate and Clean Air Coalition (Methane) - https://www.ccacoalition.org/en/slcps/methane Simply Science Website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg%3Fview_as%3Dsubscriber%253Fsub_confirmation%253D1&token=5be173-1-1594998865448 Simply Science on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRCanScience Simply Science on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Science-580046026023390 Simply Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysciencenrcan/ Simply Science on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-canada

The Future of Sable Island Mar 16, 2021

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Southeast of mainland Nova Scotia sits "Sable Island", a small crescent shaped island home to magnificent wild horses and one-of-a-kind wildlife. But with the potential impacts of climate change on sensitive coastal areas, can a small island made entirely of sand survive the forces of nature in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean? On this episode, we talk to scientists with new research examining the future of Sable Island. Recommended Links: Sable Island National Park Reserve (Parks Canada) – https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ns/sable Sable Island National Park Reserve (Parks Canada Facebook) – https://www.facebook.com/SableIslandNPR/ Geological Survey of Canada (Natural Resources Canada) – https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/science-data/research-centres-labs/geological-survey-canada/17100 Sable Island Institute – https://sableislandinstitute.org/ Friends of Sable Island – www.sableislandfriends.ca Jordan Eamer on Twitter – https://twitter.com/CoastalEamer Simply Science Website: www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fchannel%2FUCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg%3Fview_as%3Dsubscriber%253Fsub_confirmation%253D1&token=5be173-1-1594998865448 Simply Science on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NRCanScience Simply Science on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Science-580046026023390 Simply Science on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplysciencenrcan/ Simply Science on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/natural-resources-canada

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