CrowdScience - Can we turn deserts green?

Can we turn the world’s deserts green? CrowdScience listener Youcef is captivated by the idea of bringing water back to Earth’s driest landscapes. With sea levels rising and huge stretches of land drying out each year, he wonders whether redirecting seawater inland could offer a solution to both problems. Presenter Alex Lathbridge sets out to investigate… starting with a kettle of salty water.

Alex speaks with scientists about how deserts form, and how human actions like overgrazing can tip a fragile grassland into a barren landscape. He learns how the brightness of bare sand affects local weather, reducing cloud formation and rainfall. Researcher Yan Li reveals how huge solar and wind farms could darken and roughen the Sahara’s surface enough to double its rainfall, potentially kickstarting a self-reinforcing cycle of vegetation and moisture.

But what about deserts where clouds already drift overhead? In the Atacama – one of the driest places on Earth – geographer Virginia Carter shows how fog harvesting nets can coax litres of fresh water from the air.

Alex also investigates desalination, where professor Chris Sansom is trying to harness solar power to remove the salt from seawater without burning vast amounts of fossil fuels. It’s promising, but can it reduce the impact of rising sea levels? And what do you do with all the salt that’s left over?

Climate scientist Alan Condron proposes an even wilder idea: towing kilometre-sized icebergs from Antarctica to parched nations. His models show it might be possible, but the logistics verge on science fiction.

Finally, plant scientist Zinnia Gonzalez Carranza warns that greening deserts isn’t just about adding water. Introducing new species, even hardy ones like mesquite, can trigger ecological chaos and harm the very communities who depend on these landscapes.

Presenter: Alex Lathbridge

Producer: Sam Baker

Editor: Ben Motley

Photo: Palm trees - stock photo Credit: danymages via Getty Images)

Stuff They Don't Want You To Know - The Horrifying Mysteries of Chicago’s Ripper Crew

Warning: This episode contains graphic, accurate descriptions of unclean actions, and may not be appropriate for all listeners.

In 1981 and 1982, an horrific series of murders and mutilation gripped Chicago. Ultimately, investigators found four men guilty of the crimes: Edward Spreitzer, brothers Andrew and Thomas Kokoraleis, and the alleged ringleader, Robin Gecht. However, as Ben, Matt and Dylan discover in tonight's episode, three of the criminals seemed unable to explain what, exactly, led to their depraved acts. Gecht, they argued, had supernatural powers of compulsion.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

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Federalist Radio Hour - Inside The Complex Policy Battle Over AI

On this episode of The Federalist Radio Hour, Neil Chilson, former FTC chief technologist and head of AI policy at the Abundance Institute, joins Federalist Senior Elections Correspondent Matt Kittle to sort through the fact and fiction about artificial intelligence, explain AI's role in the job market, health care, and politics, and examine the legal challenges that come with governing its use.

You can find Chilson's book Getting Out of Control: Emergent Leadership in a Complex World here

If you care about combating the corrupt media that continue to inflict devastating damage, please give a gift to help The Federalist do the real journalism America needs.  

In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons - WBEZ’s Weekly News Recap: Dec. 5, 2025

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson battles alders over a competing budget proposal. Northwestern agrees to pay $75 million in a deal with the federal government. A new independent candidate enters the race for retiring Congressman Chuy Garcia’s seat. Gov. Pritzker signs legislation allowing Illinois to set its own vaccination guidelines. In the Loop breaks down those stories and more with Axios Chicago reporter Carrie Shepherd, WTTW Chicago politics reporter Heather Cherone and Chicago Sun-Times politics reporter Mitchell Armentrout. For a full archive of In the Loop interviews, head over to wbez.org/intheloop.

State of the World from NPR - Two Surprising Economic Stories from China

Today’s episode explores a pair of business stories in China that may be unexpected. We hear about the robust service industry springing up as young people in China increasingly choose having pets over having children. And we go to the Chinese town where nearly all of an iconic Russian handicraft are actually produced.

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Philosophers In Space - Hazbin Hotel and Critiquing Universalism

Once again, I want to open with "I'm sorry" for all of this. If you're considering condemning us to content creator hell for our takes, first consider the question: What Would Charlie Do? Charlie would say, despite our worst takes, we are still redeemable! So, we're doing the first two seasons of Hazbin Hotel and doing a 200 level discussion on universalism about salvation and why it may be the best option for believers but it's still a legitimizing myth. Please don't hate us!

Hazbin Hotel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazbin_Hotel

Support us at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/0G

Join our Facebook discussion group (make sure to answer the questions to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/985828008244018/

Email us at: philosophersinspace@gmail.com

If you have time, please write us a review on iTunes. It really really helps. Please and thank you!

Music by Thomas Smith: https://seriouspod.com/

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Headlines From The Times - Trump Escalates Attacks on Somali Immigrants, CBS Plans Primetime Erika Kirk Special, California Unemployment Set to Rise, Costco Challenges Tariffs in Court

President Trump’s remarks targeting Somali immigrants and Rep. Ilhan Omar escalate tensions as federal agents prepare enforcement actions in Minnesota. CBS News announces a primetime special featuring Erika Kirk, marking Editor in Chief Bari Weiss’ on-camera debut and signaling a shift in the network’s editorial approach. In business, a new UCLA report warns California’s unemployment rate will rise as immigration policies hit specific regions and Costco sues the Trump administration to halt global tariffs and recover billions in import duty payments.

What Next | Daily News and Analysis - SchadenFriday Plus: Feelin’ Nuzzi

Olivia Nuzzi’s book, American Canto, is out. Somehow it discloses almost nothing and also way, way too much.

Guest: Scaachi Koul, Slate senior writer.

This episode is member-exclusive. Listen to it now by subscribing to Slate Plus. By joining, not only will you unlock exclusive episodes of What Next —you’ll also access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the What Next show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/whatnextplus to get access wherever you listen.

Podcast production by Elena Schwartz, Paige Osburn, Anna Phillips, Madeline Ducharme, and Rob Gunther.

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CoinDesk Podcast Network - Binance’s Yi He and Richard Teng Detail Path to One Billion Users

Binance's vision with co-CEOs Richard Teng and Yi He.

Binance co-CEO Richard Teng and newly announced co-CEO Yi He join CoinDesk Live, presented by Celo, from Binance Blockchain Week to share their vision for the company as they move toward 2026. Plus, they unveil their user-focused strategy, the exponential growth of the ecosystem, and their commitment to working with regulators globally, citing the UAE as a forward-thinking region.

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This episode was hosted by Jennifer Sanasie and Sam Ewen.