Science in Action is returning, this time with a tour for the adults. We will be going on a hike through the sustainable vineyards at Kunde. It’ll be a 4 hour adventure through the volcanic hills above Kunde’s property…all the while learning about sustainable wine growing practices. The hike ends at the tasting room where we will all partake in Kunde’s wine before setting off back to SF.
The cost is $15/person (a portion of the proceeds goes to the Sonoma Ecology Center). The fee covers a wine tasting and the docent’s time.
Should be an incredible adventure. If you’re interested, send me an email.
Part one of the Bay Area Science Forum, a collaboration between the Cal Academy, UC Berkeley, & Stanford, launched last Thursday.
In the part one, Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute & Ellen Hanak of the Public Policy Institute of California spoke on water quantity and quality here in California, focusing on where our water comes from, the rough breakdown of us, and the economics of efficiency/conservation. The podcast should be available online shortly.
I was especially impressed with Peter Gleick (I had been chasing him as a speaker for DtaS). He had an astounding breadth of knowledge of the water industry, which is a gigantic field.
I’m definitely going to part 2 on the Delta, April 3rd @ UC Berkeley. I encourage other to attend as well.
He mentioned a couple reports by Pacific Institute on Water issues…links to the articles can be found below.
I’ll summarize my thoughts on one particle article: The SFPUC’s request to divert an additional 25 MGal/day from the Tuolumne.
Currently, the SFPUC draws 85% of its water from the Tuloumne. 80% of the projected increase will be sold to other agencies (Alameda, Hayward, Milpitas, Santa Clara). The SFPUC project most of that increase comes from commercial and industrial users. The Pac Institutes refutes that growth projection for commercial users, expecting an economic growth of 17 percent.
The Pac Institute also indicates that the PUC underestimates water recycling and reuse (PUC projects 3% of increased demand met with recycling/reuse programs).
I’m excited to announce the launch of the Down to a Science T-Shirt Shop. Shirts range from $18-$20 and I’ve even included a few special items. Proceeds from the shirts will go right back into DtaS advertising (unfortunately NOT the all important “Kish Beer Fund”).
Look for more special items all the time, including science branded reusable shopping bags, messenger bags, and hoodies.
I will continue to add products all the time. If you have suggestions/questions about the shirts, drop me a line.
The Presentation (Flash is required)
To move to the next slide, click on the right side of the current slide. Click on the left side to go back.
Videos from the Solar Power event are up on the website. As always, you can watch snippets of the video on YouTube as well.
In addition, check out Sunpower’s Solar savings calculator to see how much you could potentially save with a solar installation. Only takes about 5 minutes.
Monday, November 17th, 2008 7-9 PMWhere:Atlas Cafe What: Physics for Future Presidents: The Nuclear Reaction Who: Richard Muller, UC Berkeley and LBL The Deets:As we head into a new presidency, much of the debate has been centered on one word: Nuclear. Nuclear terrorism, nuclear power, nuclear proliferation, the mispronunciation of the word nuclear...all have been fervently discussed. But When it comes to the nuclear discussion, isn't the science a key component?
We'll discuss the difference between a Uranium bomb, a Plutonium bomb, and a Hydrogen bomb, the real dangers of nuclear waste, and the danger of radiation. Consider it a crash course on nuclear physics that the next president would appreciate.
Here are some nuggets to chew on:
• Of those killed in the Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear attacks, less than 2% died of cancer induced by the radiation.
• 1 square mile of sunlight with current solar cells would provide as much peak power as a nuclear power plant.
• Plutonium is a thousand times less poisonous than botulism toxin, the active ingredient in botox.
• Purified uranium is hard to get, but easy to design into a bomb. Plutonium is relatively easy to get, but hard to make into a bomb. So different kinds of nuclear bombs are difficult to make, but for different reasons. Terrorists are unlikely to be able to make one; the bigger danger is that they could buy one.
Richard A. Muller is professor of physics at the University of California, Berkeley (and my former physics teacher!). He is a past winner of the MacArthur Fellowship. He is the author of Physics for Future Presidents, based on his renowned course for non-science students.
Science in Action Events Science in Action is a series of tours, trips, and hikes intended to put you in the middle of active science in the Bay Area.
If you're interested in attending, send me an email.
November 1st & 2nd What:
Wonderfest - The Bay Area Festival of Science Cost: FREE Details:
WonderFest is the the Bay Area festival of Science. On November 1st & 2nd, there will be free science discussions, art, comedy, and trivia events at both UC Berkeley and Stanfurd. The lineup is jam packed with some of the best talent both university have to offer. You can’t beat the price or the quality.
Here are my picks:
• Saturday 11/1 8:00 pm Does Civilization Have a Promising Energy Future?
• Sunday 11/2 1:30 pm Science Laughs (science comedy)
• Sunday 11/2 2:30 pm Are Dreams Psychologically Significant?
• Sunday 11/2 4:00 pm What Science Must Our Leaders Understand?
