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Science & Medicine

The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis

NOVA Now by GBH

Apr 22, 202601:23Science & Medicine

Long before trees and grass, microbes were shaping our atmosphere. Evolutionary biologist Peter Girguis explains how ancient bacteria learned to split water for energy, and why their waste product changed Earth forever....

About This Episode

The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis is an episode from NOVA Now by GBH. Long before trees and grass, microbes were shaping our atmosphere. Evolutionary biologist Peter Girguis explains how ancient bacteria learned to split wa...

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Episode Details

Published Apr 22, 2026, 01:23 long, audio available.

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Questions About This Episode

What is The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis about?

Long before trees and grass, microbes were shaping our atmosphere. Evolutionary biologist Peter Girguis explains how ancient bacteria learned to split water for energy, and why their waste product changed Earth forever. For more, check out the extended interview with Peter Girguis. Learn more about NOVA and

Where can I listen to The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis?

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Which podcast is The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis from?

The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis is an episode from NOVA Now by GBH.

How long is this episode?

This episode is 01:23 long.

When was this episode published?

This episode was published on Apr 22, 2026.

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Quick Answers About This Episode

Where can I listen to The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis?

You can listen to The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis on this page when the episode audio is available from the podcast feed.

Which podcast is this episode from?

The Air You Breathe Is Bacteria Poop Peter Girguis is from NOVA Now by GBH.

What are the episode details?

Published Apr 22, 2026 and 01:23 long