WeWow on the Weekend

Summary

Wow in the World – WeWow on the Weekend (March 21, 2026)

Podcast: Wow in the World
Host: Dennis (and co-host Reggie the giant pigeon) Notable Guests: Mindy Thomas, Guy Raz
Feature Segment: "Operation Earth: How to Be Cool to a Planet that's Hot" (from Wow in the World Season 2, Ep. 18)

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Episode Overview

This episode of WeWow on the Weekend is a fun, interactive, and science-packed experience hosted by Dennis and his sidekick Reggie. The main theme centers around battling climate change and understanding the importance of greenhouse gases, inspired by the relisten to “Operation Earth: How to Be Cool to a Planet that's Hot” with Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz. Alongside listener interactions, reviews, and classic goofy antics, this family-friendly episode cleverly blends humor, imagination, and science into a memorable lesson on Earth's warming, what caused it in the past and present, and what we can do to be Earth's climate heroes.

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Key Segments, Discussions, and Insights

1. March Gladness & Listener Engagement

• [00:01] Dennis’s "March Gladness":

  • A spoof on “March Madness,” Dennis runs through the things that made him happiest this month, with his new haircut being the winner.
  • Encourages listeners to download their own “March Gladness” brackets at tinkercast.com/march.

• [03:21] Reading "Reviewsies":

  • Dennis reads listeners’ reviews—funny, quirky, and affectionate.
  • Notable Listener Review (Crazy Horse34):
    • "But Dennis, Reggie is way better than you and you talk way too much."
      — [03:35] Dennis humorously admits some truth:
      • "Okay, yes, mother does call me a chatterbox. And yes, Guy Raz said I need to practice active listening."
  • Discussion about Squishmallows, with Dennis blending them with marshmallows in a classic mix-up.
  • Introduction of “Baby Dennis,” a silly character who claims to ride a stick horse named Buttercup Thunder, leading to a chaotic visual gag of horse "droppings" made of chocolate chips.

2. Inside Tinkercast Studios — Listening to "Operation Earth"

• [08:15] Dennis sets the stage for the science story:
  • Preps audience for a relisten to a favorite episode about greenhouse gases and global warming, starring Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz.

The Science Story: "Operation Earth: How to Be Cool to a Planet that's Hot"

Starring: Mindy Thomas & Guy Raz

• [11:33] Setting: In Guy Raz’s Greenhouse

  • Mindy bursts in after a time-travel lunch with Marie Curie, setting a playful, time-bending tone.
  • Greenhouse metaphor introduced:
    • "The glass sides of the greenhouse keep the heat from getting out as well."
      —Guy Raz [14:25]
  • Mindy gets cozy by "absorbing vitamins through the dirt," adding comic relief.

• [15:48] Big Science Question

  • Introduction of a major study:
    • By 2100, Earth could be as hot as it was 50 million years ago—86°F on average (vs. 62°F in July 2017).
    • "Crocodiles were swimming in the Arctic and there were palm trees in Alaska." —Guy Raz [18:24]

• [19:25] Greenhouse Gases Explained

  • Metaphor: Greenhouse gases form a see-through wall like the glass in the greenhouse, trapping more and more heat.
  • "All those greenhouse gases act like those glass panels in my greenhouse, keeping all of the heat close to the Earth." —Guy Raz [19:47]

• [20:25] Time Travel to the Past

  • Mindy and Guy Raz head 50 million years back to understand Earth’s hot past, in pursuit of a literal time machine key lost among miniature “pocket horses” (Hyracotherium).

• [22:30] Field Science and Ancient Animals

  • Encounter with tiny ancient horse ancestors, who almost eat the candy cane–key to the time machine.
  • Mindy “cowgirl” moment:
    • "Well, howdy there, little critters." —Mindy [25:23]
    • "Yee haw, little horse doggies. Now run away." —Mindy [25:36]

• [26:08] How Did Ancient Earth Get So Hot?

  • Natural causes: Volcanoes released massive amounts of CO2; no human activity needed.
  • Over millions of years, rocks break down, form dirt, which absorbs CO2, and plants grow, speeding up cooling.
  • Reggie (the environmental science student) phones in to explain dirt and rock weathering:
    • "Those tiny pieces of rock became dirt... and that process started to remove the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere." —Reggie via Mindy [28:28]

• [29:02] Why Can't Nature Fix Today’s Warming?

  • Earth's cooling mechanism can’t keep pace now—“the warming turtle is on a rocket-powered skateboard.” —Guy Raz [30:39]
  • We need to either “speed up the cooling turtle or slow down the warming turtle.”

• [31:07] What We Can Do

  • Simple actions: walk or bike, reduce trash, switch to LED light bulbs, and compost food waste.
  • Composting highlighted:
    • "The average American family produces 20 pounds of food waste every month..." —Guy Raz [31:25]
    • Composting brings less waste, less methane, and helps the Earth.

• [33:47] Visiting the Future (Year 2100)

  • Mindy returns from the future and describes meeting “two famous inventors” who’d found a new, carbon-free energy source.
  • "They were famous because they had worked together to invent a new way to create energy... a kind of energy that didn't add any more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere." —Mindy [34:01]
  • Future teases fun inventions like “electric skateboards for cats!”

3. Reflective, Interactive Wrap-Up

• [34:41] Dennis and Reggie’s Call to Action

  • Dreaming of being the “climate heroes” Mindy met in the future.
  • "What if we're the climate heroes she met? Well, if we create a new energy source, we could be." —Dennis [34:41]
  • Encourages listeners to leave their questions and stay engaged (1-888-7-WOW WOW).

• [35:34] Memorable Goodbye Song

  • Dennis improvises about inventing renewable energy “to save the earth from greenhouse gases and power all the little kitty cat skateboards.” [35:34]

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On talking too much:
  • “This is a talk show and talking way too much is the only way it gets made.” —Dennis [03:35]
• Greenhouse analogy:
  • “All those greenhouse gases act like those glass panels in my greenhouse, keeping all the heat close to the Earth.” —Guy Raz [19:47]
• Nature’s slow fix:
  • “The Earth's cool down process and warm up process are like two turtles in a race.” —Guy Raz [30:05]
  • “Now with greenhouse gases, it's like we put the global warming turtle on a rocket-powered skateboard or something.” —Guy Raz [30:39]
• Small actions matter:
  • “We can help do this by doing things like walking or riding a bike instead of driving a car.” —Mindy [30:48]
  • “One of the best things we can do is to compost our food waste.” —Guy Raz [31:07]
• Future hope:
  • “Our climate change heroes are really out there, Mindy… and they may not even know it yet.” —Guy Raz [34:29]
• Dennis’s closing rally:
  • “I need to go and create a renewable energy source to save the earth from greenhouse gases and power all the little kitty cat skateboards.” —Dennis [35:34]

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Key Takeaways

• Climate science for kids: Greenhouse gases trap heat, causing global warming—both naturally (volcanoes, CO2) and due to modern human activities. Action is needed because today’s warming is happening too quickly for nature to keep up.
• Hopeful future: Kids (and listeners) can be climate heroes by understanding science and making everyday eco-friendly choices, echoing the comic-yet-earnest promise that anyone could help invent the future.
• Humor and imagination: Engaging metaphors (turtles racing, time-travel keys, “pocket horses”), songs, and jokes keep the science accessible and the learning memorable.

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:01 – March Gladness & show open
• 03:21 – Listener “Reviewsies”
• 08:15 – “Inside Tinkercast Studios” intro
• 11:33 – Start of "Operation Earth" feature segment
• 14:25 – Greenhouse analogy explained
• 17:01 – Global temperatures: past vs. now
• 18:24 – Crocodiles in the Arctic and palm trees in Alaska
• 19:25 – Greenhouse gases and global warming analogy
• 22:30 – Arriving 50 million years in the past
• 25:00 – Key eaten by ancient horses scene
• 28:28 – Role of dirt/plants in cooling Earth
• 30:05 – Turtle race analogy for Earth's warming and cooling
• 31:07 – Solutions: reduce, reuse, recycle, composting
• 33:47 – Vision of the year 2100 and climate heroes
• 34:41 – Dennis’s reflections and call to listeners
• 35:34 – Goodbye song and show close

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Final Thoughts

This WeWow on the Weekend episode brings science and eco-action to life through unflagging humor, relatable metaphors, and genuinely actionable advice. Whether you’re a “Wowzer” kid or a grown-up listener, it’s a reminder that we can all help shape a better, cooler future for Earth—perhaps even as “climate heroes” ourselves.

Transcript

[A]

Hello, Wowzers. It's me, Dennis. And before we start the show, did you hear about March Gladness? Reggie? No, not basketball tournament stuff. March Gladness tournament stuff. Yeah, exactly. March Gladness is where I think of all the things that made me the gladdest this month. And then I put them head to head in a tournament style bracket. Oh, so you do know what I'm talking about. Well then, as you know, the winner of my March Gladness tournament was my new haircut. Do you love it?

[B]

What do you mean?

[A]

Don't worry, it'll grow back.

[B]

Whatever.

[A]

Wowzerfams, you too can fill out your very own March Gladness bracket by going to tinkercast.com march there you can print your very own free March gladness bracket. Then fill it out to see what made you the gladys this month. Put your favorite things head to head in a tournament of gladness one more time. That's Tinkercast.com March. Now let's get on with the show. Ah ah ah ah ah. We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. We wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do. Talking, laughing, me and Reggie singing, laughing. And then we. Oh wait, no, I said laughing twice. Whatever. We wow on the weekend. Yeah, we wow on the weekend. Wap clap me wow on the weekend. Cause this is what we do on the weekend. Hello and welcome to Wee Wow on the Weekend. I'm your host, Dennis, and that's my co host, Reggie the giant pigeon. This is the show where we hang out and chit chat and listen to episodes of Tinkercast podcasts. And today we're gonna wait. Hey Reggie, what you got over there? A box? Well, what's in it? Yes, I can see. It's the exact size and shape and smell of a donut box. And that it says Donna's Donuts on it. Well, it's a box, Reggie. And if we have a box, we to sing the song. Reggie brought a box down here to the basement. And now we're gonna find out what's in the box. Okay, Reggie, what's in this box? Yay. Donuts. What a surprise. Hang on, where are the sprinkles? Reggie, did you peck all the sprinkles off? Well then I'm gonna lick all the icing off. Reggie, quit pecking holes in the donuts. They're only supposed to have one. Oh yeah? Well then I'm gonna suck all the jelly out of the jelly donuts with a straw. Yeah. Huh. Gimme that veggie.

[B]

No.

[A]

Thanks for bringing in Donuts Reggie. Okay, let's get into our first segment, Reading reviewsies. I'm reading reviews for me and for uses. We got some good food. This is the part where people write us comments on Apple podcasts or Spotify or whatever, and I print out a bunch and I read them aloud. This first reviewsy comes to us from username Crazy Horse34. The title says, read my review, Dennis. Okay, okay, I'm doing it. Gee. And the message says, 5 million stars. It's so good. But Dennis, Reggie is way better than you and you talk way too much. What? I do not talk way too much. I the opposite of talk way too much. Okay, yes, mother does call me a chatterbox. And yes, Guy Raz said I need to practice active listening. Right, and grandma GeForce keeps telling me to cap my yap, whatever that means. Okay, Crazy Horse 34 may have a point. Reggie might be better than me and maybe I talk way too much, but this is a talk show and talking way too much is the only way it gets made. So let's get to makin Next reviewsie. This next reviewsy comes to us from username Jammy. The title reads to Dennis and the message says, hi, Dennis, my name is salem. I am 12 years old. I would like to hear your opinion on squishmallows. You too, Reggie. Do you like them? I have about 48 squishmallows. Do you have any? And if so, what are their names? Oh, boy. Thanks, Selim. I love squishmallows. And I didn't know anyone else named their squishmallows. I thought I was the only one who did that. Oh, well, I don't know how many I have. Lots, I suppose. How many squishmallows come in a bag of squishmallows? Well, whatever. What I do is take a little squishmallow out of the bag and say, hi there, little squishmallow. I'm gonna you gooey looey. Then I put little gooey looey on a stick and hold it over a campfire until it's nice and toasty. Marshmallows. Reggie, that doesn't make any sense. No, Squishmallows don't marsh they squish. Anyway, when gooey looey is all toasty woasty, I squish it between two pieces of graham cracker with some chocolate. Yeah, it's called the squishmallow Sammy S'. Mores. Stop making up random words, Reggie. Whatever. Next reviewsy. This last reviewzi comes to Us from username fhjgfgc. Umm, I think someone's typing fingers got away from them. Or maybe they were doing a little finger break dance on the keyboard. Let's just shorten this username to fh. Ahem. The title reads Baby Dennis and the message says I love Baby Dennis. Also, can Baby Dennis ride a horse? Well, fh, I don't think Baby Dennis can ride a horse because Reggie, Baby Dennis lives in this little box here under the desk. Where would he even keep a horse? Elepha. Hi Big Dennis. Hi Big Reggie. Oh, hi Baby Dennis. Guess what? Baby Dennis does know how to ride a horse. What? How? You don't even have a horse. Baby Dennis has a pony party. Ride him. Cowboy plushie. Toy stick horse. See? Hi ho, Buttercup Thunder. Oh wow. Buttercup Thunder. Red pink. Dennis, quit riding your cute little toy horsey around the basement. You're making a mess. Yee haw. Get along little bit Dennis. No, I will not get along. Take Buttercup Thunder outside, please. Up the stairs. Great. Now there's little horse droppings all over the basement floor. What are these? Chocolate chips? Thanks for all your reviewsies, listeners. Keep em coming. Remember, if you write us a reviewsie on Apple Podcasts, I might just read it on WEWOW on the weekend and rate us 5 stars or more, please. What? You still can't rate more than five stars? You know, they really need to make that a feature for extra good shows like this one. Yeah, and hearts and smiley faces and little tiny Dennis emojis. And Reggie emojis. Reg Mojis. Okay, next up is a segment I like to call Inside Tinkercast Studios. Inside Tinkercast Studios. This is the part where we listen to an episode of one of my favorite Tinkercast podcasts. And today we're listening to season two, episode 18 of wow in the World called Operation Earth. How to Be Cool to a Planet that's Hot. Well, that's easy. We know how to be cool. Right, Reggie? Exactly. You wear the biggest sunglasses you can find. Right. And a wide brim hat. Well, let's see if Mindy and Guy Raz share our impeccable fashion sense. Okay, here we go. And play

[B]

Wee Wow will be right back.

[A]

Grown ups.

[B]

This message is for you.

[A]

You're listening to Bongo in the Big two in the morning on kwow. Hey Bongo, guess what time it is? Looks to be about 7:40am no, it's time for Big Toot's big favorite. Big favorite? Oh yeah, the part of the show when you big Toot, hit us with your friends favorite new song. What you got for us today? Alright, today's big favorite is a song from a new artist called wow. In the World. Well, what's the song? It's called the scientifically most danceable song in the whole wide world. Wow, that's a big title. Yeah. Let me spin you up a clip. The scientifically most danceable song in the world. A wide world. The scientifically most danceable danceable song. Whoa. Too. That was totally rockin'. Where can we listen to the rest of the song? Anywhere you get your tunes, Bongo. They're out on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you like to spin your tracks. Well, thanks for tuning in to Big Two's big favorite here on Bongo in the Big two. In the morning on kwow. Bye bye now. Later.

[B]

That's it. Now back to the show.

[A]

La la la la la.

[C]

Ah, nothing like a juicy red tomato right off the vine.

[A]

Incoming

[C]

time machine. What in the.

[B]

Oh no. Hey Guy Raz. Thought I'd find you in your greenhouse today.

[C]

Whoa.

[B]

Look at those tiny little tomatoes you grew. They look like little clown noses.

[C]

You almost crushed my entire greenhouse with that giant hunk of junk. What gives?

[B]

Oh, well, I thought I smelled some

[C]

fresh tomatoes over here and they are prize winning tomatoes. Would you like to try one? Fresh off the vine is the best, best way to taste a tomato.

[B]

No thanks, Guy Raz. I am so super full. I just got back from the year 1910 and.

[C]

1910?

[B]

Oh yeah, I was having lunch with my old friend Marie Curie and we were just having the best little chit chat about radioactive elements.

[C]

You mean the Marie Curie? The only person in history to have won the Nobel Prize for physics and for chemistry?

[B]

Yep. Good ol Marie. You should see the way she lights up when she talks about radiation.

[C]

Wow, that must have been a fascinating conversation.

[B]

Yeah, but oh man, it is so hot in here. Is it just me or is it the Pepper X pie I ate for dessert? Whew.

[C]

Well, I guess my greenhouse might be a little warm for us. But it's perfect for my tomatoes, Mindy.

[B]

I don't know, they look pretty red to me. Maybe they've got sunburn.

[C]

Well, this time of year the sunlight isn't strong enough to make the air outside warm. But when the sun comes through the glass in my greenhouse, it heats up the plants and the soil. Which is why it's warm in here.

[B]

The soil. Wait a minute. The dirt is warm too. Let me just see. Ooh, nice.

[C]

Yeah. Who knew warm dirt could feel so good, right?

[B]

Yeah. Do you mind if I just.

[C]

Oh, Mindy. Mindy, what are you.

[B]

I'm just gonna plant myself right here and.

[C]

Mindy, are you burying yourself in my dirt?

[B]

It's fine, Guy Raz. I'm absorbing my nitrogen, my potassium, my magnesium, my iron.

[C]

Mindy, you're in dirt.

[B]

I mean, why take vitamins when you could just suck em up through the dirt?

[C]

Well, I suppose you want me to water you too, or maybe give you some plant food. I even have some grade A cow manure if you want that too.

[A]

What?

[B]

No way, Guy Raz. That would be redonkulous. I'm already full grown.

[C]

Oh, right.

[B]

But it is warm and toasty in here. If only there was a way we could trap all of this heat in.

[C]

Well, the glass sides of the greenhouse keep the heat from getting out as well.

[B]

Um, hang on a second. Let me just get out of this dirt here. Walk over to the window. Are these glass?

[C]

Yes, and please don't knock so hard. You're gonna break. You're gonna break it. Anyway, like I was saying, Mindy, these glass windows double as the walls of the greenhouse, and they keep the plants warm without having to use any extra energy.

[B]

Oh, so all the extra energy you would have to use if you had, say, electric heat lamps or a furnace or something to keep things warm.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

And so the way this greenhouse works is actually pretty good for the environment.

[C]

Right, because even though I have a greenhouse, I'm not creating any greenhouse gases.

[B]

Oh, I could fill your greenhouse with gases, Guy Raz.

[C]

Excuse me, Mindy, that's not what I meant by greenhouse gases.

[B]

I don't work about it, Guy Raz. The plants will clear the air.

[C]

Okay, we'll get back to greenhouse gases in just a minute. But first I have to tell you about this incredible scientific study I was just reading about.

[B]

Oh, you know, I love a good scientific study, Guy Raz. But first, can we get out of here? It's so crazy hot, even my sweat is starting to sweat.

[C]

Well, if you think it's warm in here right now, Mindy, just you wait until the end of the century.

[B]

Wait until the end of the century? That's the year 2100. I don't have that kind of time to wait.

[C]

Well, I know you've got a busy schedule, Mindy, but I think you need to hear me out. This is important.

[B]

Okay, well, this is gonna take a while. You mind if I get back in the dirt? Well, dig, dig, dig. Cover, cover, cover, cover, cover.

[C]

Mindy, can you please stop Planting yourself in my flower beds?

[B]

Well, if you don't want me to lay down in them and cover myself up with the dirt, then stop calling them flower beds.

[C]

What?

[B]

Huh?

[C]

Well, okay, fine. That's a fair point.

[B]

So back to this scientific study you were about to tell me about.

[C]

Oh, right. Well, these researchers from the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom have just discovered that by the year 2100, the average temperature on planet Earth might be.

[B]

What?

[C]

Drumroll, please.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

As hot as what? As hot as it was.

[B]

As hot as it was what?

[C]

As hot as it was 50 million years ago. Mindy. Mindy, did you just hear what I said?

[B]

Yeah, I heard you, Guy Raz. You said that by the year 2100, the Earth might be as hot as it was 50 million years ago.

[C]

Yes, that's exactly what I said. Isn't that wild?

[B]

I don't know. I mean, I guess that depends on how hot it was 50 million years ago.

[C]

Oh, right. That is a good point. Well, 50 million years ago, the Earth was about 86 degrees Fahrenheit. On average.

[B]

On average. So. Meaning that it was hotter on some days and colder on others.

[C]

That's right. And for comparison, In July of 2017, the Earth's average temperature was 62 degrees Fahrenheit.

[A]

Whoa.

[B]

And July is one of the hottest months of the year in some places.

[C]

That's right. And while 86 degrees Fahrenheit might not sound too scorching hot, well, 50 million years ago, it was hot enough that crocodiles were swimming in the Arctic and there were palm trees in Alaska.

[B]

What? That's hotter than a Carolina Reaper mixed with a ghost pepper. Mixed with a Pepper X mixed with a peppermint.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it, I get it.

[B]

But you said that the year 2100 might be as hot, so why isn't it for sure?

[C]

Well, it all comes back to those greenhouse gases we were talking about before you filled my greenhouse with your other kind of gases.

[B]

I said, excuse me.

[C]

Well, that's true, you did. But there's no excuse for the amount of greenhouse gases being put into Earth's atmosphere.

[B]

Yeah, I know all about greenhouse gases. They're created when we drive our cars and heat our houses. And every time a cow chew. Oh, cow say, excuse me. That's good enough. Sorry, Guy Raz, where were we?

[C]

Gases like carbon dioxide are released into the atmosphere and over time, they heat up the Earth.

[B]

Oh, and these gases do that by forming a see through wall around the Earth. Kind of like the glass walls in your greenhouse here.

[C]

Yes, and just like with my greenhouse, the sun shines through those gases onto the Earth and heats us up.

[B]

And just like your greenhouse here, the heat gets locked in.

[C]

That's right. All those greenhouse gases act like those glass panels in my greenhouse, keeping all of the heat close to the Earth.

[B]

Wow, we really gave that metaphor a workout.

[C]

And in fact, Mindy, the greenhouse gases are turning our Earth into. Into a real greenhouse. And if we don't take care of this, things could really start to warm up over the next 80 years.

[B]

Ugh. So we need to do something about it before it's too late.

[C]

That's right.

[B]

I'm on it.

[C]

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

[B]

Why butterflies aren't made with real butter?

[C]

That's not what I was thinking.

[B]

Me neither. I was thinking that it's time to get myself out of this dirt bed and back into the time machine. Guy Raz, it's time for us to go back. Back 50 million years ago.

[C]

That's a great idea, Mindy. Because if the temperature of the Earth 50 million years ago is similar to what it will be like in the future, well, then we kind of need to experience it.

[B]

The key to the future is in the past, Guy Raz.

[A]

Huh?

[C]

That's a very wise thing to say, Mindy.

[B]

No, literally, the key that makes a time machine go to the future is lost in the past. See, I accidentally left it in the Eocene epic the last time we were there. Uh, remember when we went to visit those tiny little horse ancestors of ours?

[C]

Oh, of course I remember. But you can't go leaving the time machine keys 50 million years in the past.

[B]

Don't worry, Guy Raz. I didn't lose the key to the past. So we can still go back in time and find the key to the future.

[C]

Phew. Okay, well, I guess let's go.

[B]

Sounds good. Time machine's parked right outside, so come on. We're going to be late.

[A]

Late?

[C]

Considering we're already 50 million years late, I think it's gonna be okay.

[B]

Get on in here. Scoot over. Come on, scoot over, scoot over.

[C]

Okay, so, present day minus 50 million years. 50 million years. Looks like that'll take us back to the late Eocene epic.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

No pit stops, no bathroom breaks.

[B]

No bathroom. There's no bathroom breaks. Guy Raz, you're gonna be sorry about the. Made it man. All right, let me just open the hatch here. Whoa.

[A]

Whoa.

[B]

Man. Forgot how crazy hot it is back then or back now. 50 million years ago.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, it's really hot. Here it's as hot as the hottest days back in our neighborhood. 50 million years in the future. And judging by our coordinates here, we're probably somewhere around Iowa in North America.

[B]

Iowa? Man, feels pretty hot for Iowa this time of year. Yeah, but don't worry, Guy Raz. I brought alongside some brand new ice helmets that I invented just for an occasion like this. Let me just open my adventure toolbox. Why are there snakes in here? Get out of here, snakes. All right. Oop. Here they are. Still icy cold. Here, try this baby on for size.

[C]

Hope I don't get a brain freeze.

[B]

Guy Raz, we've been through this. Brain freeze comes from eating or drinking cold stuff too fast. You can't get it from wearing an ice helmet. I know.

[C]

I was just trying to make a joke. Oh, forget it. Anyway, let me see your mirror. I want to make sure I've got this thing on straight.

[B]

Oh, yeah. Here you go. Looks good, right?

[C]

Not bad, but it is a little wet and heavy, but it's definitely cooling me off under these hot temperatures.

[B]

Okay, before we do anything else, we need to find the time machine key to the future. Okay.

[C]

I cannot believe you lost it.

[B]

Now, I'm pretty sure we were in this field when we saw the mini horse ancestor. Huh. This has gotta be the same area where I lost it.

[C]

This field goes on for miles, Mindy. I mean, we could be walking all day. By the way, what does the key look like?

[B]

Well, the key just looks like a key, but the keychain is one of those three foot long candy canes.

[C]

How did you not notice a thing? 3 foot long candy cane dropped out of your pocket?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

I think I must have lost it when I was looking for my magnifying goggles.

[A]

Oh.

[C]

Oh, hey, look over there, Mindy. I think I see a group of ancient horse ancestors from the genus Hyracotherium.

[B]

Genus. Genus. Genus. I got it. Genus. Genus is the group of species that they're part of.

[C]

You sound like a genus genius, Mindy.

[B]

If I had a nickel for every time I heard that one. Mindy at Bandette.

[A]

What?

[B]

Hey, do these look like the same ones we saw the last time we were here?

[C]

I think that's them. Yes.

[B]

Aw, they're so cute. These little doggy sized pocket horses. Guy Raz, can we keep one? Wait, it looks like they're snacking on something.

[C]

Yeah, this is a great chance to find out just what these animals are eating. Come on, let's walk over.

[B]

Oh, my turtle and taco shell. Are they eating the key.

[C]

Yeah, they're all licking the candy cane keychain, Mindy. They're about to eat our keys to the future.

[B]

Stay calm, Guy Raz, I'll handle this. Well, howdy there, little critters. I'm sorry to say this, but we're gonna need this here key you're fixin to eat.

[C]

Why are you talking like a cowboy, Mindy?

[B]

Well, because I'm talking to some horses here, partner. Yep, that's it. Spit it out. Put it right there. All right. Yee haw, little horse doggies. Now run away.

[C]

Wow, that worked. And they even left your key.

[B]

Well, thank you kindly, partner.

[C]

Okay, Mindy, you can speak normally now.

[B]

Yeah, that was exhausting.

[C]

Well, this, the heat is exhausting me, even with the ice helmet on.

[B]

Oh, yeah, so about that. I had a thought.

[C]

Yes?

[B]

How did ancient Earth get so hot? I mean, I'm looking around and there aren't any humans yet. I don't see any of these animals driving cars or heating houses or building things.

[C]

That is an excellent question, Mindy, because I know that there was naturally more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere millions of years ago, but I'm not really sure why. So maybe. Maybe we should consult an expert.

[B]

An expert? Reggie.

[C]

Reggie?

[B]

Yeah, he's taking a college class in environmental science.

[C]

Wow. Between Taekwondo and selling shoes at Foot Locker, Reggie never ceases to amaze me. I guess no one should call him a bird brain.

[B]

Why not? Birds have amazing brains. Okay, I'm gonna give him a call. Hey, Reg. Yeah, it's Mindy. Yep, Guy Raz is here too. What? Yeah, I think we should be back in time for dinner. Yeah, except for the fact that we are 50 million years in the past and it's really hot here. The reason we're calling is because we need your environmental expertise. Okay, so what we want to know is how the Earth got so hot 50 million years ago if there were no humans around to do all that stuff that junks it up. Putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

[A]

Oh. Huh.

[B]

Well, thanks, Reg. See ya in 50 million years.

[C]

So what'd he say?

[B]

Okay, so Reggie says the reason there used to be so much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is because of natural causes. Natural events like volcanoes.

[C]

Yeah, that makes sense, because I know that there used to be a lot more volcanoes when the Earth was first formed. And I bet those volcanoes release carbon dioxide when they erupt.

[B]

You got it. Must be a real bird brain too. Guy Raz.

[C]

Thanks.

[B]

And Reggie also said that our Earth cooled down from natural causes as well.

[C]

Natural causes, huh? Well, what were they?

[B]

So, apparently, over millions and millions of years, giant rocks on Earth naturally started to break down into tiny pieces.

[C]

Go on.

[B]

And those tiny pieces of rock became dirt.

[C]

Like the dirt in my garden?

[B]

Yep. And so this dirt started to suck up or absorb a lot of the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

And that process started to remove the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. And. And as a result, the Earth cooled down.

[C]

Of course, now it's starting to make sense. So more dirt means more plants could grow. And plants breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen.

[B]

You got it, Guy Raz. So all of these different natural things happening are why the Earth has heated up and cooled down so many times over millions and millions of years. And I read that our sun in the present day is hotter than it was millions of years ago.

[C]

Well, here we are millions of years ago, and it feels pretty hot to me.

[B]

Whew. The air is hot because of the extra carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but the sun itself is kind of like a light bulb.

[C]

How so?

[B]

Well, you know how a light bulb is cool when you first turn it on?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

But if you try to hug it after it's been on for a couple of hours, it'll burn you.

[C]

Uh, yeah. I take it you learned that the hard way.

[B]

The sun gets hotter and hotter over time, too, even if we can't really feel it heating up.

[C]

And so that's another thing speeding up the Earth's rising temperatures.

[B]

Yep. But what I want to know is if the dirt and the plants absorb the carbon dioxide and cooled down the Earth a long time ago, then why can't the Earth just do that again?

[C]

Well, because right now, Mindy, it's just getting too hot too fast, too. And the Earth's cool down process and warm up process are like two turtles in a race.

[B]

Oh, I love a good turtle race. So how does it work?

[C]

Well, when nature is in charge, the cooling turtle and the warming turtle sometimes pass each other, but eventually they end up evening out the score at the finish line.

[B]

But now with greenhouse gases, it's like we put the global warming turtle on a rocket powered skateboard or something.

[C]

Exactly. So we're gonna have to speed up that cooling turtle or slow down the warming turtle so they can even out again.

[B]

And we can help do this by doing things like walking or riding a bike instead of driving a car. Or maybe just stop wasting so much stuff and creating a bunch of garbage and trash.

[C]

That's right. And by switching out our light bulbs for energy efficient LED light bulbs.

[B]

Take that, warming turtle so what else can we do?

[C]

Well, you might be surprised, but one of the best things we can do is to compost our food waste.

[B]

Oh yeah, composting that beautiful process of worms eating our old food and pooping it out into warm, lovely dirt.

[C]

Indeed.

[B]

But how does it help the Earth?

[C]

Well, the average American family produces 20 pounds of food waste every month. Wow.

[B]

Must be a lot of work to deal with all that.

[C]

It is. And garbage trucks have to burn fossil fuels to take that garbage to landfills. And in some Cities, it's a 500 mile drive.

[B]

That must make so many greenhouse gases.

[C]

It sure does. And even worse, when that food sits in the landfill and decomposes or breaks down, it produces methane, which is another very super strong greenhouse gas.

[B]

Not to mention a very stinky gas.

[C]

And that's why it's our responsibility as humans to help slow down the warming turtle or find a way to speed up the cooling turtle. And make sure the Earth is a good place for all living things.

[B]

Oh, just think of Reggie's great, great great, great, great great grand pigeons. We can help make the future of this planet better for them too.

[C]

Hey, I just got an idea. Why don't we go back to our own time and get started?

[B]

Good idea, Guy Raz. We gotta get back to the time machine. Let me just. Alright now, time to saddle up, partner.

[C]

Mindy, I thought you weren't gonna talk like a cowboy anymore.

[B]

I'm not talking like a cowgirl.

[C]

No, I.

[B]

Here.

[C]

Oh, man, that was a tough landing. You okay, Mindy?

[B]

Yeah, I think so.

[C]

All right, well, let's get back inside the greenhouse.

[B]

Um, actually, Guy Raz, I think I'm gonna meet up with you later. Now that I've got my time machine key to the future, I've got a quick errand to run.

[C]

Okay, but please be careful in the future. And bring your ice helmet just in case.

[B]

See you soon.

[C]

Well, I guess I better go back to the greenhouse and start harvesting my kale. Wha. What? Is she back already?

[B]

Greetings, Guy Raz. I'm back from the year 2100.

[C]

The year 2100. What was it like?

[B]

I met an old man and an old woman who were really famous.

[C]

Okay?

[B]

And they were famous because they had worked together to invent a new way to create energy to use for almost everything. From our lights to our cars to. To our waffle makers to our electric skateboards for cats.

[C]

The future has cat skateboards?

[B]

Whoops. Shh. I didn't mean to give that one away.

[C]

Cat skateboards.

[B]

Anyhoo, this little team and their friends created a new way for us to make energy, a kind of energy that didn't add any more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

[C]

Wow, our climate change heroes are really out there, Mindy.

[B]

Yep, they sure are, Guy Raz. And they may not even know it yet.

[A]

Wow, that was so cool. But now I'm so curious about the climate heroes Mindy met in the future. I know. Who were they? She said they were an old man and an old woman, right? Or did she say an old pigeon? Reggie, what if we're the climate heroes she met? Well, if we create a new energy source, we could be. You're right. We have no time to waste, Reggie. Let's wrap up the show so we can get really good at inventing right now. Thanks to all you listeners out there for tuning in to Weewow on the weekend. If you have a question for me, call and leave me a message at 1-888-7-WOW WOW. That's 1-888-87-WOW WOW. I just might answer your question on Wee Wow on the weekend.

[C]

Okay.

[A]

Should we do the goodbye song? Alright, let's do it. Ahem. That's the end of the show. I need to go and create a renewable energy source to save the earth from greenhouse gases and power all the little kitty cat skateboards. But I'll do another show tomorrow. But for now, that's the end of the show. Bye.