Climate Connections

Japan’s plan to gradually release more than a million tonnes of treated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant has deeply divided nations and scientists. But, a month after the first discharge, Japanese authorities say no detectable amount of tritium has been found in fish samples taken from waters near the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. On this episode of Climate Connections - we take a deep dive with chemical oceanography expert, Associate Professor Patrick Martin from the NTU Asian School of the Environment - to find out what goes behind the risk assessments and a comparison of the levels of radioactivity in the discharged wastewater versus other sources. Feature produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Ryan Huang Music/sound credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors Photo credits: THE ASAHI SHIMBUN VIA GETTY IMAGES

In this episode of Climate Connections - from a rainforest and wetlands built from scratch right in the heart of a school in Singapore, to a customised outdoor syllabus targeting underserved communities in Europe, we explore how science educators are bringing STEM learning out of the classroom.  A deep dive into all that with Commonwealth Secondary School’s Senior Teacher for Biology, Jacob Tan, Head of Department for Humanities & Head of Eco Stewardship Programme Committee, Sia Ling Ee, as well as Professor of Science Education, Lucy Avraamidou from the University of Groningen. Story produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Ryan Huang Special thanks to: Students of Commonwealth Secondary School & Assoc Prof Tan Aik Ling Music credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors

Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the ocean, are key underwater ecosystems that support a rich variety of marine life. Despite their crucial role in sustaining life underwater, the existence of coral reefs are coming under increasing pressure due to climate change and human activities.  Marine scientists Dr Karenne Tun, Director, Coastal & Marine and Terrestrial Branches National Biodiversity Centre, NParks, and Associate Professor Huang Danwei, Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, NUS - share their first-hand accounts of the current state of Singapore's reefs following major bleaching in 2016 and 2017, and how the city-state is embarking on an ambitious journey to plant and grow 100,000 corals. Story produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Lynlee Foo Music/photo credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors Photo credits: Yeo Kai Ting

It’s a wake-up call, as this year’s ongoing spring wildfires in Canada get fiercer - working their way closer to the country’s worst on record. With future fires projected to be hotter and larger, we dig deep to uncover some of the root causes, impact on biodiversity, and how scientists are working to better tackle the situation, one genetic fragment at a time - with Dr Karen Hodges, Professor for Conservation Biology at The University of British Columbia and Elizabeth Clare, Assistant Professor of Biology at York University. Story produced and edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Voiced by: Ryan Huang Music/sound credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors