Radio remains the most universal medium

1. 95% of the World’s Population Uses Radio

According to UNESCO, more than 95% of the world’s population uses radio. That high figure probably says it all, but to put it in even more perspective, this is compared to roughly one-third of the global population having access to Internet at all (let alone reliable or high-speed connections).

2. Most Households in Developing Nations Have Radio

As of 2010, at least 75% of households in developing countries have access to a radio, while only 20.5% of households in developing nations have access to the Internet.

As a result, radio can reach the most isolated communities (which includes many Native American populations in the U.S.), in addition to the poorest, where Internet cannot.

3. Radio Is the Only News Medium on the Rise in Russia Since 2008

Besides radio, all traditional forms of news media in Russia are in decline — even in Moscow, where there is an advanced print media market. The average monthly adult readership for daily newspapers decreased by 3.1% between 2006 and 2010.

Daily radio audiences, on the other hand, have risen 4% since 2008.

4. Radio Signals Are More Reliable

Certain geographical features affect the way countries receive information. For example, in rural areas of the Philippines, mountains get in the way of TV signals, but not radio communications. Radio reaches 85% of the entire country, while TV reaches just under 60%. As a result, radio is considered the most reliable medium for distributing news in the Philippines’ rural interior.

5. AM/FM Still More Popular Than Online Streaming

American adults listen to eight times more AM/FM radio than satellite radio, and 17 times more than Internet audio streaming. It will be interesting to see how these numbers change as innovation in the space increases.

(Article from Mashable, published on World Radio Day)

SVP Holds Big Fundraiser Saturday

The Siletz Valley Partnership holds its annual St Paddy’s Dinner and Silent Auction Saturday March 16 at the Siletz Grange Hall on Gaither Street in Siletz. Hours are from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Dinner prices vary by age: 13 and up $7; 6-12 $5 and free for ages 5 and under. The Silent Auction will close promptly at 7:00 p.m. Proceeds support drug and alcohol prevention programs in the community. For more information call Michelle Schaffer at 541-444-1023.

Public invited to “Share the Coast”

Marine ecologist Cynthia Trowbridge will speak (photo: CoastWatch)

The annual cornucopia of natural history and shoreline science that is the “Sharing the Coast” conference is coming up soon, March 15-17 in Bandon and Charleston. Sponsored by CoastWatch (the volunteer program of the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition) and the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME), the conference is open to all.

This year, “Sharing the Coast” features presentations, workshops and field trips on everything from seabirds and seawrack to exploring undersea volcanoes and understanding how climate change may affect the coast. Field trips will provide insights into coastal geology, beach ecology and marine debris monitoring.

The schedule for the Sunday, March 17 portion of the conference, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Boat House Auditorium of the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology (OIMB) in Charleston, has now been announced. It includes oceanographer Alan Shanks, speaking on Oregon’s nearshore ocean, geologist Ron Metzger on the dynamic forces that shape our shoreline, and Joy Tally of the South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve on estuarine ecology.

As previously announced, the conference will kick off Friday evening, March 15, with a slide talk by Charleston resident and retired climate scientist Al Solomon, speaking on “Weather Extremes and Climate Change: The Essential Linkage.” Solomon, who received training in developing this talk from Al Gore’s Climate Reality group, will speak at 7 p.m. at The Barn, Bandon’s community conference center (1200 11th St., S.W.). This presentation is free and open to all.

The conference continues at the Barn on Saturday, March 16, with slide talks on subjects ranging from natural materials found while beachcombing on the shoreline, to marine debris and how it affects marine life, to Oregon’s seabird populations and how climate change is affecting them. Jessica Miller of the Hatfield Marine Science Center inn Newport will discuss how tsunami debris may be ferrying invasive species across the Pacific. Miller will also lead a workshop in the afternoon for those interested in participating in a project to keep watch for invasives.

The Saturday afternoon portion of the conference concludes with a social gathering at 5 p.m., featuring both a short talk on undersea exploration by Bill Hanshumaker, Oregon Sea Grant Chief Scientist, and a coast-oriented “trivia” contest.

On Sunday, when the conference moves to the Boat House Auditorium in Charleston (63466 Boat Basin Rd.), field trips will focus on the sandy shore and dunes, and on the geology of our dynamic shoreline.

Conference fees are $15 per individual for current members of Oregon Shores or NAME, $25 for non-members, and $7.50 for students. Non-members can join either sponsoring organization and take the discount. Fees include lunch on Saturday.

To register, go to this link. More information will be posted on the CoastWatch website as it becomes available.

For more information, contact Phillip Johnson, CoastWatch Director, (503) 754-9303, phillip@oregonshores.org.