PBS NewsHour - Science

A new kind of construction with a not-so-new material is taking off in the U.S. Mass timber can replace steel and concrete in large buildings and proponents say it's greener and faster to build with. NewsHour Weekend Special Correspondent Megan Thompson recently visited the Ascent building in Milwaukee, a 25 story mass timber tower that will open next summer. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Most widely known as the curmudgeonly libertarian Ron Swanson on NBC's hit comedy 'Parks and Recreation,' Nick Offerman admits to several similarities with his character: a love of carpentry, whiskey, and the great outdoors. Now, Offerman is turning his attention to a new cause: environmental activism. His new book, 'Where The Deer and Antelope Play,' is a meditation on our relationship to the natural world. He joins Christopher Booker to discuss. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

President Biden's infrastructure bill includes $50 billion for climate 'resiliency': funding to help mitigate and adapt to the effects of global warming. Special correspondent Tom Casciato reports on a unique partnership in California that uses behavioral science and cultural awareness in climate studies to help communities cope with extreme weather, as part of our series, 'Peril and Promise: the Challenge of Climate Change.' PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Young people around the world continue to protest in large numbers over what many see as inaction from political leaders on climate change--today's Global Day of Action is no exception. As the COP26 conference continues in Glasgow, Jasmine Sanders, Executive Director of 'Our Climate,' a non-profit that works to empower young people to lead and teach others about 'science-based, equitable climate policy solutions,' joins. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The impacts of a warming world and changing climate are more evident every day. Many of the Earth's tropical glaciers are in jeopardy because of human activity's effect on the atmosphere. William Brangham reports on a couple in Columbus, Ohio, who have dedicated their scientific careers to preserving and studying these crucial, endangered parts of the planet's ecosystem. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

World leaders at the U.N. climate summit pledged today to cut methane emissions and conserve forests. President Joe Biden wound up his two days at the Glasgow gathering focusing on America's role in the new initiatives. William Brangham reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

World leaders from more than 100 countries are in attendance at the U.N. Climate conference in Scotland. But China's Xi Jinping, president of the globe's largest polluter, is absent from the crowd. For any efforts to succeed in fighting climate change, China must be at the forefront. Reducing China's reliance on coal is key. Nick Schifrin and special correspondent Patrick Fok report. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In the race to reach carbon neutrality, the British government and other private stakeholders have set out on a daunting task: reforesting Great Britain by planting around 75,000 acres of woodland each year by 2025. The goal is to off-set Britain's carbon emissions by using newly grown forests to capture carbon. Special Correspondent Willem Marx reports as part of 'Peril & Promise: The Challenge of Climate Change.' PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

World leaders made a climate pledge on coal and recognized the importance of reaching carbon neutrality 'by or around mid-century' on the final day of the G20 summit in Rome. Meanwhile, the United Nations' climate summit COP26 officially began in Glasgow, Scotland amid dire warnings by scientists on the time left to cap global warming to 1.5 celsius. New York Times climate reporter Somini Sengupta joins. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

When we think about flooding, it's usually in coastal towns and cities, or places right next to large rivers. Taking into account rising sea levels and severe weather events, a non-profit research group assessed the flood danger to infrastructure in the US over the next thirty years--and their findings may surprise you. Matthew Eby, Executive Director of the First Street Foundation, joins to explain. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

The leaders of major oil and gas companies testified at a tough hearing Thursday on Capitol Hill about their companies' roles in greenhouse gas emissions, the acceleration of climate change and allegations of past deception and misinformation. The testimony comes days before a global climate summit is set to begin. William Brangham reports. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

A special experimental white paint that recently made it into the Guinness World Records could one day help keep the world from heating up. John Yang explains from West Lafayette, Indiana. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Federal and state investigators are focusing on a 41-year-old pipeline as the cause of a massive oil spill off the Southern California coast. The 126,000 gallon oil spill is threatening wildlife and prompting a robust cleanup effort in the Pacific Ocean. But as Stephanie Sy reports, the scale and scope of the damage remains unclear. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

It is the famous lightbulb-going-off story every school kid learns: How James Watson and Francis Crick discovered the structure of DNA, cementing their place in scientific history. But as William Brangham explains, a new book titled "The Secret of Life" paints a more troubling picture of how this famous discovery came about, and why scientist Rosalind Franklin also deserved credit. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

California's famous giant sequoias can live for thousands of years. But the KNP Complex Fire is just 11 percent contained, and is burning across nearly 50,000 acres, including treasured groves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Another fire is also blazing in Sequoia National Forest to the south. Special correspondent Cat Wise got a first-hand look on a recent media tour with officials. PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders