• Articles
  • Photography
    • American Southwest
      • American Southwest – Elite Gallery
      • American Southwest – Panoramas
      • American Southwest – Videos
    • Antelope Canyon
      • Antelope Canyon – Elite Gallery
    • Canyons
      • Canyons – Elite Gallery
      • Canyons – Panoramas
      • Canyons – Videos
    • Caribbean Cruise
    • Costa Rica
    • Czech
      • Czech – Elite Gallery
      • Czech – Panoramas
      • Czech – Videos
    • The Delaware Excursion
    • Falling Water
    • Germany
    • Halloween 2011
      • Halloween 2011 – Elite Photo Gallery
    • Halloween 2012
      • Halloween 2012 – Elite Photo Gallery
      • Halloween 2012 – Videos
    • India
      • India – Elite Gallery
      • India – Panoramas
      • India – Videos
    • Ireland
    • Maine Road Trip
    • Nashville
    • Northern Road Trip
      • Northern Road Trip – Part 1
      • Northern Road Trip – Part 2
      • Northern Road Trip – Part 3
    • Pacific Northwest
    • Rome
      • Rome – Elite Gallery
      • Rome – Panoramas
    • SoCal
    • Southeast Asia
    • Southern Road Trip
    • Western Road Trip
      • Western Road Trip – Part 1
      • Western Road Trip – Part 2
  • Tutoring
The Personal Website of Mike Specian
  • Articles
  • Photography
    • American Southwest
      • American Southwest – Elite Gallery
      • American Southwest – Panoramas
      • American Southwest – Videos
    • Antelope Canyon
      • Antelope Canyon – Elite Gallery
    • Canyons
      • Canyons – Elite Gallery
      • Canyons – Panoramas
      • Canyons – Videos
    • Caribbean Cruise
    • Costa Rica
    • Czech
      • Czech – Elite Gallery
      • Czech – Panoramas
      • Czech – Videos
    • The Delaware Excursion
    • Falling Water
    • Germany
    • Halloween 2011
      • Halloween 2011 – Elite Photo Gallery
    • Halloween 2012
      • Halloween 2012 – Elite Photo Gallery
      • Halloween 2012 – Videos
    • India
      • India – Elite Gallery
      • India – Panoramas
      • India – Videos
    • Ireland
    • Maine Road Trip
    • Nashville
    • Northern Road Trip
      • Northern Road Trip – Part 1
      • Northern Road Trip – Part 2
      • Northern Road Trip – Part 3
    • Pacific Northwest
    • Rome
      • Rome – Elite Gallery
      • Rome – Panoramas
    • SoCal
    • Southeast Asia
    • Southern Road Trip
    • Western Road Trip
      • Western Road Trip – Part 1
      • Western Road Trip – Part 2
  • Tutoring
Home » Articles

Articles

An Interview with FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee

Neil Chatterjee answers questions about the role of FERC and his philosophy on a number of energy regulatory issues.  October 21, 2019

What to Prioritize – Retrofits or New Construction?

In a world of limited resources, should our strategy to decarbonize the building sector focus on retrofits or new construction?  July 3, 2019

Dear Citizen, Would You Like to Be a Scientist?

Participating in citizen science initiatives has never been easier. Here’s a list of top resources to participate in or create your own projects. December 2, 2017

10 Ways You Can Be a Better Advocate for Science

Whether interacting with lawmakers, the media, or the public, these tips and resources will help you better communicate your science. April 20, 2017

What a Trump Presidency Means for Science

An examination of the impact of Trump’s Presidency on science funding, climate change, and the role of science in government. November 15, 2016

I Returned to Speak at My High School Alma Mater, and Here’s What I Decided to Say

A journey home to speak to students about my experiences as a scientist takes an unexpected turn after I have meaningful conversations with two people from my past. July 6, 2016

Techniques for Organizing, Curating, and Presenting Content on the Web

This article provides techniques on how to organize your online research. It covers tagging articles, working with teams, image acquisition and publication. November 20, 2015

Supercharge Your Internet Research with These Essential Tips

When conducting research on the Internet, it can be tough to know where to start. Using climate and energy policy as an example, I provide some useful tips. November 9, 2015

How Big Data is Transforming Science

I highlight examples of how the Big Data revolution is transforming the way science is conducted.  This summary of the 2015 IDIES Symposium includes research into health care, climate, urban planning, materials science, and more. October 18, 2015

Debunking the Notion That Climate Scientists Are Just in It for the Money

Some climate deniers argue that scientists only pretend to believe in climate change because their research grants depend on it. These arguments are not only slanderous, but expose a deep misunderstanding of how the scientific funding process. September 14, 2015

Is the Universe a Giant Fractal?

A mathematical examination of the theory that the Universe is actually a fractal. January 1, 2015

FOIA – We Are Making Progress

Despite its challenges, the Freedom of Information Act has had its share of successes. And if recent developments are any indication, the power of FOIA is only bound to improve. March 10, 2014

The Obama Failure

There was widespread hope that President Obama would usher in a new era of open government. Yet according to many journalists, the situation has only grown worse. Part 4 of a 5 part series. March 5, 2014

Freedom of Information Act to the Rescue?

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) offers the promise of an open government. Too often, however, publicly funded research is buried, redacted or otherwise hidden from public view. Part 3 of a 5 part series. March 3, 2014

Uninformed Politicians are Dangerous

There is widening divide between peer-reviewed scientific consensus and what is accepted in popular and political circles.  While restoring scientific literacy to government is no easy project, it is one we must undertake.  December 15, 2013

Johns Hopkins Feels the Power with Its Cogeneration Plant

I take a tour of JHU’s new cogeneration plant, a building that supplies both electricity and steam heat to the Homewood campus. The plant is so efficient that it will pay for itself in seven years. November 21, 2013

Climate and Energy Primary Sources

For those interested in climate, energy and policy I have aggregated a list of agencies and organizations that do work in this domain. August 16, 2013

The Government’s Silence of Science

Despite ample scientific evidence that coal fly ash is toxic, it remains unregulated in the United States due to political influence. Part 2 of a 5 part series. March 25, 2013

The Kingston Disaster

In the early morning hours of December 22, 2008, a dike separating 5.4 million cubic yards of coal combustion waste product from the outside world breached. Part 1 of a 5 part series. March 18, 2013

My Silver Bullet for Solving the Energy Crisis

If you needed one silver bullet policy in your pocket to solve the energy crisis, what should it be? May 21, 2012

Congress Says Yes to James Webb Space Telescope, WFIRST – Details of the NASA Appropriations Bills

The House and Senate have released their 2013 NASA appropriations bills. Where is the funding going? May 12, 2012

US Congress Decides Astronomy Deserves 244 Million Dollars from National Science Foundation

According to the latest Congressional budget, of the $7.3 billion in NSF funding, about 3.4% of that is directed to astronomy research. May 11, 2012

What ShamWow Can Teach Democrats about Winning Elections

Psychological research indicates that starting from an extreme position can make the final compromise more palatable than if it were introduced at the start. April 23, 2012

Why It Is So Difficult to Convince People That You Are Right

One of the biggest reasons it is difficult to convince someone of your argument is that facts and rationality often take a back seat to cultural commitments. February 29, 2012

Is the Universe Predetermined and Do Humans Have Free Will?

For most of human history, the question of free will fell squarely within the jurisdiction of philosophers and theologians. Today science, physics in particular, can speak more forcefully on the issue. February 10, 2012

Federal Obligations for Research by Detailed Science Engineering Field

Using information provided by the National Science Board’s Science and Engineering Indicators 2012, I illustrate how much financial support Washington has provided for US scientists since 1989. February 8, 2012

Is Dark Matter Just an Illusion?

If Dragan Hajdukovic’s new theory is to be believed, dark matter is not merely invisible – it is totally nonexistent. January 28, 2012

The James Webb Space Telescope Lives!

Earlier today President Obama signed 2012’s NASA appropriations bill into law. The good news is that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) isn’t dead! November 18, 2011

Our Planet’s Carbon Budget: How Much Does Each Source Produce, How High Can We Go, and What Would Be the Impact of Keystone XL

I briefly summarize the sizes of Earth’s fossil fuel carbon deposits and how much each can contribute to the deterioration of our planet’s climate system. November 9, 2011

Mythbusters: Oil Creates Jobs and Makes Us Safer Edition

In instances where job growth, energy security and profit run counter to each other, “pro-oil” policies intended to create jobs and security can more than just miss their target. They can be directly counterproductive. September 27, 2011

Achieving Energy Security and Independence Through Collaboration and Competition – Summary from National Clean Energy Summit

On Tuesday, August 30 the National Clean Energy Summit was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The following is a summary of the panel discussion. September 4, 2011

Western Governors Brown, Gregoire, and Sandoval Discuss Renewable Energy at the National Clean Energy Summit

On Tuesday, August 30 the National Clean Energy Summit was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The following is a summary of a panel discussion on Western clean energy efforts. September 3, 2011

Government should oppose Keystone XL Pipeline

The Keystone XL Pipeline, designed to pump unrefined oil tar sands from Alberta, Canada, to Texas, won a critical victory when the U.S. State Department concluded the project posed “no significant impacts” to the environment. This conclusion is horribly misaligned with reality. September 1, 2011

How Will Consumers Benefit from a Clean Energy Future?

The following is a summary from a panel at the National Clean Energy Summit on the new smart grid, green buildings, electric vehicles and manufacturing. August 30, 2011

How to Make the World Run Forever (alternate title: how to kill Kit Kat in 3 easy steps)

The common condition that many businesses operate under is the myth that they have access to unlimited resources, aren’t connected to nature, and have no role with respect to sustainability overall. August 2, 2012

Why Facts Will Not Convince People of Climate Change

One’s political affiliation, which is really a statement of preferences, values and morals, can dictate which facts he chooses to accept. June 1, 2011

Climate Deniers Claim Liberals Don’t Understand Their Arguments – I Present Their Points and My Response

There are differences between “natural” climate change and that caused by human activity. May 28, 2011

Orange County Out-Dumbs Itself

An AP class addressing global climate change now requires instructors to teach opposing views on “controversial issues.” May 19, 2011

Green Roofs in New York City May Be an Effective Adaptation to Flooding

Lowering the strain on NYC’s immutable sewage infrastructure requires a new solution – green roofs. May 19, 2011

Federal Investment in Common Sense

There are many reasons to be dismayed by the federal budget crisis. But perhaps the most concerning aspect is that the debate isn’t really about the budget. April 13, 2011

A Republican Leads on the Environment while a Democrat Dithers

Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke on the economic promise of green energy while Senator Jim Webb argued that we should loosen the EPA’s regulation of carbon. March 31, 2011

The Smart Energy Grid – The Role of States

While a new national directive toward clean and efficient energy means that some gains are being made, progress in state governments has been uneven. Part 6 of a 6 part series. March 1, 2011

The Smart Energy Grid – Federal Roles in Energy

I asked former IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) President Alan Rotz, who recently retired from a 40 year career at PPL Electric Utilities, about his views on the future of energy and whether government should play a part. Part 5 of a 6 part series. February 27, 2011

The Smart Energy Grid – The 6 Big Solutions

According to John McDonald, the Director of Technical Strategy & Policy Development at GE, there are six main smart grid solutions he would like to see implemented. Part 4 of a 6 part series. February 26, 2011

The Smart Energy Grid – Consumer Savings

Two-way communication between electricity consumers and utilities can save users money. Part 3 of a 6 part series. February 25, 2011

The Smart Energy Grid – Consumer Controls

Two-way communication between electricity consumers and utilities can streamline and stabilize the electrical system. Part 2 of a 6 part series. February 24, 2011

The Smart Energy Grid – Overview

Smart electrical grids are being designed to replace our current “dumb” grid with an infrastructure that is more efficient, more secure and more flexible in all phases. Part 1 of a 6 part series. February 23, 2011

Nation’s Policy on Energy Must See Change

Offshore drilling is antethical to the goal of building a renewable energy economy and ought to be opposed. August 14, 2008

1 Comment

  1. Pingback: Articles Archive Added | The Personal Website of Mike Specian

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

About Me

mike_specian

Hi, I’m Mike Specian. This site is a repository for things that matter to me including science, energy, climate, public policy, and photography from around the world. You are welcome to follow me on social media or by subscribing to email updates below.

Subscribe

Sign up for email updates when new content is posted.

Follow me on social media

Gallery

Morraine-Lakes-Hills-and-Boats-edits Moss-Covered-Mailbox-edit Mt-Robson-Moon-Behind-Glacier-Version-1 Plitvice-Lakes-Middle Cathedral-Lake-Stars-over-Lake Cathedral-Lake-Sunset-with-Tree Knoblock-Transparent-Milky-Way Moonrise-over-the-Indian-Ocean Driftwood-and-Boat leon-viejo-memorial-a-los-fundadores-espanoles-de-leon-santiago-de-los-caballeros ometepe-michaels-strip-of-land-looking-towards-concepcion ometepe-island-panorama-with-concepcion-and-partial-maderas-in-background

Most Recent Posts

  • I visited Iceland and Paris in 2010. I’m finally ready to share what happened.
  • Energy Efficiency Can Save Lives
  • An Interview with FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee
  • What To Prioritize – Retrofits or New Construction?
  • Buildings – A New Hope to Solve Climate Change

Categories

  • Astrophysics
  • Buildings
  • Climate
  • Energy
  • Personal
  • Photography
  • Politics
  • Pro Wrestling
  • Research
  • Travel
  • Video Games
© Copyright 2014. Theme by BloomPixel.