Lizzie Wade

In this engaging discussion, author Lizzie Wade dives into how catastrophes have historically shaped humanity and the planet. She sheds light on the extinction of Neanderthals and their surprising legacy in our DNA. Wade also explores how ancient societies adapted to disasters like El Niño, fostering cooperation and innovation. With pressing challenges like climate change and pandemics ahead, she emphasizes the potential for humanity to transform positively from crisis, reminding us that our story is far from over.

In this engaging discussion, science journalist Lizzie Wade, author of *Apocalypse*, explores how historical catastrophes like pandemics have shaped human resilience. Wade reinterprets the concept of apocalypse as a transformative opportunity rather than an ending. She examines lessons from ancient civilizations that can help us navigate current crises. Joining her is Caroline Dodds Pennock, who adds insights on the societal shifts caused by events like the Black Death and how these reflections can inspire modern adaptability.

Lizzie Wade, a science journalist and author of "Apocalypse," discusses how cataclysmic events have shaped human societies throughout history. She defines the concept of apocalypse and highlights drivers like climate change. Fascinating case studies explore Doggerland and Peru’s El Niño, revealing how disasters prompted monumental shifts and community resilience. Lizzie also connects colonial transformations and modern echoes, reflecting on COVID's impact and humanity's adaptability in the face of chaos.

First up on the podcast, we discuss a finding that’s likely to reignite debate over how humans first spread through the Americas. In the late 1990s, a site in southern Chile called Monte Verde forced archaeologists to adjust their views of the peopling of South America because it dated to about 14,500 years before present, which challenged the prevailing idea of when human inhabitants appeared on the continent. Contributing Correspondent Lizzie Wade joins host Sarah Crespi to discuss new results published in Science that suggest Monte Verde is nowhere near that old. See the paper and related commentary. Next on the show, we talk about groundwater, a vital source of water for both drinking and agriculture that’s often overused and depleted. Producer Meagan Cantwell talks with Scott Jasechko, a professor of water resources with the University of California, Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, about the many different approaches to improving groundwater supplies and what has worked where, which he reviews in this week’s issue of Science. This week’s episode was produced with help from Podigy. About the Science Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lizzie Wade, a science writer and author of 'Apocalypse: How Catastrophe Transformed Our World', dives into the pervasive feeling that the world is ending. She reveals how historical events like the Black Death reshaped societies and explores modern doomerism. Lizzie argues that apocalypses, while destructive, often lead to new opportunities and social transformations. The conversation highlights how cooperation often arises in the wake of disasters, reminding us that from chaos, we can craft better futures.