Green Sense Radio

Venkat Srinivasan, director of the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science, explains why he thinks sodium-ion batteries are a more sustainable way to store energy. 

Venkat Srinivasan is the director of the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science. He leads a consortium that was recently awarded a $50-million grant by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop sodium-ion batteries. Venkat offers details of a plan for a more sustainable, lower-cost alternative to lithium-ion batteries. He discusses the future of battery technology and where sodium...

Astronomer Laura Trouille, vice president of science engagement at the Adler Planetarium, discusses a new program that promotes climate action.

The Adler Planetarium has recently received a prestigious NASA grant to develop the Climate Change and Me program, which educates youth about climate action. Astronomer Laura Trouille is vice president of science engagement and project team leader at the planetarium and oversaw the NASA grant submission. Nick Lake, manager of Theater Experience and Presentation, describes the interactive Climate C...

Tom Appel, Publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the Car Stuff podcast, discusses the car market in the new year.

We're happy to have Tom Appel, Publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the  Car Stuff podcast, back on the show to discuss the green auto trends in 2024 and what to expect in 2025. Tom and Robert Colangelo also share their review of the Toyota XLE Camry Hybrid, and discuss various new EVs, hybrids, and trucks. Then Tom takes the Green Sense Quiz about cars, movies, and music. 

Abigail Derby Lewis, Senior Conservation Ecologist at the Field Museum of Natural History, explains why pollinators are important for the ecosystem.

Abigail Derby Lewis, Senior Conservation Ecologist at the Field Museum of Natural History, discusses the crucial role insects and pollinators play in our ecosystem, why bees and butterflies are in decline, and how the community can help support pollinators to thrive.

Raj Vable, founder of Young Mountain Tea, left an engineering career to build an equitable and sustainable business that is transforming the tea industry.

Raj Vable, founder of Young Mountain Tea, shares his groundbreaking approach to sustainable tea farming. Raj explains how his innovative business model not only focuses on eco-friendly practices, but also empowers women by giving workers in India a salary and equity in the company, creating a more inclusive, equitable future. 

Want to know how to catch the next meteor shower? Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at Chicago's Adler Planetarium, shares her expert tips on how to spot these celestial phenomena in the night sky.

We welcome back Michelle Nichols, Director of Public Observing at Chicago's Adler Planetarium, who takes us on a journey through the wonders of stargazing. She breaks down the differences between meteors and meteor showers, and gives us fascinating insights into comets, asteroids, planets, and constellations. Want to know how to catch the next meteor shower? Michelle shares her expert tips and adv...

Robert Colangelo discusses a controversial market-based solution to reduce the amount of carbon in the environment with Chelsea Mastrocola, Director of Business Development at Brightly. Robert and Chelsea explore the complexity of carbon offset credits and the carbon credit trading market, and how companies navigate the system.

Chelsea Mastrocola, Director of Business Development at Brightly, explains carbon offset credits.

Jeff St. John, director of News and Special Projects at Canary Media, discusses how the Inflation Reduction Act, which offers companies incentives for bringing manufacturing of renewable energy technologies back to the United States, can also affect trade with China.

Jeff St. John, Director of News and Special Projects at Canary Media, returns for an in-depth discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and its far-reaching effects on both domestic and international businesses. Passed in 2022 under the Biden administration, the IRA provides crucial incentives for companies investing in renewable energy and clean technologies onshore. However, with a new adm...

Scott Isaksen, National Sales Director at Essency Water Heaters, describes a sustainable hybrid electric alternative for heating water in your home.

Scott Isaksen, National Sales Director at Essency Water Heaters, describes the company's sustainable alternative for heating water, using a hybrid (tank and tankless) design that uses electric instead of gas. Scott also answers questions about water heaters in the Green Sense Quiz, then discusses the history of the company and how he got involved. 

Eric Adamson, co-founder and CEO of Tortuga AgTech, discusses his company's robotic strawberry harvester.

Tom Appel, publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the Car Stuff podcast, discusses the two types of seasonally formulated gas.

Tom Appel, publisher of Consumer Guide Automotive and host of the Car Stuff podcast, discusses seasonally formulated gas and a legacy brand's new vehicle. Then Tom takes the Green Sense Quiz about hot dogs before sharing his review of the 2024 Subaru Solterra Touring electric vehicle; he and Robert Colangelo test drove the Solterra after eating hot dogs at Superdawg.

Gene Giacomelli, Professor Emeritus at the University of Arizona, gives advice for indoor urban farming.

Gene Giacomelli is Professor Emeritus and former director of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center at the University of Arizona. He talks about his 45 years of experience teaching students about indoor farming, what skills are required, the future of CEA, and what it take for urban farms to succeed. Gene also tests his knowledge about indoor farming in the Green Sense Quiz.

Jeff St. John, director of News and Special Projects at Canary Media, explains why the electric grid isn't ready for AI expansion. 

Jeff St. John, director of News and Special Projects at Canary Media, has been following the relationship between AI computing energy demands and the U.S. energy sector. He discusses what data centers require, the challenges that utility companies have, and what kinds of decisions have to be made to accommodate environmental changes.