George Chapman, a resident of East Falmouth, responded to my request for questions about wastewater issues. He brings up the cost of sewering, deemed by many as the greatest unfunded state mandate in history. How can residents get involved to make sure their tax dollars (and betterment fees) are being spent wisely? Read the rest of this entry »
The Life Acidic
January 29th, 2010 by
A major chemistry experiment is taking place in the world’s oceans, with potentially irreversible effects on marine ecosystems and commercial fisheries.
According to scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 30% of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, known to be a leading cause of global warming, are being absorbed by the ocean. Small coincidence that over the past 50 years of global industrialization, rising CO2 emissions have also led to a 30% increase in the average acidity of ocean surface water.
This phenomenon is just starting to attract the attention– and alarm– of policymakers and the shellfish industry. I talked to Scott Doney and Sarah Cooley at WHOI to find out why.
REDDucing the Effects of Climate Change
January 27th, 2010 by
Tracy Johns in her office at the Woods Hole Research Center
It’s been a month after COP 15, the UN Climate Change conference that was supposed to give the world a new system for reducing carbon emissions.
A month to reflect, regroup, and respond to this reporter’s questions about what happened, and what didn’t, in Copenhagen. Read the rest of this entry »
Welcome to Under the Lens
January 15th, 2010 by
Thanks for coming to check out The Enterprise’s latest blog, focusing on science and environmental issues affecting the Upper Cape. From alternative energy, to the wastewater/sewering debate, and the fascinating research going on at the Woods Hole science institutions, I’ll be writing weekly updates on the ways that science effects our daily lives.
While I do have a few ideas to get started, I’d like to hear what you’re interested in. Have you always wondered about that reddish water flowing from a local marsh? Are you confused about what toilets have to do with eel grass? Do you know of a scientists (or are you one yourself) whose research should be shared with the community? If so, please get in touch by posting a comment or sending me an email: hugus@capenews.net.
Thanks for reading, and check back often!
Car exhaust, nitrogen, and you
November 13th, 2009 by
With the debate over sewering taking center stage on the Cape these days, many residents are aware that the biggest source of nitrogen pollution in local estuaries is wastewater that leaches out of septic tanks. Lawn fertilizers and road runoff are also contributors. But what do cars have to do with the problem? Read the rest of this entry »
Underwater camera shows climate change impact on fisheries
November 10th, 2009 by
The effects of climate change are being felt in regional fisheries, causing a scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to predict that haddock will disappear from the North Atlantic within 70 years. A 3-D underwater camera helped confirm the numbers. Read the rest of this entry »
The hidden cost of biofuel
November 8th, 2009 by
In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the state will require a minimum two percent ethanol mix in diesel fuel and home heating oil, beginning next year. That requirement will increase to five percent by 2013. But how green is that requirement, actually? Read the rest of this entry »
- Tellin' It Like It Is (W. Soares)
- Snark Infested Waters (M. Bailey)
- Maclone's Musings (R. Maclone)
- Latitude Somewhere, Longitude Who Cares (D. Crowley)
- The Mommy Rant (J. Briana-Gartner)
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