Chemistry for a Sustainable World with professor Adam Lee

Te Awa Puketapu: When Language is Power, Family, and Revolution

Some women don't just lead, they are warriors. Today's guest is one of them. Te Awa Puketapu, is a Māori language champion, social leader, and an extraordinary force for change in Aotearoa New Zealand. Of Ngāi Tuhoe, Ngāti Ruapani, and Te Atiawa descent, Te Awa was raised speaking te reo Māori and was among the very first children ever enrolled in a Kōhanga Reo in 1982. That early immersion didn't just give her a language, it gave her a purpose. From the Office of the Children's Commissioner to Hutt City Council, she has spent her career fighting for Māori whānau (family), children, and communities. As a 2022 Atlantic Fellow for Social Equity, she is now boldly shaping the next forty years of te reo Māori revitalisation, putting language sovereignty, Māori-led solutions, and the next generation of leaders front and centre. She is a warrior. She is a leader. She is inspiration. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Māori Identity and Culture 02:47 The Treaty of Waitangi: Historical Context and Misinterpretations 05:51 Language Revitalization: The Kohanga Reo Movement 09:02 The Importance of Language in Shaping Worldview 11:59 Connection to Nature: Māori Perspectives 14:47 The Role of Women in Māori Society 17:48 Navigating Colonial Systems: Challenges and Resurgence 20:59 Community Support and Collective Action 23:56 Inspiration and Hope for the Future 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 Strochlic, N. "The Race to Save the World's Disappearing Languages." National Geographic, April 16, 2018. Awarau, A. "The Māori saved their language from extinction. Here's how." National Geographic, June 28, 2024. https://www.socialequity.atlanticfellows.org/fellows-search/te-awa-puketapu [https://www.socialequity.atlanticfellows.org/fellows-search/te-awa-puketapu]

Química: la solución para un mundo sostenible con el profesor 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]

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]