A couple of striking facts from a briefing on the earthquake in Japan, and the subsequent tsunami: According to Dave Applegate, of the US Geological Survey, this quake, measuring "almost nine" on the Richter scale, substantially ruptured the earth's crust, tearing it up for 150 or more miles. Applegate said the energy released by theContinue reading “Japan Earthquake: 1000x stronger than Port-au-Prince quake”
Author Archives: Kit Stolz
The wit and wisdom of David Brower: the teepee
David Brower, the late great executive director of the Sierra Club, founder of Friends of the Earth, conservationist extraordinaire, is given plenty of credit for his accomplishments, but not, in my estimation, nearly enough credit for his wit, courage, and charm. All by himself, he demolishes any number of cliches about conservationists; that is, thatContinue reading “The wit and wisdom of David Brower: the teepee”
Winter Sunset on the Merced River (Yosemite National Park)
Winter Sunset on the Merced River (Yosemite National Park), originally uploaded by Robin Black Photography. They say pro nature photographers (including Black, who kindly posted this picture) flock like swallows to Yosemite in February, for the low sunsets and the colors at Horsetail Fall.
Why the Bering Sea is chilling as the world warms
The Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or PDO, a vast pool of cold water sloshing around the northern Pacific ocean, was first discovered just fourteen years ago. It's existence has yet to make an imprint in public consciousness, in part because its effects are so varied. But Wendee Holtcamp, an excellent freelance science reporter, helps us understandContinue reading “Why the Bering Sea is chilling as the world warms”
NASA drops another climate satellite in the ocean
Two years ago I observed the launch of a NASA satellite, called the Orbiting Carbon Observatory, intended to help scientists understand the wide variation in uptake of carbon from the atmosphere by the earth. I wrote about it for the Santa Barbara Independent. At an impromptu press conference held after the OCO crashed into the SouthernContinue reading “NASA drops another climate satellite in the ocean”
How to understand the unemployment numbers
A slight fall in the number of new jobless claims has thrilled Wall Street. This is great news, and as I wrote in a long economic story a couple of weeks ago, there is reason to think a recovery is on the way. But for perspective, lets look at the unemployment numbers geographically, courtesy ofContinue reading “How to understand the unemployment numbers”
Texas state climatologist: Fossil fuels are evil
From an interesting Q & A in an MIT alumni pub with John Neilsen-Gammon, the former Texas state climatologist: Slice: What do you think is the single most effective thing we as a country could do to address the problems posed by man-made climate change? Nielsen-Gammon: Acknowledging that potential problems exist would be a greatContinue reading “Texas state climatologist: Fossil fuels are evil”
The Millenials: An abused generation?
So argued economist Ed Leamer in a piece I wrote that the Reporter ran last week: “I see a lot of kids who are really struggling, and it’s very troubling to me,” he said. “I think we’re looking at an abused generation. A lot of kids are graduating from college with a huge amount ofContinue reading “The Millenials: An abused generation?”
Frazz debunks climate change denier
With ease:
Another smart person against global warming
Speaking of this country's most famous single investor, Warren Buffett, who last year bought a railroad for his holding company. The Northern Pacific went on to do wonders for his bottom line, and shares in his holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, were up 29% in a year, doubling the market's performance. But from his perspective, theContinue reading “Another smart person against global warming”
Kit Stolz 