Politics Under the Microscope

by Joanna, Ellie, Naira, and Nina

Politics Under the Microscope captures the thought process of policy makers as they respond to complex problems and to discuss the implications those policies will have for the scientific community and broader society. Each episode starts by briefing the listener on a societal problem using an anecdote, then will reframe the problem with a science policy-related question, and finally engage the listener by integrating audio  ... 

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Politics
Natural Sciences

Podcast episodes

  • Season 3

  • Fast Fashion 4: The European Solution to the Fast Fashion Crisis

    Fast Fashion 4: The European Solution to the Fast Fashion Crisis

    S03 E19
    38:24

    To wrap up our fast fashion series where we have explored the multifaceted fast fashion crisis, we now want to explore possible solutions. Interestingly, Europe is farther ahead of the rest of the world in combating the fast fashion crisis. We are joined by Dr. Kirsi Niinimaki, PhD, who specializes in designing fashion sustainability policy with European policymakers, to discuss what steps Europe has taken to make the fashion industry more sustainable.Sound effects:Shirt Clothing Movement by leonelmail052174 trash chute.WAV by pixabaydemolition2 by schafferdavidMystical Wind Chimes Transition FX by djlprojectssuccess 1 by Leszek SzaryGlitch Sound FX Pack - 04 by StudioKolomnaMusic:Waterfall by RomanSenykRelaxed Vlog (Night Street) by Ashot-Danielyan-ComposerAbstract Fashion Pop by QubeSoundsIntro: Apple Loops made with Garageband by Joanna

  • Fast Fashion 3: At the Legal Level - The Importance of Fashion Law

    Fast Fashion 3: At the Legal Level - The Importance of Fashion Law

    S03 E18
    14:26

    Garment workers are one of the most notorious victims of fast fashion. This vulnerable population faces poor and unsafe working conditions, but who and what can protect them? Joined by fashion lawyer, Whitney McGuire, Esq, we dive into the recent policy advances and proposals intended to improve garment worker conditions and hold fashion companies accountable for the treatment of the workers making their clothes. Here, we unpack California's Garment Worker Protection Act, the federal FABRIC Act, and the New York Fashion Act.Music credits (Pixabay):Relaxed Vlog (Night Street) by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer, Abstract Fashion Pop by QubeSounds, Sadness by Ashot-Danielyan-ComposerSound effects (Pixabay):Pixabay: 028693 sewing machine, Crowd Talking by ken788, Crack and Crunch by Aurelon, Stones Falling by iwanPlays, Cash Register by MAXOU-YTIn-house (Joanna): pen on paper, Intro & Outro - Apple Loops made with GaragebandSee Resources at https://www.politicsunderthemicroscope.com/ for References.

  • Fast Fashion 2: At the Industrial and Investing Level - Why Industry Won't Change On Its Own

    Fast Fashion 2: At the Industrial and Investing Level - Why Industry Won't Change On Its Own

    S03 E17
    26:46

    In our second episode of our fast fashion series, "The Unfashionable Truth", we focus on key players in the fast fashion crisis: the fashion industry and investors. To better understand the caveats of expecting industry and investors to make the industry more sustainable, we are joined by former COO of Timberland and sustainable investing expert, Ken Pucker.References:https://www.ecowatch.com/fast-fashion-riverblue-2318389169.htmlhttps://oliveandcrate.com/blogs/olive-crate-journal/three-ways-in-which-cotton-harms-the-environmenthttps://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/#:~:text=The%20Number%20of%20Times%20a,35%25%20in%20just%2015%20years.https://fourweekmba.com/ultra-fast-fashion/https://michiganross.umich.edu/news/how-sustainability-index-can-keep-exxon-drop-tesla-and-3-ways-fix-esg-ratings-meet-investorsMusic credits:Intro and Outro made with GarageBand (Joanna Yeung)Music from Pixabay: Awaken by OYStudio; Relaxed Vlog (Night Street) by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer; Abstract Fashion Pop by QubeSounds;Sadness by Ashot-Danielyan-Composer; Error by PHANTASTICBEATS; Waterfall by RomanSenykMusicBackground Sound effects: Joanna moving her clothes hangers, Joanna crushing a Snapple bottle, Joanna turning on bathtub faucet and pouring water out of foot tub

  • Fast Fashion 1: At the Macromolecular Level - The Switch from Cotton to Polyester

    Fast Fashion 1: At the Macromolecular Level - The Switch from Cotton to Polyester

    S03 E16
    22:38

    To kick off our fast fashion series, we first explore fast fashion at the macromolecular level. The rise of fast fashion is coupled by a rise in polyester, rayon, and nylon, or "synthetic fibers". This has largely replaced the use of natural fibers such as cotton, wool, and silk. We delve into the differences with Drs. Imran Islam, PhD, and Preeti Arya, PhD, from the New York Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).References:https://sustainablecampus.fsu.edu/blog/clothed-conservation-fashion-water#:~:text=Cotton%20requires%20the%20most%20water,of%20raw%20cotton%20%5B6%5D.https://www.selflessclothes.com/blog/polyester-fabric-sustainability/:https://www1.udel.edu/fiber/issue2/responsibility/https://www.kpcc.org/2014-01-24/dodger-stadium-ice-rink-made-of-20-000-gallons-ofMusic credits:Intro and Outro made with GarageBand (Joanna Yeung)Background music: Hidden Place (Extended Version) by madirfan (Pixabay)Sound effects: Joanna moving her clothes hangers, Joanna crushing a Snapple bottle, Joanna turning on bathtub faucet and pouring water out of foot tub

  • Episódio 15: Protegendo as florestas (Portuguese)

    Episódio 15: Protegendo as florestas (Portuguese)

    S03 E15
    29:22

    Para encerrar nossa série sobre mudanças climáticas, destacaremos uma comunidade que sente demais os efeitos das mudanças climáticas, mas que muitas vezes é deixada de fora da conversa sobre mudanças climáticas: os povos indígenas. Falamos com João Victor, um jovem defensor e membro da comunidade indígena Pankararu do Brasil. Embora João seja atualmente um estudante de doutorado em Farmácia, ele continua sendo um feroz defensor de sua comunidade, trabalhando para mobilizar outras pessoas para combater as mudanças climáticas e melhorar os efeitos que esse problema global tem, especialmente nas comunidades indígenas. O trabalho de João é feito através e com os Guardiões da Floresta e a Aliança Global de Comunidades Territoriais.Créditos da música: Jazzy Abstract Beat por Coma-media, Lugar Escondido (Versão Estendida) por madirfan, PUTM Intro e Outro de Joanna Yeung, feito usando GarageBand com Apple LoopsA imagem da capa é de Vytautas Serys, licença Creative Commons.