The Nysted offshore wind farm off the coast of Denmark in the Baltic Sea. Courtesy Cape Wind Associates

Friday, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is scheduled to release a major report on the current state of climate change science and potential risks. The report, known as the Fourth Assessment Report, will likely be a major topic of discussion in the global climate change policy debate. In this hour, Ira talk s with one of the report's authors about its findings and what the IPCC hopes to accomplish with the report.

The, we'll turn our attention to wind power. A group of developers is seeking to place an offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound. The project has been moving slowly, as several court cases and a series of environmental reviews have delayed construction of the wind farm. Opponents of the project are worried that it might cause environmental problems and harm the appearance of the coast. The project's supporters say that such wind farms would provide clean energy direct to cities along the coast. We'll check in with one of the backers of the project.

Finally, a look at how Silicon Valley entrepreneurs are seeking to influence environmental policy. Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (2-3 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Confused about wind energy? Brush up on the issues and listen to some experts sound off. Click here.

Guests:
Kevin Trenberth
Senior Scientist
Head, Climate Analysis Section
National Center for Atmospheric Research
Boulder, Colorado

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Jim Gordon
President
Cape Wind Associates
Boston and Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts

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John Denniston
Partner
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
Menlo Park, California

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth