Unlike many other environmental concerns, threats to the Great Barrier Reef are widely acknowledged beyond the scientific community. The average person may not be able to articulate exactly why the reef is at risk, but he has an idea that survival of the colorful, otherworldly seascape he remembers from so many documentaries is far from … Continue reading
Monthly Archives: May 2014
Living with Diatoms, Part II: A Marine Science Podcast!
Today I have for you the second part of our inaugural podcast, all about the wonderful world of diatoms! In this half of our podcast, I talk with Natalie Cohen and Carly Moreno, two of the other graduate students in my lab at UNC-Chapel Hill. Topics range from what it’s like to go on a … Continue reading
Should we let local politicking shape the conversation about offshore energy development?
One of the most effective arguments against offshore energy developments (of many types – not just offshore wind) is the negative impact to the local viewshed. In North Carolina in particular, the Outer Banks are dominated by land designated as ‘National Seashore,’ and therefore under much greater effective protection from any sort of development than … Continue reading
Film Friday: Restoring East Coast Oysters
Things have been a little slow as we ease into summer schedules here at UNdertheC, but check back next week as we resume our regular posting schedule! Until then, today’s Film Friday ushers in the first official beach weekend of the year with a neat infographics video about oyster restoration. The video, made by a … Continue reading
Sea Fever
Check out what a recent UNC Marine Science graduate is doing: sailing and teaching science in the Great Lakes! Continue reading
Solar Roads: Feasible Future or Pipe Dream?
By now you have probably heard of the proposal to build solar roads. It has been making the rounds for a week or so and has reached viral status online. Some very enthused and ambitious engineers out in Idaho are attempting to fund a project to build roadways that also act as solar panels. If … Continue reading
OverTheC for International Migratory Bird Day
Tomorrow, May 10th, is International Migratory Bird Day, and you may be worried that your expertise in diatoms or turbulent mixing just won’t cut it at the big ornithology party tonight. Well, UNdertheC is looking up and so is your evening, because we are here with a snapshot of a bird impressive enough to entertain … Continue reading
Film Friday: “Behind the Scenes” of your local weather report
Here’s some raw footage of one of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) buoy deployments last week. This buoy (and one other just to its north) is managed by UNC Chapel Hill’s marine science department. That’s us! NOAA and the National Weather Service (NWS) are government agencies that monitor and research weather, climatological, and environmental … Continue reading
Living with Diatoms Part I: A Marine Science Podcast!
Today I have something a little different to share–my first ever podcast! It’s diatom-themed (of course) and in it I discuss what diatoms are, what it’s like to research them, and why you should care about them in the first place. I’m far more used to writing blog posts than creating something audio-based, so this … Continue reading
Film Friday: Sunfish from the Sky
With finals week upon us, all those affiliated with a university may be feeling a little exhausted at the moment. If the internet has taught us anything though, it’s that there’s nothing like a fun animal video to lift your spirits/help you procrastinate. This clip combines the improbably buoyant sunfish with a little inspiration as … Continue reading