Environmental Technologies

Everyone knew it was crazy to try to extract oil and natural gas buried in shale rock deep below the ground. Everyone, that is, except a few reckless wildcatters - who risked their careers to prove the world wrong. Things looked grim for American energy in 2006. Oil production was in steep decline and natural gas was hard to find. The Iraq War threatened the nation’s already tenuous relations with the Middle East. China was rapidly industrializing and competing for resources.

The grid is an accident of history and of culture, in no way intrinsic to how we produce, deliver and consume electrical power. Yet this is the system the United States ended up with, a jerry-built structure now so rickety and near collapse that a strong wind or a hot day can bring it to a grinding halt. The grid is now under threat from a new source: renewable and variable energy, which puts stress on its logics as much as its components.

For all of neuroscience's advances, we've made little progress on its biggest question: How do simple cells in the brain create intelligence? Jeff Hawkins and his team discovered that the brain uses map-like structures to build a model of the world - not just one model, but hundreds of thousands of models of everything we know. This discovery allows Hawkins to answer important questions about how we perceive the world, why we have a sense of self, and the origin of high-level thought.

Through clear-eyed essays and vibrant conversations, infused with data and poetry, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson guides us through solutions and possibilities at the nexus of science, policy, culture, and justice. Visionary farmers and financiers, architects and advocates, help us conjure a flourishing future, one worth the effort it will take—from every one of us, with whatever we have to offer—to create.

From Geo Rutherford-the creator of the hit series Spooky Lake Month (over sixty-five million likes!)-comes this thrilling nonfiction book that plumbs the depths of twenty-five unusual lakes around the world. Listeners will learn not only about the science of hydrology, but why understanding the natural world is crucial to protecting it from pollution and climate change. Backed by extensive research and packed with all-new content, Spooky Lakes takes listeners on an adventure through weird and wild waters.

Bold is a radical, how-to guide for using exponential technologies, moonshot thinking, and crowd-powered tools to create extraordinary wealth while also positively impacting the lives of billions.

On the morning of April 26, 1986, Europe witnessed the worst nuclear disaster in history: the explosion of a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Soviet Ukraine. Dozens died of radiation poisoning, fallout contaminated half the continent, and thousands fell ill. In Chernobyl, Serhii Plokhy draws on new sources to tell the dramatic stories of the firefighters, scientists, and soldiers who heroically extinguished the nuclear inferno. He lays bare the flaws of the Soviet nuclear industry....

Predicting the future is easy. But which future? The possibilities are endless. The modern world ended in 2051. That was ten years ago, when Tony was eleven years old. Unbearable heat and frequent superstorms have rendered Arkansas unlivable. A refugee from Colorado, Tony is one of only three people left in the camp at Kings River. He should have gone north with the others. Why is he still here? Hannah thought she would live on the Missouri farm where she grew up forever. Now, she knows she must leave. Not because of the raiders. As far as Hannah knows, the raiders have already gone. The ...

A soaring bridge is an obvious infrastructural feat, but so are the mostly hidden reservoirs, transformers, sewers, cables, and pipes that deliver water, energy, and information to wherever we need it. When these systems work well, they hide in plain sight. Engineer and materials scientist Deb Chachra takes listeners on a fascinating tour of these essential utilities, revealing how they work, what it takes to keep them running, just how much we rely on them—but also whom they work well for, and who pays the costs.

“What’s for dinner"? seemed like a simple question - until journalist and supermarket detective Michael Pollan delved behind the scenes. From fast food and big organic to small farms and old-fashioned hunting and gathering, this young listeners’ adaptation of Pollan’s famous food-chain exploration encourages kids to consider the personal and global health implications of their food choices. The Omnivore’s Dilemma serves up a bold message to the generation that needs it most: It’s time to take charge of our national eating habits - and it starts with you.

George Bird Grinnell, the son of a New York merchant, saw a different future for a nation in the thrall of the Industrial Age. With railroads scarring virgin lands and the formerly vast buffalo herds decimated, the country faced a crossroads: Could it pursue Manifest Destiny without destroying its natural bounty and beauty? The alarm that Grinnell sounded would spark America's conservation movement. Yet today his name has been forgotten - an omission that John Taliaferro's commanding biography now sets right with historical care and narrative flair.

Unlock the secrets of nature’s recycling powerhouse with Compost Science, your ultimate guide to turning organic waste into rich, fertile soil. This comprehensive eBook delves deep into the art and science of composting, providing practical insights and expert knowledge that will transform how you view your kitchen scraps and garden waste. Begin your journey with an introduction to composting's essential principles, exploring its fascinating history and its significant environmental impact. Delve into the biology behind decomposition, uncovering the vital roles that microorganisms, ...

The climate is the fundamental issue of our time, and now we face a critical decision. Whether to be optimistic or fatalistic, whether to profess skepticism or to take action. Yet it seems we can barely agree on what is really going on, let alone what needs to be done. We urgently need facts, not opinions. Insights, not statistics. And a shift from thinking about climate change as a “me” problem to a “we” problem. The Carbon Almanac is a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration that focuses on what we know, what has come before, and what might happen next.

Weisman visits an extraordinary range of the world's cultures, religions, nationalities, tribes, and political systems to learn what in their beliefs, histories, liturgies, or current circumstances might suggest that sometimes it's in their own best interest to limit their growth.

Dive into the dazzling world of modern glass art with "Refracting Genius," the compelling eBook that shatters the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship. This treasure unfolds with a pristine glance into the evolution of glass as an artistic medium and sweeps you through the dynamic fusion of technique and imagination, where art is not just seen but felt through its transparent allure. From the marriage of technology and tradition to pioneering digital designs, "Refracting Genius" guides you through the modern alchemy of transforming sand into treasured art. Witness the revolutionary tools...

Unlock the Secrets to a Profitable Crypto Mining Operation Are you ready to dive into the lucrative world of cryptocurrency mining but don't know where to start? "Crypto Mining: Building a Profitable Digital Currency Operation" is your ultimate guide to mastering the art and science of crypto mining. Whether you're a beginner eager to learn the basics or an experienced miner looking to optimize your setup, this comprehensive guide will transform your approach and boost your success. Inside this book, you'll discover: The Fundamentals of Cryptocurrency Mining: Understand what cryptocurrency ...

Unlock the potential of renewable energy with The Future of Solar Technology. This comprehensive guide takes you on an enlightening journey through the rapid advancements and innovative strides in solar energy. From the humble beginnings of solar technology to the cutting-edge advancements shaping the future, this book provides a complete understanding of the dynamic and ever-evolving solar landscape. Dive into the fundamentals of photovoltaic (PV) cells and explore the various types, efficiency improvements, and groundbreaking materials like silicon-based and perovskite solar cells. ...

The paper, authored by Mathew J. Lewallen for the SPST504 course at American Military University, discusses the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with Remote Sensing. It emphasizes how this synergy is essential for analyzing and interpreting the increasingly vast and complex data produced by remote sensing technologies. The paper notes that while remote sensing has been around for decades, its potential is still being realized, particularly when combined with GIS. This integration has become crucial for addressing global challenges such as climate change. The paper ...

Step into the rugged boots of Texas tradition and immerse yourself in the vivid tapestry of an industry that shaped a state and captivated a nation. "Horns of Heritage" is an enthralling journey back in time, designed for those with a deep appreciation for history as much as for the enthusiast seeking a connection to the primal roots of the Lone Star State's storied cattle culture. Embark on a compelling odyssey beginning with the early days of ranching in Spanish Tejas, where the foundations of the Texas cattle industry were laid amidst adversity and opportunity. Witness the rise and reign...

Discover the incredible potential of solar energy with the compelling new eBook, How Solar Panels Work. This comprehensive guide illuminates the fascinating world of solar technology, providing readers with a deep understanding of how sunlight transforms into the electricity powering our everyday lives. Begin your journey with an introduction to solar panels, where you'll learn what they are, their historical evolution, and why they matter in today's energy landscape. Dive into the science behind these marvels with an exploration of light, photons, and the fundamentals of photovoltaics, ...