Laws of Notion is an award-winning podcast by the Institute for Science & Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where we push against our preconceived beliefs and think critically about the world around us.
Each season, we’ll tell a story about an issue facing a community, where there are no easy answers. Listen to explore the interconnections between science, policy, and our human nature.
Laws of Notion won two awards for its Season 1 debut, Coal at Sunset, taking home the 2022 National Academies Eric and Wendy Schmidt Awards for Excellence in Science Communication for Local/Regional Science Journalism, and the 2022 Excellence in Institutional Writing Awards from the National Association of Science Writers in the long-form category.
The urban Front Range of Colorado frequently makes headlines for poor air quality. And in parts of the state, the air we breathe ranks dangerously high for particle pollution and ozone, which are some of the most harmful types of air pollution.
Our air is a complex soup of ingredients, which impacts not only the health of our most at-risk neighbors and children but the health of all of us, our economy, and our climate. When people’s health is at risk, and tradeoffs need to be made -- how do we solve this complicated issue? Listen to our eight-part series about the state of the air in Colorado and beyond, and how we are navigating this complex problem that has no borders.
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In Colorado, the pressures on water are approaching an all-time high. Our state continues to grapple with who has the right to water because what pours out of our tap is actually a complex blend of history, economics, policy, and power plays.
The five-episode series explores the tradeoffs and consequences required to manage our water system. Through in-depth interviews and storytelling, we uncover the complexities of water from the San Luis Valley to the Front Range, and how they impact everyone’s quality of life.
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In rural northwestern Colorado, the town of Craig is at a crossroads. Coal has long been the primary employer and economic driver in this small, tight-knit community. It’s an identity. A way of life.
But now, something is about to change. The nearby coal plant and coal mines will close by decade's end as Colorado moves away from fossil fuels in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Suddenly, Craig faces a looming economic transition, the loss of hundreds of well-paying jobs, and an uncertain path forward. The eight-part podcast series takes you inside one community on the front lines of Colorado's energy transition.
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