Reviewed by Jacinta Agostinelli
Fear and Wonder is a new science podcast by The Conversation that is sponsored by the Climate Council. Journalist Michael Green and Dr Joelle Gergis, a climate scientist and lead author of the IPCC report (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), interview scientists who contribute to reports. They also interview workers in industries that climate change directly impacts. If you were wondering about how scientists know what they know about global warming, Fear and Wonder will answer many of your questions.
The scientists and science behind the IPCC report
The first episode explains the structure and role of the IPCC. It also introduces some of the scientists and science behind the report. If you are a regular podcast listener, you will enjoy the presentation as much as the information itself. In Fear and Wonder, storytelling, readings of historic diary entries, sound tracks and sound effects, conversation, description all work to make great listening.
Join scientists in the field
Much of each episode (six in total) is set in the field. We join scientists on their boats in the middle of the ocean. We trek with them excitedly across tundra, and stand on the top of mountains. The real time interviews and stories mean we hear the singing icebergs and the drumming rain. We feel the grief of Australian scientists as they sift through the ashes in the silent, burnt forest. Most interesting though are the interviews of the First Nations people and others working in climate change affected industries. Their stories show how traditional knowledge, experience and observation is assisting in our quest to understand and adapt to a changing climate. The podcast truly takes the listener into the hearts and minds of the people and scientists who research for IPCC.
Fear and wonder – Gryphon Nicholls, almost 5. Photo taken at the Yea playground.
Fear and Wonder is positive
In spite of its subject, Fear and Wonder is a positive show. The interviewees are passionate and hopeful about their work. We are all aware of the fear factor with climate change, but I was curious about the wonder. While listening to the podcast I realised how much and how quickly we have expanded our knowledge of climate, weather and environment, and their interactions over the last 50 years or so. A changing climate has been the impetus for so much learning. Yet there is still so much we don’t know, and it is the wondering that will lead to further learning.
Fear and Wonder is an absorbing podcast that everyone can enjoy, not just the scientifically minded among us.
You can find more articles by 2030Yea’s newsletter editor – Jacinta Agostinelli here.
