Environment
Graywater Guerrillas
Over the last few years we've all been asked to tread more lightly on the planet – use less energy, less gasoline and less water. Now a growing movement of do-it-yourself-eco plumbers are testing the limits of just how green you can get before running into trouble with the law.
Audio Report on Jul 20, 2007 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Graywater Guerrillas
Reycling graywater from sinks, showers, and washing machines to irrigate your garden is the latest in green living — in many cases, it's also against the law. QUEST reports from the frontlines of D.I.Y eco-plumbing. You may listen to the "Graywater Guerrillas" Radio report online, as well as find additional links and resources. Amy Standen [...]
Post on Jul 19, 2007 by Amy Standen
Attract Native Bees to Your Garden (web only)
University of California entomologist Gordon Frankie is researching what plants are best at luring honey bees and wild bees. Join us as he gives a tour of his garden in downtown Berkeley.
Video on Jul 17, 2007 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Better Bees: Super Bee and Wild Bee
California farmers depend on bees to pollinate the state's multi-million dollar fruit and nut crops, but last season thousands of bee colonies disappeared around the country. Meet two Northern California researchers looking for ways to make sure we always have bees to pollinate our crops. You may view the "Better Bees: Super Bee and Wild [...]
Post on Jul 17, 2007 by Gabriela Quirós
Better Bees: Super Bee and Wild Bee
California farmers depend on bees to pollinate the state's multi-billion-dollar fruit and nut crops, but in recent years thousands of bee colonies have disappeared around the country. Meet two Northern California researchers looking for ways to make sure we always have bees to pollinate our crops.
Video on Jul 17, 2007 by Gabriela Quirós from QUEST Northern California
Big Plans for Big Oil
As Chevron hatches expansion plans for one of California's largest oil refineries, Richmond's Green Party mayor considers the future of her city, and the state.
Audio Report on Jul 13, 2007 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Watersheds 101
I spent the 4th of July at the Marin County Fair, befriending llamas, riding the Ferris wheel, eating ice cream, and exploring an oversized floor map of Marin watersheds–part of an "Aquatic Adventures" exhibit that The Bay Institute helped to put together for the Fair. It was fun to watch kids and grown-ups alike wander [...]
Post on Jul 12, 2007 by Ann Dickinson
The Wisdom of the Redwood
The timeline on the redwood cross section said it had been born when the Roman Empire was at the height of its power, around 100 A.D. I was standing in front of a 30-foot-wide tree trunk in the Northern Californian logging town of Fort Bragg. Tiny little monkey brains, like mine, find it difficult to [...]
Post on Jul 11, 2007 by Donovan Rittenbach
From Waste To Watts: Biofuel Bonanza
It may look like waste, but to some people it's green power. Find out how California dairy farms and restaurants like Jardinière are taking their leftover waste and transforming it into clean energy. You may view the "From Waste To Watts: Biofuel Bonanza" TV Story online, as well as find additional links and resources. Also, [...]
Post on Jul 10, 2007 by Amy Miller
From Waste To Watts: Biofuel Bonanza
It may look like waste, but to some people it's green power. Find out how California dairy farms and white tablecloth restaurants are taking their leftover waste and transforming it into clean energy.
Video on Jul 10, 2007 by Amy Miller from QUEST Northern California
Wetlands Time Machine
More than 100,000 acres of wetlands are being restored in the Bay Area, but how exactly do we know what to restore them to? QUEST discovers how historical ecologists are recreating San Francisco Bay wetlands that existed decades ago.
Video on Jul 10, 2007 by Josh Rosen from QUEST Northern California
Eco-golf, Anyone?
Golf courses may look green, but they aren't that kind of "green." At least not to many environmentalists. For many, golf courses take away valuable habitat and use too many resources. But there’s a movement afoot to make them more eco-friendly. You may listen to the "Eco-golf, Anyone?" Radio report online, as well as find [...]
Post on Jul 06, 2007 by Andrea Kissack
Eco Golf Anyone?
Golf courses may look green, but they aren't that kind of "green." For many environmentalists, golf courses take away valuable habitat and use too many resources. But there's a movement afoot to make them more eco-friendly.
Audio Report on Jul 05, 2007 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
How Buildings Evolve (or Devolve)
I wonder if homes in the past fifty years or so have undergone a similar evolution in architecture– or devolution, depending on your point of view– as churches. Dining with FriendsDuring my former career as a Catholic priest, I taught a few Religious Studies classes at a small college. My favorite text in one class [...]
Post on Jun 29, 2007 by Jim Gunshinan
Harnessing Power from the Sea
California is looking at harnessing power from the sea to help meet the state's energy demand. Although not yet widely used, many believe tidal power has more potential than wind or solar power for meeting alternative energy needs. Quest radio looks at plans for tidal and wave power off San Francisco and along the northern [...]
Post on Jun 29, 2007 by Andrea Kissack
Harnessing Power from the Sea
Although not yet widely used, many believe tidal power has more potential than wind or solar power for meeting alternative energy needs. Quest radio looks at plans for harnessing power from the sea by San Francisco and along the northern California coast.
Audio Report on Jun 29, 2007 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Window on the Bay, Part II
In my last post, I wrote about a recent visit to the Aquarium of the Bay at PIER 39 and a couple of the fascinating creatures we encountered there. Here are a few more: Drifting in slow motion are the otherworldly moon jellies. Found in temperate and tropical waters around the world, they like bays [...]
Post on Jun 28, 2007 by Ann Dickinson
Explosive Beetles Hack Ant Colonies for Royal Treatment
Guest blogging for Donovan is Dr. Wendy Moore of the California Academy of Sciences. With roughly 350,000 described species, beetles are without a doubt one of the most successful forms of life on Earth. Many beetle species use chemicals to defend themselves, but the true masters of chemical defense are the Bombardier Beetles which deliver [...]
Post on Jun 27, 2007 by Donovan Rittenbach
"Astro" the Wayward Steller Sea Lion (web only)
Each year the Marine Mammal Center treats between 500 and 1200 sick and injured animals, but there are always one or two that stand out from the pod. This time it was a Steller Sea Lion named "Astro."
Video on Jun 26, 2007 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Fatal Attraction: Birds and Wind Turbines
California's largest wind farm cluster at Altamont Pass unintentionally kills golden eagles, burrowing owls and other threatened birds. Now, wind companies, scientists and environmentalists are working to bird-proof these massive wind farms.
Video on Jun 26, 2007 by Gabriela Quirós from QUEST Northern California
