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Cat Among the Penguins

Jenny Hickman

Cat Among the Penguins cuts through the hype about environmental issues. Each episode offers an honest analysis of controversial topics in the environment, nature and conservation.

We are two friends who see things differently – throughout our careers, we have found endless nuances in debates about nature. We’re now here to share them in a podcast. Sensationalism won’t protect nature and the environment, so instead we set out to explore the debates with science, clarity and compassion.

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  • 13 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 31 min
  • English

Episodes 13

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  • Wednesday · 41 min

    Biology Week Special: Will AI destroy nature or protect it?

    This week is the Royal Society of Biology's (RSB) 15th Biology Week! Having helped set up the very first Biology Week with this week's guest back in 2012, Becky invited Anne Goodenough to come on and discuss a very hot topic - the rise of Artificial Intelligence. As the potential for AI grows every day, conservationists have begun to harness the power of these new technologies for speeding up progress in conservation. With such a consistent lack of resources, time and money in conservation, conservationists need all the help they can get, and AI comes with huge promise. But, it also present some big environmental challenges. Together with expert insight from Anne, Jenny and Becky look at how AI could be used for conservation, if it is as environmentally damaging as it is claimed, and if the opportunities it presents are valuable enough to justify it's use for conservation. Chapters 00:00 AI Applications in Conservation 05:11 Data Management and Information Processing 10:29 Ethics and Effectiveness of AI 12:48 Environmental Impact of AI 17:01 Future of AI in Conservation

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E11
    September 23 · 31 min

    Episode 11: Your Questions Answered!

    In the final episode of Series One, Jenny and Becky go back to answer questions and comments made by our audience throughout the season. Audience questions inspire them to dig even deeper in to the topics the episodes have focused on, revisiting topics such as invasive species, biodiversity, Neanderthal DNA, coral restoration, the survival of corals in the Cretaceous period, and of course spiralling just a little further into the intrinsic value debate. The episode reflects on the making of the series and the support and feedback recieved from listeners so far, and as an extra surprise we feature a very special guest - possibly our favourite of the whole series. Chapters 00:00 It's the end of Series One! 03:01 Answering Audience Questions 04:35 Invasive Species and Biodiversity 10:54 Neanderthal DNA and Genetics 18:08 Coral Restoration and Survival 22:05 Corals in the Cretaceous Period 26:41 Nature's Intrinsic Value with surprise guest

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E10
    September 16 · 29 min

    Episode 10: Should we make malaria extinct?

    On this weeks episode of Cat Among the Penguins, Jenny and Becky delve into the topic of eradicating malaria through the use of gene drive technology and its ecological implications. If the technology is there to eradicate malaria, should we do it? What would the implications be of removing a species from an ecosystem? And if we went through with this, how would this benefit humans? Chapters 00:00 Eradicating Malaria: A No-Brainer 01:43 The Feasibility of Eradication 03:28 Gene Drive Technology 04:59 Ecological Impact and Unintended Consequences 07:21 Public Support and Local Implementation 08:56 Funding and Political Will 11:10 The Concept of Togetherness 13:03 Redefining Human-Nature Relationship 20:30 The Illusion of Free Will

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E9
    September 9 · 33 min

    Episode 9: Should we be eating octopus?

    In Episode 9, Jenny and Becky dig even deeper in to the recent octopus blooms around the UK. If population numbers are blooming so naturally, the conversation now is, what do we do about this? As the rising populations continue to decimate local fisheries, fishers are having to adapt, and catch octopus instead. Although there is demand for octopus in many European countries, they are not eaten in the UK. In numbers rise, fishing impact is low, and ecologically they make sense to eat, then should we be eating octopus? The conversation delves into the cause of the octopus bloom, local breeding and population spread, effect on fishes and predators, octopus catch and export, and octopus impact on the ecosystem. The conversation delves into the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems, highlighting abrupt shifts and devastating effects on marine life. It also explores the need for adaptive management in response to environmental changes. Takeaways Octopus bloom caused by warmer than average seas Impact of octopus bloom on marine ecosystem Climate change impact on marine ecosystems Economic impact of marine biodiversity Adaptive management in response to environmental changes Chapters 00:00 The Cause of the Octopus Bloom 01:31 Local Breeding and Spread of the Bloom 03:16 Continuation and Spread of the Bloom 05:02 Impact of Climate Change and Marine Heat Wave 06:46 Effect of Octopus Bloom on Fishes and Predators 09:36 Octopus Catch and Export 12:08 Decline in Octopus Catches Elsewhere in Europe 16:04 Octopus Impact on Ecosystem 20:24 Conservationist's Reaction to the Complex Situation 22:38 Climate Change and Marine Ecosystems 24:31 Economic Impact of Marine Biodiversity 26:10 Adaptive Management in Response to Environmental Changes 36:04 Tuna Fishing Debate

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  • S1 · E8
    September 2 · 35 min

    Episode 8: Can coral restoration rebuild reefs?

    The conversation explores the practice of coral reef restoration, highlighting the impact of coral bleaching and the various methods used for restoration. It also features an interview with Ken Niedermeyer, the founder of Reef Renewal USA, who discusses their approach to coral restoration. Takeaways Coral bleaching is a severe threat to coral reefs, and the practice of coral restoration varies in approach and scale. Coral restoration involves methods such as coral gardening, fragging, and industrial-scale propagation, with organizations like Reef Renewal USA leading large-scale restoration efforts.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E7
    August 26 · 33 min

    Episode 7: Are we living through an Octopocalypse?

    This week, Cat Among the Penguins explores the phenomenon of the 'Octopocalypse' and its potential implications for the environment and biodiversity. As octopus numbers surge around the UK, what does this mean about the state of our ecosystems, and could it even be a sign that our oceans are undergoing a mass extinction? Join Jenny and Becky as they delve into the concept of mass extinction events, the Holocene extinction, and the global biodiversity crisis. The impact of the rise in cephalopod populations on fisheries and the reasons behind the octopus bloom are also discussed, along with an investigation into its potential causes. Takeaways The rise in cephalopod populations may be indicative of a larger environmental issue. The global biodiversity crisis is a significant concern with far-reaching implications. Chapters 00:00 The Octopocalypse 01:31 Mass Extinction Events 02:34 The Holocene Extinction 03:49 Global Biodiversity Crisis 04:48 Rise in Cephalopod Populations 05:07 Impact on Fisheries 06:41 Octopus Sightings and Diving 08:20 Reasons for Octopus Bloom 09:30 Investigating the Octopus Bloom

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E6
    August 19 · 33 min

    Episode 6: Does it matter that I'm part Neanderthal?

    This episode Jenny and Becky delve into the significance of Neanderthal DNA and its impact on human evolution and identity. They explore the characteristics and extinction of Neanderthals, the interbreeding between Neanderthals and modern humans, and the implications for species definitions and cultural taboos. What does it mean that humans frequently interbred with other hominin groups, what genetic legacy did this leave behind, and what does it mean for humans today? Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Neanderthal Genetics 02:02 Neanderthal Characteristics and Extinction 03:33 Interbreeding with Neanderthals 05:32 Breaking Taboos and Species Definitions 06:01 Interbreeding with Other Hominin Groups

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  • S1 · E5
    August 12 · 33 min

    Episode 5: Are free-living honeybees a conservation priority or a threat?

    In Episode 5 of Cat Among the Penguins, Jenny and Becky revisit honeybees. In Episode 2 we heard how honeybees are a domestic animal - farmed by people for agricultural purposes. But this time, we discuss the populations that live in the wild. Free-living honeybees are seen by many as a threat to honeybee populations. But is this really the case? Should we be worried about free-living bees and their impact on domestic bees, or is there a different way to view the situation?

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  • S1 · E4
    August 5 · 32 min

    Episode 4: Can wildlife tourism save ocean giants?

    Swimming with ocean megafauna such as whale sharks and manta rays is increasingly popular for holiday makers across the globe. It is often sold as an opportunity to contribute to data collection, or to progress conservation for these species. But is this true? Jenny and Becky talk to Dr. Simon Pierce and Janis Argeswara from the Marine Megafauna Foundation to find out.

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  • S1 · E3
    July 29 · 30 min

    Episode 3: Does nature have intrinsic value?

    This week Jenny and Becky dive in to environmental philosophy and ask the question does nature have intrinsic value? And if so, where does this lie, in sentient beings, living organisms, ecosystems, or species?

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  • S1 · E2
    July 22 · 32 min

    Episode 2: Is it time to end our obsession with honeybees?

    This week we meet with Professor Dave Goulson and Dr. Elynor Moore to discuss the media hype around saving honeybees. Are they in as much trouble as we think, or is it time we end our obsession with saving them?

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  • S1 · E1
    July 15 · 43 min

    Episode 1: Can we stop the lionfish invasion?

    In Episode one, we meet with Dr. Monica McCard and Lisette Keus from Lionfish Caribbean to discuss the problems of invasive lionfish in the Western North Atlantic. We talk about the success of culling efforts, the possibility of eradication and even a robot fish hoover.

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  • July 11 · 2 min

    Trailer: Cat Among the Penguins

    Welcome to Cat Among the Penguins, the brand new podcast that dives in to conservations most challenging debates. With hosts Rebecca Nesbit and Jenny Hickman

    • Transcript
Showing 1–13 of 13 episodes