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How Plastics Poison Our Bodies and Minds
Of all the things that we teach in our chemistry classes, it seems like “the chemistry of plastics” is perhaps one of the most overlooked topics. Most organic chemistry textbooks explain the molecular structures associated with poly-this-and-that, but do little … finish reading How Plastics Poison Our Bodies and Minds
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Is There Renewable Hydrogen Under Your Feet?
When a chemist hears the word “hydrogen” several things likely come to mind. The letter H. Or the word ‘gas’. Perhaps a vivid memory of an exploding balloon during an intro chem lecture. “Renewable fuel” is probably not going to … finish reading Is There Renewable Hydrogen Under Your Feet?
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Pinpointing CO2 Emissions Globally
Each week the NY Times emails me a list of articles it has published under the heading of Climate. Topping the list in today’s email was a fascinating article, “Who’s Driving Climate Change? New Data Catalogs 72,000 Polluters and Counting” … finish reading Pinpointing CO2 Emissions Globally
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The Future of Coal Power in Oregon
The Oregonian shared an article and a video with me today about the demolition of PGE’s Boardman power plant. The plant operated from 1980 to 2020 until the decision was made to shut it down and move towards other energy … finish reading The Future of Coal Power in Oregon
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The Long Tentacles of the Fossil Fuel Industry
It is a well-publicized fact that the fossil fuel industry engaged in a decades-long strategy of deception and denial where climate change was concerned, even going so far as to bury evidence from its own scientists. Past tense, right? Well, … finish reading The Long Tentacles of the Fossil Fuel Industry
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Can We Change?
“Watching these incremental but persistent increases in CO2 year-to-year is much like watching a train barrel down the track towards you in slow motion. It’s terrifying,” said University of Wisconsin-Madison climate scientist Andrea Dutton. “If we stay on the track … finish reading Can We Change?
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Reed Announces Plan for Fossil Fuel Divestment
An email from Chair of the Reed College Board of Trustees, Roger Perlmutter ’73, and President of Reed College, Audrey Bilger, appeared in my inbox today. As I read, a grin spread from ear to ear. I could feel joy … finish reading Reed Announces Plan for Fossil Fuel Divestment
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Remembering Prof. Charles Wu
I just received a sad, but inevitable, email from Reed College President Audrey Bilger. Another professor at Reed College from my time (1989-2021) has passed away. This email told me that the latest passing was that of Emeritus Prof. Charles … finish reading Remembering Prof. Charles Wu
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Do Forests Make the Wind?
Meteorology is not my field, but I’ve been paying much closer attention to trees (they’re everywhere in Portland!) and forests (harder to get to in these stay-at-home days) ever since I read The Overstory this past winter-spring. So I was … finish reading Do Forests Make the Wind?
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Laughter & Music for the New Truth
As Gary Shteyngart so brilliantly wrote, “Half of us still seem to live in the Before Times and half in the New Truth.” In the Before Times, my family and friends spent way more time on social media than I … finish reading Laughter & Music for the New Truth
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