Environment
What Makes Us Conserve Energy? 6 Lessons from the Smart Grid
Smart meters are providing consumers with hourly and daily energy use information. But does it inspire conservation?
Post on Oct 07, 2011 by Lauren Sommer
In a Sea of Energy Data, Utilities Try to Inspire Conservation
Smart meters are providing California households with their hourly and daily energy use information for the first time. Consumers use less electricity, studies have shown, when they can see that data. But getting them to pay attention to energy in the first place may be the biggest hurdle.
Audio Report on Oct 07, 2011 by Lauren Sommer from QUEST Northern California
Tales from the Ghost Forests
When a megathrust earthquake strikes, scientists around the world know in seconds. But what about hundreds of years ago? How, exactly, do scientists know there was a megathrust quake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone on January 26, 1700 between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m.? The answer lies in a ghost forest discovered on the Washington coast that reveals the secrets of one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit the planet.
Post on Oct 07, 2011 by David Williams from QUEST Northwest
Red Tide Rising: Harmful Phytoplankton Blooms
About a month ago, thousands of abalone and other invertebrates washed up along the Sonoma coast, killed by what people thought was probably a red tide, a.k.a. a harmful algal bloom. An interdisciplinary team of researchers banded together to find out what was going on.
Post on Oct 03, 2011 by Jennifer Skene from QUEST Northern California
Clean Tech Earns Its Stripes
The largest energy user in the United States is the U.S. Military. Its annual energy bill runs about $15 billion dollars a year, which is why the Department of Defense has developed a keen interest in finding other ways to meet its energy needs, including investing in alternative energy.
Audio Report on Sep 30, 2011 by Amy Standen from QUEST Northern California
One Fish Two Fish: Monitoring Marine Protected Areas
QUEST takes to the high seas with researchers Dirk Rosen, James Lindholm and their crew to study the underwater world off the California coast. In recent years, the state has established a network of marine protected areas to help fragile habitats and struggling fish populations bounce back. But are they working?
Video on Sep 27, 2011 by Chris Bauer from QUEST Northern California
QUEST Lab: Engineering Fire
In a dark lab at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, engineers and mathematicians are developing new burners and studying different flames in hopes of better understanding the power of fire and how to make the most efficient flame possible.
Video on Sep 27, 2011 by Chris Bauer from QUEST Northern California
The View from Coal Country in the Age of Green
Coal produces nearly half the electricity in the U.S., but the mercury, sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide it emits also makes it one of the most controversial energy sources. For many environmental activists, coal represents an old, dirty source of power, but for coal-mining communities around the country, the story is different.
Audio Report on Sep 23, 2011 by Carolyn Beeler from QUEST Philadelphia
A Difficult Path for Clean Coal
Coal generates half of all the electricity in the U.S. It’s also the biggest source of global-warming emissions and other air pollution. The coal industry says the answer is not to phase out coal, but instead to produce “clean coal.” Anne Glausser of QUEST Ohio reports on the difficult path for clean coal.
Audio Report on Sep 23, 2011 by Anne Glausser from QUEST Ohio
Mercury Rises on Coal Costs
Half of the airborne mercury pollution in the US comes from coal-fired power plants. After years of study and debate, the Environmental Protection Agency is planning to announce new limits on mercury from coal plants in November. Meanwhile, utilities are scrambling to meet other new federal regulations and industry groups are asking the government to slow down.
Audio Report on Sep 23, 2011 by Grant Gerlock from QUEST Nebraska
As Renewables Boom, California Struggles to Quit Coal
California is known for its "green" reputation, so it might be a surprise that residents in Southern California still depend on coal power when they turn on the lights.
Audio Report on Sep 23, 2011 by Lauren Sommer from QUEST Northern California
Climate Change Could Mean Cloudy Future for Lake Tahoe
Over the last 15 years, more than a billion dollars has been spent to protect Lake Tahoe's clear waters from runoff and erosion. Now, new threats to lake's clarity are emerging, just as restoration funding is drying up.
Audio Report on Sep 16, 2011 by Lauren Sommer from QUEST Northern California
Rise Above Plastics
Plastic is forever, with virtually every piece of petroleum-based plastic ever made still in existence. That's why it's so critical to oceans and beaches that we dramatically reduce our use of plastics, especially single-use plastics.
Post on Sep 15, 2011 by David McGuire from QUEST Northern California
Making Better Land
Humans have been reclaiming land for thousands of years. Lately we have gotten better at reclamation, but nature continues to test our work.
Post on Sep 15, 2011 by Andrew Alden from QUEST Northern California
Airborne Wind Energy
On the windswept tarmac of the former Alameda Naval Air Station, an inventive group of scientists and engineers are test-flying a kite-like tethered wing that may someday help revolutionize clean-energy. QUEST explores the potential of wind energy and new airborne wind turbines designed to harness the stronger and more consistent winds found at higher altitudes.
Video on Sep 13, 2011 by Chris Bauer from QUEST Northern California
Your Videos on QUEST: Dan Griffin of GG Films
"Ocean Babies on Acid" focuses on an experiment that Stephen Palumbi and UC Davis marine biologist Eric Sanford are doing to study the effects of ocean acidification on sea urchin larvae off the California and Oregon coasts.
Video on Sep 13, 2011 by Amy Miller from QUEST Northern California
Web Extra: Orca Sounds vs. Underwater Noise
When listening for orca whales underwater, researchers distinguish their sounds from other noises such as boats, ships, and other sea animals with hydrophones. Learn how these instruments work in this web extra from QUEST Northwest.
Video on Sep 12, 2011 by Kevin Bang from QUEST Northwest
Clean it Up
Plastic in the ocean doesn’t go away, it just gets smaller. Approximately 70% of this plastic sinks to the bottom where it sits like a time bomb waiting to be assimilated.
Post on Sep 07, 2011 by David McGuire from QUEST Northern California
Your Photos on QUEST: Bryant Austin
Scotts Valley photographer Bryant Austin swims eye-to-eye with the world's largest animals in order to bring attention to the plight of these intelligent ocean denizens.
Video on Sep 06, 2011 by Joshua Cassidy from QUEST Northern California
Science on the SPOT: Dark Matter: Inside the Compost Cycle
How does San Francisco’s 600 tons of compostable waste become a nutrient-rich material that improves the quality of our local wines? Agronomist Bob Shaffer, Northern California’s “compost guy,” takes QUEST into the composting process.
Video on Sep 06, 2011 by Kate Szrom from QUEST Northern California
