• My interest in science is quite poetic. The things that I find the most interesting about science are when it can be woven into a story that makes sense and I think that's kind of artistic in a way: you take the scientific knowledge and make it into a more abstract kind of poetic thing.

Note: I'll be back during the winter of 2025 with season 6 on the theme of 'art and culture in times of crisis and collapse'. Also, this episode was published on October 23, 2024 : our daughter Clara Schryer's 23rd birthday. Bonne fête chère Clara!

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(arctic soundscapes: Clara and Noa Caspi talking about drones + daily check in with Resolute + candle ice breaking + plane arriving)

This is the final episode of the fifth season of the conscient podcast.

(arctic soundscapes: Clara trying to imitate Claude’s style of simplesoundscapes recording while searching for candle ice)

This season began on February 21, 2024 with e154 featuring my son Riel’s research on ethics in science:

• I don't think there's going to be any serious response to the climate crisis until real catastrophes start happening. That tends to be how it works. And once you start seeing that, then you'll start seeing very serious action being put in place. Although, we'll see at that point, if it's too late or not.

(arctic soundscapes: Clara and Noa talking about recording technology)

This last episode features field recordings that Noa Caspi and Clara recorded during a 2-month field research project at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory on Melville Island in Nunavut during the summer of 2024. 

You’ll hear Clara talk about some of her favorite sounds, including the unique vibrations of ‘candle ice’: 

• I get to the field in early June, and on the lake, there's two to 3 meters of ice and that only melts. Like, the lake is ice free for like, maybe a couple weeks max, sometimes not even at all, depending on the year and how much ice there was and the temperature and stuff. But this really thick ice as it melts, and I don't know exactly how, but it forms into these kinds of candles.

(arctic soundscapes : Clara and Noa talking about candle ice + Clara walking around in moss)

In between soundscapes from the arctic, you’ll hear Clara talk about the rapid changes in the Arctic and some of the challenges of envisioning a new future and how art might help us imagine possibilities amidst uncertainty.

(arctic soundscapes : bird song, wind)

• Northerners are facing a new world a lot faster than the rest of us are and I'm not sure what to say other than figuring out how to... What's the wording: creating the conditions for the new world… (for other… other possible worlds to emerge – Claude) Imagining what that new possible world could look like is tricky. (And that's what art does - Claude). That's what art does.

(arctic soundscapes : Clara and Noa talking about recording in the field)

My conversation with Clara reminded me that scientific knowledge can be transformed into poetic narratives and that we benefit from both scientific and artistic creative work. 

One might even speculate that they are more or less the same thing. 

(arctic soundscapes : walking on the tundra)

And at any rate.

All of this requires a lot of listening.

*

Sections of the episode (generated by AI and reviewed by Claude Schryer)

Welcome
In this introductory chapter, Clara joins Claude marking the season finale. They discuss the unique perspective of younger generations on pressing issues and the intersection of art and science.

A Scientist’s Journey
Clara shares her background, detailing her journey from Ottawa to studying earth system science at McGill. She highlights her passion for the outdoors and how her academic pursuits led her to a master’s program at Queens.

The Young Person’s Dilemma
Reflecting on a pivotal conversation from Clara’s past, they discuss the challenges young people face when choosing careers that can address climate change. Clara reveals her evolving mindset about making a difference in the world.

Eco-Anxiety and Climate Change
Clara talks about her feelings about eco-anxiety and the complexities of climate change. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on local solutions and the challenges of balancing personal and global concerns.

Fieldwork in Nunavut
The conversation shifts to Clara’s fieldwork at the Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory in Nunavut. She explains the project’s focus on hydrology, soil, and greenhouse gas fluxes, contributing to a better understanding of the global carbon cycle.

Journey to the Arctic
Clara describes the logistical challenges of reaching her field site, detailing the multiple flights and stops along the way. She shares insights about the isolation and unique experiences of conducting research in such a remote location.

Soundscapes of Nunavut
Clara introduces her recordings from Nunavut, highlighting her experiences doing field recording. She shares her favorite sounds, including the unique ‘candle ice’ and the soothing ambiance of the tundra.

Artistic Moments in the Arctic
The discussion turns to the artistic expressions Clara and her team engaged in during their time in Nunavut. From sketching to singing, they explore how creativity flourished amidst the challenges of fieldwork.

Navigating Inuit Territory
Clara reflects on the complexities of conducting research in Inuit territory as a southern researcher. She discusses the importance of understanding the historical context and the need for meaningful community engagement.

Imagining New Worlds
As they explore the theme of preparing for the end of the world, Clara shares her thoughts on the rapid changes in the Arctic and the challenges of envisioning a new future. They discuss the role of art in imagining possibilities amidst uncertainty.

The Poetic Side of Science
Clara discusses the intersection of art and science, emphasizing how scientific knowledge can be transformed into poetic narratives. She reflects on the importance of creative thinking for scientists and the value of storytelling in conveying complex ideas.

Hope Amidst Despair
The conversation shifts to the often bleak outlook on climate change. Claude highlights the potential for regeneration and adaptation in the face of environmental challenges.

Candle Ice: A Metaphor for Change
Clara shares a poetic metaphor about ‘candle ice’ as a representation of climate cycles, illustrating how dramatic changes can be part of a natural process. This discussion leads to a deeper exploration of destruction and renewal in ecological systems.

The Jaded Scientist
Clara talks about the challenges and joys of working in earth science, expressing feelings of futility in the face of the complexity of earth science research. She discusses the importance of transparency in scientific communication and the limitations of research methods.

Shifting Focus: From Global to Local
Clara reflects on her evolving interests within the scientific field, expressing a desire to focus on local environmental issues rather than global ones. This shift highlights the interconnectedness of local and global processes in understanding climate change.

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END NOTES FOR ALL EPISODES

Hey conscient listeners, 

Thanks for your presence. Season 5 of this podcast is now completed. I'll be back with season 6 on art and culture in times of crisis and collapse (see trailer for details) sometime in 2025. 

Background on the conscient podcast 

I’ve been producing the conscient podcast as a learning and unlearning journey since May 2020 on un-ceded Anishinaabe Algonquin territory (Ottawa). It’s my way to give back and be present.

In parallel with the production of the conscient podcast and it's francophone counterpart, balado conscient, I publish a Substack newsletter called ‘a calm presence' which are 'short, practical essays about collapse acceptance, adaptation, response and art’. To subscribe (free of charge) see https://acalmpresence.substack.com. You'll also find a podcast version of each a calm presence posting on Substack or one your favorite podcast player.

Also, please note that a complete transcript of most conscient podcast and balado conscient episodes from season 1 to 5 is available on the web version of this site (not available on podcast apps) here: https://conscient-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes.

Your feedback is always welcome at claude@conscient.ca and/or on conscient podcast social media: Facebook, X, Instagram or Linkedin. 

I am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this podcast, including the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the co