Episode 19 - Intersecting Ecological and Human Health with Kathleen Wolf
In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a Dr. Kathleen Wolf, researcher and social scientist specializing in the intersection of nature and human health and wellbeing. Dr. Wolf focused her research on the human dimensions of urban forestry and urban green space, in particular studying nearby nature experiences and human health response. She has numerous publications to her name, aimed at building better knowledge of the social and psychological benefits that city trees and nearby nature provide, and sharing that across non-traditional audiences, including business, public health, medicine, and urban planning. Today, although semi-retired she continues to be active in research and science outreach, looking at ways in which the human experience is enhanced through the natural systems around us. Join us for a conversation on how human health responds to the natural world, and the ways in which we can incorporate those impacts into our design process.
Episode 18 - Exploring Health, Equity, and Climate with Gail Vittori
In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with a luminary of sustainable built environment systems, Gail Vittori. Gail is the Co-Director of the Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, and has lead the way in the field of sustainable health care and resilient building. Through her career she has led innovative resilience strategies and explored ways to enhance the built environment for this and future generations, such as the proposal of a conceptual framework for what became the City of Austin's Green Building Program, widely considered the first green building program in the world. She is also the co-author of Sustainable Healthcare Architecture, a seminal work on the design and operations of sustainable healthcare facilities which promote healing and wellbeing through their design and interface with natural systems. Join us for a conversation on the power of the natural world, and the important ability it has to enhance our wellbeing.
Episode 17 - Blazing a Green Roof Trail with Tom Liptan
In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with green roof pioneer Tom Liptan, one of the key figures in launching the green roof market in North America, to discuss the growths and changes in the green roof industry and where it could go from here. Tom’s journey with green roofs began out of his own interest, building a green roof by himself on his garage, and over time grew to influence his work with the city of Portland and his thinking about urban ecosystems and climate resilience. He has been a key figure in the growth and development of the green roof industry and the thinking around North American stormwater management through green infrastructure. Join us for a conversation on the early days of North American green roofs, climate resilience, and reflections on an illustrious career in green infrastructure.
Episode 16 - Leading Climate Action with Cynthia Rosenzweig
In this episode, Sustainable Futures sits down with climate science pioneer Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig to discuss the impacts and opportunities of climate change on our urban environments and how we can create more resilient communities. Dr. Rosenzweig’s work has been at the forefront of climate science and resilience planning for decades leading large-scale interdisciplinary research studies on the impacts of climate change in both rural and urban settings. Her research has shaped how we understand the close relationship between food and climate change, most notably predicting the impacts of the interaction between climate and food systems. Join us for a conversation on climate, progress, and how one of our premier climate researchers maintains her positivity for the future.
Episode 6 - Green Infrastructure Among the Stars
This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Dr. Mike Dixon, PhD to discuss his futuristic work in developing a biological life support system based on plants for the International Space program through the Space and Advanced Life Support Agriculture (SALSA) program at the University of Guelph. Join us for a conversation on his vision for the future of sustainability, long term interstellar habitation, and opportunities for his work to improve the lives of people on Earth.
Episode 4 - Bringing Agriculture Home to the Roofs
Food security is one of the most pressing issues our communities face. Accessing fresh, healthy, affordable food can be a challenge for many families and food miles can be a tremendous contributor to net emissions. This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Ben Flanner to discuss the business of urban agriculture, how the Brooklyn Grange weathered the pandemic, and how a rooftop urban food revolution can help improve our communities and the people who live there.
Episode 3 - Water, The Universal Connector
Water is one of the most important resources to human life, and it is one of the biggest challenges for modern communities to manage, often times representing the physical manifestation of climate change. This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Howard Neukrug to discuss the management of water in the city of Philadelphia, how it can be addressed through green infrastructure, and how to ensure it remains sustainable into the future.
Episode 1 - Cooling the Urban Heat Island
2022 has seen unprecedented heat waves across the globe, threatening infrastructure systems, sparking continent-wide wildfires, and disrupting food systems with thousands dying due to heat-related causes. This episode, Sustainable Futures is joined by Dr. Brad Bass to explore one of the most direct manifestations of climate change, the urban heat island - what it is, how it works, and what can be done about it.