On the MOTE Blogroll...

I've linked a few sites on our blogroll, but I should give some introduction to them at this time...

ScienceBlogs (owned by SEED Media), Nature Blog Network (independent), and Nature Blogs (owned by Nature Publishing) are examples of blog networks. As mentioned in class, these are essentially organized blogrolls that have turned into a community portal. For example, ScienceBlog started about 3 years ago by seeking out the most popular and highest-quality science-related blogs. Now it serves as a one-stop source, organized by topics, for anyone interested in blogs on science. The network builds cred by assembling a high-caliber product that generates hits, and invited bloggers get a cut of the much-higher advertising revenue (and renown) they now enjoy.

Among ScienceBlogs are two noteworthy ones. 1) The Intersection is co-written by Sheril Kirshenbaum, a young professional now at the Nicholas School who has a great deal of science media experience. You can probably email her if you are interested in learning her past projects. 2) TetZoo is a favorite of mine, not only because I'm a dinosaur geek, but because it is an exceedingly well-written, well-researched blog. It's written by an academic mainly for an academic audience (or similarly literate enthusiasts), and the community is active in commenting on the blog. I admire Dr. Naish's posts because every little detail has citations, and the posts are always so full of personality. It's like reading a journal, but fun.

Malaria, Bedbugs, Sea Lice, and Sunsets is an example of a personal blog with no intention of professional exchange, yet discusses science from the viewpoint of a professional. This could be what your own personal blog might look like someday, if you start one for the fun of it. It should be noted that Mr. MacPherson works for a marine conservation NGO, but to prevent conflicts in company representation, he must keep full separation of his blogging hobby from his daytime job. This is a key issue that all you need to heed, should you ever choose to maintain a personal blog.

Finally, check out the Green Grok and the Nicholas Hawaii Blog. These are a good example of weaving a blog into a comprehensive media outreach program. The Grok serves as the trusted, official voice of the Dean to the rest of the world, while the Hawaii blog showcases student experiences and learned facts as part of a greater promotional campaign.

Got a favorite sci/env blog? Send it over and we'll add it to the blogroll!

Some Carbon Credits Are Just All Wet

Massive hydroelectric dam projects in China and other countries are being marketed as viable carbon credits -- but under some very faulty logic, according to an AP report released today. Let's see why.

At the heart of the problem are the credits allowed under the UN's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), a Kyoto-approved carbon market system. Carbon markets, you might remember, assume that we're all living under a giant bubble: if one country reduces its emissions, they're making a net subtraction for everyone in the bubble. This country now gets to market its subtractions as credits to other nations that don't want to bother with reductions. Under CDM, industrialized countries can buy carbon-reduction credits from developing countries (explained nicely here). What's the problem, then?

AP rightly points out the problem of "additionality" - if you're going to build a dam anyway to generate more power, you're not making a dent in the existing carbon levels of our little globe. Now, fix an existing nasty coal plant and lower its emissions, or replace a coal plant with a cleaner energy supply -- that will. And we haven't even mentioned the ecological and cultural damages that rampant dam projects can cause.

But it's a tough call. We like carbon credits because they allow polluting companies/nations to make some difference, and sooner. We like hydro projects because they are a form of clean energy. But not all credits are alike, and many dams are built with insufficient ecological considerations. The UN says it will be improving the CDM program, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, if your company or government is buying carbon credits or portfolios, do the due diligence.


(For a satirical take on the controversy over carbon markets, check out the classic CheatNeutral. Hey, as long as there is less adultery in the world overall, I can just pay someone else to not cheat, right?)

***NOTE Jan 27, 2009: I'm sitting in a lecture by Bryan Murray of the Nicholas Institute, and someone in class just mentioned that CDM is also rather unaffectionately called "rip-offsets"...

ENV 301.25 is profiled ... in a press release, no less

Students Take the Lead in Creating New Course on Communicating Science
By Robyn Walker, MEM ‘10
Jan. 21, 2009

DURHAM, N.C. – It’s necessary today for environmental managers and policymakers to have a strong understanding of science. Equally vital, however, is knowing how to communicate that understanding to nonscientists.

This spring, students at the Nicholas School are learning how to do just that.

(Full article here)