The North and South Poles, also known as Earth’s iceboxes, help cool the planet, store fresh water, influence weather patterns, and more. They’re also the fastest warming places on Earth.
A new book called Ends of The Earth: Journeys to the Polar Regions in Search of Life, the Cosmos, and Our Future illustrates the wonders of Antarctica and the Arctic—and the lengths scientists go to to study them before it’s too late.
Host Ira Flatow talks with author Dr. Neil Shubin, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Chicago, about some of the wonders found at the ends of the Earth, and the threats they’re facing.
Further Reading
- Read more about winter warming at the poles via Live Science.
- Listen to more stories from Neil Shubin via Texas Public Radio.
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Segment Guests
Neil Shubin
Neil Shubin is the author of Ends of The Earth: Journeys to the Polar Regions in Search of Life, the Cosmos and our Future. He’s an evolutionary biologist and professor of Anatomy at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.
Segment Transcript
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Meet the Producers and Host
About Ira Flatow
Ira Flatow is the founder and host of Science Friday. His green thumb has revived many an office plant at death’s door.
About Rasha Aridi
Rasha Aridi is a producer for Science Friday and the inaugural Outrider/Burroughs Wellcome Fund Fellow. She loves stories about weird critters, science adventures, and the intersection of science and history.