Sustainability Talk

This podcast discusses, shares, and learns about the Web of Life, looking for harmony with natural systems.

Students from our International Masters Program in Interdisciplinary Sustainability Studies here at NCKU share their backgrounds and thoughts on sustainability. 

Have you ever wondered if plastics could be more sustainable? Join us as we sit down with Mr. Cezary Makarewicz from the University of Lodz, Poland, to learn about his research in polymer science and the sustainability of plastics in our life! Learn about how plastics are formed and the way forward in this important field of research!

Can a walk in the park really be healthy? How can looking at nature make you happier? Find the answers to these questions and more as we sit down with Dr. Matsuoka to talk about "The Benefits of Viewing Nature."

What is Cultural Sustainability? How is it connected to tourism? Join us as we sat down with Dr. Danielle Robinson, from The Okanagan College, Canada, to discuss what cultural sustainability is and the importance of it in the Okanagan Valley, Canada.

This episode brings us another returning guest, Dr. Vincent Chao. This time around he is here to talk about Circular Economy, as well as its challenges and importance as society tries to adopt this sustainable economic model.  The music used is "Sapajou - The Way To You", which is under a Creative Commons (CC-BY 3.0) license. It can be found on https://youtu.be/Q7B4BDyCV_U

Welcome to season 2 of Sustainability Talk! In this episode, we dive into sustainable mountain development, answering questions like why mountains are important and are they more than just majestic landscapes and postcard moments? Dr. John Harrison is here with us again to discuss mountains and development in Taiwan. This talk is taken from the Field Studies in Sustainable Development class taught...

Have you ever wondered why climate change is such a big issue? Why do we always hear about SDGs and the fate of the planet? Would wading in a river be much more useful then sitting in a classroom? Join us here on Sustainability Talk, in each episode guests from around the world share their knowledge and passion about sustainability. We also highlight cutting edge and innovative research happening...

Regarding the climate and resource crisis, the renovation of the building stock plays a key role. In this context, it is necessary to adapt existing buildings to future regenerative energy systems. Specific building refurbishment strategies are the decisive step to preserve their “resource-ecological” but also its “building-cultural” potential. The architectural and the energetic heritage must be...

Sustainable Materials Management presents an effective approach to reduce environmental and climate change impacts and preserving natural capitals, hence helping to ensure sustainability.  This talk will introduce its concept, implications, and benefits.  Cases will be used to illustrate plausible ways of practice and their merits. About the speaker: Dr. Vincent Chao is an internationall...

Dr. Rodney Matsuoka, a psychologist with a Ph. D. in landscape architecture, has plenty of experience studying energy policies. Follow our next listening session in which we will discuss how global warming is such a difficult problem to solve due to the use of the wrong policies. We will also talk about how countries recognized to be world leaders in green energy started by accident and how the re...

Ever wonder where studying sustainable technology will take you? Follow our next guest, Heng Yi Teah as he recounts his years of study and how it all led to his experience with fieldwork. Studying sustainable technology took him from shrimp farms in Vietnam to Minamata, Japan where he studied the infamous mercury poisoning case, to tsunami sites in Northeastern Japan, and an oasis in Zhangye, Chin...

What comes to mind when you think about a zero-waste store? Mason jars? Handmade soap bars? The fact that going to one has always been on your to-do list? For Paulina Tarnowska, her zero-waste store, Sunmoon Refillery, is her way of encouraging others to change their consumption behaviors. Listen to us as we discuss with Paulina what it takes to run a zero-waste store here in Taiwan.

Climate change and coastal environments of Western Canada: Observations made during my career as a fluvial geomorphologist and aquatic ecologist. Chad is an experienced fluvial geomorphologist with an acute understanding of river channel morphology and its influence on the spatial organization of salmonid habitat. As a registered professional biologist, Chad has extensive experience with conductin...

A social, political, and environmental X-ray of the second-hand clothing industry in a developing country. Millions of second-hand clothes from different countries are shipped around the world and in Latin America, you can find them in pacas, or thrift shops. Many go to pacas searching for hidden gems, a statement piece they can add to their wardrobe for a decent price, and some go with the hopes...

Participatory planning and its impact on wetland conservation and flood management Sustainable Development must be centered around just and effective planning, which requires the inclusion and agency of key stakeholders, especially of marginalized communities. In this discussion, Adrienne will talk about her work in Taiwan around participatory environmental planning in rural coastal regions to add...

What is a Life Cycle Assessment and how can it contribute to sustainability? Can this strategy reduce costs, energy, and emissions? Dr. Muangthai from The University of Solent, The UK, will provide a scientific discussion on life cycle assessment in the second episode of this important Sustainability Talk podcast series.

What is Sustainable development and where did this organizing principle originate from? Can this idea save human societies reverse course or is it too late? Dr. John F. Harrison from NCKU will provide a scientific and historical discussion on the origins of sustainable development to launch this important new Sustainability Talk podcast series.