I’m still working on that piece on scientific literacy for my writing about science course. I mentioned it in an earlier post. Here are some of the parts and quotes that I have cut out: A recent Columbia graduate comments on her experience in a course called “Better Planet By Design,” saying that, “It madeRead More
Year: 2009
Human-Environment Conflict: Interdependence and the role of cultural attitudes
Interdependence and the role of cultural attitudes (in the context of the global economic crisis) (This piece was written Fall 2008.) Much of the literature on conflict has focused on determining drivers and predictors of conflict. While most have not come to any decisive conclusions, we may still gain insight as to what are theRead More
Rosemary Grant and the Galapagos finches
As part of Columbia University’s Darwin Speaker Series, Rosemary Grant of Princeton University came to speak on April 14th, 2009 about evolution in Darwin’s finches. This year being the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species, and the 200th anniversary of Darwin’s birth, it was fitting for Rosemary Grant to speak about her researchRead More
Commentary on “Why isn’t the brain green?”
The New York Times Magazine recently put out a piece by Jon Gertner about environmental decision-making and the different social dynamics that are involved. The author discusses several different studies that involve individual and group decision-making. One group doing such research is the Center for Research on Environmental Decisions is an interdisciplinary based at ColumbiaRead More
meteor
What if a meteor hit the planet? I know there have been several movies about this topic, but really, what if? What would happen to the planet and everything on it? Immediately there would be a lot of destruction, but what about later? What are the longer term effects of such an impact? What wouldRead More
Recycle more, and more diversely
I recall the time I spent in China as the hottest and stuffiest days of my life. I was there for a summer study abroad experience, as well as the chance to visit with relatives that I had not seen since I was five years old. At every step of my travels, in the dustyRead More