Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'climate'

Please Touch: Technology Consumers Want In 2009

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:48:00 EST

Despite the recession, consumers are expected to spend a lot of money on consumer technology. The top trends for 2009 include touch-screen displays, electronic book readers, high-definition flash camcorders, netbooks and climate control systems.

New Faces Coming To Capitol Hill

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 10:36:00 EST

Every two years we get a fresh batch of ambitious people in Washington, and this time around the climate in the Senate seems ready to change.

Tiny Diamonds Support Comet Theory

Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST

Scientists have long blamed climate change for the mass extinction of animals that took place in North America almost 13,000 years ago. Now some researchers say a comet broke apart and burned the landscape and many of the creatures living on it. The proof is "nanodiamonds," microscopic diamonds they've found in the soil across the continent.

Obama's Science Team: A Change Of Climate...

Sat, 20 Dec 2008 17:11:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama introduced the members of his science and technology team Saturday. They are expected to take a much different approach toward climate change than the people they replace.

Future 'Energy Czar' On Addressing Climate Change

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:32:00 EST

Future Dept. of Energy head Steven Chu talks about how to reduce energy use and tackle climate change. Chu runs the Dept. of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in Calif., and he has made climate change the new centerpiece of his career.

Obama Said To Pick Chu, Browner For Energy Posts

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:56:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama has decided to name Nobel Prize-winning physicist Steven Chu as energy secretary and former EPA chief Carol Browner to a new White House post coordinating energy, climate and environmental issues, Democratic officials said Wednesday.

Climate Change From Poland To The Poles

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 11:12:00 EST

Representative from nearly 200 countries are gathered in Poland for the U.N. conference on climate change. Elliot Diringer, of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, shares the latest from the meeting. Also: researchers see new changes at the poles — from slippery ice sheets to mysterious gasses.

Economic Downturn Could Affect Climate Talks

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST

Poznan, Poland, is hosting the current round of talks to tackle one of the most difficult issues of our day: global warming. The goal is to craft a treaty that will turn the world away from fossil fuels in the coming decades. But the global economic meltdown could put a damper on the already difficult talks.

Obama Faces Tight Deadline On Climate Change

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 00:01:00 EST

President-elect Barack Obama has promised to move aggressively on global warming. As the deadline for a new international treaty on climate change draws closer, the international community is pressing him to make good on that promise.

Bad Economy Threatens Obama's Climate Fix

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:17:00 EST

The president-elect promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But his plan to create a market that sells the right to pollute is ambitious even in good economic times. Keeping this promise in today's financial state will be a challenge.

Governors Tackle Climate Change

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is hosting an international climate change summit in Beverly Hills this week. He's partnered with governors from across the country to discuss how cutting emissions can help the economy. We also talk to Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who recently vetoed the expansion of coal plants in her state.

Unregulated Credit Default Swaps Led to Weakness

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 14:10:00 EDT

The market for credit default swaps is unregulated, helping create a climate where a single massive default could trigger unforeseen and calamitous events. An "unholy chain" of credit default swaps contributed to the worst credit crisis since the Great Depression.

Climate Changing Walden Pond's Flowers

Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:32:00 EDT

Henry David Thoreau is perhaps best known for his book Walden, about living a simple life in harmony with nature. But Thoreau didn't just love nature — he studied it and kept meticulous notes. Now, scientists are using Thoreau's records to look at how the landscape has changed over the last 150 years.

Op-Ed: Why Liberals Should Vote For McCain

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 13:28:00 EDT

Writer Jonathan Rauch argues that if Democrats hope for historic breakthroughs on issues such as health care and climate change, then they should vote for John McCain. In his article "What's a Perverse Voter To Do?" he says one-party rule is ineffective and inefficient.

Easily Accessible Info Blurs The Line Of Expertise

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:04:00 EDT

The Internet has made it possible for everyday people to have endless information at their fingertips. From celebrities weighing in on child vaccinations to science fiction authors disputing climate change studies, what happens to science when the line between expert and non-expert becomes fuzzy?

How To Be Conversant About Climate Change

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:04:00 EDT

What does a person need to know to be able to discuss climate change in an educated way? Climate expert Michael Oppenheimer discusses the history of climate research and some common misconceptions regarding the global climate.

Advocating A Win, Win, Win, Win Energy Solution

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:42:00 EDT

In his new book, Hot, Flat, And Crowded, Thomas Friedman warns that our thirst for fossil fuels is polluting the planet, altering the climate, dragging down the economy and endangering national security. A green revolution, says Friedman, "is not about the whales"; it's a competitive necessity.

For Next President, An Array Of Science Challenges

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:09:00 EDT

According to a report issued by the Center for the Study of the President, the incoming president will need to confront a host of policy issues related to science and technology — including climate change, food and water scarcity, energy shortages and weapons of mass destruction.

Climate Change And Species Movement

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:43:00 EDT

As the world's climate changes, many species are being forced out of their old habitats. While some species are able to migrate to cooler territory, those in the tropics may have no where else to go.

Church Leaders Counter Economic Crisis With Faith

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:56:00 EDT

Some religious leaders are seeing fewer empty spaces in the pews on Sunday as many people anxious over the current economic climate turn to the church for solace.

Western States Unite For Climate Initiative

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 16:47:00 EDT

Western states have created their own climate initiative and this week they unveiled a blueprint of how it will work. It's a cap-and-trade system that will cover carbon dioxide emissions as well as five other greenhouse gases.

In Hard Times, It's All About The Piggy Bank

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Given the market downturn this week, ad agencies for Wall Street firms must be working extra hard to retool their advertising campaigns. We thought we'd lend them a hand, and offer an ad for the new financial climate.

Extreme Heat Threatens In Climate Forecast

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:03:00 EDT

Within the century, afternoon highs may reach temperatures that are only found today in the world's hottest deserts, says a new study. Those least able to deal with the increase in extreme heat waves — the world's poor — will be hit the hardest.

Tale Of Two Alaska Villages

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:00:00 EDT

The warming climate has caused massive erosion along Alaska's coast. Two of the hardest hit villages are taking dramatically different approaches; Kivalina is suing and waiting for someone to come in and help while Newtok is piecing together small grants to help residents relocate.

Getting Mortgages Is More Difficult

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:15:00 EDT

In today's economic climate, many Americans are finding it more difficult to obtain mortgages. Ken Wade, CEO of NeighborWorks America, points to fewer low down-payment mortgage programs and piggyback loans, as well as higher credit score requirements.