What I’m Reading
August 1, 2023
What I’m Reading this week kicks us off with two environmental stories: fighting pollution and inequality in a Californian valley and an in-depth inspection of the state’s dams. The third recommendation leaves planet Earth and reports on research on Mars.
Fighting Pollution and Inequality
In California’s Heartland, a New Resistance Movement Is Taking Root is today’s first recommendation.
The article, written by Mark Arax, shares personal stories of fighting pollution and inequality in San Joaquin Valley, an area that includes the city of Fresno. It’s described as having some of the highest poverty rates in the country, little green spaces, and bad air quality.
It’s an important read that touches on climate change and social justice issues and highlights initiatives that try to make the area healthier and fairer. I’m sure you’ll find some interesting food for thought if you give it your time.
I also enjoyed Devin Oktar Yalkin’s impactful black-and-white images, which is another reason to take a look.
The Safety of Dams
The second story keeps us in California. The Trillion-Gallon Question is an in-depth look at the state of California’s dams. The audio version runs 49 minutes, so be warned.
Christopher Cox and Spencer Lowell (for the strong photography and videography) inform us about the “orphaned problem” called dam safety.
Cox vividly retells a 2017 incident at America’s tallest dam, the Oroville Dam, that resulted in the evacuation of 180,000 people.
The longer part of this investigative piece inspects dams, studies, and what’s being done or not being done to prevent a potential catastrophe. There is a wealth of information to digest, and I applaud the meticulous reporting.
Most of the article deals with the readiness of the infrastructure to deal with what’s to come, including climate change and its effect on dam safety. Toward the end, there’s an important additional consideration: are there places on this planet where humans should not settle?
It’s a very long read, but it’s an important one. I hope you decide to spend some time with it.
Fascinating Science
Ars Technica’s Elizabeth Rayne reports on the latest extraterrestrial findings. Mars has liquid guts and strange insides, InSight suggests shows us what researchers believe lies beneath the surface of Mars.
Along the way, you’ll hear about the technology used to probe Mars (called RISE), nutations, and “wobbles in the planet’s rotation.”
The bottom line is that NASA’s InSight probe delivered findings that suggest the planet has a liquid core.
I love science reads like this one, and I hope you find value in it as well.
That are all the reading recommendations for this week. On Thursday, I’ll open another chapter of A Journalist’s Diary. And on Saturday, I’ll hopefully be able to share new photography. Until then, enjoy your readings.
