Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silk-logic-sustainability-daily/id1842028080
Sustainability Daily Podcast 12/20/2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Zero-shot deep learning for the annotation of unknown eDNA sequences using co-occurrences and phylogenetic embeddings
Author: Steven Stalder, Théophile Sanchez, Michele Volpi, Stéphanie Manel, David Mouillot, Arnaud Auber, Morgane Bruno, Virginie Marques, Camille Albouy, Loïc Pellissier | Date: December 19, 2025
A new deep learning method combines phylogenetic embeddings and species co-occurrence data to annotate environmental DNA, correctly predicting unseen species in roughly a quarter of tests. The approach aligns closely with traditional pipelines while operating faster from raw sequence to species list, promising scalable biodiversity monitoring as eDNA volumes surge. It could significantly improve conservation diagnostics where reference databases remain incomplete.
Dual niche modeling with GEE and SHAP for predicting habitat shifts of Haloxylon ammodendron and Cistanche deserticola under climate change
Author: Jing-Xia Guo, Yan Wu, Teng-Da Zhang, Feng-Long Lv, Yi-Fan Gong | Date: December 19, 2025
Researchers integrated climate and soil models with interpretable ML (SHAP) to forecast dramatic habitat contractions for a keystone desert shrub and its parasitic plant by 2100—up to 56% and over 97% losses, respectively, under high-emissions scenarios. The dual-model framework highlights temperature seasonality, precipitation, and soil water-holding capacity as critical drivers. Findings offer actionable guidance for refugia protection and host-dependent conservation planning in arid ecosystems.
Robot Talk Episode 138 – Robots in the Environment, with Stefano Mintchev
Author: Robot Talk | Date: December 19, 2025
ETH Zürich’s Stefano Mintchev discusses bioinspired robots designed to explore and monitor natural environments. His lab builds robust, scalable aerial systems that can extend ecological fieldwork and support sustainable resource management. The conversation underscores how autonomy and design inspired by nature can unlock safer, richer, and more frequent environmental monitoring.
Why 2026 Will Be The Year Of The Intelligent LMS
Author: Kadamberi Darad | Date: December 19, 2025
AI is reshaping learning management systems into skill intelligence platforms that personalize training, accelerate content creation, and link learning to measurable business outcomes. In 2026, these capabilities move from pilots to enterprise scale, with trust, governance, and ecosystem integration as must-haves. The payoff: a workforce-ready engine that builds capability and adaptability in real time.
Engineering’s AI Reality Check: Why 2026 will force engineering leaders to prove AI impact with real data
Author: Alex Circei | Date: December 19, 2025
Boards are shifting from “experiment with AI” to “prove outcomes,” pushing engineering leaders to show how AI changes delivery, quality, and customer value—not just activity. The piece argues that task-level speed-ups rarely translate into system-level productivity without deliberate reinvestment in quality and high-friction initiatives, guided by engineering intelligence platforms. A 2026-ready plan includes baselining capacity, instrumenting AI usage, and tying AI savings to debt reduction and mission-critical migrations.
Mycelium Market Size to Reach USD 6.72 Billion by 2033, Driven by the Increasing Demand for Sustainable Packaging Globally
Author: Not specified | Date: December 19, 2025
Global mycelium demand is set to nearly double by 2033, led by sustainable packaging, leather alternatives, and food applications, despite scale-up hurdles. North America leads adoption today, while Asia Pacific is poised for the fastest growth, with innovators like Ecovative and MycoWorks launching next-gen products. The report highlights mycelium’s circular potential and the need for manufacturing capacity to meet rising ESG-driven demand.
From 5% to zero: the six-pack of beer that makes moderation feel doable
Author: Liesbeth den Toom | Date: December 19, 2025
Leo Design and Lake of Bays Brewery created a “Holiday Detox Pack” that steps drinkers from 5% ABV down to 0% across six beers, easing the path to Dry January. The design mirrors the concept, with progressively clearer visuals and varied styles to preserve flavor. It’s a smart example of behavior-change design that meets consumers where they are and makes moderation feel achievable.
Closing thought: From AI-powered biodiversity science and climate-ready conservation to field robots, workforce intelligence, and circular biomaterials, today’s stories show how smarter tools and thoughtful design can turn ambition into measurable impact. Whether it’s protecting ecosystems, proving AI ROI, or nudging healthier habits, the through-line is clear: evidence, empathy, and scalability are the new levers of sustainable progress.
