Borg’s Blog

I think everyone ought to listen to this program. Its compelling and offers great examples of high quality pods (programs on demand).

The program begins with a pod discussion with Dean James Gustave Speth of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies entitled The Heart of the Matter. It runs just over 14 minutes. Dean Speth gives an enticing introduction to the issue of environmental protection including climate change. The sound quality is excellent and the use of a moderator helps make the talk more interesting.

This is followed at an hour long pod entitled Seen “An Inconvenient Truth” – Now What? which is a lecture given by Professor Eban Goodstein of Lewis and Clark College. His lecture begins with the words “We stand at the unique moment in human history …” and goes on to point out how society has failed to protect itself from global warming. He continues by explaining the science, economics, and politics involved and calling for involvement in a grassroots movement to save the planet for future generations. He unfortunately refers to visuals that are no available to the pod audience. The pod closes with a 16 minute question and answer period. This lecture may be better offered in segments closer to the length of the average undergraduate student’s attention span. On the other hand, it may be better to respect the lecture by leaving it intact. In the end its a judgement call. The classroom instructor ought to be able to find one or more good TED Talk vods (video on demand) to replace this pod.

It’s not easy being a frog is a wonderful pod. Yale’s Professor David Skelly discusses the affects of the ecology in birth defects among frogs and why we ought to be concerned about it. This 9 minute pod makes use of a female moderator providing an interesting contrast of voices. The program begins and ends with a pleasant bit of piano music in the background. It is well edited and the sound quality is fantastic.

Tropical music sets the mood for Biophillic Design: Opening the door to nature an 8 minute talk by Professor Stephen Keilert of the Tweedy Ordway School of Social Ecology. His message is that nature nurtures man and he is concerned about the affect environmental damage has on human well-being.  He prescribes biophillic architecture to alleviate many of the symptoms.  This is another well assembled pod.

Green to Gold discusses how “going green” can provide a competitive advantage to businesses by reducing costs, reducing risks, expanding markets, and building an environmentally friendly image. Professor Dan Esty shares current success stories and illuminates a hopeful future. This pod makes its point in just under 17 minutes. 

Global Warming and Species Distribution is a 10 minute exploration of the carbon blanket’s affect upon wildlife. 

Poor Countries Pay the Price for Global Warming is a 9 minute presentation of global warming’s affect on the poorest of humanity and a strategy for managing climate change.

Industrial Ecology: Why Waste Waste? is a 9 minute presentation on how China and India are striving for sustainable development through industrial ecology.

Burn Trees, Save Energy suggests using domestic wood as fuel to reduce dependence on foreign oil. This compelling argument is made in less than 6 minutes.

Predator Prey Plant Connection is a 6 minute video exploration of the role predators play in the ecology. The video is vivid and often breathtaking.

Calculating the Cost of Climate Change discusses how reducing carbon emissions can positively impact the U. S. economy in this 4 minute vod.

Dr. James Gustave Speth makes his appeal to take a more realistic approach to assissing economic growth in The Environment and Economy in Conflict. This 5 minute vod asks us to evaluate our long-term priorities when considering economic expansion.

This is an outstanding series and stands as a shining example of what academics ought to strive for in their pods. It expresses it point eloquently and compels the audience to reflective action.