Episode five of Science Powering Tomorrow is now live!
Learn how science innovation is decarbonising Aotearoa beyond the grid.
While 88% of New Zealand’s electricity is renewable, electricity is just one piece of the energy puzzle – and the bigger picture is less green. In this episode of Science Powering Tomorrow, Dr Isabelle Chambefort, Energy Futures Science Lead at GNS Science, dives into the bold innovations tackling the other 70% of our energy system – the parts still heavily reliant on fossil fuels. From carbon-negative concrete to next-gen geothermal, Isabelle explores the science powering a low-emissions future beyond the power lines.
Join us as we unpack the challenges of decarbonising sectors like transport, construction and agriculture, and discover how cutting-edge research is making solutions like geological energy storage and energy-efficient appliances a reality. This episode is a deep dive into the future of energy in Aotearoa – and how science is lighting the way toward a truly renewable, resilient system.
Tune in now on the GNS YouTube channel(external link), Apple Podcasts(external link), Spotify(external link), or wherever you get your podcasts.
Science meets storytelling in Science Powering Tomorrow, a dynamic 5-part podcast series from GNS Science.
Hosted by GNS hazard and risk management scientist Dr Mary Anne Clive, this series pulls back the curtain on some of New Zealand’s most important and innovative science – from natural hazards to future energy systems – and introduces the passionate researchers behind the advances.
Each episode dives deep into the transformative science happening at GNS, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the vital role science plays in shaping Aotearoa’s future.
“Science is the engine room of change,” says Dr Clive. “With Science Powering Tomorrow, we’re bringing listeners inside that engine room to hear how our research is improving lives and helping to safeguard them every single day.”
Whether a science enthusiast, policy maker, educator, or just curious about the forces shaping New Zealand’s future, this podcast series offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the science powering tomorrow.
All five episodes will be available on the GNS YouTube channel(external link), Apple Podcasts(external link), Spotify(external link), and wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
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10 June | The Supercomputer Calculating Our Risk
Welcome to the "shaky isles" where tectonic plates, volcanoes, and tsunamis meet modern tech. This episode explores the cutting-edge RiskScape(external link) powered supercomputer that models disaster scenarios in real time, helping communities better prepare for the worst. Dr Nick Horspool discusses the science behind the endless possibilities to reduce our exposure to risk.
Tune in on the GNS YouTube channel(external link), Apple Podcasts(external link), Spotify(external link), or wherever you get your podcasts.
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12 June | The Particle Accelerator You’ve Never Heard Of
Go inside New Zealand’s only ion beam facility, a world-class research centre inspired by Ernest Rutherford, the father of nuclear physics, and quietly powering advances in hydrogen energy, 5G tech, and even futuristic medical implants. In this episode, Dr Bill Trompetter takes us behind the scenes of New Zealand’s only ion beam facility.
Tune in now on the GNS YouTube channel(external link), Apple Podcasts(external link), Spotify(external link), or wherever you get your podcasts.
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17 June | A Magnitude 7.5 Earthquake? So What.
Could a major quake one day be as uneventful as a thunderstorm? Seismologists Dr Nicola Litchfield and Dr Anna Kaiser explore how smart design, engineering, and city planning could make our buildings – and our people – far more resilient to big shakes.
Tune in now on the GNS YouTube channel(external link), Apple Podcasts(external link), Spotify(external link), or wherever you get your podcasts.
Find out more about Nicola and Anna(external link)
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19 June | Waving Goodbye to Tsunami Uncertainty
What happens the moment an offshore earthquake strikes? Meet the scientists using revolutionary forecasting tools from the RCET programme to predict when, where, and how a tsunami will hit and when it’s safe to return home. Dr Bill Fry discusses how GNS is pulling from multiple and creative data sources to build this picture in the vast void of the Pacific Ocean where our risk is high and our eyes are few.
Tune in now on the GNS YouTube channel(external link), Apple Podcasts(external link), Spotify(external link), or wherever you get your podcasts.
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24 June | The Unexpected New Technologies Helping Us Solve the Energy Crisis
New Zealand may be rich in renewables, but there’s more to the energy story. Energy Futures Science Lead Dr Isabelle Chambefort unpacks powerful new tech – from carbon-negative concrete to geothermal innovations – that could decarbonise everything from transport to construction.
Tune in now on the GNS YouTube channel(external link), Apple Podcasts(external link), Spotify(external link), or wherever you get your podcasts.