Tropical Forests Pay Price for Gold Rush

Tropical Forests Pay Price for Gold Rush

Author: Scientific American January 21, 2015 Duration: 2:43
Desire for gold has made mining in tropical forests financially worthwhile, leading to ecosystem destruction. Cynthia Graber reports  

From the trusted pages of Scientific American comes 60-Second Earth, a weekly audio snapshot dedicated to the planet's most pressing stories. Each episode is a compact, carefully researched report that cuts through the noise, delivering clear insights into environmental science, climate research, and the evolving technologies that shape our energy future. You'll hear updates on everything from shifting ecosystems and conservation efforts to breakthroughs in renewable power and policy debates, all grounded in scientific rigor. The beauty of this podcast lies in its efficiency; it respects your time while deepening your understanding of the natural world. Released every Sunday, these minute-long segments are designed to fit seamlessly into your day, offering a quick but substantive dose of knowledge about the forces changing our environment. It’s the perfect way to stay informed on essential earth science without needing to block out a large portion of your schedule, making complex topics accessible and immediately relevant.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

60-Second Earth
Podcast Episodes
Sun's Magnetic Field Boosts Earth Lightning [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:11
When the Sun's magnetic field is pointed away from Earth, lightning strikes in the U.K. go up 50 percent. Christopher Intagliata reports
Protected Areas Get Short Shrift [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:31
Protected land and sea areas serve the wildlife within them as well as the humans who live near them. But countries are backtracking on their financial commitments to these vital regions. Steve Mirsky reports
Clock Ticking on Climate Change Prevention [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:47
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's new synthesis report adds urgency to the need to cut additional greenhouse gas pollution
Bottling the Sun's Power on Earth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:45
A breakthrough in fusion could solve the world's energy problems, but remains improbable. David Biello reports
Wildlife Population Plummeted Since 1970 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:46
A World Wildlife Fund report estimates losses of 40 percent of all individual land and sea animals, and a 70 percent population crash of all river animals, since 1970. David Biello reports
People Power Takes Aim at Climate Change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32
Participlants in the People's Climate March in New York City September 21st hope to persuade world leaders at the U.N. Climate Summit that follows. David Biello reports