If you’ve ever spent time in a library or art museum on a hot summer day, you might have felt way colder than you expected. On this episode of Possibly we break down the science of why libraries get so cold in the summer.
Will Malloy
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
What happened when young people sued Hawai’i’s Department of Transportation?
The two sides just reached a settlement that will have a major impact on the state’s carbon emissions.
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
Are sewers the best way to deal with stormwater?
Paved surfaces like roads, sidewalks, and driveways send stormwater into our sewers, but engineering solutions that filter water through the ground can help keep our sewers and waterways clean.
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
How did the Narragansett Bay get so much cleaner?
During heavy rain, Providence’s sewers used to get overwhelmed and dump untreated sewage into the Bay. But thanks to a project to increase the capacity of sewers, untreated sewage rarely makes it into our waterways anymore.
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
Despite the name, flushable wipes are not flushable
Despite what the packaging says, flushable wipes should never be flushed down the toilet! They can cause blockages in the sewer system and create all kinds of problems. Just toss ‘em in the trash instead!
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
What are wilderness areas and why do they matter?
For decades wilderness areas have provided access and protection to millions of acres of land. Today, climate change is shifting how we think about the importance and management of these places.
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
Why did I see a bunch of dead fish in the Providence River?
One Possibly listener wondered why she saw so many dead fish in the water last spring. Turns out it’s called a fish kill – which can happen when there isn’t enough oxygen in the water for fish to survive.
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
Could we use a space umbrella to cool down the planet?
Literally blocking out the sun may sound extreme, but scientists are debating whether using dust particles to reflect sunlight away from the Earth could be a temporary solution if climate change gets out of control.
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
Is it time to rethink Earth Day?
We’ve celebrated Earth Day in the United States for more than 50 years. Today, we’re taking a look at what made the first Earth Day in 1970 such a big deal, and whether the modern version needs a reboot.
Posted inEnvironment, Possibly Podcast
Do bottle bills work?
Today’s question comes from a listener here in Rhode Island. They’ve been following local efforts to start a deposit recycling program for bottles and cans like some other states have, and they’re wondering, do these incentive programs really work?