Radio
Finding a Home for Big Solar – Part One
California has set ambitious goals for a transition to clean, renewable energy: 33 percent by 2020. Some are skeptical that the goal is within reach.QUEST and Climate Watch continue to examine the promise and pitfalls of this historic transformation. Craig Miller reports on one Silicon Valley company's controversial proposal for Panoche Valley.
Audio Report on Jun 21, 2010 by Craig Miller from QUEST Northern California
Strawberries and Worker Safety – Part Two
The Schwarzenegger Administration plans to approve a new chemical called methyl iodide, which is used by strawberry farmers. Although methyl iodide can cause cancer and miscarriages, regulators say that protective measures like respirators and buffer zones will keep farm workers safe. Scientists consulting for the state say these measures often fail, and methyl iodide is too toxic to take chances. Amy Standen reports.
Audio Report on Jun 14, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: Strawberries and Worker Safety – Part Two
How much can we count on respirators, buffer zones and other tools to protect people from a toxic chemical? That's the focus of this week's QUEST radio story.
Post on Jun 11, 2010 by Amy Standen
Strawberries and Worker Safety
Methyl bromide – a powerful fumigant used by strawberry growers to sterilize the soil before plants go in – was found to harm the Earth's ozone layer. Strawberry farmers have been clamoring for a replacement, and they may get their wish if the state approves a chemical called methyl iodide. But some state scientists say it could cause cancer and miscarriages in farm workers and nearby communities.
Audio Report on Jun 07, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: Strawberries and Worker Safety
After millions of dollars of research, strawberry growers have come up with an alternative to methyl bromide, which damages the ozone layer: methyl iodide. Unfortunately, methyl iodide has its own set of problems.
Post on Jun 04, 2010 by Amy Standen
Soundscapes of National Parks
Many Californians will be spending summer traveling to their favorite getaway spost. Some of the most popular tourist destinations are national parks. But we can love them just a little too much. Too many hikers crowd trails, exhaust from automobiles clouds park air, and as Craig Miller reports, we can also have a big impact on one of the most treasured aspects of a park, its sound.
Audio Report on May 31, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Editor's Notes: Race for Renewables
Where did California go wrong? And as other states try to learn from its lessons, does the Golden State have any hope of reaching its next ambitious target – 33 percent renewable by 2020?
Post on May 21, 2010 by Andrea Kissack
Race for Renewables
With its wind and solar resources, California is known as a hotbed of renewable energy. Driving that development is an ambitious goal: by 2020, state law requires utilities to generate one third of their electricity from renewable sources. But the road to clean energy is full of obstacles. Lauren Sommer reports on how we got here and the chances of meeting our big green power goals.
Audio Report on May 21, 2010 by Lauren Sommer from QUEST Northern California
Baby Brain Development
Thousands of babies are born each year in the U.S. with brain defects that can cause lifelong disability or even death. UC-San Francisco neurologists and pediatricians are developing better diagnostic tools and treatments to help brain-damaged babies not only survive, but grow up to live more normal lives.
Audio Report on May 17, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Greening The Grow
Voters in California will consider a measure on the November ballot to legalize and tax marijuana. Amid the debate over pros and cons, another issue has been gaining visibility — the environmental damage pot cultivation can incur. Illegal pesticide use and creek water diversion at large-scale outdoor operations are well-documented. But environmental concerns are also growing over indoor marijuana cultivation, as Lisa Morehouse reports.
Audio Report on May 10, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: Greening The Grow
Hardy’s lived in the hills of southern Humboldt County since the early ‘70s, when many people shared sense of idealism and environmental responsibility. That’s why he’s so upset about the environmental impacts of the big, indoor marijuana growing operations that have proliferated in the region.
Post on May 07, 2010 by Quest Radio
Sea Water Showdown
A plan being considered by California's State Water Resources Control Board would end the practice of allowing power plants along the coast to suck in ocean water to cool their machinery. Environmentalists say it kills millions of fish larvae, small animals and other ocean life, but the power industry says tighter rules would raise California's electricity prices, already among the nation's highest.
Audio Report on May 03, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: Sea Water Showdown
Read about John Vincent's brush with death due to a cooling plant.
Post on Apr 30, 2010 by Amy Standen
Notes From An Environmentalist
The oldest grassroots environmental organization in the U.S. is the Sierra Club and it's undergoing a change in leadership. After 18 years running the organization, Carl Pope has just stepped down as executive director, but he remains involved as ever in his new position as chairman. Andrea Kissack spoke with him about the biggest challenges facing the environmental movement today.
Audio Report on Apr 26, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: Environmentalism Today
40 years after the modern environmental movement began, it's a mixed report card with what seems like the toughest test still ahead.
Post on Apr 23, 2010 by Andrea Kissack
The Changing Bay: Wetland Restoration Projects in Northern California
Wetlands — they are possibly the most diverse ecosystems on the plant, according to environmental scientists.
Post on Apr 18, 2010 by Roberto Daza
Reporter's Notes: The Changing Bay
Less sediment in the bay means there's less for the wetlands, which could be an issue. But there's one thing that makes it worse: sea level rise.
Post on Apr 16, 2010 by Lauren Sommer
Smog Checks Made Easy
This month Governor Schwarzenegger faces a stack of proposed legislation awaiting his signature. One of those bills has to do with the car you may be sitting in this very moment. It's a proposed change to California's annual smog check program which, as Amy Standen reports in this holiday rebroadcast, is due for a tune up.
Audio Report on Apr 12, 2010 by KQED QUEST staff from QUEST Northern California
Reporter's Notes: Smog Checks Made Easy
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has kicked off a new campaign to promote the 1-800-Exhaust program.
Post on Apr 09, 2010 by Amy Standen
New original science video series from QUEST: Science on the SPOT
QUEST is pleased to announce a new original science video series, Science on the SPOT. Science on the SPOT goes behind the scenes at local San Francisco Bay Area labs, follows breaking discoveries, and gets you special access to obscure science locations and collections.
Post on Apr 07, 2010 by Craig Rosa
