Two geologists have developed a system for classifying some of the most elusive substances on the planet. Read the rest at The Atlantic.
Category Archives: Climate/Environment/Ecology/Geology
The Bacteria that Live in Your Coffee Maker
This article was originally posted on RealClearScience.
Wherever you live, bacteria live. Wherever you can’t live, bacteria live. From hydrothermal vents to acid mines, microbes have the planet covered. They also have your Nespresso machine covered. Recently, Spanish researchers decided to inventory the microbial community that dwells inside George Clooney’s favorite coffee maker. Continue reading
Policies to Mitigate Climate Change Could Increase Global Hunger
This article was originally posted on RealClearScience.
It is generally accepted as gospel truth among climate scientists and science writers that the world must immediately and drastically reduce carbon emissions in order to prevent apocalyptic climate change. Though RCS’s editorial stance toward apocalyptic climate change is one of skepticism — largely because doomsday prophets, be they the scientific or religious type, have always been wrong — we freely admit that a catastrophic outcome is a possibility and radical measures may be necessary. (At this time, however, we believe that the best policy is the gradual lowering of carbon emissions through the implementation of a carbon tax.)
Whatever combination of climate solutions the world decides to implement, a new analysis in Environmental Science & Technology reminds us that all policies bear costs and unintended consequences. In the case of greenhouse gas reductions, the unintended consequence may be an increased risk of global hunger. Continue reading
Rare Weather Patterns Can Trigger Tsunamis
This article was originally posted on RealClearScience.
The deadliest tsunami in world history struck southeast Asia on Boxing Day 2004 following a behemoth 9.1-magnitude earthquake. Several years later, in March 2011, another tsunami hit Japan, again following a 9.0-magnitude quake. It is not a surprise, then, that geophysicist Gerard Fryer considers earthquakes to be the most common cause of tsunamis. But, they are not the only cause. Landslides are the second most common cause, such as the ones that generated tsunamis in Lake Geneva and Doggerland, a now submerged region of land in the North Sea that once connected Britain to mainland Europe. Continue reading
Phil Plait’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
This article was originally published on RealClearScience.
The Apocalypse is here.
Science writer Phil Plait’s worst nightmare came true. The Republicans won control of the U.S. Senate. What can we expect to happen? In Plait’s words, the Republicans will “put a cohort of science-deniers [sic] into positions of authority,” which “quite literally affects the future of humanity.” Why? Because, now, the United States will no longer be able to address climate change, “the single greatest threat we as a species face today.” Continue reading
Europeans & Their Highfalutin, Pollutin’ Scooters
This article was originally posted on RealClearScience.
This coming summer, I will be making my 13th trip to Europe. I thoroughly enjoy the various cultures with which I come into contact, despite the sometimes thinly veiled sense of superiority that lurks beneath the surface of many Europeans. Because of that, as well as Europe’s tendency to lecture Americans on how to be good global citizens (while simultaneously destroying the Baltic Sea), I can’t resist occasionally poking back when given the opportunity.
And that opportunity is now. Continue reading
When a Dam Break Killed 2,209 Americans
This article was originally posted on RealClearScience.
One of America’s greatest tragedies is curiously absent from most U.S. history textbooks. On May 31, 1889, the South Fork Dam failed, and the ensuing flood killed 2,209 people living in and around Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Continue reading
How Europe Is Destroying the Baltic Sea
This article was originally posted on RealClearScience.
Europeans are rather proud of how environmentally superior they believe themselves to be. For instance, Europeans were indignant when the U.S. decided to not ratify the Kyoto Protocol. In Germany, environmentalism is trendy, and the Green Party is actually a viable political organization, holding 10% of the seats in Parliament. Europeans also unscientifically (and ironically) reject nuclear power and GMOs, all over supposed concern for the environment. Continue reading
Humans Aren’t at the Top of Food Chain
This article was originally posted on RealClearScience.
As a species, we have much to be proud of: We have tamed the wild beasts, we have built wonders of the world, and we have landed on the moon. Of course, we believe that we are quite deserving of our privileged position. After all, we won the evolutionary arms race, climbing and clawing and intellectualizing our way to the top of the food chain over the course of millions of years. Continue reading
Air Pressure: The Chemistry of Weather Forecasts
This article was originally posted on RealClearScience.
Everybody in Seattle knows Jeff Renner. He’s the weather guy on KING5 News, the local NBC affiliate. Each night at around 11:15 p.m., he provides us with little nuggets of knowledge, from the extended forecast to the type of tires we should use when crossing the mountains.
Like all scientists, Mr. Renner has his own special lexicon. Meteorologists are known to use some phrases which may not make an awful lot of sense to the average person. For instance, you might very well hear your weather guy (or gal) say, “The barometic pressure is 30.2 inches and falling.” What on Earth does that mean? Well, it helps to know a little chemistry. Continue reading