Science Archives

Geothermal Energy in the US: Pros, Cons, & Future Prospects

Why aren’t we using more geothermal energy in the US? What are the benefits of switching to geothermal energy? America is the world’s leading producer of geothermal energy—but that currently generates less than 1% of the nation’s power. The US hopes to see geothermal generate 8.5% of electricity by 2050, but the cost and accessibility to tap the resource pose significant challenges. Below we’ll explore what geothermal energy is, its benefits and downsides, and prospects for its expansion.

Steven E. Koonin’s Unsettled: Book Overview & Takeaways

How much has the Earth warmed? Is extreme weather getting worse? Are climate scientists in agreement? In Unsettled, a book about climate change, former energy industry scientist Steven E. Koonin doesn’t deny that the planet is warming and that humans are partly to blame. But, he challenges the evidence and prediction models, coming to some conclusions that not everyone shares. Read more for an overview of Koonin’s book.

Where Does Glucose Come From? Not From Our Bodies

Where does glucose come from? How does the body convert glucose to energy? According to Jessie Inchauspé, the author of Glucose Revolution, we need glucose to survive, but we can’t synthesize it ourselves. This means that we must get it from another source: plants. All the glucose in food we eat came from a plant at some point. Here’s how plants produce glucose.

3 Climate Change Questions & Answers From Steven E. Koonin

How much is the Earth warming? What’s the cause? What does the future hold? With all of the information about climate change available at your fingertips, you probably still have unanswered questions. In Unsettled, former energy industry scientist Steven E. Koonin provides his answers to three of the biggest questions in the conversation. Continue reading for three climate change questions and answers from Koonin.

How to Access Altered States of Consciousness: 2 Methods

Want to know how to access altered states of consciousness? What are some evidence-based methods for reaching a higher consciousness? In Stealing Fire, Stephen Kotler and Jamie Wheal explain how to access altered states of consciousness and why reaching a higher consciousness is important for personal growth. They claim that scientific advances have now made it easier and safer to reach a higher consciousness. Read on to learn how to access altered states of consciousness, according to Kotler and Wheal.

The Importance of Fiber in the Diet (+ How to Get Enough)

How does fiber break down in the body? Why is it important to ensure you’re getting enough fiber? Because we cannot break down fiber, it retains its structure while moving through our digestive system. This means that it doesn’t provide us with energy from glucose molecules. However, it does help keep our gut microbiome (the bacteria living in our digestive system) healthy. Keep reading to learn about the importance of fiber in the diet and what happens in your body when you eat fiber.

How Much Has the Earth Warmed? A Deeper Investigation

How much has Earth warmed in the last couple of hundred years? What constitutes an actual change in climate? Former energy industry scientist Steven E. Koonin contends that the Earth’s temperature has warmed since 1900. However, he says that we need to consider two more patterns that contribute to our overall understanding of the matter. Continue reading for Koonin’s assessment of the global temperature increase.

Debate: Is Natural Gas “Green Energy” or a Fossil Fuel?

Is natural gas “green energy” or a fossil fuel? Does natural gas harm the environment? On January 6, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill into law classifying natural gas as “green energy.” Tying the “green” label to a fossil fuel that drives global warming has created some confusion, but it’s a potentially powerful branding tool for U.S. leaders seeking to advance their respective causes. Read on to learn about the debate surrounding natural gas and the “green energy” label.

What Are Starchy Carbs? Biochemist Explains

What exactly is starch? How do starchy foods break down in the body? Starch is a type of carbohydrate found in many staple foods such as potatoes, bread, rice, and pasta. It’s comprised of a chain of glucose molecules joined together. When you eat starchy foods, they are broken down into sugars by the enzyme amylase. Keep reading to learn about starchy carbs and how they are digested in the body.

Do Humans Cause Climate Change? The Question Is How Much

Do humans cause climate change? If so, to what extent? What’s the evidence? Steven E. Koonin argues that the human impact on the climate is relatively small. He shows this with his analysis of greenhouse gases and aerosols released into the atmosphere. Continue reading to learn about Koonin’s findings and conclusions about manmade climate change.