In this collection of presentations, interviews, and resources we consider the management of the resources that are necessary for modern life. We examine our resources in terms of the issues that we must resolve and the innovations that are being introduced from many areas of science and technology.
SftP Videos: Energy and Resources
"Green" Batteries for Renewable Energy: How About Rhubarb?
05/23/17 The great potential of ordinary plants in the development of "green" batteries. Alán Aspuru-Guzik
A Potential Solution to the Methane Problem
03/29/22 An innovation attracting great interest: an abundant, inexpensive clay might be used to remove the greenhouse gas methane from the atmosphere. Desiree Plata
Carbon Capture and Conversion
07/19/21 A carbon capture innovation that can produce useful, products, including non-polluting transportation fuels. Sami Khan
Carbon Capture and Storage Will Not Reduce Global Warming
02/09/24 GBH Forum Network webinar (noon ET) The extreme level of atmospheric CO2 is well beyond a “capture and storage/sequestration” solution, yet the hype persists that some clever extraction innovation will resolve the problem. Charles Harvey
Cooler Smarter
06/28/12 A co-author of the new book from the Union of Concerned Scientists describes how individuals can substantially reduce their carbon footprints while creating a healthy lifestyle...Jeff Deyette
Designing Sustainable Urban Development
11/25/19 How the world-class Sustainable Design Lab at MIT combines architecture, engineering, physics --and creative genius-- to design the optimal urban environment. Christoph Reinhart
Distinguishing Scientific Facts from Disinformation and Distortion
04/05/22 How can we distinguish scientific facts from disinformation? This Union of Concerned Scientists writer battles distortion on a regular basis. Elliott Negin
Energy Revolution!
05/21/15 Conversion to wind and solar power is entirely possible now in the U.S. Mara Prentiss
Fracking: The Facts and Issues
11/12/13 A panel of experts presents the known scientific, health and environmental facts about fracking. Phartiyal_Pallavi, Aaron Bernstein, William Moomaw, Andrew Rosenberg
From Sea-Sponge to Skyscraper: Bioinspired Engineering
11/16/20 The structure of a humble marine organism inspires mechanical engineers and architects in the design of skyscrapers, massive bridges and other challenging projects. Matheus Fernandes
Hard Facts about Carbon Capture and Storage
05/18/22 Just how effective is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), the much-promoted solution to the excess atmospheric CO2 from fossil fuels? June Sekera and Neva Goodwin
Harnassing Geothermal Energy
10/11/22 Geothermal energy is an ideal source of renewable energy, but it can be hard to access. Here's a plan. Paul Woskov
Harvesting Electricity Out of Thin Air
10/24/23 Imagine a future world in which clean electricity is available anywhere you go. The generic Air-gen effect innovation means that this future world can become a reality. Jun Yao
How "Clean" Is Blue Hydrogen Energy?
01/11/2022 Is the hype about blue hydrogen as a "clean" energy resource valid? A major investigation emphatically contradicts the "clean" claim. Robert Howarth
Innovations for the People: The GEAR Lab at MIT
10/19/20 The Global Engineering and Research (GEAR) Lab produces cost-saving, practical innovations that make a real difference for developing nations: home-use desalination, drip irrigation -and many other solutions. Amos Winter
Innovations in Clean Water Technology
12/20/11 Desalination offers a solution to the water shortage problem... John Lienhard V
Power Plants and the Freshwater Crisis
06/25/13 The cooling systems of power plants use an enormous percentage of our diminishing freshwater supply. What's the solution? John Rogers
Public Acceptance of Wind Energy in Massachusetts: Factors, Implications
05/14/13 Why public acceptance of wind power can differ from one community to another. Maria Petrova
Renewable Energy Progress --Despite Resistance from the Fossil Fuel Industry
11/10/15 What we can do to speed up the transition to renewable energy, despite Big Oil's well funded resistance. Jeff Deyette
Replacing Plastic: The Merits of Shrilk
02/04/14 Materials scientist Javier Fernandez discusses the "plastisphere" crisis and how it motivated the development of biodegradable "shrilk."
Science Outreach Programs for Youth
10/16/12 How university educational outreach programs encourage high school students' interest in science. Irene Porro
Solar Energy the Third Way
02/14/12 Efficient production of solar energy with solar thermo-electric generators (STEGs)... Gang Chen
Solar Thermoelectric Alternative Energy
10/25/11 A nanotechnology innovation designed to significantly improve production of solar energy. Gang Chen
The Bionic Leaf: Clean Energy for All
08/02/22 A unique innovation based on photosynthesis, the bionic leaf can potentially produce energy and fuel inexpensively --and in a localized manner. Daniel Nocera
The D-Lab at MIT: Engineering by and for Developing Nations
11/01/11 An award-winning MIT lab engineers practical necessities for impoverished nations. Amy Smith
The D-Lab at MIT: The People's Engineering Team
05/29/13 The award-winning D-Lab's unique approach to improving lives in the poorest nations. Amy Smith
The Great Potential of Offshore WInd Farms
05/07/19 How effective are offshore wind farms in nations that have developed them, and why has the US been especially slow to adapt such an important energy resource? Andrew Myers
The Push for Renewable Energy
06/26/16 An author-activist urges public engagement to ensure the transition to renewable energy. Philip Warburg
The Urban Future: On Earth...and Elsewhere
12/05/23 GBH Forum Network webinar (noon). By 2050, some 75 percent of the world population will live in cities. Future urban design will emphasize not only innovative architecture and engineering, but optimal environmental and social aspects of city dwelling also. The urban future might also include settlements beyond Earth. Justin Hollander
The War on Science: What We Need to Do
11/27/18 The anti-science mentality and policies threaten public health, environment, and safety --and also our progress in many scientific fields. What we need to do. Andrew Rosenberg
There Is More Than Enough Renewable Energy
03/06/18 Irrefutable evidence for why we should --and can-- transition to renewable energy without delay. Mara Prentiss
Why Are We Spending Billions on Carbon Capture and Storage?
09/20/22 Despite the hype, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is not a solution to the CO2 problem. Charles Harvey