Wednesday, part 3,slightly updated
I'm having trouble with some films that I'm trying to post, so I decided to break the blog entry in two for today. Here is the second part, complete with video, I hope.
Kate and I were filmed today, performing and explaining one measurement in the forest. The 3-minute clip very effectively describes the technique better than I could by typing, but so far I can't get the blog to accept the file. I'll show it when I get back to Colorado. The film that can be loaded shows the technique for tagging plants with DBH >= 8 cm. (Smaller plants with DBH >= 1 cm get their tags tied on rather loosely. Those with DBH < 1 cm are not tagged or mapped for now, but they may be in a follow-up study in a few years.) Again I must warn you about the low quality of the sound. Sorry. I've been asked what I mean in the video when I mention the tree "eating the tag." It turns out that the trees grow quickly enough to envelop something leaning against the bark. The experience of the forest scientists tells them that they have to plan for this potential problem.
You can tell Kate lives in Massachusetts; it reminds me of the olde days back in Cambridge...
After a wet day in the field, we returned to the dorm with our clothes--but not our spirits--dampened. Apparently everyone's wits were dry, too. It was time for a lecture and dinner. The presentation was on the economic impact of climate change, and it is based on the famous Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, a 3-in-thick report released on October 30, 2006 by economist Lord Stern of Brentford for the British government. Although it is not the first economic report on global warming, it is the best known and respected. I'll be getting that presentation to share with you, too. It's not an economically pretty picture, but there is hope. On that note, I was on cleanup duty.
Thursday, we're off to the field and then the education center. I'll be attempting "to Skype" with you for fifteen minutes or so during periods 2, 3, 6, and 8, so my value to the team tomorrow is dubious at best. Still, working with you is part of the value of the program to the sponsors as well as to me, so everyone is okay with it.
posted by Dr D @ 7:49 PM
8 Comments:
I have never heard about this report from economist Lord Stern of Brentford. Although I feel as if I should. I feel that global warming has taken a back seat to other media issues, and that this is possibly the reason I have not heard of this report. Still though, I feel it should be the job of the media to educate the population about global warming. Maybe then people would stop being so pig-headed about oil subsidies and extraction of coal in Colorado. For me to have not even heard about the most respected report about global warming's influence on the economy makes me ashamed. Not only have I realized that I need to be more proactive about learning about global warming, but that also the media should make people aware. Given the trend towards gruesome, voyeuristic stories dominating the news, I think it would actually be "sustainable" for the media to talk about climate change on the news. People would watch, care about the damaging effects on their local "nature", and be interested to see the success stories in remediating the environment, thus generating more viewers for the new channel. It's a win-win situation. More people would watch the news if the stories were more varied, including stories about global warming.
Spencer Rubin
Period 8
Hello Dr. Donahue--
Sounds like everything if fine out in the wildnerness. Exactly how far are you from a resonably-sized town? And has it snowed since you've been there?
I too am very interested in this economics report. Who does the lecturing for youre group? Are you learning a lot, or do you feel like most of the lectures are a repeat of what you already know?
Nick Kazmierski
Period 3
I think that global warming might seem more urgent and significant to many Americans when looked at from an economic standpoint. I am quite interested in the economic implications, but I think that public awareness of environmental issues will prove an opportunity for smart businesses, despite the projected economic hampering.
I have enjoyed reading a few success stories about univeristies like CU and CSU and their research that brings us closer to sustainability. If companies become more sustainable, they will most likely save more money, and the consumer will be happier. Perhaps this recession (it's public now!) will kill out the macho car companies and give rise to some "green" car companies...or the macho companies (and others like resturaunts that use styrofoam to-go boxes) will learn to adapt to be more sustainable...hopefully.
Hey Dr. D.
So how would scientists plan for trees growing to quickly and enveloping anything leaning agaisnt it...and how quickly is that? Like if i tape dmy hand to it for a wile would i become one with the tree???
Sarah Romer
Period 8
The economic impact of global warming will hit home for more people especially now in our economic state. The report sounds similiar to what we discussed in class but I would really enjoy hearing the updated figures.
Melanee Sprenkel Period 6
Speaking of Economics. I think that an environmental consulting agency should open with the name of "Eco-nomics Consulting Organization"(ECO). Perhaps my future business... it's catchy! In any case, has the US government released something similar to the Stern report ? Or has climate change continued to be ignored? On a different note, are there scholars that argue that Global Warming is an economically beneficial process?
Stephen Lurie
I am very interested in the way that the tree's are tagged. i do remember that one picture of the tag from previous years that a tree was enclosing on. I wonder if that hurts the tree at all if the tree was to grow completely around it. That sort of thing reminds me of a vine in the rain forest that grow on a tree and then suffocates the tree and takes its nutrients. I suppose that i might be thinking a little too hard into this, but i do wonder if tagging a tree could harm it in any way.
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