Pulse of the Planet Podcast with Jim Metzner | Science | Nature | Environment | Technology

Remembering the days when ice was delivered door to door. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, at an annual festival in upstate New York, they cut blocks of ice out of a frozen lake to make homemade ice cream in June. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The surprising backstory of Martin Luther King's most famous speech. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year at this time, folks in Tully, New York, harvest ice out of a frozen lake with horsepower and antique tools. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the moment they hatch, penguin chicks must protect themselves from a hostile world. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giant bells, elaborate costumes, and beautiful yodels: it's New Year's Eve in Urnäsch, Switzerland. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In order to thrive in the icy waters off Antarctica, penguins have had to make a few sacrifices, including the ability to fly. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in the day, how did they store and move enough blocks of ice to service an entire city? Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the days before refrigeration, ice was cut from ponds and stored in ice houses. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A blending of traditions from Russia's past. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mid-winter was the season for ice harvesting. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's said that at midnight on Twelfth Night, farm animals start talking. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to Scottish legend, visitors to your door on the night of Hogamanay, will determine your luck for the New Year. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In rural Alaska, carolers wend their way from house to house, sharing in communal gifts. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Russian traders left the legacy of their traditions in Anchorage Alaska, including the Christmas-time practice of Starring. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bears have unique mechanisms for self-preservation during their months of hibernation. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There was a time when the singing of Christmas carols could land you in jail. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wonder where "Xmas" came from? Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of our most enduring Christmas traditions date back to the pre-Christian era. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In "the most famous small town in the world", how will Santa arrive this year? Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Polish Christmas tradition of Wigilia! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

200 million presents is a big load for any sleigh. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrating Christmas eve with a 20 foot pyre of wood and wire. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas caroling - Puerto Rican Style! Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if Santa Claus got the flu and an ordinary mortal had to cover for him? Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commemorating Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dipping into the Doop of ancestral Sweden. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Young Swedish girls represent Saint Lucia in an early morning ritual. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rituals of light in the darkness of winter. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a little help from quantum physics, Santa could have all the time he needs to make Christmas deliveries. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Switzerland's Klausjagen blends a Catholic holiday with a much older celebration. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whips, bells and a giant paper bishop's hat. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Change Santa Claus's team of reindeer into a single white horse, replace his costume with a bishop's robes, and you'll begin to get a picture of Sinterklaas. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ravens' natural curiosity may be the trait which allows them to survive in nearly every part of the planet. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When certain hunters give a whistle, they're not calling their dog, they're summoning a trained falcon. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A handful of hunters still practice the ancient sport of kings and they're meeting this week. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sounds of the mating behavior, or 'rut', signal the start of Red Stag hunting season in Hungary. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This time of year, the Gabra of Northeast Africa celebrate a holiday which commemorates human dependence on seasonal cycles. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During Nigeria's Kalabari Masquerade, male dancers risk public humiliation for a chance at prestige. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanksgiving unites individuals and families in the spirit of gratitude and sharing. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All the trappings of a traditional Native American meal. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen to the words of a water spirit, communicated through the rhythms of drums. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dry winter months are masquerade season for the Kalabari people of Nigeria. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Syrian Jews, the Sabbath is both a time for rest and for song. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The words of a marriage song reflect a rich and dynamic musical tradition. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For a group of Jews with roots in Syria, Pizmon music carries memories of the past as it marks the celebrations of the present. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When whales surface, they leave a smooth section of water known as a footprint. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California Gray whales find safety in numbers on their long journey south. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Diwali - a luminous celebration of enlightenment. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Using kayaks and "a gentle angle of approach,” a researcher pays a visit to migrating Gray whales. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices