News stories tagged with "carbon"

(12/01/11) Pencil leads and diamonds are chemically identical--the difference is in the crystal structure. Martha Foley and Dr. Curt Stager talk about carbon crystals, and what it take to form a natural diamond.

(09/28/10) For a couple of decades now, we've been hearing about climate change as something happening on a global scale. It's a story of polar bears and shrinking arctic ice. Ecologist Jerry Jenkins' new book aims to bring the discussion back home.

"Climate Change in the Adirondacks" paints a detailed, intimate picture of how the warming trend will affect our lives here in the North Country.

Jenkins works for the Wildlife Conservation Society's Adirondack Program. He says temperatures in the Adirondack-North Country have already risen by roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Jenkins told Brian Mann that reducing carbon pollution will mean making decisions that no one is going to like.

(06/02/10) While the debate rages over pollution of outdoor wood boilers, a new generation of wood heat systems is already being rolled out.

Scientists and manufacturers say so-called "wood gasification" boilers burn much more efficiently with far less smoke and ash. A new, state-of-the-art boiler is now on-line at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, burning wood pellets produced in Massena.

As Brian Mann reports, the manufacturer hopes to sell similar systems to businesses and government offices across the North Country.

(12/11/09) As global leaders work on a cooperative strategy to reduce global warming in Copenhagen, Congress is also considering a proposal to set limits on carbon dioxide emissions in the U. S. As part of a collaboration with northeast stations, Rachel Ward of WXXI in Rochester reports on the growing interest in offering carbon credits to polluters in exchange for preserving forest land.

(12/11/09) Using carbon credits to encourage power plants and other polluters to protect forestland is one strategy for limiting carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. But here in the North Country, some local government leaders and environmental groups think communities should also be compensated for helping preserve forests.

In some Adirondack towns, more than 70% of the land is protected by park rules that ban logging and development. There's a regional carbon trading market, but local governments haven't ever been issued carbon credits they could sell alongside the credits polluters buy and sell.
John Sheehan, with the Adirondack Council, told Brian Mann the forestland idea is gaining more credibility.

(08/17/09) Vermont author and activist Bill McKibben just returned from a trip to India. He was meeting with environmental groups and government officials to promote a new initiative called 350.org. The organization aims to reduce the amount of carbon being pumped into the atmosphere. Scientists say CO2 particles have already risen to dangerous levels, just below 390 parts per million. McKibben wants governments, industries and private citizens to bring that level down below 350 parts per million. He spoke about the effort on Saturday in Newcomb, at the annual meeting of the Adirondack Nature Conservancy.

(03/11/09) A regional carbon cap-and-trade program was supposed to be a model for the nation. But it's hit a snag in Albany. Lester Graham reports.

(06/19/08) Last November, Brian Mann reported on plans to dam and divert the massive Rupert River in northern Quebec. The project, developed by the provincial utility, Hydro-Quebec, will provide hydroelectricity to consumers in New York and Vermont. His story was recognized with an Edward R. Murrow Award. Last week, Brian returned to paddle the Rupert again. He made the trip as part of a documentary project called "Encounters." Here's his reporter's notebook.