This is the first of a new four-part series called Our Chemical Landscape, in honor of the International Year of Chemistry. Each episode will look at how science has shaped one of these four areas: the city, the suburb, the farm, and the wild.

We begin with the city, looking specifically at how energy impacts the city’s past, present, and future. First, an historical essay on the transition from gas lighting to modern electricity. Plus a feature story from Kimberley Haas about Philadelphia’s plan to become the greenest city in the country.

Special thanks to Catherine Girardeau who finished production on this one.

Philadelphia skyline image courtesy of Flickr user Kevin Burkett.

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The Distillations crew is a decidedly geeky bunch. We revel in it, and with this episode, we hope you will too.

From the Distillations website:

Next time you’re channel surfing, take a look at the scientists depicted on screen. Far from the bumbling poindexters of yore, many of these characters are more like rock stars—solving crimes, saving the world. It makes you wonder: is it becoming chic to be a geek? In today’s episode we seek an answer to this question. First, producer Esther D’Amico investigates how shows like The Big Bang Bang Theory might influence a new generation of scientists. Next, CHF president Tom Tritton looks at some troubling statistics about the state of science education in the U.S. and shares the ways we might improve our standing.

PS: I love my Distillations co-workers for writing “bumbling poindexters of yore”. That is some genius phrasing.

Image courtesy of Flickr user Bylzz.

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