Atmospheric scientist Ben Santer pioneered the research that connects human activity to specific climate events. Now, pursuing treatment for a rare type of lymphoma, he sees his own diagnosis and his climate science as the same kind of detective work: using essential and basic science to conduct tests, read complex markers, and rule out every other cause. Even while ill, he's calling out efforts by the Trump administration to reject, defund and ignore the science we all depend on.
“If we leave basic science behind because the administration doesn't like the results of the science, then as Americans, we're not gonna thrive, and the planet isn't gonna thrive either,” Santer says.
Guests:
Ben Santer, Atmospheric Scientist, University of East Anglia
Rachel Rothschild, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Law School
Highlights:
00:00 – Introduction
2:24 – Ben Santer on how he’s doing amidst his health issues
6:43 – Ben Santer on having the motivation to keep going
11:21 – Ben Santer on what it means to find human fingerprints on climate disruption
16:52 – Ben Santer on the importance of climate measuring
20:23 – Ben Santer on persevering through personal attacks and credible death threats
31:01 – Ben Santer on the effect of Trump administration funding cuts
33:43 – Ben Santer dealing with grief
38:54 – Rachel Rothschild on how state superfund laws work
42:26 – Rachel Rothschild on having her personal communication targeted
47:40 – Rachel Rothschild on the personal tax of doing her work
51:45 – Rachel Rothschild on what surprised her
For show notes and related links, visit our episode page at ClimateOne.org
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