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Environmental reporting: problem child of the media
OLR (1984) 31 (12)
F. General
F320. Literature of science 84:6360 Cleveland, Harlan, 1984. King Canute and the information resource. Technol. Rev., 87(1):12-13, 15. 'The growing importance of information in creating wealth is good news for countries less favored by geology and arable land....The poor can get rich by brainwork.' Provided, of course, that the tide of information can not be stemmed. Attempts to stem it are as futile as King Canute's command to the tides. Information is expandable, diffusive, it isn't diluted as it spreads; it is too volatile to be contained for long; attempts to control and own it are bound to fail. Univ. of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey Inst. of Public Affairs, Minneapolis, Minn., USA. (fcs) 84:6361 Freeman, Jo, 1984. Forum. Negotiating a college textbook contract. PS Newsl. Am. polit. Sci. Ass., 17(1):41-48. While a contract cannot replace a good working relationship with your editor and publisher, it is absolutely essential to the prevention of misunderstandings and surprises. Publishers are generally willing to negotiate a contract despite their assurances that the 'standard contract' is all you need. They are not, however, inclined to bid for your work. Seek legal advice, but do the negotiation yourself. Settle royalties first; then everything else. These are some of the practical tips included in this article. (fcs)
F330. History of science (especially oceanography) 84:6362 Groeben, Christiane, 1984. The Naples Zoological Station and Woods Hole. Oceanus, 27(1):60-69. The inspiration for establishing the Stazione Zoologica came from a marine biological expedition its founder, Anton Dohrn, made to a North Sea island in 1865. Following the development of a portable aquarium and the decision to couple his marine station with a public aquarium (as a source of income), the Zoological Station was opened in 1873. Discussed are the facilities and how they've changed physically over time; the 'table system' wherein working places are rented to governments, institutions, etc.; the superb library; the station's innovations in marine organism preservation; and the 'role of Naples as a catalyzer.' The article highlights the life and career of Anton Dohrn and overviews
909
the Naples-Woods Hole connection from its beginnings more than 100 years ago. Stazione Zoologica, Naples, Italy. (ihz)
F340. Biographies, obituaries, etc. 84:6363 Ryan, P.R., 1984. Henry Stommei: 'apprentice' oceanographer. Oceanus, 27(1):55-59. One of the numerous societies of which 'Hank' Stommel is a member is the Society of Subprofessional Oceanographers. (He never received a Ph.D., and, in fact, was declined admission at Scripps!) One of his numerous awards is the Albatross Award (for peculiar accomplishments) of the American Miscellaneous Society granted for 'abandoning oceanography's most cherished chairs.' (He left first Harvard, then MIT, to return to WHOI.) Something of the personal and professional style of 'the world's leading authority on the Gulf Stream,' a pioneer and preeminent oceanographer with over 100 papers to his credit, is described here.
(fcs)
F360. Science education 84:6364 Caws, Peter, 1983. Information, instruction, and the environment. Environment, 25(10): 12-16. The Scientists' Institute for Public Information and similar organizations used to concentrate on providing information relevant, e.g., to environmental policy. They presupposed the information would be understood and then acted on. But it is clear that it cannot be understood without background instruction, and then there is still the problem of getting action in contexts where the terms worse and better 'depend on whose ox is gored.' Of all the groups one might concentrate on, legislators and business executives 'hold 99% of the real power.' If convinced, they can lead in a way the media and schools cannot by themselves. Dept. of Phil., George Washington Univ., Washington, DC, USA. (fcs) 84:6365 Friedman, S.M., 1983. Environmental reporting: problem child of the media. Environment, 25(10) :24-29. Some of the reasons why environmental reporting by the mass media is often viewed as inflammatory and distorted can be explained by the uncertainty and complexity inherent in environmental issues (and in scientific knowledge as a whole); and by the nature of standard journalism procedures which stress hard
910
F. General
news, ('who, what, where, when, why and how'), and are constrained by currency, deadlines, and a lack of sources. The author recommends increasing required science courses for journalism students, training programs for science writers, and increasing the dialogue among journalists, environmentalists and scientists. Dept. of Journalism, Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, Penn., USA. (msg) 84:6366 Helfrich, L.A. and P.T. Bromley, 1984. Cooperative Extension Service [CES] education in fisheries in the United States. Fisheries, 9(3):18-21. Public education programs, audiences, communication strategies, and characteristics of 16 CES fisheries specialists in 12 states were examined from responses to a mail/telephone survey. Specialists expended an average of 5ff7o of their time on education related to fish production and ~25% each on education re aquatic pest control and general aquatic resources. Audiences served, in order of priority, were extension agents, landowners, fish farmers, general public, youth groups, university faculty and students, natural resource agency personnel, and citizen conservation organizations. Specialists relied heavily on telephone calls, letters, and extension publications; group meetings (conferences and workshops) were used to a lesser extent; and least used were the electronic media, magazine articles and technical publications. Dept. of Fish. and Wildlf. Sci., Virginia Tech., Blacksburg, Va., USA. 84:6367 Royce, W.F., 1984. A professional education for fishery scientists. Fisheries, 9(3): 12-14, 16-17. Employment of fishery scientists has been expanding rapidly into more diverse activities but with only a small proportion in basic research outside universities. The predominant occupation is now in organizations with responsibilities for design and implementation of solutions to fishery problems. Professionalism must be strengthened if fishery scientists are to fulfill the public expectations.
F370. Multidisciplinary scientific studies
OLR (1984) 31 (12)
have revealed complex patterns of variation in the rotational orientation of the Earth and the length of day. On the time scale of a week to several years, the dominant cause of changes appears to be an exchange of angular momentum between the atmosphere and the mantle. In particular, 'the unusually intense E1 Niho of 1982-1983 was marked by a strong peak in the length of day.' Natl. Geod. Survey Charting and Geod. Serv., NOS, NOAA, Rockville, Md. 20852, USA. (amt) 84:6369 Fleig, A.J. and R.J. Cicerone et al., 1984. NIMBUS 7 scientific results. J. geophys. Res., 89(D4):49675380; 38 papers. Papers cover NIMBUS 7 scientific results; instrumentation (LIMS, SBUV, SAGE, SAMS, SAM II, SMMR) and calibrations; and data assessment, validation, analysis and comparison. Several papers discuss ozone measurements; others treat stratospheric nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid, water vapor, and temperature. Additional topics include: global stratospheric aerosol optical depth; mass loading and determinations of sea ice parameters; and overviews of the Earth Radiation Budget experiment and the Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere experiment. (msg) 84:6370 Stothers, R.B., 1984. The great Tambora eruption in 1815 and its aftermath. Science, 224(4654): 11411198. The few available original reports of this eruption (Sumbawa, Indonesia, 10-11 April 1815) were synthesized and analyzed; data from a variety of later field studies were added, as well as relevant meteorological/climatological records from around the globe, to provide a synoptic view of the eruption. Believed to be the world's largest post-glacial ash eruption, Mount Tambora's 'cataclysmic eruption' caused the deaths of >88,000 people in its vicinity and was 'an order of magnitude bigger in volume of discharged pyroclastics' than the famous 1883 Krakatau eruption. The course of events during and after the eruption is chronicled herein. NASA Goddard Inst. for Space Studies, 2880 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025, USA. (sir)
(general interest) 84:6368 Carter, W.E. et al., 1984. Variations in the rotation of the Earth. Science, 224(4652):957-961. Astronomical radio interferometry and laser ranging to the LAGEOS satellite over the past three years
F380. Advances in science, reviews (general interest) 84:6371 Kerr, R.A., 1984. Continental drilling heading deeper. Science, 224(4656): 1418-1420.
F. General
F320. Literature of science 84:6360 Cleveland, Harlan, 1984. King Canute and the information resource. Technol. Rev., 87(1):12-13, 15. 'The growing importance of information in creating wealth is good news for countries less favored by geology and arable land....The poor can get rich by brainwork.' Provided, of course, that the tide of information can not be stemmed. Attempts to stem it are as futile as King Canute's command to the tides. Information is expandable, diffusive, it isn't diluted as it spreads; it is too volatile to be contained for long; attempts to control and own it are bound to fail. Univ. of Minnesota, Hubert H. Humphrey Inst. of Public Affairs, Minneapolis, Minn., USA. (fcs) 84:6361 Freeman, Jo, 1984. Forum. Negotiating a college textbook contract. PS Newsl. Am. polit. Sci. Ass., 17(1):41-48. While a contract cannot replace a good working relationship with your editor and publisher, it is absolutely essential to the prevention of misunderstandings and surprises. Publishers are generally willing to negotiate a contract despite their assurances that the 'standard contract' is all you need. They are not, however, inclined to bid for your work. Seek legal advice, but do the negotiation yourself. Settle royalties first; then everything else. These are some of the practical tips included in this article. (fcs)
F330. History of science (especially oceanography) 84:6362 Groeben, Christiane, 1984. The Naples Zoological Station and Woods Hole. Oceanus, 27(1):60-69. The inspiration for establishing the Stazione Zoologica came from a marine biological expedition its founder, Anton Dohrn, made to a North Sea island in 1865. Following the development of a portable aquarium and the decision to couple his marine station with a public aquarium (as a source of income), the Zoological Station was opened in 1873. Discussed are the facilities and how they've changed physically over time; the 'table system' wherein working places are rented to governments, institutions, etc.; the superb library; the station's innovations in marine organism preservation; and the 'role of Naples as a catalyzer.' The article highlights the life and career of Anton Dohrn and overviews
909
the Naples-Woods Hole connection from its beginnings more than 100 years ago. Stazione Zoologica, Naples, Italy. (ihz)
F340. Biographies, obituaries, etc. 84:6363 Ryan, P.R., 1984. Henry Stommei: 'apprentice' oceanographer. Oceanus, 27(1):55-59. One of the numerous societies of which 'Hank' Stommel is a member is the Society of Subprofessional Oceanographers. (He never received a Ph.D., and, in fact, was declined admission at Scripps!) One of his numerous awards is the Albatross Award (for peculiar accomplishments) of the American Miscellaneous Society granted for 'abandoning oceanography's most cherished chairs.' (He left first Harvard, then MIT, to return to WHOI.) Something of the personal and professional style of 'the world's leading authority on the Gulf Stream,' a pioneer and preeminent oceanographer with over 100 papers to his credit, is described here.
(fcs)
F360. Science education 84:6364 Caws, Peter, 1983. Information, instruction, and the environment. Environment, 25(10): 12-16. The Scientists' Institute for Public Information and similar organizations used to concentrate on providing information relevant, e.g., to environmental policy. They presupposed the information would be understood and then acted on. But it is clear that it cannot be understood without background instruction, and then there is still the problem of getting action in contexts where the terms worse and better 'depend on whose ox is gored.' Of all the groups one might concentrate on, legislators and business executives 'hold 99% of the real power.' If convinced, they can lead in a way the media and schools cannot by themselves. Dept. of Phil., George Washington Univ., Washington, DC, USA. (fcs) 84:6365 Friedman, S.M., 1983. Environmental reporting: problem child of the media. Environment, 25(10) :24-29. Some of the reasons why environmental reporting by the mass media is often viewed as inflammatory and distorted can be explained by the uncertainty and complexity inherent in environmental issues (and in scientific knowledge as a whole); and by the nature of standard journalism procedures which stress hard
910
F. General
news, ('who, what, where, when, why and how'), and are constrained by currency, deadlines, and a lack of sources. The author recommends increasing required science courses for journalism students, training programs for science writers, and increasing the dialogue among journalists, environmentalists and scientists. Dept. of Journalism, Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, Penn., USA. (msg) 84:6366 Helfrich, L.A. and P.T. Bromley, 1984. Cooperative Extension Service [CES] education in fisheries in the United States. Fisheries, 9(3):18-21. Public education programs, audiences, communication strategies, and characteristics of 16 CES fisheries specialists in 12 states were examined from responses to a mail/telephone survey. Specialists expended an average of 5ff7o of their time on education related to fish production and ~25% each on education re aquatic pest control and general aquatic resources. Audiences served, in order of priority, were extension agents, landowners, fish farmers, general public, youth groups, university faculty and students, natural resource agency personnel, and citizen conservation organizations. Specialists relied heavily on telephone calls, letters, and extension publications; group meetings (conferences and workshops) were used to a lesser extent; and least used were the electronic media, magazine articles and technical publications. Dept. of Fish. and Wildlf. Sci., Virginia Tech., Blacksburg, Va., USA. 84:6367 Royce, W.F., 1984. A professional education for fishery scientists. Fisheries, 9(3): 12-14, 16-17. Employment of fishery scientists has been expanding rapidly into more diverse activities but with only a small proportion in basic research outside universities. The predominant occupation is now in organizations with responsibilities for design and implementation of solutions to fishery problems. Professionalism must be strengthened if fishery scientists are to fulfill the public expectations.
F370. Multidisciplinary scientific studies
OLR (1984) 31 (12)
have revealed complex patterns of variation in the rotational orientation of the Earth and the length of day. On the time scale of a week to several years, the dominant cause of changes appears to be an exchange of angular momentum between the atmosphere and the mantle. In particular, 'the unusually intense E1 Niho of 1982-1983 was marked by a strong peak in the length of day.' Natl. Geod. Survey Charting and Geod. Serv., NOS, NOAA, Rockville, Md. 20852, USA. (amt) 84:6369 Fleig, A.J. and R.J. Cicerone et al., 1984. NIMBUS 7 scientific results. J. geophys. Res., 89(D4):49675380; 38 papers. Papers cover NIMBUS 7 scientific results; instrumentation (LIMS, SBUV, SAGE, SAMS, SAM II, SMMR) and calibrations; and data assessment, validation, analysis and comparison. Several papers discuss ozone measurements; others treat stratospheric nitrogen dioxide, nitric acid, water vapor, and temperature. Additional topics include: global stratospheric aerosol optical depth; mass loading and determinations of sea ice parameters; and overviews of the Earth Radiation Budget experiment and the Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere experiment. (msg) 84:6370 Stothers, R.B., 1984. The great Tambora eruption in 1815 and its aftermath. Science, 224(4654): 11411198. The few available original reports of this eruption (Sumbawa, Indonesia, 10-11 April 1815) were synthesized and analyzed; data from a variety of later field studies were added, as well as relevant meteorological/climatological records from around the globe, to provide a synoptic view of the eruption. Believed to be the world's largest post-glacial ash eruption, Mount Tambora's 'cataclysmic eruption' caused the deaths of >88,000 people in its vicinity and was 'an order of magnitude bigger in volume of discharged pyroclastics' than the famous 1883 Krakatau eruption. The course of events during and after the eruption is chronicled herein. NASA Goddard Inst. for Space Studies, 2880 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10025, USA. (sir)
(general interest) 84:6368 Carter, W.E. et al., 1984. Variations in the rotation of the Earth. Science, 224(4652):957-961. Astronomical radio interferometry and laser ranging to the LAGEOS satellite over the past three years
F380. Advances in science, reviews (general interest) 84:6371 Kerr, R.A., 1984. Continental drilling heading deeper. Science, 224(4656): 1418-1420.