Summary: As the world grows more concerned about the cost and supply of oil and about climate change, Iceland is beginning an ambitious proejct to wean itself off imported oil entirely.
This is a good piece about the potential and problems with hydrogen, as seen through the eyes of the tiny island country of Iceland. Iceland is pushing to convert from fossil fuels and thereby reap the benefits of a) not relying on fossil fuels b) being the one who did it first. Personally, I'm all for it. Countries like Iceland or states like California like to be cutting edge and take the considerable risks the edge requires.
I thought this piece was a little too much like me, the listener. I would rather root for them instead of being led to do so. This piece seemed tied closely to journalism and wasn't a loose, goofy piece. Therefore the more straightforward tone left less room for the shades of ... I don't want to say bias, but that, a little.
This isn't to say the piece is any less of a winner, and it shouldn't mean that a PD should pass it up. I still thought it was well done and certainly interesting. I wonder what kind of problems we'd have with the Middle East, or if we'd care at all, if Iceland pulls it off. Does Iceland worry about terrorism to shut down the hydrogen so the oil must still flow? Questions, maybe, for a future show.
A kind of environmental travelogue, this program takes the listener around Iceland investigating its fascinating experiment to become the first country in the world to switch to hydrogen fuel. The technical info was kept to a minimum so even a science dummy like myself can follow what I'm sure must be a very complicated process. It's nice to hear all the location recordings, lifting the piece from a potentially dry fact-finding mission to a more interesting and colorful journey. It may be a little heavy on narration, but by talking to a wide range of people - including Iceland's President - the issue is discussed on many levels. It's especially timely now with all the attention the rising cost of oil is getting. This program would fit nicely into any science or environmental programming.
Comments for The Promise of Hydrogen - two parts
Produced by Cynthia Graber
Other pieces by Cynthia Graber
Rating Summary
2 comments
Hans Anderson
Posted on February 05, 2005 at 12:22 PM | Permalink
Review of The Promise of Hydrogen - two parts
This is a good piece about the potential and problems with hydrogen, as seen through the eyes of the tiny island country of Iceland. Iceland is pushing to convert from fossil fuels and thereby reap the benefits of a) not relying on fossil fuels b) being the one who did it first. Personally, I'm all for it. Countries like Iceland or states like California like to be cutting edge and take the considerable risks the edge requires.
I thought this piece was a little too much like me, the listener. I would rather root for them instead of being led to do so. This piece seemed tied closely to journalism and wasn't a loose, goofy piece. Therefore the more straightforward tone left less room for the shades of ... I don't want to say bias, but that, a little.
This isn't to say the piece is any less of a winner, and it shouldn't mean that a PD should pass it up. I still thought it was well done and certainly interesting. I wonder what kind of problems we'd have with the Middle East, or if we'd care at all, if Iceland pulls it off. Does Iceland worry about terrorism to shut down the hydrogen so the oil must still flow? Questions, maybe, for a future show.
David Swatling
Posted on December 13, 2004 at 10:08 AM | Permalink
Review of The Promise of Hydrogen - two parts
A kind of environmental travelogue, this program takes the listener around Iceland investigating its fascinating experiment to become the first country in the world to switch to hydrogen fuel. The technical info was kept to a minimum so even a science dummy like myself can follow what I'm sure must be a very complicated process. It's nice to hear all the location recordings, lifting the piece from a potentially dry fact-finding mission to a more interesting and colorful journey. It may be a little heavy on narration, but by talking to a wide range of people - including Iceland's President - the issue is discussed on many levels. It's especially timely now with all the attention the rising cost of oil is getting. This program would fit nicely into any science or environmental programming.