Alan Bean

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This week: Two stories from Europe on climate change: Leaders at the G8 summit talk about emissions limits, and Amsterdam goes aggressively green. Also: An anti-Darwinist in Turkey, an artistic astronaut, and a drive to save wildlife in Kenya. Plus economic crises contribute to higher suicide rates, and caloric restriction helps monkeys live longer.

Climate at the G8: The eight major industrialized countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – met in Italy this week. One of the key topics was climate change, but progress was slim.
Guest: Alden Meyer, Union of Concerned Scientists.

Amsterdam Goes Green: The capital of the Netherlands is hoping to dramatically lower the carbon footprint of its residents. This story is the second installment in a five-part series on how Europe is confronting the challenge of climate change.
Report: By Kathleen Schalch in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Innovative Motor, a venture to create clean energy.

Protecting Wildlife In Kenya: A new study reports that Kenya’s famed wildlife is in trouble. Researchers say from the late 1970s to the late 1990s, wildlife populations in that country declined by 40 percent. The scientists say saving the animals will require help from villagers who live around national parks. We look at efforts to protect wildlife around the Masai Mara National Reserve.
Report: By Jon Miller in Kenya.

Here’s the study itself.

Download the story about animals inside the park.

Turkish Creationist: For decades, America has been the locus of anti-Darwinism. Now Darwin’s theory of evolution is being attacked by a creationist in Turkey, Adnan Oktar. He says he’s defending Islam against a false and dangerous idea exported from the West.
Report: By the World’s Aaron Schachter in Istanbul.

"How It Felt"

Artsy Astronaut: Over the past 40 years, 11 men have walked on the moon. Only one is an artist. Former astronaut Alan Bean has dedicated his life to capturing his experiences in space — on canvas. An exhibition of his work will open next week at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington.
Guest: Alan Bean

See more paintings at Alan Bean’s site.

David’s favorite science stories of the week (Elsa’s away, venturing through Bulgaria):

• Financial crises may contribute to increases in suicide and alcohol-related deaths (but decreases in automobile-related deaths). Here’s more.

• Calorie restriction helps monkeys live longer. Here’s the press release.

Music:
Rocket, by Albert Hammond, Jr.
My Moon My Man, by Feist