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Hey, Wowzer fans, Mindy here.
And before we start the show, I gotta let you know that this November, with a special new episode featuring our friends at Circle Round and Terrestrials on Radiolab for Kids,
And don't miss when Elmo from Sesame Street stops by Wow in the World to make us all belly laugh on November 24th.
Oh, but that's not all, Reg.
On December 1st, we are sharing our 250th episode of Wow in the World with all of you.
We think this one is going to be music to your ears.
Literally.
Did I mention it's a musical?
And if you're a member of the World Organization of Wowzers...
Oh boy, do I have a surprise for you.
You can listen to our 250th episode early with me and other members from around the world on Saturday, November 22nd, at 7 pm.
Eastern.
That's right, we are throwing another listening party.
Join us as we dance along to our new songs.
React to the episode with other members in the chat and more.
Grownups.
If you want your wowzer to join this members-only listening party, you can sign up to become a member today at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
Already a member?
Well, you can find the link and password to join the event when you sign in at Tinkercastcom.
Slash wow.
That's it.
It's going to be a November to remember.
But for now, let's get on with the show.
Woo!
In the morning on Wommel FM, wobbling your way through the work week.
Whoa, I tell you what, folks, it's a hot one out here today.
Yeah, totally.
I saw a kid trying to cool off his hot pocket by sticking it in lava.
I just saw a Chicken Lin omelet.
Oh, but seriously, folks, stay safe out there.
Find some shade, drink plenty of water.
Yeah, because hydration is cool.
Yeah.
Okay, don't go anywhere, folks.
All your favorite summer tunes coming up right after these messages.
Summer heat got you down?
Well, then head on over to the Spit Tank restaurant.
Moist, bitter, and... Mindy, you really picked a hot day to go to the beach.
I'm sweating through my elbow patches.
I still can't believe you were able to get a full-body tweed swimsuit tailor-made.
Man, does this ice cream truck of yours have air conditioning?
I'm going to need to turn it on.
It is on.
It is?
Uh-huh.
See, check out the dial on the dashboard.
Mindy, this is set to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
And?
Why in the wow do you have the heater on?
Because I wanted to set it to a temperature that would help us to get in the mood for the beach.
Well, I'm going to have to bring this down to a comfortable and climate-friendly 77 degrees Fahrenheit or 25 degrees Celsius.
But careful, the button's only held on by gum.
Ah, so much better.
Ah! before everyone else eats all the sand.
Mindy, my door isn't opening.
Oh, yeah, sorry.
Here, I can help you with that.
See, I had to rejig up this door after I converted this ice cream truck into a food truck, and then I had to turn the food truck into a portable ball pit truck, and then I had to turn the ball pit back into the ice cream truck and
Man, it's not working.
So, how do I get out?
Well, like this.
How do you do that every day, Mindy?
Steel-toed flip-flops.
Now, let's go hit the beach.
Mindy, it must be 100 degrees out here.
I'm going to need my parasol.
Hold on one second.
All right, let me just grab the steering wheel.
Okay.
Mindy, did you just pull the steering wheel off the dashboard of your ice cream truck?
Uh-huh.
Why in the world would you do that?
So nobody drives away with the truck.
Now, come on, let's kick it.
Must be like a billion degrees out here.
Man, this beach is packed, Mindy.
Tell me about it.
Looks like the whole neighborhood is here.
Hey, look, there's Thomas Fingerling.
Cowabunga!
Let's go about that epic surf, bro.
Toss me my board, I'm gonna hit the lip and then just hang ten.
And look, there's Grandma G-Force.
Hang ten.
You'd be lucky if you could still hang five.
No way, dude.
I could never hang five.
And is that Dennis?
Hey, Mindy.
Hi, Guy.
Check it out.
I got a new full-body nylon blend swimmaster bathing suit.
Yep, that's Dennis, all right.
I'm fully protected from the sun's harmful rays.
The hydrophobic material is as slippery as a dolphin's nose.
What is he talking about?
Nothing can stop me.
Except for maybe a jellyfish.
Or a shark.
Or seaweed.
Or a wayward vessel.
Thanks, Dennis.
Boy, all we're missing is... Reggie!
Reggie, what are you doing here?
I thought you were meeting your friends in the park.
He says that the birdbath was too crowded.
Okay, Reg, see you later.
All right, let's see here.
Oh, this looks like a good place to set up.
Okay, well, let me just set up the parasol here.
Okey-doke.
Stand back, Mindy.
Three, two, one.
Wow!
Ah, there we go.
Okay, let me just get out my beach bag.
Okay, let's see.
What do we have here?
I got some beach towels, some sunscreen.
SPF 350.
UV protective sombrero, microscope.
Microscope?
Tail chips, some caviar for you, Mindy.
Aw, you remembered.
Yep.
Did you bring the buns so I could make a caviar sandwich?
Here you go.
Thank you very much.
Sunglasses, sunglasses.
Uh, zinc cream, sun neck protector.
Hey Roz.
Um, do you think that maybe you're just taking this whole sun safe thing just a teensy bit too far?
Oh, no, there's no such thing as being too sun safe, Mindy.
Now pass me my sunderwear.
Ah! want to handle your sunderwear?
Okay Ross, is there anything in this sun safety bag of yours that's actually going to help us with this heat?
Well, I'm afraid not, Mindy.
And with the changing climate, these heat waves are just going to become much more common.
You mean because of global warming?
Well technically Mindy, many scientists prefer the term climate change nowadays because, although the global temperature is rising overall, this increase in temperature is messing with the planet's climate.
And just to be clear, climate is not the same thing as weather, right?
That's right.
Weather is what happens in our atmosphere week to week.
The climate, on the other hand, specifically refers to larger patterns in our atmosphere that progress occur over several decades.
Ah, so when we say climate change, we mean that long-term the atmosphere is changing because of the higher temperatures.
Exactly.
And a changing climate means more extreme weather, like this heat wave.
Ding-way!
Gnarly.
Thomas Fingerling?
What's up?
Uh...
Uh, is that an ironing board?
Oh, well, it depends on how you look at it, I guess.
Well, why did you bring an ironing board to the beach?
Oh, don't be so aggro, dude.
This is just my fun board.
I use it for new school in the party waves, you dig?
Uh... You newbies gonna drop in?
It's tubular out there.
Well actually, Mindy and I were just discussing how this heat wave may, in fact, be the result of climate change.
The heat wave is from climate change?
Well, if it means more beach days, sign me up for climate change.
Sorry, Thomas Fingerling, but that is not how climate change works.
It isn't?
No, just because it's warmer here doesn't mean it's a perfect beach day everywhere on the planet.
Oh, well, I thought it was global warming.
Well Technically yes, but now some scientists are preferring the term climate change, because the increasing temperature of the planet is actually changing our climate.
Which may mean more heat waves like this one here.
Or it could mean more hurricanes or more extreme snowstorms.
No storms?
I don't think my fun board will make it through that gnarly pow-pow.
The fact is, our climate is a very delicate thing.
And if we let the temperature of the planet increase by even one and a half degrees, it could throw our whole weather system out of whack.
Out of whack?
That's the name of mine and Chief Force's hip-hop album.
Want to buy a copy?
Huh?
Never mind.
It's too cool for you Quimby's.
Mind if I set up my bean bag here in your shade?
I can feel the top of my head frying.
Uh, of course, Thomas Fingerling.
Come take a seat.
Yeah, there's plenty of room.
Oh, thank goodness.
See?
This is a cool little umbrella you got here, Mr. Razzy.
Well, actually, it's not an umbrella.
It's a parasol.
This one is actually really super special to me.
It's based on a design from the Edo period in Japan.
It's super handy on hot days like this.
Here, look.
Hot.
Cool.
Hot.
Cool.
If only it was this easy to cool down the planet.
Uh, say that again?
It's based off a design from the Edo period in Japan?
No, no, the other thing you said right after that.
Oh, if only it was this easy to cool down the planet?
Yes.
Well, what about it, Mindy?
Well, maybe it is.
What are you talking about?
I'm talking about throwing shade.
Throwing shade?
You mean that new TV show where two people sit down and insult each other in front of a live studio audience?
I said it.
Your fashion sense is little more than that of a whiffle-waffling saddle goose.
Huh?
Why would you say that?
Ah, let's throw chairs!
I'm not talking about the TV show Throwing Shade, Guy Raz.
I'm talking about the Olympic event where you hurl umbrellas like javelins.
Really?
No.
I'm talking about a brand new research project from Harvard University where these scientists plan to basically create a great big parasol for the Earth.
Wow, for real?
Yeah, but instead of using fabric like your parasol here, these scientists are going to be using antacid to help control the temperatures down here on Earth.
Antacid?
You mean like the kind of medicine you might take if you have an upset tummy?
Yep, same stuff.
Oh yeah, that's what I use to control my toots.
Gesundheit!
Pardon?
So Mindy, how in the world are these scientists going to use stomach medication to help cool down the planet?
Well, Guy Raz, the technical name for this stomach medication is calcium carbonate.
And it's the same stuff found in snail shells and limestone.
And what these scientists are hoping to do is to release particles of this shiny and reflective chemical into our atmosphere, to reflect some of the sunlight back out into space and bring temperatures under control here on Earth.
Kind of like how this parasol is blocking out some of the sunlight on us and keeping us cool.
Exactoritos!
It's a process called geosolar engineering, Which is basically just a fancy way of saying altering the atmosphere.
Geo-solar engineering, huh?
I think I've heard about this before, Mindy.
Oh yeah?
Yeah, what you're talking about is humans purposely altering the atmosphere to try and lower the global temperature.
Uh-huh.
But you know, this kind of geosolar engineering happens from time to time in the natural world.
It does?
Yeah, especially after volcanic eruptions.
Volcanic eruptions?
Yeah, after a volcano erupts, it spews tons and tons of dirt and sulfur way up into our atmosphere and it blocks out the sunlight and creates a sort of giant parasol around the planet.
Just like what these scientists are trying to do.
Exactly.
In fact, there was a famous case of this in 1963.
A volcano in Indonesia erupted and it lowered the Earth's average temperature by 0.7 degrees Fahrenheit that year.
Wow.
Was it because the ash from the volcano threw shade over that part of the planet?
Well, that's what the scientists concluded.
Whoa.
So wow.
Balloons here.
Get your balloons here.
I'm going to get me some raccoons.
Where's my pocketbook?
Grandma G-Force, where'd you come from?
I've been here this whole time.
You didn't recognize me on account a fingerling made me into a sand mermaid.
I got flippers.
Huh?
They don't work.
Oh.
Balloons here.
Get your balloons.
Oh, I want one.
Excuse me, sir?
Sir?
Yes, hello, ma'am.
Hi, yes, um, I would like one of your finest balloons, please.
Well, these are all the finest.
I've got gas hopper, cluster water, solar fire, observation decoy weather and if you're looking to spend the big bucks, I've got a hot air balloon back in my van.
Hmm um, I will take one weather balloon please, and thank you that they're planning to use to spread the calcium carbonate into our atmosphere to make that giant chemical parasol.
Okey-dokey.
Here you go.
One eight-foot diameter weather balloon.
It's filled with helium, so if you let it go, you're probably not going to see it again.
Whoops.
I let it go.
Sorry.
Oh.
Okay.
Here's another one.
Make sure to hold tight this time.
Will that be all?
Uh, no.
Actually, that's not all.
Um, you happen to have a couple of pounds of calcium carbonate on you, would you?
Nope, sorry.
Just sold my last bucket full to that lady down there.
This ain't no sherbet.
Here, you licking fingerling.
No way, dude.
Oh, is she eating the calcium carbonate?
Grandma G-Force, don't eat the calcium carbonate.
Yeah, don't eat it.
I'll do what I want.
That's true.
She does.
Okay, so what does this balloon have to do with climate change, Mindy?
What?
Oh, right.
Yeah, so those scientists from Harvard University are going to get that calcium carbonate up into the atmosphere.
With a weather balloon?
Well, with a custom-made weather balloon.
So it might look a little different from this one.
Right, right.
So how would it work?
Okay.
Okay.
So later this year, these scientists plan to send this specialized weather balloon 12 miles up into our atmosphere, where it would then use a propeller to stir the calcium carbonate into clouds.
Which hopefully will then reflect some sunlight back out into space.
And cool the planet.
Right.
So why calcium carbonate, Mindy?
I mean, I know it's super reflective, but why not something else?
Well, I mean, you can't just go around putting anything you want into the atmosphere.
That is true.
I mean putting too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is what got us into this climate change conundrum in the first place.
Right.
So the scientists did a bunch of testing with a bunch of different chemicals and found that heavy metals like chlorine, for example, would be bad and toxic for the environment.
And what about sulfur?
Because that's the primary chemical that's found in all those volcanic eruptions.
Well, they tested that too and found that calcium carbonate is even less harmful than that, and it could even help humans some of the damage that has already been done.
That's amazing.
But, and this is a big but.
I get it.
This is not a solution to climate change.
But Mindy, I thought you said this was going to reduce temperatures here on Earth.
Well, that's the idea, but it won't last forever.
So this is just a temporary plan?
Exactly.
Think of it like putting tape over your leaky nose.
It's going to hold your snot in for a while, but eventually you're going to have to get a new nose.
But if this works, it will definitely buy us more time.
And boy, do we need all the time we can get.
By the way, did you ever read that IPCC report I sent you?
Uh, the ICUPP report?
No, Mindy, the IPCC, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Oh, right, the ICMPP report.
Ah, yes.
No, I did not see that.
What did it say?
The IPCC, or Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is a group of scientists from all over the world who've gotten together to try and figure out how we can stop and hopefully reverse climate change.
And what did they figure out?
Well, in a report they released in 2018, they said that we have just 12 years to turn this ship around and start reducing our impact on the climate.
Oh, man.
So, even though solar geoengineering might not be a permanent solution to climate change, it could help buy us some more time to figure out how to do that.
Well, that's the idea.
Incoming!
Roar!
It's raining volleyballs.
Climate change is here.
Run!
Mr. Fingerling, are you all right?
Oh, yeah.
Sorry.
I just had a bad dream is all.
Now, who's hitting volleyballs at my noggin?
Reggie did it.
Dennis?
Mindy?
Guy?
Little help?
I don't suppose you guys want to play doubles.
Mindy, do you want to play?
I'm in.
I was a volleyball champ in 1932.
Back then, we called it Lofty Smash.
Waterman!
Teams of three, and we all use Dennis for the ball.
Oh, ha, ha.
Fine.
Teams of three, but we're playing by European standardized rules, and I will be enforcing them.
Now, when it comes to the utilization of the so-called five-in-one system... Dennis!
I think it goes without saying that we should... Wow in the World will be right back.
Grown-ups, this message is for you. grown-ups, it's Mindy and Guy Raz here from Wow in the World.
Mindy and I have some brand new Wow in the World toys out in the world just in time for the holidays.
Made for the kids who love science and for the ones who don't. yet.
From our 100 experiments, that wow kit to the telescope and astronomy kit.
Our wow in the world toys help your wowzer learn about their world through play.
Plus, you can hear exclusive audio content from me and Guy Raz to help your wowzer discover even more wows.
Grownups give the gift of wow and wonder this holiday season with our latest wow in the world.
That's it.
Back to the show.
Hi, Mindy and Guy Raz.
This is Kayaks.
I live in Pennsylvania.
And my wow in the world is that some crows are so smart that they play pranks on each other.
Say hi to Grandma G-Force.
You wanna wrestle?
Um, Sumberland.
Okay, I don't know how to say his name.
What?
Don't know how to say his name.
Well, it's, uh, what in the world was it?
Well, what do you know?
I plump forgot.
Fine, darling.
Right, T-Force, I'm trying to think.
Uh, something with a thumb.
Hi, I'm Alma.
Hi, I'm Flint.
We are from Princeton Massachusetts, and all around the world is a snake at the New England and had 18 babies.
Reggie, will you fly me down to see the babies?
See you at the pop-up show.
Bye!
Bye!
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hi, my name is Amelia, and I live in Kalamazoo.
And my wow in the world is that owls fill their food holes.
Hello, I am Malcolm, and I live in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada.
And my wow in the world is that there are actually earthquakes on the moon.
Bye.
Hi, Mindy and Guy Ross.
My name is Gook, and I am from Australia and the Gold Coast.
My wowies in the world is.
Marsupials are animals that carry their babies in pouches, like kangaroos wombats, koalas and Tasmanian devils.
Hi, Guy Ross and Mindy.
My name is Ben, and I live in Vancouver, B.C.
My fact is anteaters don't have teeth.
Say hi to Grandma G-Force and Reggie for me.
Hi, Mindy.
Hi, Guy Raz.
I'm Lola.
And I'm Luz.
And we're from Des Moines, Iowa.
Our wow in the world is water bears.
Even if you put them in lava or in space, they will still survive.
We love your show.
Say hi to Reggie for us.
And Thomas Fingerling.
Fingerling, that's what it is.
All right, rewind the tape now.
I can tell that youngster.
End of messages.
Hey, everyone.
Thank you so much for hanging out with us this week on Wow in the World.
And to keep the wow rolling, check out this week's scientific conversation starters at our website wowintheworldcom.
And grownups.
There you can find more info on how your kids can become members of the World Organization of Wowzers shop our Wow Shop.
Upload photos and videos to us and check dates for our upcoming live events.
That's wowintheworld.com.
Our show is produced by Jed Anderson.
Who provides the bells, whistles, and silly characters.
Say hello, Jed.
Hello.
Our show is written by me, Guy Raz, and Thomas Van Kalken, who also provides silly characters.
Tom?
Hello there.
Thanks also to Jessica Bode, Casey Koffer, Rebecca Caban, Kit Ballinger, and Alex Curley.
Meredith Halpern-Ranzer powers the wow at Tinkercast.
Our theme song was composed and performed by The Pop-Ups.
For more info on their two-time Grammy-nominated all-ages music, find them at thepopups.com.
And grown-ups, you can follow Wow in the World on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at wowintheworld.
And our email address is hello at wowintheworld.com.
And if you're a kid with a big wow to share with us...
Call us at 1-888-7-WOW-WOW for a chance to be featured at the end of the show.
Also, if you haven't already done so, please subscribe to Wow in the World on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Yeah, leave us a few stars, a review, or just tell a friend about the show.
Thanks again for listening, and until next time, keep on wowing!
And before you go, tell us about yourself by filling out a short survey at wondery.com slash survey.
