Science Behind the Glass: illuminating the human side

Chemistry for a Sustainable World with professor Adam Lee

We dive into the fascinating world of atoms and molecules, focusing on their significant impact on our journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Join us as we explore the insights of Professor Adam Lee, a leading chemist whose research is paving the way for revolutionary changes in energy production and manufacturing. Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations. 🎯 In this episode, you will learn: • Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations. • How turning toxic waste from African oil crops into nylon and biodiesel can transform rural economies. • What solar panel waste has to do with the future of batteries — and why the solution takes just one millisecond. • How a tiny silver-infused material is changing the way hospitals treat burn victims — without turning anyone blue. • Why Prof. Lee thinks the biggest obstacle to a sustainable future isn't science at all — it's economics, policy, and what we choose to do with education. Timestamps: 03:58 Working Across Continents: How Culture and Geography Shape the Science You Do 06:30 Buffel Grass and Invasive Plants: Local Problems as Global Opportunities 09:14 Waste Valorisation: Turning Toxic African Oil Waste Into Nylon and Biodiesel 14:44 What Is Catalysis? The Invisible Engine Behind 35% of the World's GDP 20:26 Nanomaterials Explained: The Lego Analogy That Changes Everything 20:55 Plastic Recycling: Why Chemical Recycling Is the Real Breakthrough We Need 27:35 Nature-Based Catalysis: How the Human Cell Inspired a New Research Approach 46:20 Where Is the Hope? Why an Economist Might Save the Planet Before a Chemist 51:58 The Ivory Tower Problem: Why Science Funding and Public Education Are Under Threat References → Abbas et al. (incl. Adam F. Lee & Karen Wilson). "Catalysis at the Intersection of Sustainable Chemistry and a Circular Economy." One Earth, Cell Press, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.04.018 https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00208-2 [https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00208-2] → Adam Lee — Editor-in-Chief, Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (open-access journal). Scilight Press. https://www.sciltp.com/journals/csc [https://www.sciltp.com/journals/csc] → Challenges and Opportunities in Recycling Technology of Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Solar Panels." Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2025. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-025-00692-3 [https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-025-00692-3]

The Invisible Price of Nature with Dr Cesar Ruiz

What is a forest worth? A river? The air you breathe? In a world where economic development often overshadows environmental sustainability, understanding the intricate relationship between biology and economics is crucial. In this enlightening episode of Science and the Glass, Cesar Augusto Ruiz Agudelo shares his journey from biology to economics, emphasising the importance of valuing nature beyond mere numbers. What you will learn in this podcast: • The valuation of ecosystems cannot be reduced to a monetary price; there are values and relationships that no monetary metric fully captures. • The predominance of GDP growth distorts the perception of progress. GDP masks social and ecological losses, reducing development to a material metric. • Economic incentives can be powerful, but dangerously reductive. • Socio-ecological resilience offers a comprehensive view of vulnerability. • Effective communication and social networks are key to generating change. Timestamps: 01:06 César’s Journey: From Biology to Ecosystem Economics 08:15 Types of Value: Relational, Intrinsic, and Instrumental 24:48 Environmental Economics in Practice: Policy, Incentives, and Context 36:18 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Its Global Impact 45:00 Socio-Ecological Resilience: Systems, Tipping Points, and Identity 55:00 Colombia Case Study: Mangroves, Violence, and Real-World Valuation 1:03:27 Science, Advocacy, and How to Speak Truth to Power Follow us: Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1] References IPBES – Global Assessment (Resumen para tomadores de decisiones) https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274 [https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274] IPBES – Summary for policymakers (PDF) https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf [https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf] La importancia del capital natural (Anthesis Colombia) https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/ [https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/] “The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Colombia. Challenges, Gaps and Future Pathways” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways]

El precio invisible de la naturaleza con el Dr Cesar Ruiz

¿Cuánto vale un bosque? ¿Y un río? ¿Y el aire que respiras? Para el PIB, la respuesta es simple: nada. Solo cuentan cuando se explotan. El Dr. Cesar Ruiz es experto en capital natural y servicios ecosistémicos. En este episodio nos explica por qué la economía global está construida sobre una base que no mide, por qué Colombia es un caso de estudio único en el mundo, y qué herramientas existen para cambiar la forma en que valoramos la naturaleza. Que aprenderá en este podcast: · La valoración de los ecosistemas no puede reducirse a un precio monetario; existen valores y relaciones que ninguna métrica monetaria capta por completo. · El predominio del crecimiento del PIB distorsiona la percepción de progreso. El PIB oculta pérdidas sociales y ecológicas, reduciendo el desarrollo a una métrica material. · Incentivos económicos pueden ser poderosos, pero peligrosamente reductores · La resiliencia socioecológica ofrece una visión integral de la vulnerabilidad · La comunicación efectiva y las redes sociales son clave para generar cambio Lista de Capitulos: 00:00 La Conexión entre Naturaleza y Economía 03:00 Valoración de la Naturaleza y Servicios Ecosistémicos 08:58 Retos de la Valoración Económica 12:03 Impacto del PIB en la Naturaleza 14:50 Instrumentos Económicos para la Conservación 22:18 Instrumentos Económicos y su Efectividad 24:48 Incentivos y Comportamiento Económico 30:24 El Valor del Capital Natural 36:18 Resiliencia Socioecológica y su Aplicación Encuentranos en: www.sciencebehindheglass.com [http://www.sciencebehindheglass.com] Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1] Referencias IPBES – Global Assessment (Resumen para tomadores de decisiones) https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274 [https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274] IPBES – Summary for policymakers (PDF) https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf [https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf] La importancia del capital natural (Anthesis Colombia) https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/ [https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/] “The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Colombia. Challenges, Gaps and Future Pathways” https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways]

Cuando la ley falla al planeta: Irán, guerra y ecocidio

Mientras el mundo mira, miles de personas están muriendo, 700.000 fueron desplazadas en Líbano, una escuela de niñas fue bombardeada y nadie responde ante la justicia internacional. ¿Por qué? Porque el sistema está roto, y el país más poderoso del mundo es quien lo está quebrando. El Profesor Gary Meyers, experto en derecho internacional, vuelve por tercera vez para explicarnos, sin filtros y sin tecnicismos innecesarios, lo que está pasando en Irán, por qué la Corte Penal Internacional tiene las manos atadas y cómo esta guerra ya está golpeando tu bolsillo, aunque vivas a miles de kilómetros de distancia. Lista de Capitulos: 00:06 – El contexto que nadie te explica: Irán 1953, Mosadegh y el golpe que lo cambió todo 02:21 – Derecho internacional: ¿puede la CPI actuar cuando ningún país la reconoce? 07:11 – Crisis humanitaria: 700.000 desplazados en Líbano y el bombardeo de una escuela 12:10 – Trump fue a la guerra sin permiso del Congreso. ¿Eso es legal? 15:45 – Defensa preventiva vs. defensa anticipatoria: el argumento legal de EE.UU. 18:00 – La amenaza nuclear: lo que realmente dijo el OIEA y por qué importa 27:02 – Ecocidio, petróleo y cómo esta guerra ya está subiendo los precios donde tú vives Encuentranos en: www.sciencebehindheglass.com [http://www.sciencebehindheglass.com] Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1] Referencias 1. Análisis jurídico más completo disponible en español 🔗 Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (Argentina) "La legalidad internacional de la intervención de EE.UU. e Israel en Irán: un análisis a la luz de la Carta de las Naciones Unidas" → www.iri.edu.ar [http://www.iri.edu.ar] 2. Análisis académico sobre la CPI e Israel 🔗 Dialnet / Revista Peace & Security "La Corte Penal Internacional y los crímenes internacionales cometidos por Israel en Territorios Palestinos Ocupados" → dialnet.unirioja.es [http://dialnet.unirioja.es] 3. Noticias ONU en español — Internacionalización del conflicto 🔗 news.un.org/es [http://news.un.org/es] "Israel-Irán: La internacionalización del conflicto tendría consecuencias enormes" 4. El más completo sobre impacto ambiental — en español 🔗 Observatorio de Ecología Política de Venezuela "Guerra y devastación ecológica en el Medio Oriente" → ecopoliticavenezuela.org [http://ecopoliticavenezuela.org] 5.La factura ambiental en cifras concretas 🔗 Ambientum (España) "La guerra en Irán deja una factura ambiental y sanitaria que durará décadas" → ambientum.com [http://ambientum.com]

When Law Fails the Planet: The Iran War, Nuclear Fears, and the Ecocide

The world has rules. Powerful nations just don't follow them. Professor Gary Meyers returns to Science Behind The Glass to break down the legal vacuum behind today's most dangerous conflict, and what it means for all of us. Main topics: * ICC & jurisdiction — why the US, Israel, and Iran are untouchable * US strikes Iran — no Congress, no mandate, no consequences * Nuclear enrichment — Iran at 60%, far beyond civilian use * Humanitarian collapse — 700K displaced, a girls' school bombed, Gaza ongoing * Rules-based order — is international law already dead? Timestamps * 00:00 Introduction and Context of Current Events * 02:10 Legal Complexities in International Relations * 04:26 Humanitarian and Environmental Catastrophes * 06:54 Military Actions and International Law * 08:46 The Role of the International Criminal Court * 08:57 US Military Strategy and War Powers * 11:14 Preventive Self-Defense and International Law * 16:50 Preventive and Anticipatory Self-Defense * 18:26 Nuclear Threats and International Oversight * 21:39 Western Perspectives on Iran's Threat * 23:15 European Union's Role and Responses * 25:36 Economic Implications of the Conflict * 27:47 The Cost of War and Public Sentiment * 28:58 Hate Speech Legislation and Political Discourse * 31:09 Environmental Impact of Warfare Follow us: nstagram: sciencebehindtheglass X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988 FB: Science behind the Glass TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1 [https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1] References https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/3/iaea-confirms-some-damage-to-irans-natanz-nuclear-facility [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/3/iaea-confirms-some-damage-to-irans-natanz-nuclear-facility] https://ceobs.org/iran-war-environmental-risk-overview-as-of-27th-march/ [https://ceobs.org/iran-war-environmental-risk-overview-as-of-27th-march/] https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/9/israeli-attacks-on-iran-fuel-sites-aim-to-break-resilience-of [https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/9/israeli-attacks-on-iran-fuel-sites-aim-to-break-resilience-of] IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) - Official updates on Iran’s nuclear programme and safety assessments: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/topics/iran [https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/topics/iran] https://apnews.com/hub/iran [https://apnews.com/hub/iran]