28 episodes

From saving the planet to understanding ourselves, this series will see experts discuss the major topics of our times.

IFLScience - The Big Questions IFLScience

    • Science
    • 3.8 • 16 Ratings

From saving the planet to understanding ourselves, this series will see experts discuss the major topics of our times.

    IFLScience - Break It Down

    IFLScience - Break It Down

    Here is a little teaser for our brand new podcast: Break It Down! Coming soon to a podcast app near you...

    • 2 min
    Would You Eat Plant-Based Meat For Christmas Dinner?

    Would You Eat Plant-Based Meat For Christmas Dinner?

    During the holiday season, many of us will be tucking into delicious meals which may well include a whole host of meats. But have you ever thought about going meat-free this time of year? With concerns over the impact of meat consumption on the planet, thoughts are turning to the future of the industry and how the tastes and textures that many people enjoy can be replicated in meat-free alternatives.
    In a bonus holiday episode of IFLScience The Big Questions, available on all platforms, host Eleanor Higgs speaks with Daniel Dikovsky, chief technology officer at Redefine Meat, to find out how scientists and engineers are working to create plant-based, 3D-printed meat alternatives without the environmental impact.

    • 33 min
    Are We Ready For The Next Massive Solar Flare?

    Are We Ready For The Next Massive Solar Flare?

    Solar activity goes through cycles. The main one is about 11 years long and its maximum is marked by powerful eruptions of electromagnetic radiation known as solar flares, as well as releases of plasma known as coronal mass ejections. The most powerful known flare happened in 1859 and led to telegraph stations catching fire across the US, and Northern and Southern Lights becoming visible in the tropics.
    Host Dr Alfredo Carpineti spoke with Dr Ryan French, astronomer at the National Solar Observatory and author of The Sun: Beginner's Guide to Our Local Star, to find out about solar flares and what would happen if a massive one took place today.

    • 23 min
    How Are Glaciers Changing In A Warming World?

    How Are Glaciers Changing In A Warming World?

    The climate crisis is affecting glaciers across the world in myriad ways. Dramatic melting, steep declines, and overall reduction in mass are some of the changes seen in both polar glaciers and the mountainous peaks of every continent. Understanding these changes requires understanding how we monitor these enormous ice masses. The health of glaciers affects the well-being of the populations living near them, but they have far-reaching consequences, such as global sea level rise. 
    Host Dr Alfredo Carpineti spoke with Dr Peter Davis from the British Antarctic Survey about Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, otherwise known as the "Doomsday Glacier". Thwaites is Antarctica's most endangered glacier and studying it is of global importance. 

    • 13 min
    Are E-fuels The Future Of Aviation?

    Are E-fuels The Future Of Aviation?

    As much as everyone enjoys flying abroad for their holidays, the cost of the climate impact might be making people think twice. So what can we do? Aside from paying to offset the carbon, the emergence of a new industry is hoping to change the way we fly. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) or e-fuels are looking to replace traditional fuels as a much greener alternative, but there’s still a long way to go.
    Host Eleanor Higgs spoke with Sophie Zienkiewicz and Alasdair Lumsden, co-founders of Carbon Neutral Fuels, to find out if it might be possible to replace the fuel in our airplanes, capture carbon from the world around us, and provide a carbon-neutral alternative when we take to the sky.

    • 34 min
    What Is Ancient Ice Telling Us About The Future?

    What Is Ancient Ice Telling Us About The Future?

    There are many methods that allow us to look back into Earth’s past and study its climate, including the collection of ice cores. Extracting ancient ice from deep inside some of the most remote glaciers can reveal how our planet has changed over millions of years. But it’s not just about the past: what is ancient ice telling us about the future?
    Host Dr Alfredo Carpineti spoke with Dr Liz Thomas of the Ice Core Research Group at the British Antarctic Survey to discuss how understanding Earth’s changing climate helps refine our models for the future and how the natural world is responding to the unfolding climate crisis.

    • 11 min

Customer Reviews

3.8 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

Ichegoya ,

Love the content but

The sound quality is terrible. The hosts don’t really engage with the guests and it seems awkward. Too many frontloaded ads. But the Content as I said, is good.

CrisTuck ,

Has potential

The solar flare episode was the first one I’ve listened to from this podcast. I would 100% listen to a podcast hosted by the guest, Dr. French. His voice was clear, easy to understand, and he was excited to be speaking about his specialty which amped up my interest.
The host seemed very detached, the sound quality was muffled and it sounded like he was in a bathroom trying not to be heard. He didn’t seem interested in the topic being discussed and his “that’s very interesting” comments fell flat.
I don’t think I’ll be listening to any more episodes but I will gladly return if changes are made.

DreaLove90 ,

Interesting but could be better

This show is good. I like the concept, but I wish the interviewer was more confident. I felt like the people being interviewed were constantly repeating their statements. The all the umms were hard to listen to.

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