it’s an honor to kick off this TED talk so that’s a microscope right everybody
so that’s a microscope right everybody
so that’s a microscope right everybody seen a microscope before and if you
seen a microscope before and if you
seen a microscope before and if you imagine life before the microscope
imagine life before the microscope
imagine life before the microscope the whole study of of biology was
the whole study of of biology was
the whole study of of biology was radically different the invention the
radically different the invention the
radically different the invention the microscope changed not just science but
microscope changed not just science but
microscope changed not just science but it changed Society for example it
it changed Society for example it
it changed Society for example it allowed us to identify when there are
allowed us to identify when there are
allowed us to identify when there are the AIDS of causal agents of diseases as
the AIDS of causal agents of diseases as
the AIDS of causal agents of diseases as microbes which were pre-approve leaves
microbes which were pre-approve leaves
microbes which were pre-approve leaves previously unappreciated before that and
previously unappreciated before that and
previously unappreciated before that and our work with the Google Street View
our work with the Google Street View
our work with the Google Street View cars is part of another sort of
cars is part of another sort of
cars is part of another sort of scientific innovation I’m not saying
scientific innovation I’m not saying
scientific innovation I’m not saying it’s gonna be as transformative as the
it’s gonna be as transformative as the
it’s gonna be as transformative as the microscope but I think what’s
microscope but I think what’s
microscope but I think what’s interesting is to be present in the time
interesting is to be present in the time
interesting is to be present in the time when people are changing the way that
when people are changing the way that
when people are changing the way that they that they think about environmental
they that they think about environmental
they that they think about environmental hazards in its detection so my work is
hazards in its detection so my work is
hazards in its detection so my work is with my personal favorite gasps I think
with my personal favorite gasps I think
with my personal favorite gasps I think we all have a favorite gas – methane
we all have a favorite gas – methane
we all have a favorite gas – methane methane is about 80 times more potent
methane is about 80 times more potent
methane is about 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide on a molecule for
than carbon dioxide on a molecule for
than carbon dioxide on a molecule for molecule basis and even though there’s
molecule basis and even though there’s
molecule basis and even though there’s 200 fold less of it in the atmosphere
200 fold less of it in the atmosphere
200 fold less of it in the atmosphere than there is carbon dioxide it’s still
than there is carbon dioxide it’s still
than there is carbon dioxide it’s still a close second place to co2 as far as
a close second place to co2 as far as
a close second place to co2 as far as this global warming potential there’s
this global warming potential there’s
this global warming potential there’s far more methane in the atmosphere than
far more methane in the atmosphere than
far more methane in the atmosphere than there has been over the last thousands
there has been over the last thousands
there has been over the last thousands of years and it’s coming up as a result
of years and it’s coming up as a result
of years and it’s coming up as a result of human activities and there’s two key
of human activities and there’s two key
of human activities and there’s two key sources of things that we’re doing that
sources of things that we’re doing that
sources of things that we’re doing that are altering the construction of methane
are altering the construction of methane
are altering the construction of methane in the atmosphere one there are
in the atmosphere one there are
in the atmosphere one there are different sorts of biological activities
different sorts of biological activities
different sorts of biological activities that that are enhanced as a result of of
that that are enhanced as a result of of
that that are enhanced as a result of of human activities and second natural gas
human activities and second natural gas
human activities and second natural gas natural gas is 98% methane so I’m I
natural gas is 98% methane so I’m I
natural gas is 98% methane so I’m I became interested in methane and I made
became interested in methane and I made
became interested in methane and I made a major career pivot to expand my scope
a major career pivot to expand my scope
a major career pivot to expand my scope and leave my sort of home planet of
and leave my sort of home planet of
and leave my sort of home planet of biology and explore far more fascinating
biology and explore far more fascinating
biology and explore far more fascinating worlds that are out there and that’s
worlds that are out there and that’s
worlds that are out there and that’s what I’ll be talking about more today so
what I’ll be talking about more today so
what I’ll be talking about more today so the way I have been studying methane in
the way I have been studying methane in
the way I have been studying methane in sort of natural environments is is to go
sort of natural environments is is to go
sort of natural environments is is to go out there and find a place that’s
out there and find a place that’s
out there and find a place that’s emitting a lot of methane and I might
emitting a lot of methane and I might
emitting a lot of methane and I might like put a put a bucket over the ground
like put a put a bucket over the ground
like put a put a bucket over the ground and then measure the amount of methane
and then measure the amount of methane
and then measure the amount of methane that’s that’s coming into this bucket
that’s that’s coming into this bucket
that’s that’s coming into this bucket I’ll take an air sample and then I’ll
I’ll take an air sample and then I’ll
I’ll take an air sample and then I’ll bring that air sample back from wherever
bring that air sample back from wherever
bring that air sample back from wherever I sampled it and bring it from my
I sampled it and bring it from my
I sampled it and bring it from my laboratory that’s a little one of the
laboratory that’s a little one of the
laboratory that’s a little one of the sample
sample
sample that we put air in and we had that’s big
that we put air in and we had that’s big
that we put air in and we had that’s big machine back there with the Thor picture
machine back there with the Thor picture
machine back there with the Thor picture on it that’s our analyzer our methane
on it that’s our analyzer our methane
on it that’s our analyzer our methane analyzer grass chromatograph it’s
analyzer grass chromatograph it’s
analyzer grass chromatograph it’s amazing that’s how we see methane takes
amazing that’s how we see methane takes
amazing that’s how we see methane takes a couple minutes to analyze each sample
a couple minutes to analyze each sample
a couple minutes to analyze each sample and and as a result of that analyzer
and and as a result of that analyzer
and and as a result of that analyzer we’ve learned a lot about natural and
we’ve learned a lot about natural and
we’ve learned a lot about natural and other types of sources of methane to the
other types of sources of methane to the
other types of sources of methane to the atmosphere but what happened about 10
atmosphere but what happened about 10
atmosphere but what happened about 10 years ago was sort of a revolution in
years ago was sort of a revolution in
years ago was sort of a revolution in laser technology so there was a
laser technology so there was a
laser technology so there was a revolution that in decreasing the cost
revolution that in decreasing the cost
revolution that in decreasing the cost and increasing the sensitivity and power
and increasing the sensitivity and power
and increasing the sensitivity and power of these infrared lasers infrared light
of these infrared lasers infrared light
of these infrared lasers infrared light is the color of light that’s emitted by
is the color of light that’s emitted by
is the color of light that’s emitted by warm objects like the Earth’s surface
warm objects like the Earth’s surface
warm objects like the Earth’s surface that warmth heads up to space and and is
that warmth heads up to space and and is
that warmth heads up to space and and is absorbed on its way by methane molecules
absorbed on its way by methane molecules
absorbed on its way by methane molecules and then reradiating back down earth
and then reradiating back down earth
and then reradiating back down earth that’s the greenhouse effect these
that’s the greenhouse effect these
that’s the greenhouse effect these lasers work on the very same principles
lasers work on the very same principles
lasers work on the very same principles by shining a little bit of laser light
by shining a little bit of laser light
by shining a little bit of laser light of that same infrared color through a
of that same infrared color through a
of that same infrared color through a cell where there’s air samples being
cell where there’s air samples being
cell where there’s air samples being passed through and then you can measure
passed through and then you can measure
passed through and then you can measure that how much light is missing how foggy
that how much light is missing how foggy
that how much light is missing how foggy the area is in infrared and you can
the area is in infrared and you can
the area is in infrared and you can suddenly start to to see methane in real
suddenly start to to see methane in real
suddenly start to to see methane in real time you could take a little tube and
time you could take a little tube and
time you could take a little tube and you could ask yourself how much methane
you could ask yourself how much methane
you could ask yourself how much methane is over here how much methane is over
is over here how much methane is over
is over here how much methane is over there it’s awesome I mean you should try
there it’s awesome I mean you should try
there it’s awesome I mean you should try it it’s great and so you can try it we
it it’s great and so you can try it we
it it’s great and so you can try it we brought one of these methane analyzers
brought one of these methane analyzers
brought one of these methane analyzers over to the innovation alley and and
over to the innovation alley and and
over to the innovation alley and and you’ll be able to see if you have any
you’ll be able to see if you have any
you’ll be able to see if you have any methane come on your breath or not other
methane come on your breath or not other
methane come on your breath or not other parts please but you know there’s lots
parts please but you know there’s lots
parts please but you know there’s lots that you can do about it to really see
that you can do about it to really see
that you can do about it to really see the world in a new way it is just like
the world in a new way it is just like
the world in a new way it is just like having glasses it’s changed what you do
having glasses it’s changed what you do
having glasses it’s changed what you do and so I’ve got one of these with some
and so I’ve got one of these with some
and so I’ve got one of these with some some grant money that I received and I
some grant money that I received and I
some grant money that I received and I bought one of these analyzers and and
bought one of these analyzers and and
bought one of these analyzers and and what would anybody do with one of these
what would anybody do with one of these
what would anybody do with one of these fancy new analyzers but I took it up to
fancy new analyzers but I took it up to
fancy new analyzers but I took it up to the Arctic tundra and so you’ll see I I
the Arctic tundra and so you’ll see I I
the Arctic tundra and so you’ll see I I brought this very analyzer here this
brought this very analyzer here this
brought this very analyzer here this black box it weighs about 70 pounds it’s
black box it weighs about 70 pounds it’s
black box it weighs about 70 pounds it’s powered by a car battery we dragged it
powered by a car battery we dragged it
powered by a car battery we dragged it around the tundra and just like I was
around the tundra and just like I was
around the tundra and just like I was saying we put the tube over here we put
saying we put the tube over here we put
saying we put the tube over here we put the tube over there you could find out
the tube over there you could find out
the tube over there you could find out where all the methane is coming off the
where all the methane is coming off the
where all the methane is coming off the tundra we found some hot spots we found
tundra we found some hot spots we found
tundra we found some hot spots we found an area maybe the size of this carpet
an area maybe the size of this carpet
an area maybe the size of this carpet that was emitting a thousand times more
that was emitting a thousand times more
that was emitting a thousand times more methane than other parts of the tundra
methane than other parts of the tundra
methane than other parts of the tundra we never figured out why but it was and
we never figured out why but it was and
we never figured out why but it was and we found these hot spots it was just it
we found these hot spots it was just it
we found these hot spots it was just it was awesome we had a great time so then
was awesome we had a great time so then
was awesome we had a great time so then it’s July it starts snowing in Alaska
it’s July it starts snowing in Alaska
it’s July it starts snowing in Alaska you have to come back home and so what
you have to come back home and so what
you have to come back home and so what are we gonna do with this thing I’m like
are we gonna do with this thing I’m like
are we gonna do with this thing I’m like hey where else cows can we use it let’s
hey where else cows can we use it let’s
hey where else cows can we use it let’s put it in the back of our lab truck it
put it in the back of our lab truck it
put it in the back of our lab truck it will drive around Fort Collins
will drive around Fort Collins
will drive around Fort Collins and we’ll see what else we could see but
and we’ll see what else we could see but
and we’ll see what else we could see but I’m gonna show you next is it’s not a
I’m gonna show you next is it’s not a
I’m gonna show you next is it’s not a pretty graph it’s not the kind that
pretty graph it’s not the kind that
pretty graph it’s not the kind that you’re supposed to show public audiences
you’re supposed to show public audiences
you’re supposed to show public audiences but this is the this is the graph that I
but this is the this is the graph that I
but this is the this is the graph that I made and I brought over to this company
made and I brought over to this company
made and I brought over to this company in town so on the bottom axis we’re
in town so on the bottom axis we’re
in town so on the bottom axis we’re looking at distance down the street on
looking at distance down the street on
looking at distance down the street on the x axis were looking at the
the x axis were looking at the
the x axis were looking at the concentration of methane you can see
concentration of methane you can see
concentration of methane you can see like the green the red and the green and
like the green the red and the green and
like the green the red and the green and the blue lines they have bumps in them
the blue lines they have bumps in them
the blue lines they have bumps in them right that is places in March and April
right that is places in March and April
right that is places in March and April and May where we had repeatedly driven
and May where we had repeatedly driven
and May where we had repeatedly driven by this one location in town I agreed
by this one location in town I agreed
by this one location in town I agreed not to shame them in public but they had
not to shame them in public but they had
not to shame them in public but they had elevated methane concentrations
elevated methane concentrations
elevated methane concentrations associated with their business and so we
associated with their business and so we
associated with their business and so we called him up we said hey did you know
called him up we said hey did you know
called him up we said hey did you know you have kind of a lot of methane
you have kind of a lot of methane
you have kind of a lot of methane they’re like what does that mean and so
they’re like what does that mean and so
they’re like what does that mean and so we went over we dragged that analyzer
we went over we dragged that analyzer
we went over we dragged that analyzer over we dragged a car batteries put it
over we dragged a car batteries put it
over we dragged a car batteries put it in a wagon on one of my kids wagons I
in a wagon on one of my kids wagons I
in a wagon on one of my kids wagons I don’t think they know that I was using
don’t think they know that I was using
don’t think they know that I was using it for that and then and then we found
it for that and then and then we found
it for that and then and then we found where exactly the methane was coming
where exactly the methane was coming
where exactly the methane was coming from and their and their place and it
from and their and their place and it
from and their and their place and it was it was transformational so here I am
was it was transformational so here I am
was it was transformational so here I am like a biologist doing gas stuff in my
like a biologist doing gas stuff in my
like a biologist doing gas stuff in my lab and having a good time and then
lab and having a good time and then
lab and having a good time and then suddenly I’m actually instead of just
suddenly I’m actually instead of just
suddenly I’m actually instead of just talking about greenhouse gas management
talking about greenhouse gas management
talking about greenhouse gas management I’m doing something about it I helped
I’m doing something about it I helped
I’m doing something about it I helped someone plug a leak of methane that was
someone plug a leak of methane that was
someone plug a leak of methane that was coming out I’m like wow this is like
coming out I’m like wow this is like
coming out I’m like wow this is like crack you know how how awesome to
crack you know how how awesome to
crack you know how how awesome to actually have an impact like that and so
actually have an impact like that and so
actually have an impact like that and so what this led me to have a greater
what this led me to have a greater
what this led me to have a greater appreciation of but what’s something
appreciation of but what’s something
appreciation of but what’s something that I third first thought was so
that I third first thought was so
that I third first thought was so pedestrian and boring became a
pedestrian and boring became a
pedestrian and boring became a fascination and a major subject of my
fascination and a major subject of my
fascination and a major subject of my research now and that is this this I’m
research now and that is this this I’m
research now and that is this this I’m not sure if you could see very well this
not sure if you could see very well this
not sure if you could see very well this is a photo that a friend I have
is a photo that a friend I have
is a photo that a friend I have different kinds of friends now sent me
different kinds of friends now sent me
different kinds of friends now sent me of of a leaking natural gas pipeline and
of of a leaking natural gas pipeline and
of of a leaking natural gas pipeline and you know we’re familiar with that thing
you know we’re familiar with that thing
you know we’re familiar with that thing on the on the right side over there
on the on the right side over there
on the on the right side over there that’s that’s the meter that brings the
that’s that’s the meter that brings the
that’s that’s the meter that brings the natural gas into your house so you can
natural gas into your house so you can
natural gas into your house so you can heat your everything and I’ve got my
heat your everything and I’ve got my
heat your everything and I’ve got my finger pointing to the part that’s at
finger pointing to the part that’s at
finger pointing to the part that’s at the ground because the way all this
the ground because the way all this
the ground because the way all this stuff gets to your house is underground
stuff gets to your house is underground
stuff gets to your house is underground there’s a myriad there’s a network of
there’s a myriad there’s a network of
there’s a myriad there’s a network of pipes through every city in the country
pipes through every city in the country
pipes through every city in the country that carries the natural gas line and
that carries the natural gas line and
that carries the natural gas line and this picture is from a piece of pipe
this picture is from a piece of pipe
this picture is from a piece of pipe that dates back to 1890 right so there’s
that dates back to 1890 right so there’s
that dates back to 1890 right so there’s parts of this infrastructure in this
parts of this infrastructure in this
parts of this infrastructure in this country and that are just ancient and
country and that are just ancient and
country and that are just ancient and they weak that just happens it’s a human
they weak that just happens it’s a human
they weak that just happens it’s a human system and so about the same time that I
system and so about the same time that I
system and so about the same time that I was getting interested in the natural
was getting interested in the natural
was getting interested in the natural gas leaks so were others this has become
gas leaks so were others this has become
gas leaks so were others this has become a really hot topic because methane is
a really hot topic because methane is
a really hot topic because methane is such a potent greenhouse gas
such a potent greenhouse gas
such a potent greenhouse gas and the Environmental Defense Fund which
and the Environmental Defense Fund which
and the Environmental Defense Fund which some of you may be familiar with it’s a
some of you may be familiar with it’s a
some of you may be familiar with it’s a non-governmental organization and they
non-governmental organization and they
non-governmental organization and they really they fund and organize the
really they fund and organize the
really they fund and organize the science around a number of different
science around a number of different
science around a number of different environmental concerns and one of them
environmental concerns and one of them
environmental concerns and one of them that they’re working on is is methane
that they’re working on is is methane
that they’re working on is is methane related and they sort of coordinate the
related and they sort of coordinate the
related and they sort of coordinate the science and they had a very high-level
science and they had a very high-level
science and they had a very high-level had partnered with Google to put some
had partnered with Google to put some
had partnered with Google to put some these methane analyzers like the ones I
these methane analyzers like the ones I
these methane analyzers like the ones I like to play with in the back of a
like to play with in the back of a
like to play with in the back of a Google Street View car well one thing
Google Street View car well one thing
Google Street View car well one thing led to another and they said Joe do you
led to another and they said Joe do you
led to another and they said Joe do you think you could help us figure out the
think you could help us figure out the
think you could help us figure out the science of what how you know so we have
science of what how you know so we have
science of what how you know so we have a Google Street View car and a and
a Google Street View car and a and
a Google Street View car and a and methane analyzer how could how can we do
methane analyzer how could how can we do
methane analyzer how could how can we do something with them together right I’m
something with them together right I’m
something with them together right I’m like I could yeah I could manage
like I could yeah I could manage
like I could yeah I could manage something about that and at this point I
something about that and at this point I
something about that and at this point I have a bunch of pictures of people
have a bunch of pictures of people
have a bunch of pictures of people because another part of the sort of way
because another part of the sort of way
because another part of the sort of way this whole story unfolds has to do with
this whole story unfolds has to do with
this whole story unfolds has to do with all the different kinds of expertise
all the different kinds of expertise
all the different kinds of expertise that we had to bring to bear to move
that we had to bring to bear to move
that we had to bring to bear to move this project forward and start to have
this project forward and start to have
this project forward and start to have societal impact so up on the top are
societal impact so up on the top are
societal impact so up on the top are taratata hoshi and cassie ely who work
taratata hoshi and cassie ely who work
taratata hoshi and cassie ely who work at the Environmental Defense Fund
at the Environmental Defense Fund
at the Environmental Defense Fund they’re sort of project managers and
they’re sort of project managers and
they’re sort of project managers and they sort of are responsible for for
they sort of are responsible for for
they sort of are responsible for for finding and bringing funding ends so we
finding and bringing funding ends so we
finding and bringing funding ends so we could pay and and do the science that
could pay and and do the science that
could pay and and do the science that we’re doing and to manage the sort of
we’re doing and to manage the sort of
we’re doing and to manage the sort of herd of cats it’s part of all this up on
herd of cats it’s part of all this up on
herd of cats it’s part of all this up on the upper right is Karen tux and Bettman
the upper right is Karen tux and Bettman
the upper right is Karen tux and Bettman from Google and she works with with her
from Google and she works with with her
from Google and she works with with her partners at within Google to help get
partners at within Google to help get
partners at within Google to help get the the cars going where they’re
the the cars going where they’re
the the cars going where they’re supposed to be and get this whole thing
supposed to be and get this whole thing
supposed to be and get this whole thing working and down in the bottom right or
working and down in the bottom right or
working and down in the bottom right or to people who helped earlier in this
to people who helped earlier in this
to people who helped earlier in this project Jessica Salo and Adam Gaylord
project Jessica Salo and Adam Gaylord
project Jessica Salo and Adam Gaylord and they were working with me at CSU and
and they were working with me at CSU and
and they were working with me at CSU and together we started to form this team of
together we started to form this team of
together we started to form this team of figuring out how to you know get the
figuring out how to you know get the
figuring out how to you know get the cars and when we put them and how do we
cars and when we put them and how do we
cars and when we put them and how do we do with them and who do we tell and and
do with them and who do we tell and and
do with them and who do we tell and and all that kind of stuff right okay so we
all that kind of stuff right okay so we
all that kind of stuff right okay so we finally get a couple of these Google
finally get a couple of these Google
finally get a couple of these Google Street View cars to Fort Collins and I
Street View cars to Fort Collins and I
Street View cars to Fort Collins and I developed partnerships here at CSU and
developed partnerships here at CSU and
developed partnerships here at CSU and one of the many brilliant people who
one of the many brilliant people who
one of the many brilliant people who I’ve had a chance to work with in the
I’ve had a chance to work with in the
I’ve had a chance to work with in the blue shirt is Jay ham Jay is a professor
blue shirt is Jay ham Jay is a professor
blue shirt is Jay ham Jay is a professor in of atmospheric physics here at CSU
in of atmospheric physics here at CSU
in of atmospheric physics here at CSU and he so he studies the dynamics of of
and he so he studies the dynamics of of
and he so he studies the dynamics of of air and air is a surprisingly lumpy
air and air is a surprisingly lumpy
air and air is a surprisingly lumpy material right you think of airs like
material right you think of airs like
material right you think of airs like you could just mix it like that and you
you could just mix it like that and you
you could just mix it like that and you sorta can just mix it like that but
sorta can just mix it like that but
sorta can just mix it like that but really it stays lumpy like poorly mixed
really it stays lumpy like poorly mixed
really it stays lumpy like poorly mixed pancake batter right and what we found
pancake batter right and what we found
pancake batter right and what we found is that all that sort of drop piece of
is that all that sort of drop piece of
is that all that sort of drop piece of dryer tubing in that
dryer tubing in that
dryer tubing in that actually dryer tubing we don’t need to
actually dryer tubing we don’t need to
actually dryer tubing we don’t need to be that high-tech all the time it’s
be that high-tech all the time it’s
be that high-tech all the time it’s something that we we released methane
something that we we released methane
something that we we released methane out of to simulate a natural gas leak
out of to simulate a natural gas leak
out of to simulate a natural gas leak and then that’s this is Laurel Street
and then that’s this is Laurel Street
and then that’s this is Laurel Street just in the north side of campus we have
just in the north side of campus we have
just in the north side of campus we have the Google Street View cars and we drove
the Google Street View cars and we drove
the Google Street View cars and we drove them back and forth through the plumes
them back and forth through the plumes
them back and forth through the plumes and and then we gather look at the data
and and then we gather look at the data
and and then we gather look at the data and we try to understand what is it
and we try to understand what is it
and we try to understand what is it that’s unique about a natural gas leak
that’s unique about a natural gas leak
that’s unique about a natural gas leak that when you drive through it back and
that when you drive through it back and
that when you drive through it back and forth that you can identify as sort of a
forth that you can identify as sort of a
forth that you can identify as sort of a data object how can you simplify the
data object how can you simplify the
data object how can you simplify the observation and recognize when you’re
observation and recognize when you’re
observation and recognize when you’re looking at a natural gas leak versus not
looking at a natural gas leak versus not
looking at a natural gas leak versus not so with Jay and our partners and sort of
so with Jay and our partners and sort of
so with Jay and our partners and sort of the data analysis work and a lot a lot a
the data analysis work and a lot a lot a
the data analysis work and a lot a lot a lot of Excel spreadsheets that from all
lot of Excel spreadsheets that from all
lot of Excel spreadsheets that from all the data that came out we developed
the data that came out we developed
the data that came out we developed methods to an algorithms that we call
methods to an algorithms that we call
methods to an algorithms that we call him to make him sound fancy to find the
him to make him sound fancy to find the
him to make him sound fancy to find the gas leaks to estimate the leak size to
gas leaks to estimate the leak size to
gas leaks to estimate the leak size to make sure that when we reported
make sure that when we reported
make sure that when we reported something it wasn’t a false positive
something it wasn’t a false positive
something it wasn’t a false positive some cow and to direct the drivers about
some cow and to direct the drivers about
some cow and to direct the drivers about where to go right because the drivers
where to go right because the drivers
where to go right because the drivers can’t be looking at the screen that’s
can’t be looking at the screen that’s
can’t be looking at the screen that’s kind of unsafe right and so we had to
kind of unsafe right and so we had to
kind of unsafe right and so we had to design a program so drivers could just
design a program so drivers could just
design a program so drivers could just do their driving then we would analyze
do their driving then we would analyze
do their driving then we would analyze the data later so we developed this
the data later so we developed this
the data later so we developed this algorithm and then we started to to send
algorithm and then we started to to send
algorithm and then we started to to send the cars out and one of the things that
the cars out and one of the things that
the cars out and one of the things that we quickly became overwhelmed with was
we quickly became overwhelmed with was
we quickly became overwhelmed with was data this is this shows here about a
data this is this shows here about a
data this is this shows here about a minute of data that we get so that’s
minute of data that we get so that’s
minute of data that we get so that’s 2,000 data points per minute times eight
2,000 data points per minute times eight
2,000 data points per minute times eight hours a day times three cars that is a
hours a day times three cars that is a
hours a day times three cars that is a lot of data and so even even some of our
lot of data and so even even some of our
lot of data and so even even some of our Google people were like that’s a fair
Google people were like that’s a fair
Google people were like that’s a fair amount of data I mean they it’s we’re
amount of data I mean they it’s we’re
amount of data I mean they it’s we’re not in that scale it was a lot of data
not in that scale it was a lot of data
not in that scale it was a lot of data and so another brilliant group that I
and so another brilliant group that I
and so another brilliant group that I started to work with was here in
started to work with was here in
started to work with was here in computer science at CSU sangmi Paulo
computer science at CSU sangmi Paulo
computer science at CSU sangmi Paulo kara and her team Johnson catch Johnson
kara and her team Johnson catch Johnson
kara and her team Johnson catch Johnson cachi Curran who’s a master student
cachi Curran who’s a master student
cachi Curran who’s a master student about to finish Johnson and sangmi
about to finish Johnson and sangmi
about to finish Johnson and sangmi developed that this sort of data
developed that this sort of data
developed that this sort of data framework you can imagine that’s like a
framework you can imagine that’s like a
framework you can imagine that’s like a lake of data right and you might want to
lake of data right and you might want to
lake of data right and you might want to analyze it four different times
analyze it four different times
analyze it four different times different days different sensor systems
different days different sensor systems
different days different sensor systems or different other features and in order
or different other features and in order
or different other features and in order to be able to pull the right data out to
to be able to pull the right data out to
to be able to pull the right data out to be able to analyze it to be able to turn
be able to analyze it to be able to turn
be able to analyze it to be able to turn it into a data products meaningful was a
it into a data products meaningful was a
it into a data products meaningful was a huge a huge product that we came up with
huge a huge product that we came up with
huge a huge product that we came up with so once we had the data from some nice
so once we had the data from some nice
so once we had the data from some nice computer science team then we in turn we
computer science team then we in turn we
computer science team then we in turn we had to figure out how are we going to
had to figure out how are we going to
had to figure out how are we going to affect social change with this data
affect social change with this data
affect social change with this data right one of our project goals was to
right one of our project goals was to
right one of our project goals was to publicize this data was to show people
publicize this data was to show people
publicize this data was to show people let they’re just boatloads of natural
let they’re just boatloads of natural
let they’re just boatloads of natural gas leaks that occur out there and we
gas leaks that occur out there and we
gas leaks that occur out there and we want to inform the public about it and
want to inform the public about it and
want to inform the public about it and so shown here is an EDF scientist Reiner
so shown here is an EDF scientist Reiner
so shown here is an EDF scientist Reiner Romero and Reiner is actually a social
Romero and Reiner is actually a social
Romero and Reiner is actually a social psychologist and what he did was he
psychologist and what he did was he
psychologist and what he did was he conducted sort of social experiments
conducted sort of social experiments
conducted sort of social experiments about how you visualize how do you
about how you visualize how do you
about how you visualize how do you represent the data we collected and
represent the data we collected and
represent the data we collected and after a number of tests Reiner was able
after a number of tests Reiner was able
after a number of tests Reiner was able to develop maps like we show in the in
to develop maps like we show in the in
to develop maps like we show in the in the upper left those yellow each of
the upper left those yellow each of
the upper left those yellow each of those yellow dots is a small natural gas
those yellow dots is a small natural gas
those yellow dots is a small natural gas leaks the orange ones are medium the
leaks the orange ones are medium the
leaks the orange ones are medium the large ones are red with you know high
large ones are red with you know high
large ones are red with you know high emission rate and the blue shows all the
emission rate and the blue shows all the
emission rate and the blue shows all the roads that we drove on the white roads
roads that we drove on the white roads
roads that we drove on the white roads we didn’t drive on so we have now a way
we didn’t drive on so we have now a way
we didn’t drive on so we have now a way to illustrate this and then we set up a
to illustrate this and then we set up a
to illustrate this and then we set up a the environmental effects fund we worked
the environmental effects fund we worked
the environmental effects fund we worked on a webpage to illustrate this if you
on a webpage to illustrate this if you
on a webpage to illustrate this if you do a Google search or Yahoo or whatever
do a Google search or Yahoo or whatever
do a Google search or Yahoo or whatever search engine you want to use for EDF
search engine you want to use for EDF
search engine you want to use for EDF methane maps you can bring this up and
methane maps you can bring this up and
methane maps you can bring this up and you can browse through it and you can
you can browse through it and you can
you can browse through it and you can see that there are lots of leaks and
see that there are lots of leaks and
see that there are lots of leaks and subsidies and fewer leaks in other
subsidies and fewer leaks in other
subsidies and fewer leaks in other cities we could show where they are was
cities we could show where they are was
cities we could show where they are was shown with the patterns are so now we
shown with the patterns are so now we
shown with the patterns are so now we have have a mechanism for public
have have a mechanism for public
have have a mechanism for public awareness of this and then the next
awareness of this and then the next
awareness of this and then the next phase is to do on a much larger scale
phase is to do on a much larger scale
phase is to do on a much larger scale what I did when I drove to a company and
what I did when I drove to a company and
what I did when I drove to a company and said hey there’s a lot of methane coming
said hey there’s a lot of methane coming
said hey there’s a lot of methane coming out working with the utilities what
out working with the utilities what
out working with the utilities what happens is that these these leaks when
happens is that these these leaks when
happens is that these these leaks when when the utilities discover that there’s
when the utilities discover that there’s
when the utilities discover that there’s a natural gas leak in their system they
a natural gas leak in their system they
a natural gas leak in their system they go out and investigate it which is what
go out and investigate it which is what
go out and investigate it which is what they should they should do and it is
they should they should do and it is
they should they should do and it is what they do and if there’s um if
what they do and if there’s um if
what they do and if there’s um if there’s a risk that this leaking gas
there’s a risk that this leaking gas
there’s a risk that this leaking gas might enter an enclosed space like a
might enter an enclosed space like a
might enter an enclosed space like a building or something like that then
building or something like that then
building or something like that then they dig a hole and they get to the
they dig a hole and they get to the
they dig a hole and they get to the bottom and then they fix it but a really
bottom and then they fix it but a really
bottom and then they fix it but a really large number of these leaks happen in
large number of these leaks happen in
large number of these leaks happen in the middle of the street the gas goes
the middle of the street the gas goes
the middle of the street the gas goes straight up and out into the air and
straight up and out into the air and
straight up and out into the air and these are classified as non hazardous
these are classified as non hazardous
these are classified as non hazardous leaks and non hazardous leaks aren’t
leaks and non hazardous leaks aren’t
leaks and non hazardous leaks aren’t required to be repaired they just sit
required to be repaired they just sit
required to be repaired they just sit there and fizz now the what we
there and fizz now the what we
there and fizz now the what we discovered is that there are a lot of
discovered is that there are a lot of
discovered is that there are a lot of leaks out there that are allowed to fizz
leaks out there that are allowed to fizz
leaks out there that are allowed to fizz and and that some of them are quite
and and that some of them are quite
and and that some of them are quite large and so we wanted to work with
large and so we wanted to work with
large and so we wanted to work with these utilities to reduce the emissions
these utilities to reduce the emissions
these utilities to reduce the emissions so what we did was we developed actually
so what we did was we developed actually
so what we did was we developed actually quite a number of successful friendly
quite a number of successful friendly
quite a number of successful friendly cooperative relationships with utilities
cooperative relationships with utilities
cooperative relationships with utilities where
where
where we worked within this sort of complex
we worked within this sort of complex
we worked within this sort of complex highly regulated framework and we
highly regulated framework and we
highly regulated framework and we brought in a team of really brilliant
brought in a team of really brilliant
brought in a team of really brilliant friendly smart lawyers who were looking
friendly smart lawyers who were looking
friendly smart lawyers who were looking into I’m not trying to say that as a
into I’m not trying to say that as a
into I’m not trying to say that as a surprise I mean I’ve never I mean
surprise I mean I’ve never I mean
surprise I mean I’ve never I mean scientists right and so to come to this
scientists right and so to come to this
scientists right and so to come to this point where I’m working regularly with
point where I’m working regularly with
point where I’m working regularly with attorneys who do natural gas law is just
attorneys who do natural gas law is just
attorneys who do natural gas law is just that is like moving to another planet
that is like moving to another planet
that is like moving to another planet and it’s been a fascinating experience
and it’s been a fascinating experience
and it’s been a fascinating experience so we developed these cooperative
so we developed these cooperative
so we developed these cooperative relationships our attorneys helped us
relationships our attorneys helped us
relationships our attorneys helped us figure out at what point in the sort of
figure out at what point in the sort of
figure out at what point in the sort of legal process that we might introduce
legal process that we might introduce
legal process that we might introduce this information that hey you know you
this information that hey you know you
this information that hey you know you could use some information about leak
could use some information about leak
could use some information about leak size and maybe try to find a win-win way
size and maybe try to find a win-win way
size and maybe try to find a win-win way to reduce emissions and so that’s what
to reduce emissions and so that’s what
to reduce emissions and so that’s what we did in in a huge initiative this
we did in in a huge initiative this
we did in in a huge initiative this utility in New Jersey was going to spend
utility in New Jersey was going to spend
utility in New Jersey was going to spend nine hundred million dollars million
nine hundred million dollars million
nine hundred million dollars million dollars that’s a lot of money and and so
dollars that’s a lot of money and and so
dollars that’s a lot of money and and so we had a chance to work cooperatively
we had a chance to work cooperatively
we had a chance to work cooperatively with a utility the utility said okay
with a utility the utility said okay
with a utility the utility said okay here’s like twenty five areas not all
here’s like twenty five areas not all
here’s like twenty five areas not all areas shown where we are going to be
areas shown where we are going to be
areas shown where we are going to be doing some pipeline replacement why
doing some pipeline replacement why
doing some pipeline replacement why don’t you ETF Google guys go out there
don’t you ETF Google guys go out there
don’t you ETF Google guys go out there and map these areas and tell us which
and map these areas and tell us which
and map these areas and tell us which ones are the leakiest and then we’ll go
ones are the leakiest and then we’ll go
ones are the leakiest and then we’ll go and start and fix those and that’s what
and start and fix those and that’s what
and start and fix those and that’s what we did we actually were able to identify
we did we actually were able to identify
we did we actually were able to identify the leakiest parts of their system they
the leakiest parts of their system they
the leakiest parts of their system they were going to do some repair of their
were going to do some repair of their
were going to do some repair of their you know 1890s era gas lines anyway and
you know 1890s era gas lines anyway and
you know 1890s era gas lines anyway and we were able to direct that and to me
we were able to direct that and to me
we were able to direct that and to me that’s a total win-win success right
that’s a total win-win success right
that’s a total win-win success right that we’re able to say okay given you’re
that we’re able to say okay given you’re
that we’re able to say okay given you’re gonna do this anyway how can we make
gonna do this anyway how can we make
gonna do this anyway how can we make this a cost-effective sort of
this a cost-effective sort of
this a cost-effective sort of coordinated effort where everyone comes
coordinated effort where everyone comes
coordinated effort where everyone comes out ahead and so helping us in this I’d
out ahead and so helping us in this I’d
out ahead and so helping us in this I’d like to show pictures of the people
like to show pictures of the people
like to show pictures of the people because for me the people and developing
because for me the people and developing
because for me the people and developing these successful teams is a big part of
these successful teams is a big part of
these successful teams is a big part of what’s worth sharing so on the top is
what’s worth sharing so on the top is
what’s worth sharing so on the top is Mary Goethe who used to be an EPA
Mary Goethe who used to be an EPA
Mary Goethe who used to be an EPA Administrator for the Chicago region
Administrator for the Chicago region
Administrator for the Chicago region attorneys to me George with the
attorneys to me George with the
attorneys to me George with the Environmental Defense Fund and a data
Environmental Defense Fund and a data
Environmental Defense Fund and a data analyst Virginia Palacios so the three
analyst Virginia Palacios so the three
analyst Virginia Palacios so the three of us well enough to three of us but the
of us well enough to three of us but the
of us well enough to three of us but the are growing progressively growing team
are growing progressively growing team
are growing progressively growing team work together to execute what I think is
work together to execute what I think is
work together to execute what I think is a real success story where we’re
a real success story where we’re
a real success story where we’re starting to impact emissions from cities
starting to impact emissions from cities
starting to impact emissions from cities so as we as we try to generalize about
so as we as we try to generalize about
so as we as we try to generalize about what is happening next if there’s an
what is happening next if there’s an
what is happening next if there’s an environmental hazard like a tiger or a
environmental hazard like a tiger or a
environmental hazard like a tiger or a rattlesnake in this room right we
rattlesnake in this room right we
rattlesnake in this room right we know what to do it’s as part of there
know what to do it’s as part of there
know what to do it’s as part of there have been a lot of unsuccessful escapes
have been a lot of unsuccessful escapes
have been a lot of unsuccessful escapes from Tigers and rattlesnakes that have
from Tigers and rattlesnakes that have
from Tigers and rattlesnakes that have led to the gene pool that we see around
led to the gene pool that we see around
led to the gene pool that we see around us today and so so there are sort of
us today and so so there are sort of
us today and so so there are sort of social systems in place for detecting
social systems in place for detecting
social systems in place for detecting communicating about and and dealing with
communicating about and and dealing with
communicating about and and dealing with environmental hazards and I think in
environmental hazards and I think in
environmental hazards and I think in this day and age what we’re facing are
this day and age what we’re facing are
this day and age what we’re facing are new types of environmental hazards up in
new types of environmental hazards up in
new types of environmental hazards up in the upper right panel I show a picture
the upper right panel I show a picture
the upper right panel I show a picture of an a massive natural gas leak that
of an a massive natural gas leak that
of an a massive natural gas leak that was happening in Southern California in
was happening in Southern California in
was happening in Southern California in the Porter Ranch community you may have
the Porter Ranch community you may have
the Porter Ranch community you may have heard about it this picture is taken in
heard about it this picture is taken in
heard about it this picture is taken in that infrared spectrum where those
that infrared spectrum where those
that infrared spectrum where those lasers work right these sort of photos
lasers work right these sort of photos
lasers work right these sort of photos only really worked with massive national
only really worked with massive national
only really worked with massive national gas leaks you can’t really use them for
gas leaks you can’t really use them for
gas leaks you can’t really use them for the types of the smaller ones that we
the types of the smaller ones that we
the types of the smaller ones that we measure in cities but still what I’m
measure in cities but still what I’m
measure in cities but still what I’m trying to say is that visualization and
trying to say is that visualization and
trying to say is that visualization and management of these types of
management of these types of
management of these types of environmental hazards is something that
environmental hazards is something that
environmental hazards is something that we need to be more aware of as a society
we need to be more aware of as a society
we need to be more aware of as a society and so as we think about the role of
and so as we think about the role of
and so as we think about the role of science and technological development
science and technological development
science and technological development and the way that science moves forward
and the way that science moves forward
and the way that science moves forward you just throw a pebble in a pond by
you just throw a pebble in a pond by
you just throw a pebble in a pond by putting a methane sensor in a Google
putting a methane sensor in a Google
putting a methane sensor in a Google Street View car but what you’re really
Street View car but what you’re really
Street View car but what you’re really doing is seeing the beginning of a
doing is seeing the beginning of a
doing is seeing the beginning of a technological change that has the
technological change that has the
technological change that has the potential to really alter the way that
potential to really alter the way that
potential to really alter the way that we as a society we as scientists we as
we as a society we as scientists we as
we as a society we as scientists we as come corporate owners we as donors start
come corporate owners we as donors start
come corporate owners we as donors start to work together to to improve
to work together to to improve
to work together to to improve environmental quality and so if you’re
environmental quality and so if you’re
environmental quality and so if you’re out there and you’re part of society
out there and you’re part of society
out there and you’re part of society which most of you are I think then you’d
which most of you are I think then you’d
which most of you are I think then you’d be thinking about how can I gather
be thinking about how can I gather
be thinking about how can I gather information about about environmental
information about about environmental
information about about environmental hazards and what that means to me and
hazards and what that means to me and
hazards and what that means to me and what companies and or politic political
what companies and or politic political
what companies and or politic political organizations who I want to support to
organizations who I want to support to
organizations who I want to support to affect these changes if you are part of
affect these changes if you are part of
affect these changes if you are part of a company if you are potential polluter
a company if you are potential polluter
a company if you are potential polluter you should be aware that there are sort
you should be aware that there are sort
you should be aware that there are sort of environmental organizations out there
of environmental organizations out there
of environmental organizations out there they’re seeking win-win solutions if
they’re seeking win-win solutions if
they’re seeking win-win solutions if you’re a student and you’re out there
you’re a student and you’re out there
you’re a student and you’re out there you should be thinking that the sort of
you should be thinking that the sort of
you should be thinking that the sort of training that you need to be part of as
training that you need to be part of as
training that you need to be part of as part of a scientists in society is far
part of a scientists in society is far
part of a scientists in society is far broader than you might have ever thought
broader than you might have ever thought
broader than you might have ever thought of before thanks for your time
of before thanks for your time
of before thanks for your time [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
[Music]
[Music] [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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