science

Read more about the article My new book: An homage to flying airplanes
Book cover by artist Deanna Gallaro.

My new book: An homage to flying airplanes

From 1995 to 2013 I flew airplanes, a lot. Aviation was my side hustle as I pursued a busy career in public relations at Verizon. Between my basic private pilot training through epic flights across North America I recorded close to 900 hours of flying. My decision to take flying lessons was the realization of a dream I’d had since my youth, especially growing up on Air Force bases where I saw airplanes every day. This included the massive, majestic B52 bombers. Each time I took a lesson, learned how to fly…

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Read more about the article Guest commentary on the 4/8 total solar eclipse
Albany-area residents view the April 8 solar eclipse. (Photo credit: Times-Union, Albany, NY)

Guest commentary on the 4/8 total solar eclipse

(The Times-Union daily newspaper of Albany, N.Y. accepted and published my guest commentary on the April 8 total solar eclipse:) Commentary: All eyes on the sky The total solar eclipse was an opportunity to live in the moment, no cellphone required — except for taking photographs By Mark Marchand April 14, 2024  In those low-tech pre-internet days, I was often called upon as a Verizon spokesman to relate how world events affected phone call volumes. Two of my favorite happenings were the O.J. Simpson trial verdict in 1995 and the 1981 wedding of…

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Read more about the article Following Bob Dylan to go electric: Our one year of driving an EV
Joining Bob Dylan in his famous movement to "go electric."

Following Bob Dylan to go electric: Our one year of driving an EV

Bob Dylan famously went electric, so we decided to try it too. So off we went last year to shirk off the yoke of an internal combustion, fossil-fuel-burning, pollution-emitting car. We joined the legions of drivers who chose a new electric vehicle, or EV. It wasn’t a huge leap for our family, since I was among the first New Yorkers to buy a hybrid Toyota Prius in 2000. We drove it for years, reveling in over 50 mpg and answering questions from curious strangers who waited in parking lots to talk with…

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Read more about the article Mapping the Ocean Floor – Hawaii Sea Grant College Article
A coral reef off the shores of Hawai'i

Mapping the Ocean Floor – Hawaii Sea Grant College Article

The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College assigned me to research and write this article on the process of digitally mapping the ocean floor. Published in August, 2023. Here's a direct link to where my article appears in the Sea Grant College Ka Pili Kai magazine. My article appears on pages 41 and 42. While you're there, feel free to browse the rest of the magazine. Lots of great information and great writing!

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Read more about the article Posing the ‘why’ behind the streak of bad weather
Street flooding north of New York City, Sept. 29, 2023. (Credit: New York Times)

Posing the ‘why’ behind the streak of bad weather

Should broadcast news organizations and their weather teams help us better understand the role of human-caused climate change in ongoing weather disasters? The deadly Maui wildfire, widespread New York City flooding, crop-wilting heatwaves, our breathing air fouled by Canadian wildfires, and so many other weather calamities are coming at us in head-spinning waves. Maybe it’s time to elevate the topic to the same painstaking investigation and reporting that take place after other disasters.   All it would take is journalists and forecasters asking experts “why” this global bad weather avalanche accelerates. The…

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