RadioActive 8/9/18

Producer/Host: Meredith DeFrancesco

Union of Concerned Scientists on Heat Waves and Climate Change

Key Discussion Points:
a) Today we speak with the Union off Concerned Scientists’ senior climate scientist about climate change and extreme heat events, and what to expect if we do not curtail carbon emissions.
b) The Union of Concerned Scientists has just released two informational compilations/fact sheets on Heat Waves and Climate Change, where they distill the acceleration of extreme heat trends, their connection to human induce climate change and impacts on human health and infrastructure.
c) Based on a preponderance off evidence, these publications conclude if our carbon emissions continue at the current rate, most of the US could see an increase of 20 to 30 more days with temperatures above 90 degrees a year in the coming decades, with the Southeast experiencing a 40-50 day increase. The USC reports, do conclude, however, if global carbon emissions can be kept below 550 parts per million by the year 2100, the projected frequency of heat waves could be greatly reduced.

Guest: Dr. Rachel Licker, Union of Concerned Scientists, senior climate scientist

Notes from the Electronic Cottage 8/9/18

Producer/Host: Jim Campbell

DefCon 2018, a hacker convention in Las Vegas going on now, features a “Voting Machine Hacking Village.” Who will be attempting to hack into voting web sites? This year it will be young people, aged 8-16. Why young people? Because, in the words of one of the Village’s founders: “It’s just so easy to hack these web sites we thought grown-up hackers in the Vote Hacking Village wouldn’t be interested.” Think about that as we approach the 2018 Congressional elections in a few months, and then read the report from the Vote Hacking Village from 2017 at www.defcon.org/images/defcon-25/DEF CON voting village report.

Power for the People 8/8/18

Producer/Host: Steve Kahl
Engineer: John Greenman

Alternative Energy: Energy updates to the Unity Community Center

Key Discussion Points
a) Heat pumps
b) hybrid hot water heater
c) Efficiency Maine rebates

Guests:
Mary Leaming, Director, Unity Barn Raisers
John McIntire, Board member, UBR