Simply Science – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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

Scientists make discoveries by building on previous discoveries made by scientists before them. But what happens when the next generation of scientists is not an accurate representation of the population? What happens when we fail to bring in fresh perspectives? On this episode, we talk about the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the world of science. Recommended Links: Inspiring minds, 17 ways to get excited about STEM - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/inspiring-minds-17-ways-get-excited-about-stem/23335 The Sweet Spot Between Petroleum and Environmental Science - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN_oyb8a6Hs&t=1s CanmetENERGY in Devon - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/energy-offices-and-labs/canmetenergy/5715/devon-ab-research-centre/5743 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

When it comes to nuclear energy, Canada has always been an innovator. This goes all the way back to 1952 with the development of the world-renowned CANDU reactor. Seventy years later, Canada is leading the charge once again. On this episode, we talk about the future of nuclear energy — small modular reactors. Photo Credit: Third Way (https://www.thirdway.org/blog/nuclear-reimagined) Recommended Links: • Nuclear: The Forgotten Clean Energy (Previous Simply Science podcast with Diane Cameron) - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/nuclear-forgotten-clean-energy/20651 • SMR Roadmap - https://smrroadmap.ca/ • Nuclear energy and uranium (Natural Resources Canada)- https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/energy-sources-distribution/nuclear-energy-uranium/7691 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 elm zigzag sawfly, an exotic insect found in Asia and Europe that feeds on elm trees, has never been found in North America… that is until now. On this episode, we talk about how a photo by a nature photographer lead to the discovery of the insect on this side of the pond. Recommended Links: •Citizen scientist spots a newcomer on Canadian elm trees (Simply Science article) - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/citizen-scientist-spots-newcomer-canadian-elm-trees/23000?_ga=2.130340235.50910390.1603122913-952557420.1574967179 •Citizen Science Portal (Industry Canada) - https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_97169.html •Slowing Down the Spruce Budworm (Simply Science podcast) -https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/20299/slowing-down-spruce-budworm-ask-nrcan/22113?_ga=2.88865567.50910390.1603122913-952557420.1574967179 •International Year of Plant Health 2020 - https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/nature/science/conservation/plante-plant •Véronique Martel on Twitter - https://twitter.com/MartelVronique3 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

If you introduce a foreign species to a new environment, even by accident, it can wreak havoc on the ecosystem. On this episode, we talk to a scientist who has been dealing with one of these foreign species, the Asian longhorned beetle. This insect is black and white, about the same length as your thumb, and likes to get around by hitching rides on your car! Links of interest… Asian longhorned beetle (Natural Resources Canada): https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-forestry/wildland-fires-insects-disturban/top-forest-insects-diseases-cana/asian-longhorned-beetle/13369 Asian longhorned beetle (Canadian Food Inspection Agency): https://www.inspection.gc.ca/plant-health/plant-pests-invasive-species/insects/asian-longhorned-beetle/eng/1337792721926/1337792820836 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

Forests provide us with an array of social, economic and environmental benefits, which is why we need to ensure that they stay healthy. Things like natural disasters, pests and resource extractions can pose a problem. On this episode, we talk to a scientist who is working with industry, academia, Indigenous communities and various levels of government to reclaim and restore damaged forest landscapes. Links of interest… Land reclamation and forest science: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-forestry/forest-industry-trade/land-reclamation-forest-science/17876 Simply Science content on forestry and insects: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-forestry/forest-industry-trade/land-reclamation-forest-science/17876 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

Look around! Apollo 11, the smallpox vaccine, the first direct evidence of dark matter in space. These are just a few of the outstanding scientific breakthroughs made possible by women working hard behind the scenes. In this episode we look at how women have helped make science, and our world, what it is today. Do you want to be an arctic explorer, a fossil hunter or a green energy guru? Then stay tuned! International Women's Day – Status of Women Canada: https://cfc-swc.gc.ca/commemoration/iwd-jif/index-en.html NRCan Career Opportunities: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/careers CanmetENERGY in Ottawa: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/offices-labs/canmet/ottawa-research-centre/5753 NSERC Women in Science and Engineering: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Women-Femmes/index_eng.asp International Women’s Day: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/ Women in Science in the Government of Canada: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/h_97436.html Simply Science: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg?view_as=subscriber%3Fsub_confirmation%3D1

The spruce budworm is an insect that eats the needles of fir and spruce, weakening the trees an putting them at risk for disease or even death. As if that wasn't enough, researchers are now looking at the potential impact that spruce budworm outbreaks could have on climate change. On today's episode: killer insects, scientific collaboration and elaborate cheese plates… Slowing Down the Spruce Budworm (podcast) - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/slowing-down-spruce-budworm-ask-nrcan/22113 Eat, Prey, Love – Stopping the Spruce Budworm (article) - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science/20681 Healthy Forest Partnership - http://healthyforestpartnership.ca/ Spruce Budworm – NRCan Website - https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-forestry/wildland-fires-insects-disturban/top-forest-insects-diseases-cana/spruce-budworm/13383 Soil Carbon - https://soilcarbon.org/ Simply Science: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg?view_as=subscriber%3Fsub_confirmation%3D1

Today, we hear from someone who started his career by fighting fires on the ground. Now, he’s turned his sights to the sky. We’re about to find out how a satellite the size of a dishwasher could radically change the way we fight fires in Canada. WildFireSat: Enhancing Canada's ability to manage wildfires, Canadian Space Agency – https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/satellites/wildfiresat/default.asp Forest Fires, Natural Resources Canada – https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/our-natural-resources/forests-forestry/wildland-fires-insects-disturban/forest-fires/13143 Simply Science: https://www.nrcan.gc.ca/simply-science Simply Science YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNbgD_ZfyM6lh1KbemOKfeg?view_as=subscriber%3Fsub_confirmation%3D1