One purpose to learning, and increasing knowledge, is the opportunity to share this knowledge with others. Any scientific topic can be difficult to discuss because there is a baseline level of knowledge, and terminology, necessary for understanding. Regardless, there are ways to share knowledge accessibly through conversation. In an article for Yale Climate Connections, Sara…
Author: adam.bennett
Who should you discuss climate change with?
In the past I have considered how, for some topics, certain individuals are more easily persuaded compared to others. Karin Kirk, in her article for Yale Climate Connections, introduces the spectrum of persuadability. There is a good figure in her blog post illustrating the spectrum. As Kirk explains, the spectrum of persuadability includes the following…
Upcoming Environmental Events
Shale and Public Health Conference This free event is happening today (until 5pm) at the University of Pittsburgh University Club. The address is: 123 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. Topics include: “research on childhood cancer in Pennsylvania, Public Health and the Plastics Lifestyle, and shale gas activity and sexually transmitted infections in Ohio.” SCDN Webinar…
Considerations for a Hydroelectric Plant in Pittsburgh
Hydroelectric dams offer a sustainable solution compared to fracking, but they are not a perfect solution. According to Rita Michel from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rye Development of Boston are looking to install a hydroelectric dam below the Highland Park Bridge. She explored some of the possible detriments to a hydroelectric dam through interviews with people…
Termites are Scientifically Amazing!
Nathanael Johnson, in his article for Grist, covers Lisa Margonelli and her book Underbug: An obsessive tale of termites and technology. Margonelli mentions one particularly vivid fact about termites that piqued my interest. “Termites, I was told, could turn a piece of paper into a liter of hydrogen.” Termites are fantastic at breaking down materials….
Is Technology an Important Part of Climate Change Prevention?
Carbon dioxide is being sucked out of the air in Iceland. Should this technology be further developed? Could Carbon Dioxide removal (CDR), or negative emissions technologies, be an essential part in keeping impacts of global warming near 1.5 degrees Celsius? In the summary for policymakers section of the IPCC report there are some important insights…
How to Share and Understand the I.P.C.C. Climate Report
Climate change will affect your life in a negative way if it has not already. These drastic changes are described in the I.P.C.C or UN Climate report. So, how can you prevent your life from being negatively impacted? One small way forward is to understand how ideas are spread. A good discussion about the spreading…