Sunday, July 5, 2009

ONGOING COVERAGE: WSU REPORTING PROJECT: WARMING

Background: A collection of stories researched and written by students at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University, under the guidance of clinical assistant professor Benjamin Shors.

Multimedia Slideshow: Vineyard to winery Photos by Kevin Quinn More information Economy: Carbon Free Prosperity report Energy: Northwest Power and Conservation Council Biodiesel: Spokane County Conservation District Farming: Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association Wildfire: National Interagency Fire Center Wine: WSU viticulture and enology program Water: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

A note to readers

12/13/2008 | When we began this project at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University, I wanted students to explore an intersection between science and public policy.

Warming helps, not hurts, Northwest wine industry

12/13/2008 | When Rick Small began growing wine grapes in the 1970s as a third-generation farmer in Lowden, Wash., winemaking in Washington was largely an experimental venture.

Thirsty industries face competition for water

12/13/2008 | ODESSA, Wash — At 5:30 every morning during the growing season, fourth-generation farmer Jeff Schibel, 49, steps out of the house where both his father and grandfather lived, hoping to find water coming out of his wells.

Greener biofuels still have environmental impact

12/13/2008 | The Imperium Renewable biodiesel facility built last year in Grays Harbor, Wash., was one of the largest of its kind and promised to help bolster the alternative fuel market for the state.

Hydropower experts evaluate warming scenarios

12/13/2008 | For decades, the waters of the Columbia River system have powered the Pacific Northwest. Hydropower dams are able to harness these waters to provide more than half of the region’s electricity today.

Amid climate change, fish struggle to adapt

12/13/2008 | CLARKSTON, WASH. – As professional fishing guides, Pat and Judy Long have been up and down the Clearwater and Snake rivers in southeast Washington the past ten years, spending day after day on the river. Today, they notice the little things – weeks without fish biting. Fish runs dispersed over longer intervals. Later runs.

Some Palouse farmers turn to no-till method

12/13/2008 | UNIONTOWN, WASH. – Frank Wolf and his brother are spending less money on fuel and less time on their tractors since they incorporated new techniques on their old family farm.

Researchers foresee more fires as climate changes

12/13/2008 | From a hill overlooking his North Idaho home, Ron Mahoney watched a wildfire consume the house he had built by hand.

Washington hoping to ride green economy

12/13/2008 | When REC Silicon purchased afactory in Moses Lake in 2002, “green” jobs in central Washington were rare. Few people had ever heard of a green job.