About
Lauren is a radio reporter covering environment, water, and energy for KQED Science. As part of her day job, she has scaled Sierra Nevada peaks, run from charging elephant seals, and desperately tried to get her sea legs - all in pursuit of good radio. Before joining KQED, she cruised bunny slopes as a ski instructor in Tahoe, California and ate croissants in France as a travel writer for Frommer's. Her work has appeared on Marketplace, Living on Earth, and NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
All Contributions by Lauren:
Bay Area Biotech Industry Braces for Gene Patenting Court Case
The Supreme Court is hearing a case on a key question: can you patent a human gene?
Audio Report on Apr 12, 2013
Navy Training Raises New Concerns for Whales off California Coast
As the whale migration season reaches its peak, new concerns arise over naval training exercises off the California coast.
Audio Report on Apr 05, 2013
Controversial California Water Plan Takes Shape
The latest draft fails to mollify opponents to a $23 billion-dollar plan for California’s trickiest water problem: the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
Post on Mar 15, 2013
Attack of the Killer Electrons! New Mission Searches for Mysterious Space Particles
They're out there… lurking in Earth's magnetic fields and damaging any satellite in their path.
Audio Report on Mar 08, 2013
On the Elephant Seal Dating Scene, It’s All About Bravado
They may sound like faulty plumbing, but male northern elephant seals have a unique communication system that's all about reputation.
Audio Report on Feb 08, 2013
In Historic Gold Country, Old Mines Get New Life
It's not the frenzy of 1849, but gold mining is quietly making a comeback in California. While some communities are concerned about the environmental costs, others see the chance for a "greener" gold rush.
Audio Report on Jan 18, 2013
Think Tiny: The Science of New Year's Resolutions
Want to keep a New Year's resolution? One Stanford researcher says to give up on lofty goals. Instead, focus on tiny habits.
Audio Report on Dec 28, 2012
California Prepares First Fracking Regulations, Joining Nationwide Debate
The controversial drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing has created an oil and gas boom around the country – and that’s left state governments grappling with how to regulate it. Now, California is wading into that fight.
Audio Report on Dec 17, 2012
With Large Oil Reserve, California Faces Fracking Debate
The new oil-and-gas boom that’s sweeping the country may be coming to California. With it comes the controversy over the drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing – or fracking.
Audio Report on Dec 07, 2012
Cap-and-Trade 101: How California's Carbon Market Works
This week, California rolls out the heavy artillery in its attack on climate change with a program called “cap-and-trade.” It’s like a stock exchange for carbon emissions, where the state’s biggest polluters have to buy the right to emit greenhouse gases. It’s the most ambitious climate change policy in the country, but not everyone is happy with it.
Audio Report on Nov 09, 2012
Q & A – How Will the Solar Industry Shake Out?
Plummeting prices, trade war, record growth – it’s been a busy year for the solar industry. Reporter Lauren Sommer talks to a solar analyst about how California is doing in the rapidly changing global market.
Post on Nov 05, 2012
Looming Trade War Shakes Up U.S. Solar Industry
Federal officials have put trade tariffs on Chinese solar panels. American solar companies are split on whether it will be good or bad for the industry.
Audio Report on Nov 02, 2012
Century-Old Battle Over Yosemite's 'Second Valley' Heats Up
One of California's oldest environmental battles is on the San Francisco ballot. Hetch Hetchy Valley in Yosemite National Park holds most of San Francisco's water supply. But some environmental groups want to turn back the clock.
Audio Report on Oct 05, 2012
West Coast a Test Bed for Ocean Acidification
Scientists say the waters off the West Coast could be hit hard by ocean acidification, but thanks to the natural conditions, it's a good place to study how ocean species might adapt.
Audio Report on Sep 25, 2012
The Heat is On For California Wines
You’ve probably heard of the wines that made Napa and Sonoma famous, like Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay. But what about Negroamaro or Nero d’Avola? They’re wine grapes that are well-adapted to hotter temperatures — the kind of conditions that California may be facing as the climate continues to warm.
Audio Report on Sep 04, 2012
California Considers Giving Self-Driving Cars Green Light
California is considering rules that would allow self-driving cars on the road, but making rules for robots is no simple task.
Audio Report on Aug 24, 2012
Building a Better, Tastier Tomato
Many tomatoes have been bred to travel well and look appealing, but now researchers are focusing on making them more nutritious and better tasting.
Audio Report on Aug 17, 2012
California Considers Banning Dogs in Bear Hunts
The legislature is considering a bill that would ban the use of hounds in both bear and bobcat hunting in the state.
Audio Report on Jul 27, 2012
Space Telescope to Begin Search for Black Holes
NASA's newest space telescope, NuStar, will soon begin its hunt for black holes. Scientists are hoping to learn more about how they grow and why they're such messy eaters.
Audio Report on Jun 29, 2012
Bio-Robotics: Biology Goes High-Tech
Meet "robo-squirrel." New technology in the emerging field of bio-robotics is helping biologists learn more about animal behavior.
Audio Report on Jun 15, 2012
