climate science

Mary Silver: Ocean Science Pioneer-PW061

We present a conversation with Dr. Mary Wilcox Silver,Professor Emeritus of Ocean Sciences, one of the first women to head a major Ocean Sciences department at a UC. Her works focuses on phytoplankton and ocean food webs. What do phytoplankton have to do with Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, The Birds? Find out how Mary Silver figured • Read More »


What Ancient Hot Earth Can Teach Us About Global Warming-PW060

James Zachos‘s investigations of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and other major climate shifts in Earth’s past are highly relevant to understanding how human activities are driving modern-day global climate change. A study he coauthored in 2016 shows that the current rate at which carbon is being released into the atmosphere is unprecedented in at least • Read More »


Trump’s Solar Tariffs: Boon or Bane?-PW055

How will Trump’s tariffs on solar panels affect efforts to install millions of solar panels and fight climate change? Who are the winners and losers in this trade game? We’ll hear from Markus Beck CTO of Siva Technologies, a solar manufacturing firm in the Bay Area, and Antony Tersol, Principal at Applied Solar Energy in • Read More »


Dr. Robert Kopp on the Latest Climate Report-PW052

We hear from Dr. Robert Kopp, one of the leading climate scientists in the U.S. talking about the most recent government report and what it says about sea level rise. Also, a story about selective logging in Santa Cruz County and a wave energy test facility in Oregon. Plus bombogenesis, ridiculously resilient ridges, and other • Read More »


Measuring Attitudes About Climate Change-PW019

Why are so many Americans confused about climate change and what to do about it? Dr. Connie Roser-Renouf of Yale’s Program on Climate Change Communication has been measuring and describing attitudes about how severe a threat climate change poses and what people think should be done. Turns out, geography and recent weather events have at least • Read More »


Citizens Climate Lobby & Live from Washington DC Climate March – PW016

Local citizen Alex Yasbek discusses the work of  Citizens Climate Lobby, a non-profit, nonpartisan, grassroots advocacy organization focused on national policies to address climate change. Yasbeck explains the basics of the Carbon Fee and Dividend Plan now gaining traction with policy makers.   Also, Joe Jordan reports live from the Washington DC Climate March.     • Read More »


Singing Scientist Dr. Peter Weiss & Live from Washington DC Science March – PW015

 The “Singing Scientist” Dr. Peter Weiss, an atmospheric chemist from the University of California, Santa Cruz, speaks about fog, mercury in the soil, and his role as a science educator. Also, Joe Jordan reports live from the Washington D.C. Science March. Dr. Weiss’ research interests include sea-air transfer of methylated mercury and impacts on coastal • Read More »


Climate Change in the Classroom-PW014

How are educators approaching the topic of climate change in the classroom? Two retired high school science teachers, Pauline Seales and Roland Saher,  talk about their efforts to bring the next generation up to speed on the science of climate change, the probable consequences of denying and delaying mitigation measures, policy issues, and solutions.


City Climate Action Coordinator: Tiffany Wise-West of Santa Cruz, California – PW012

Climate Action Coordinator for the city of Santa Cruz, California – Dr. Tiffany Wise-West discusses the city’s Climate Action Plan and the process of preparing for sea level rise. She explains the distinctions between climate mitigation and adaptation and describes the city’s  first sea level rise vulnerability and social vulnerability assessments, in which her team • Read More »


California’s Environmental Policy – PW009

Governor of California Jerry Brown’s Senior Policy Advisor, Ken Alex, discusses how California will stay the course on the environment during the Trump era. Also an interview with David Auston, a researcher in the Institute for Energy Efficiency, and Director of the UC TomKat Carbon Neutrality Project at the University of California Santa Barbara. Austin • Read More »