The Internet is not the only globally-uniting phenomenon. Viruses and bacteria can circle the globe as fast as we can, and the effects can be devastating. Discover what it takes for an animal disease to become a human pandemic. Also, was hurricane Sandy a man-made disaster? The future of severe storms and climate change. Plus, the view of our science from abroad: why Brits have no trouble accepting the theory of evolution but Americans do. And what about a new annex for Silicon Valley – 12 miles out to sea? Guests: •  Jerry Meehl – Senior scientist, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO •  Alok Jha – Science correspondent, The Guardian •  David Quammen – Science journalist and author, most recently of Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic •  Max Marty – Co-founder and CEO of Blueseed Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices