September 4, 2013
Think differently: renewable hydrogen generation
Most of the existing solutions for renewable energy storage represent riffs on our current energy infrastructure. They are either inherent to …
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143 articles · Page 2 of 6
July 19, 2013
Home sweet home for field campers
With a few exceptions — including available meal choices and entertainment options for when students have limited free time — accommodations at …
June 14, 2012
New dates place Spanish cave art as oldest in Europe
But were the artists modern humans or Neanderthals? Scientists have studied Paleolithic cave art for more than a century, but new research …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Wildfires and debris flows: Federal mud
“Los Angeles weather is the weather of catastrophe, of apocalypse, and, just as the reliably long and bitter winters of New England determine the …
January 20, 2012
Voices: What does "The Nation's Report Card" tell us about science education?
In President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech in January, he emphasized the need for more scientists, mathematicians and engineers in the …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Redefining humanity through energy use
What is it, exactly, that distinguishes us from other species? The definition of humankind has perplexed scientists, philosophers and theorists …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Natural gas can lead the way
Much of the debate concerning energy, climate and the economy involves how to manage the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Log off and get outside again
I began this column while meandering across the West just after Labor Day last year. We drove from Telluride, Colo., to Zion National Park in …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Humans at high temperatures
Reconsidering the economic implications of climate change How much will it cost to implement plans to mitigate climate change? And if we don’t …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Greening the Gross Domestic Product
When measured in terms of annual Gross Domestic Product, or GDP, the United States is the richest country in the world, followed at a distance by …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Geologists on the wrong side of the law
We live in a litigious society. Engineering and environmental geologists are no strangers to the legal system. They frequently deal with issues …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Does all scientific work deserve public attention?
Last September, I read a thoughtful post about science blogging and communication on The Guardian’s science blog by David Dobbs. Many scientists …
January 20, 2012
Voices: Austerity axes geological survey in Greece
We have all heard about the austerity measures being taken in Greece regarding its economy. This economic situation is about to affect many of us …
January 20, 2012
Voices: An old Earth for all Muslims but how does evolution fit in?
It’s no secret that many of the protests and rebellions in North Africa and the Middle East this year have been dominated by globally connected, …
January 20, 2012
Voices: A growing need for geoscience diplomacy
“I have come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world … we have a responsibility to join together on …
January 20, 2012
The art of un-legislating
Taking public approval ratings at face value, it would be easy to conclude that the legislative branch of our government is motivated by an …
January 20, 2012
Science and the social media
How blogs, Twitter and other social media tools are changing conversations about scientific research Blogs, Twitter, Facebook and other social …
January 20, 2012
Running into the brick wall of Creationism again
I had recently moved to a new community and begun a new job. One night I was dining with some potential new friends. Upon learning that I am both …
January 20, 2012
Oil barrel politics
As a new president and Congress entered office in January, current events continue to keep energy in the forefront of national concern. Volatile …
January 20, 2012
Highlights of 2010: Definitive statements: a new trend?
“This is the way it was.” Or: “This is what is happening.” Hmmm. Scientists don’t usually make such definitive statements, given that in science, …
January 20, 2012
Geologic Column: Snow globes, light shows and t-shirts
It seemed like a simple question. “What do you think the most commercialized geologic site is?” My curiosity had been piqued by a trip through …
January 20, 2012
Crystal Ball EARTH: Natural Hazards: Reducing society's risks
The global financial disaster of 2009 has many parallels with catastrophic natural hazards. It struck pretty much without warning, its impact was …
January 20, 2012
Comment: Volcanic versus anthropogenic carbon dioxide: The missing science
“Volcanoes add far more carbon dioxide to the oceans and atmosphere than humans.” So says geologist Ian Plimer of the University of Adelaide in …
January 20, 2012
A Dirty Secret - China's greatest import: Carbon emissions
The U.S. and much of the Western world have a dirty secret. While we claim to be working diligently to decrease our emissions and switch to …