Earth & Sky

Much of Earth’s population today depends on rice for food. In the fight against world hunger, David Salt of Purdue University in Indiana is looking for the genes that regulate micronutrients and trying to create a nutrient-packed rice plant.

Scientists have never had an accurate map of ocean currents, until now. Hear about oceanographer Peter Niiler’s recent discoveries about ocean currents, and how the ocean affects climate.

Global warming could push ocean life in new directions, warns Jorge Sarmiento of Princeton University. Hear about Sarmiento’s research on how small temperature changes could have a big impact on ocean biology.

Six dead zones in the past six years, but none before that. That’s what scientists have discovered in the Pacific ocean off the northwest U.S. coast. Marine biologist Jane Lubchenco talk about what might be causing these “virtual wastelands.”

Clear summer skies might be great for picnics, but sea ice does better with some cloud cover. Scientist Jennifer Kay talks about the dramatic loss of sea ice this past summer.

In this Clear Voices for Science podcast, ocean explorer Sylvia Earle talks about the human impact on and by Earth’s ocean, what it’s like to spend a 70th birthday swimming with whale sharks, scuba diving with Mr. Rogers, and more.