Climate Change (Audio)

At a time of uncertain water supplies, how can we get the most use of our water? By passing water through a material called a reverse osmosis membrane, adding a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and exposing it to ultraviolet light, engineers in Orange County, California have been turning what used to be considered useless wastewater into drinking water for more than 25 years. David Sedlak’s research team at Berkeley has developed technologies to improve the treatment processes. Series: "Cal Future Forum: Our Changing World" [Science] [Show ID: 33071]

We are on a straight-line trajectory that connects increased emissions to a much warmer and much stranger climate. Are there pathways for escaping from the up-escalator of climate change? UC Berkeley Professor Bill Collins examines the key culprits, carbon dioxide and “black carbon” from ordinary diesel combustion. Series: "Cal Future Forum: Our Changing World" [Science] [Show ID: 33068]

No single clean energy technology can rein in carbon dioxide emissions. Researchers at the Berkeley Lab aim to add artificial synthesis to our renewable energy portfolio. The technology uses sunlight to turn CO2 and water into chemical fuels. Over the past decade, research led by Peidong Yang has yielded new classes of semiconductor materials to efficiently capture sunlight for this process, and new types of catalysts to promote the chemical reactions Series: "Cal Future Forum: Our Changing World" [Science] [Show ID: 33080]

Dan Kammen’s Berkeley research group has revealed the need for a dramatic shift to electricity and away from both fossil and biofuels. Meanwhile, 1.3 billion people – 15 percent of the world population – still lack electricity, and their growing demand for it would raise – not lower – global temperatures. The solution, Kammen says, must be local. He sees great promise in efforts to bring together new technologies with best practices to electrify those who don’t have power and to “green it” for everybody else. Series: "UC Public Policy Channel" [Public Affairs] [Science] [Show ID: 33072]

In this century, the climate is changing faster than ever. Ecologist David Ackerly has been studying how fast plants and animals may need to migrate uphill or northward as the planet warms in order to remain in their preferred temperature regime. These velocities could be as high as five miles per year -- exceeding the ability of most species to disperse and establish new populations. Series: "Cal Future Forum: Our Changing World" [Science] [Show ID: 33074]

Agriculture today is extraordinarily productive, although sadly many people are chronically hungry, malnourished or obese. And the way we farm also takes an increasing toll on the environment. Farming emits a third of all greenhouse gases and uses 70 percent of freshwater resources. It is a major contributor to deforestation and biodiversity loss, and has led to the loss of soil fertility in agricultural lands. How can we produce enough food for the future while protecting the planet? Berkeley conservation biologist Claire Kremen suggests practices that can maintain productivity while using less energy, water and pesticides. Series: "Cal Future Forum: Our Changing World" [Science] [Agriculture] [Show ID: 33077]

Drawing on personal experiences of living with the Maasai tribe in east Africa and the Inuit of Greenland – whose cultures and resilience derive from living in constantly changing environments - Jacqueline McGlade explores how mind-sets, economies and ecosystems can become (re)active and more resilient to an increasingly uncertain world. McGlade has pioneered research in the dynamics of ecosystems, citizen science and social and environmental informatics. Series: "Bren School of Environmental Science & Management" [Science] [Show ID: 33663]

The 2018 David Keeling Memorial Lecture hosts Dr. Elisabeth Holland, Professor of Climate Change and Director of the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development at the University of the South Pacific. Dr. Holland is an internationally recognized scientist and 2007 Nobel Laureate for her work on climate change issues. Among other topics, Dr. Holland speaks on the importance of listening to the Voices of the Pacific when considering climate change and its impacts - a direct reflection of her work weaving together science, policy and traditional knowledge towards a sustainable, resilient future for Pacific communities. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Science] [Show ID: 33489]

An overview the collaborative work of a coral reef ecologist and a cell biologist in their quest to understand the effects of global climate change on coral biology. By combining biomedical laboratory techniques and fieldwork, they are attempting to understand the cellular mechanisms that are disrupted during bleaching, eutrophication, and ocean acidification, and the implications for coral reef ecosystems. Series: "Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series" [Science] [Show ID: 33488]

Dan Dudek is the Environmental Defense Fund Vice President for Asia. He is one of the world's leading experts on market-based policies to reduce pollution at the least cost. Series: "Bren School of Environmental Science & Management" [Science] [Business] [Show ID: 33592]