We dive into the fascinating world of atoms and molecules, focusing on their significant impact on our journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Join us as we explore the insights of Professor Adam Lee, a leading chemist whose research is paving the way for revolutionary changes in energy production and manufacturing.

Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations.

🎯 In this episode, you will learn:

• Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations.

• How turning toxic waste from African oil crops into nylon and biodiesel can transform rural economies.

• What solar panel waste has to do with the future of batteries — and why the solution takes just one millisecond.

• How a tiny silver-infused material is changing the way hospitals treat burn victims — without turning anyone blue.

• Why Prof. Lee thinks the biggest obstacle to a sustainable future isn't science at all — it's economics, policy, and what we choose to do with education.

Timestamps:

03:58 Working Across Continents: How Culture and Geography Shape the Science You Do

06:30 Buffel Grass and Invasive Plants: Local Problems as Global Opportunities

09:14 Waste Valorisation: Turning Toxic African Oil Waste Into Nylon and Biodiesel

14:44 What Is Catalysis? The Invisible Engine Behind 35% of the World's GDP

20:26 Nanomaterials Explained: The Lego Analogy That Changes Everything

20:55 Plastic Recycling: Why Chemical Recycling Is the Real Breakthrough We Need

27:35 Nature-Based Catalysis: How the Human Cell Inspired a New Research Approach

46:20 Where Is the Hope? Why an Economist Might Save the Planet Before a Chemist

51:58 The Ivory Tower Problem: Why Science Funding and Public Education Are Under Threat

References

→ Abbas et al. (incl. Adam F. Lee & Karen Wilson). "Catalysis at the Intersection of Sustainable Chemistry and a Circular Economy." One Earth, Cell Press, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.04.018 https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00208-2

→ Adam Lee — Editor-in-Chief, Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (open-access journal). Scilight Press. https://www.sciltp.com/journals/csc

→ Challenges and Opportunities in Recycling Technology of Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Solar Panels." Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2025. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-025-00692-3

We dive into the fascinating world of atoms and molecules, focusing on their significant impact on our journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future. Join us as we explore the insights of Professor Adam Lee, a leading chemist whose research is paving the way for revolutionary changes in energy production and manufacturing.

Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations.

🎯 In this episode, you will learn:

• Why 95% of consumer goods exist because of catalysis — and why almost nobody talks about it in climate conversations.

• How turning toxic waste from African oil crops into nylon and biodiesel can transform rural economies.

• What solar panel waste has to do with the future of batteries — and why the solution takes just one millisecond.

• How a tiny silver-infused material is changing the way hospitals treat burn victims — without turning anyone blue.

• Why Prof. Lee thinks the biggest obstacle to a sustainable future isn't science at all — it's economics, policy, and what we choose to do with education.

Timestamps:

03:58 Working Across Continents: How Culture and Geography Shape the Science You Do

06:30 Buffel Grass and Invasive Plants: Local Problems as Global Opportunities

09:14 Waste Valorisation: Turning Toxic African Oil Waste Into Nylon and Biodiesel

14:44 What Is Catalysis? The Invisible Engine Behind 35% of the World's GDP

20:26 Nanomaterials Explained: The Lego Analogy That Changes Everything

20:55 Plastic Recycling: Why Chemical Recycling Is the Real Breakthrough We Need

27:35 Nature-Based Catalysis: How the Human Cell Inspired a New Research Approach

46:20 Where Is the Hope? Why an Economist Might Save the Planet Before a Chemist

51:58 The Ivory Tower Problem: Why Science Funding and Public Education Are Under Threat

References

→ Abbas et al. (incl. Adam F. Lee & Karen Wilson). "Catalysis at the Intersection of Sustainable Chemistry and a Circular Economy." One Earth, Cell Press, 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.04.018 https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(24)00208-2

→ Adam Lee — Editor-in-Chief, Catalysis and Sustainable Chemistry (open-access journal). Scilight Press. https://www.sciltp.com/journals/csc

→ Challenges and Opportunities in Recycling Technology of Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Solar Panels." Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2025. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43615-025-00692-3

What is a forest worth? A river? The air you breathe?

In a world where economic development often overshadows environmental sustainability, understanding the intricate relationship between biology and economics is crucial. In this enlightening episode of Science and the Glass, Cesar Augusto Ruiz Agudelo shares his journey from biology to economics, emphasising the importance of valuing nature beyond mere numbers.

What you will learn in this podcast:

• The valuation of ecosystems cannot be reduced to a monetary price; there are values ​​and relationships that no monetary metric fully captures.

• The predominance of GDP growth distorts the perception of progress. GDP masks social and ecological losses, reducing development to a material metric.

• Economic incentives can be powerful, but dangerously reductive.

• Socio-ecological resilience offers a comprehensive view of vulnerability.

• Effective communication and social networks are key to generating change.

Timestamps:

01:06 César’s Journey: From Biology to Ecosystem Economics

08:15 Types of Value: Relational, Intrinsic, and Instrumental

24:48 Environmental Economics in Practice: Policy, Incentives, and Context

36:18 The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Its Global Impact

45:00 Socio-Ecological Resilience: Systems, Tipping Points, and Identity

55:00 Colombia Case Study: Mangroves, Violence, and Real-World Valuation

1:03:27 Science, Advocacy, and How to Speak Truth to Power

Follow us:

Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass

X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988

FB: Science behind the Glass

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1

References

IPBES – Global Assessment (Resumen para tomadores de decisiones)

https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274

IPBES – Summary for policymakers (PDF)

https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf

La importancia del capital natural (Anthesis Colombia)

https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/

“The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Colombia. Challenges, Gaps and Future Pathways”

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways

¿Cuánto vale un bosque? ¿Y un río? ¿Y el aire que respiras?

Para el PIB, la respuesta es simple: nada. Solo cuentan cuando se explotan.

El Dr. Cesar Ruiz es experto en capital natural y servicios ecosistémicos. En este episodio nos explica por qué la economía global está construida sobre una base que no mide, por qué Colombia es un caso de estudio único en el mundo, y qué herramientas existen para cambiar la forma en que valoramos la naturaleza.

Que aprenderá en este podcast:

· La valoración de los ecosistemas no puede reducirse a un precio monetario; existen valores y relaciones que ninguna métrica monetaria capta por completo.

· El predominio del crecimiento del PIB distorsiona la percepción de progreso. El PIB oculta pérdidas sociales y ecológicas, reduciendo el desarrollo a una métrica material.

· Incentivos económicos pueden ser poderosos, pero peligrosamente reductores

· La resiliencia socioecológica ofrece una visión integral de la vulnerabilidad

· La comunicación efectiva y las redes sociales son clave para generar cambio

Lista de Capitulos:

00:00 La Conexión entre Naturaleza y Economía

03:00 Valoración de la Naturaleza y Servicios Ecosistémicos

08:58 Retos de la Valoración Económica

12:03 Impacto del PIB en la Naturaleza

14:50 Instrumentos Económicos para la Conservación

22:18 Instrumentos Económicos y su Efectividad

24:48 Incentivos y Comportamiento Económico

30:24 El Valor del Capital Natural

36:18 Resiliencia Socioecológica y su Aplicación

Encuentranos en:

www.sciencebehindheglass.com

Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass

X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988

FB: Science behind the Glass

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1

Referencias

IPBES – Global Assessment (Resumen para tomadores de decisiones)

https://www.ipbes.net/node/35274

IPBES – Summary for policymakers (PDF)

https://files.ipbes.net/ipbes-web-prod-public-files/inline/files/ipbes_global_assessment_report_summary_for_policymakers.pdf

La importancia del capital natural (Anthesis Colombia)

https://www.anthesisgroup.com/co/art%C3%ADculos/la-importancia-del-capital-natural/

“The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Colombia. Challenges, Gaps and Future Pathways”

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/364165646_The_Economic_Valuation_of_Ecosystem_Services_in_Colombia_Challenges_Gaps_and_Future_Pathways

Mientras el mundo mira, miles de personas están muriendo, 700.000 fueron desplazadas en Líbano, una escuela de niñas fue bombardeada y nadie responde ante la justicia internacional. ¿Por qué? Porque el sistema está roto, y el país más poderoso del mundo es quien lo está quebrando.

El Profesor Gary Meyers, experto en derecho internacional, vuelve por tercera vez para explicarnos, sin filtros y sin tecnicismos innecesarios, lo que está pasando en Irán, por qué la Corte Penal Internacional tiene las manos atadas y cómo esta guerra ya está golpeando tu bolsillo, aunque vivas a miles de kilómetros de distancia.

Lista de Capitulos:

00:06 – El contexto que nadie te explica: Irán 1953, Mosadegh y el golpe que lo cambió todo

02:21 – Derecho internacional: ¿puede la CPI actuar cuando ningún país la reconoce?

07:11 – Crisis humanitaria: 700.000 desplazados en Líbano y el bombardeo de una escuela

12:10 – Trump fue a la guerra sin permiso del Congreso. ¿Eso es legal?

15:45 – Defensa preventiva vs. defensa anticipatoria: el argumento legal de EE.UU.

18:00 – La amenaza nuclear: lo que realmente dijo el OIEA y por qué importa

27:02 – Ecocidio, petróleo y cómo esta guerra ya está subiendo los precios donde tú vives

Encuentranos en:

www.sciencebehindheglass.com

Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass

X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988

FB: Science behind the Glass

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1

Referencias

1. Análisis jurídico más completo disponible en español 🔗 Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (Argentina) "La legalidad internacional de la intervención de EE.UU. e Israel en Irán: un análisis a la luz de la Carta de las Naciones Unidas" → www.iri.edu.ar

2. Análisis académico sobre la CPI e Israel 🔗 Dialnet / Revista Peace & Security "La Corte Penal Internacional y los crímenes internacionales cometidos por Israel en Territorios Palestinos Ocupados" → dialnet.unirioja.es

3. Noticias ONU en español — Internacionalización del conflicto 🔗 news.un.org/es "Israel-Irán: La internacionalización del conflicto tendría consecuencias enormes"

4. El más completo sobre impacto ambiental — en español 🔗 Observatorio de Ecología Política de Venezuela "Guerra y devastación ecológica en el Medio Oriente" → ecopoliticavenezuela.org

5.La factura ambiental en cifras concretas 🔗 Ambientum (España) "La guerra en Irán deja una factura ambiental y sanitaria que durará décadas" → ambientum.com

The world has rules. Powerful nations just don't follow them. Professor Gary Meyers returns to Science Behind The Glass to break down the legal vacuum behind today's most dangerous conflict, and what it means for all of us.

Main topics:

• ICC & jurisdiction — why the US, Israel, and Iran are untouchable
• US strikes Iran — no Congress, no mandate, no consequences
• Nuclear enrichment — Iran at 60%, far beyond civilian use
• Humanitarian collapse — 700K displaced, a girls' school bombed, Gaza ongoing
• Rules-based order — is international law already dead?

Timestamps

• 00:00 Introduction and Context of Current Events
• 02:10 Legal Complexities in International Relations
• 04:26 Humanitarian and Environmental Catastrophes
• 06:54 Military Actions and International Law
• 08:46 The Role of the International Criminal Court
• 08:57 US Military Strategy and War Powers
• 11:14 Preventive Self-Defense and International Law
• 16:50 Preventive and Anticipatory Self-Defense
• 18:26 Nuclear Threats and International Oversight
• 21:39 Western Perspectives on Iran's Threat
• 23:15 European Union's Role and Responses
• 25:36 Economic Implications of the Conflict
• 27:47 The Cost of War and Public Sentiment
• 28:58 Hate Speech Legislation and Political Discourse
• 31:09 Environmental Impact of Warfare

Follow us:

nstagram: sciencebehindtheglass

X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988

FB: Science behind the Glass

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1

References

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/3/3/iaea-confirms-some-damage-to-irans-natanz-nuclear-facility

https://ceobs.org/iran-war-environmental-risk-overview-as-of-27th-march/

https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2026/3/9/israeli-attacks-on-iran-fuel-sites-aim-to-break-resilience-of

IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) - Official updates on Iran’s nuclear programme and safety assessments: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/topics/iran

https://apnews.com/hub/iran

What if science felt as natural as having a drink with friends? 🍺🔬

Meet Carlos Guarnizo, a Colombian scientist who turned science communication into a movement. He created Ciencia Café Pa Sumerce , and what he's built is unlike anything in the science world.

Here's what makes him someone every science communicator needs to hear:

🇨🇴 From Bogotá to the world: Carlos proves that groundbreaking ideas in science outreach come from unexpected places, not just Silicon Valley or MIT

🎭 Science meets art: He brings researchers into bars, artistic stages, and music venues so anyone can walk in, grab a drink, and walk out knowing something new

🎶 Unlikely collabs: Ciencia Café has partnered with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, blending classical music and science to reach audiences that traditional lectures never could

🧠 The real barrier isn't knowledge: It's how we communicate it. Carlos breaks down exactly why scientists struggle — and the surprisingly simple fix

Timestamps

00:00 Scientific Communication and Its Importance

02:50 Carlos Guarnizo's Journey in Communication

06:02 The Creation of Ciencia Café Para Sumergirse (Science Café to Dive Into)

08:49 The Intersection Between Science and Communication

12:07 The Importance of Telling Our Own Stories

15:05 Challenges in Scientific Communication

18:07 Collaboration and Empathy in Science

21:02 The Impact of Science on Society

23:53 The Power of Art in Scientific Communication

26:59 Family Influence on Scientific Communication

Referencias

Carlos Guarnizo en LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosguarnizo/ Biocore Universidad de los Andes - https://biocore.uniandes.edu.co/

https://youtu.be/y0jmHOx_7P8?si=ZMWTGWgCSKFXGFeR https://cienciacafesumerce.wordpress.com/

https://es.mongabay.com/2022/08/proyecto-de-divulgacion-cientifica-en-colombia-carlos-guarnizo-entrevista/

En esta entrevista, Carlos Guarnizo comparte su trayectoria en divulgación científica, cómo empezó, sus desafíos y estrategias para comunicar la ciencia con empatía y efectividad. Descubre cómo la ciencia puede ser accesible, cercana y poderosa a través del arte, la familia y la participación comunitaria, como lo ha hecho Ciencia Café Pa' Sumercé, que ha transformado espacios de la ciudad en centros de entretenimiento que vinculan a la comunidad de todas las edades.

Lista de capitulos

00:00 Introducción a la Ciencia Humana

07:00 El Viaje de la Divulgación Científica

13:49 Conexiones entre Investigación y Divulgación

20:48 La Importancia de Contar Nuestras Propias Historias

26:05 Desafíos en la Comunicación Científica

27:39 La Importancia de la Comunicación Científica

36:10 Estrategias para Comunicar Ciencia con Empatía

39:32 Transformando Congresos Científicos en Eventos Inclusivos

44:01 El Poder del Arte en la Divulgación Científica

46:08 Involucrando a la Familia en la Ciencia

Encuentranos en:

www.sciencebehindheglass.com

Instagram: sciencebehindtheglass

X: @sbtg_podcast @daniesguerra @LINDAHE1988

FB: Science behind the Glass

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sbtgpodcast?_t=ZS-8u2DmABj4Us&_r=1

Referencias

Carlos Guarnizo en LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosguarnizo/ Biocore Universidad de los Andes - https://biocore.uniandes.edu.co/

https://youtu.be/y0jmHOx_7P8?si=ZMWTGWgCSKFXGFeR https://cienciacafesumerce.wordpress.com/

https://es.mongabay.com/2022/08/proyecto-de-divulgacion-cientifica-en-colombia-carlos-guarnizo-entrevista/