Got Science?: Recent Episodes
Union of Concerned Scientists
Get your science on with the new podcast from the Union of Concerned Scientists. Our hosts take on technology, attacks on science, climate change, and more, as they channel the power of science to make the world a better place.
UCS Center for Science and Democracy Director Dr. Jennifer Jones joins Jess to discuss what the second Trump presidency means for science, and what you can do to defend science.
Ever wonder if agriculture and green energy can work together? The answer is yes, and Jess talks with UCS experts Dr. Angel Fernandez-Bou and Vivian Yang about farming and the future of energy in the United States.
Jess hits the road to visit the Los Angeles Auto Show and talk with UCS electric vehicle expert Dr. Dave Reichmuth about what's hot in green vehicles.
The 2024 election results are sending shockwaves through the scientific community, but we haven’t been caught flat-footed. Jess talks with Dr. Christopher Williams, political scientist with the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists about what we might see in the coming months, and more importantly: what we’re going to do to make sure science keeps saving lives.
As a post-election palate cleanser, Jess talks with webcomic artist, author, and cultural phenomenon creator Randall Munroe. They discus stick figure science cartoons and endless curiosity, delve into science mysteries, and even workshop lava moats.
We all know dinosaurs are extinct, but their demise is definitely a scary story with implications for us all during this spooky season. Jess gives out treats as she talks with Dr. Ken Lacovara, renowned paleontologist and discoverer of the world’s largest dinosaur about the fate of the dinos, the fate of our planet, and a revolutionary new museum in New Jersey where the two collide.
Everyone needs to get from point A to point B, and Jess talks with urban planner and UCS Director of Clean Transportation Steven Higashide about the latest and greenest in what moves us.
Hurricanes pounding the southeast, heatwaves and smoke from fires across the country, and temperature records falling left and right…Jess talks with UCLA climate scientist and Weather West blogger Dr. Daniel Swain about this summer of extremes.
Jess talks with California State University, Los Angeles Biology Department Chair Dr. Kirsten Fisher about desert mosses, climate change, and the changing state of science in higher education.
A new report using voting precinct-level data uncovers key information about who is actually voting in our elections, and who our current democratic process is leaving behind. Jess talks with UCS scientist and report author Dr. Liza Gordon-Rogers about what this means for the 2024 elections.
This special episode takes listeners on a film noir-style journey to explore the fossil fuel crime wave that's sweeping the nation. UCS scientists Dr. Carly Phillips and Dr. Juan Declet-Barreto become part of the elite Danger Season Squad, using science to solve crimes against humanity and break the news to the unsuspecting public along with Danger Season beat reporter Jess Phoenix. Visit sciencewithjess.org to see the special graphic novel version of the show!
Jess visits the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to unearth efforts by Dr. Aaron Celestian and his team to use a groundbreaking new mineral-based method to clean up lead contamination in L.A. backyards.
After the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump, Jess talks with Dr. Garen Wintemute, Director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California - Davis, about the science of political violence and what we can do to stop it. This episode discusses difficult topics like gun violence and mentions suicide, so please take note.
A groundbreaking new report reveals the looming threats facing United States coastlines from now through 2100. Experts Dr. Juan Declet-Barreto and Shana Udvardy cover what you need to know.
Jess talks with NASA OSIRIS-REx mission lead planetary scientist and cosmochemist Dr. Dante Lauretta about collecting samples from the asteroid Bennu that are now helping us understand the very origins of the universe.
Food justice activist and writer Rae Gomes joins Jess to talk about what we get wrong about food in the United States, and what we can do to make things right.
Jess has the details on some recent UCS victories in the real world, and gives a preview of what you can expect for the second season of This Is Science.
Thank you to all of our listeners for a fantastic first season of This Is Science with Jess Phoenix! We are grateful for your support, and stay tuned for the start of Season 2 in just a few weeks.
Dr. Jo Lukito of the University of Texas, Austin has made using science to understand political language her life’s work. She joins Jess for the third episode in our ongoing series about the science of democracy in the 2024 election cycle.
Jess hosts a conversation between climate scientist Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel and environmentalist and actor Eric Balfour about climate solutions and the future of humanity and our planet.
Jess talks with California's Attorney General Rob Bonta about a historic lawsuit he filed against Big Oil to hold them accountable for the devastating effects of climate change caused by their fossil fuel products.
Longtime Washington journalist Jesse J. Holland talks with Jess about changes in journalism and communicating science in the age of social media and “alternative facts,” and what we can expect as the 2024 US election cycle swings into gear. This is the second episode in UCS’ ongoing 2024 election cycle coverage.
Jess talks about space, science, and the future of humans in our universe with Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, the award-winning authors behind the hit books and critically-acclaimed TV series The Expanse.
Hydrologist Dr. Karletta Chief of the Navajo Nation talks with Jess about the unique scientific problems facing indigenous communities in the United States and what role science has in finding the solutions.
Dr. Mindy Romero, founder of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at the University of Southern California, talks with Jess about current election science and what we can expect to see during the 2024 election cycle.
In the second part of this special Clean Transportation mini-series Jess visits the West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project to talk with co-founder and co-director Ms. Margaret Gordon about local health and environmental impacts of - and solutions to - living next to one of the nation's busiest shipping ports.
In the first part of this special Clean Transportation mini-series Jess talks with Adam Browning of Forum Mobility about the future of heavy-duty electric trucks.
Happy Holidays and a wonderful New Year from all of us at the Union of Concerned Scientists!
With the backdrop of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), Jess catches up with lawyer and climate negotiator Hafij Khan about the critical Loss and Damage fund and this year's conference.
Need some pumpkin pi to go with that leftover turkey? Jess highlights her favorite reasons to be thankful for science in this season of gratitude.
Some science fiction authors have an almost uncanny ability to see what’s coming down the road. Jess talks with Chuck Wendig, whose writing is both wildly creative and oftentimes extraordinarily prescient.
Happy Halloween! Jess talks with UCLA librarian Megan Rosenbloom about the spooky science of uncovering what makes some old books extra rare.
Jess digs into the science of soils and farming in the century of climate change with Dr. Rick Cruse of Iowa State University.
Science fictions are widely held dangerous beliefs that are not supported by science. Jess explores a few of these in anticipation of the continued propagation of science myths during the next US election cycle.
Jess talks with artificial intelligence experts Chris Mattmann of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Meriem Bekka of vmWare about the technological, social, and environmental aspects of our A.I. future.
Hurricanes pounding both coasts, heatwaves and smoke from fires across the country, and temperature records falling left and right…Jess talks with UCLA climate scientist and Weather West blogger Dr. Daniel Swain about this summer of extremes.
Jess tells the stories of three invisible threats harming residents of major US cities with help from Julie McNamara and Darya Minovi of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Jess speaks with Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse about the influence of fossil fuel dark money in politics today.
Jess speaks with Oppenheimer biographer Kai Bird about one of Earth's most influential humans and his scientific and political legacies.
Jess speaks from her experience conducting deep ocean research to answer questions raised by UCS scientists and staff about the recent disasters of the migrant ship sunk in Greek waters and the implosion of the Titan submersible.
Exciting new research allows UCS scientists to gain insight into North Korea’s shadowy nuclear weapons program. Jess talks with UCS researchers Dr. Sulgi Park and Dr. Laura Grego about this work, and the current state of worldwide nuclear affairs.
Jess visits actor and environmental champion Ed Begley, Jr. at his LEED Platinum-certified home to talk all things green.
UCS scientists have linked fossil fuel companies to the explosion of wildfires in the west. Jess talks with lead study author Kristy Dahl and climate law attorney Jessica Wentz about what this information means for holding corporations accountable for climate destruction.
Jess investigates what connects giant salamanders, community organizing, and fracking via a conversation with journalist Annie Roth and biologist Justin Grubb, creators of the documentary film "Hellbent." Rights of nature provides a unique legal framework for communities to protect vulnerable environments, and it's being tested in the courts right now.
Jess is joined by Amani Webber-Schultz and Jaida Elcock, shark scientists and co-founders of the nonprofit organization Minorities In Shark Sciences. The conversation ranges from hammerhead shark anatomy to the UN High Seas Treaty, and the importance of diversity for innovation in science.
In our inaugural episode, host Jess Phoenix talks with Alie Ward, science communicator and host of the podcast Ologies.
Yazmín Alfonso de EVNoir y Andrea Marpillero-Colomina de GreenLatinos hablaron con Got Science sobre los resultados de una encuesta que mide el interés de la gente latina por los autos eléctricos y nos dan sus impresiones e ideas para ampliar el acceso equitativo.
Community organizer Bridget Vial and energy analyst Paula Garcia discuss how some states can reach an equitable transition to 100% clean energy by 2035.
Social media analyst Erin McAweeney pulls back the curtain on how disinformation spreads across Facebook and Twitter.
Diplomática Mexicana Tonie Jáquez, una figura clave en el desarme nuclear, discute las implicaciones globales de los peligros nucleares que enfrentamos con la invasión Rusa de Ucrania.
Diplomática Mexicana Tonie Jáquez, una figura clave en el desarme nuclear, discute las implicaciones globales de los peligros nucleares que enfrentamos con la invasión Rusa de Ucrania.
Forest firefighter and conservation biologist Jon Trapp talks about analyzing wildfires, close calls with endangered wolves, and the urgency of global warming.
New podcast host Jess Phoenix introduces a re-airing of an interview with science historian Naomi Oreskes.
In her final interview, Colleen MacDonald passes the mic to Jess Phoenix, a geologist and author of “Ms. Adventure”
Diplomática Mexicana Tonie Jáquez, una figura clave en el desarme nuclear, discute las implicaciones globales de los peligros nucleares que enfrentamos con la invasión Rusa de Ucrania.
New England Aquarium’s Adam Kennedy manages the sea turtle rescue and rehab hospital and tells us what it takes to save critically endangered species.
Segunda parte de la entrevista con John Walkey de GreenRoots y Paula García de UCS. En este episodio, hablamos de las oportunidades económicas—o sea, trabajos--que brindará la transición y los obstáculos que se prevén y cómo se podrían superar.
Vehicles analyst Jess Dunn explores how electric vehicle batteries can be reused, repurposed, and recycled.
Organizador comunitario John Walkey y analista sénior de energía Paula García discuten cómo algunos estados pueden alcanzar una transición equitativa a 100% energía renovable para 2035 según su análisis "En la ruta hacia 100 por ciento energía renovable"
Voting rights expert Dr. Michael Latner recaps the midterm elections and lays out the challenges facing our democracy.
Energy expert Steve Clemmer discusses the pros and cons of carbon capture and storage technologies and what role they might play in fighting the climate crisis.
Dr. Quinta Warren, associate director of sustainability policy at Consumer Reports and Dave Cooke, senior vehicles analyst at UCS discuss a recent survey of electric vehicle adoption among minority consumers.
Food and agriculture expert Karen Perry Stillerman unpacks provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that can set the US on the right path for a healthy and just food system.
Científico climático Pablo Ortiz Partida explica por qué UCS le ha puesto “Temporada de peligro” al verano.
Dr. Daniel Wildcat, a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation, explains how Traditional Ecological Knowledge can work in tandem with science to help us understand the natural world.
Global security expert Jennifer Knox explains how international treaties reduce the risks of nuclear weapons.
Political scientist Dr. Andrea Benjamin discusses her research on local elections and what motivates Black and Latino voters.
Psychologist Dr. Susan Schneider shares her evidence-backed ideas on how regular people can make changes to lead climate-friendly lives.
Economist Dr. Rachel Cleetus discusses how global warming is impacting countries around the world and informing global action
Technology innovator Shireen Mitchell discusses pervasive disinformation on social media centered around US elections, and how we can fight back
Energy and policy expert Julie McNamara explains the WV v. EPA court case and the potentially devastating effect it will have on our ability to fight global warming in the U.S.
Community organizer Bridget Vial and energy analyst Paula Garcia discuss how some states can reach an equitable transition to 100% clean energy by 2035.
For Juneteenth, we’ve updated one of our most listened-to episodes (2021), featuring Leah Penniman, founder of Soul Fire Farm and author of Farming While Black
César Jaramillo, experto sobre el desarme nuclear, nos explica en cuáles escenarios Putin pudiera plantearse usar armas nucleares.
César Jaramillo, experto sobre el desarme nuclear, explica lo que significa la guerra entre Rusia y Ucrania para la seguridad nuclear global.
Climate scientist, Dr. Kristina Dahl, discusses why we’re renaming summers “Danger Season.”
Organizer and veteran Yaritza Perez and climate scientist Dr. Juan Declet-Barreto discuss the human impacts of, and science behind, methane pollution and how communities in Florida are fighting back.
Organizadora y veterana Yaritza Pérez y científico climático sénior Dr. Juan Declet-Barreto hablan de los impactos sobre los seres humanos y la ciencia del gas metano, su polución y cómo comunidades en Florida están luchando contra sus peligrosas emisiones.
US-China relations expert Dr. Gregory Kulacki discusses China’s nuclear weapons strategy and what it means for the Russian war in Ukraine.
Nonprofit founder and biology PhD Dr. Monica Unseld details her journey from scientist to activist and discusses how science institutions can forge successful partnerships with communities.
El voto latinx importa más que nunca. La Dra. Ivy Cargile explica los riesgos para los votantes y los asuntos que nos harán acudir a las urnas.
Nuclear nonproliferation expert Dr. Jeffrey Lewis breaks down why North Korea appears to be ramping up its missile tests, and what this means for our geopolitics.
Communications strategist Sabrina Joy Stevens shares practical tips for shutting down disinformation online.
Dr. Tara Drozdenko, physicist and national security expert, explains why nuclear weapons should never be on the table in a global conflict
Engineer and electric vehicles expert Dr. David Reichmuth answers burning questions for first-time EV buyers.
Ep. 128: Voter Suppression: We Can Fight for (and Win) Fair Elections by Union of Concerned Scientists
El cambio climático significa que las zonas templadas se están enfriando, que las zonas polares se están calentando y una tendencia al alza en las temperaturas medias globales. El Dr. Juan Declet-Barreto de Unión de Científicos Conscientes (UCS) explica cómo el calor fatal causado por el cambio climático afecta a los trabajadores al aire libre.
Investigative researcher Taryn MacKinney discusses what is on the line for science and justice, and how the Biden administration can continue and improve its support for science.
Senior Climate Scientist Astrid Caldas elaborates on Ida—and the many other deadly and damaging 2021 storms made worse by climate change.
Energy analyst John Rogers is back with exciting developments in the offshore wind industry.
Entre los pasos que ha dado la administración Biden y los estados para impulsar el crecimiento de la eólica marina con proyectos en altamar y nuevas tecnologías prometedoras, John Rogers echa un vistazo al futuro de la energía limpia en alta mar.
Fossil fuel accountability expert Kathy Mulvey and climate litigation scientist Dr. Delta Merner discuss the industry’s deception before Congress and at recent global climate talks.
Energy justice advocate Gracie Wooten and energy analyst James Gignac discuss how science can help a Detroit-area community achieve energy sovereignty by generating and sharing its own electricity.
Arctic expert Joel Clement is back with an update on federal science in the region, and how Alaska Natives are adapting to the changing landscape.
Voting rights expert Dr. Michael Latner details the steps we need to take in the coming months to ensure free and fair elections in the US.
Food systems and health analyst Sarah Reinhardt discusses recent updates to the USDA's Thrifty Food Plan, which will give more people access to healthy, nutritious food.
Researcher Casey Kalman discusses how chemical facilities can prepare for worsening climate change and natural disasters.
Vehicles expert Dr. David Reichmuth discusses the pros and cons of the new electric pickup truck.
Magaly Licolli, directora de Venceremos y el Dr. Ricardo Salvador de UCS cuentan cómo las empacadoras de Tyson amenazan la salud pública—en particular la de inmigrantes, gente hispana e indígena.
La UCS y el periódico The Guardian llevaron a cabo una investigación de Tyson en la que encontraron abusos, engaños y actividades antimonopolio.
Economist Rebecca Boehm and Nina Lakhani, journalist at The Guardian, expose the harms of near-monopolistic chicken production practices at Tyson Foods.
Climate scientist Dr. Rachel Licker discusses how climate change will affect outdoor worker’s health and earnings.
Dr. Daniel Wildcat, a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation, explains how Traditional Ecological Knowledge can work in tandem with science to help us understand the natural world.
Climate scientist Dr. Kristy Dahl checks in with the Got Science? team on this summer’s dangerously hot and dry weather.
Coal miners like Dr. Jeremy Richardson’s family members helped power the country for generations—now he and Lee Anderson of the Utility Workers Union of America are working on how best to support them in a clean-energy economy.
Climate accountability expert Kathy Mulvey discusses developments in the fossil fuel industry and Dr. Michael Latner fills us in on post-election voter rights.
¿Son seguros los autos eléctricos? ¿Cómo funcionan y cuánto dura la batería? La Dra. Maria Cecilia Pinto de Moura, ingeniera sénior de la Unión de Científicos Conscientes explica las diferencias entre varios tipos de vehículos eléctricos y cómo lograr que más gente se cambie a un auto eléctrico.
Senior transportation analyst Elizabeth Irvin walks us through some surprising transportation patterns she’s been following throughout the pandemic.
La ingeniera Dra. Maria Cecilia Pinto de Moura explica porqué la electrificación de transportes es un paso imprescindible para el clima y para reducir la contaminación del aire.
Economist Dr. Rachel Cleetus digs into the specifics of the Biden administration’s ambitious climate plan.
La Dra. Mónica Feliú-Mójer habla sobre la desinformación y como la comunicación científica tiene que informar al público de forma accesible, auténtica y divertida.
Dr. Peter Frumhoff weighs in on a controversial idea for slowing down global warming: shooting particles into the atmosphere to cool the planet.
Climate accountability expert Kathy Mulvey shows the path from rigorous attribution science holding fossil fuel companies responsible for climate harms
How did fossil fuel companies get away with deceiving the public for so long about climate change, and how their products contribute to it?
Physicist Dr. Edwin Lyman discusses the safety, security, and environmental impact of several proposed “advanced” nuclear reactors.
Social media analyst Erin McAweeney pulls back the curtain on how disinformation spreads across Facebook and Twitter.
Infectious disease expert and Arkansas Secretary of Health Dr. José R. Romero answers key questions about COVID-19 vaccines.
Médico especialista en enfermedades infecciosas Dr. José Romero contesta las preguntas más importantes sobre la vacuna contra el COVID-19 y explica cómo funcionan las distintas vacunas.
Vehicles expert Dr. Dave Cooke explains how US automakers make big environmental promises while lobbying to pollute, and what we can do about it.
Energy expert John Rogers is back with new renewable energy milestones and advances in wind and solar power
Dr. Pablo Ortiz discusses the intersecting impacts of climate change in the San Joaquin Valley, and how inequities are hurting the most vulnerable residents.
El Dr. Pablo Ortiz, científico del clima y del agua, ha trabajado con las comunidades del Valle de San Joaquín para estudiar los impactos del cambio climático y cómo se entrecruzan con las inequidades.
Dr. Gretchen Goldman, an expert on scientific integrity in federal policymaking, details what is needed to bring back and strengthen the role of science in government.
Leah Penniman, founder of Soul Fire Farm and author of Farming While Black, discusses how Afro-Indigenous centered community farms can uproot the food system and create new opportunities for Black and Brown farmers.
Hay dos claves importantes para asegurar que el público confíe en la nueva vacuna contra el COVID, dice epidemióloga y experta en salud pública Ana Diez Roux quien ayudó a crear el marco de recomendaciones para repartir la vacuna utilizado por los CDC. Y su consejo para mejorar la salud de todo el país te sorprenderá.
How do we make sure that vulnerable populations have access to a COVID-19 vaccine? Dr. Ana Diez Roux discusses an equitable distribution plan.
What happens upstream… goes downstream. Dr. Rebecca Boehm explains how excess fertilizer on Midwest farms contributes to “dead zones” in the Gulf, and how to reverse course.
Gracias al almacenamiento energético, se puede aprovechar la electricidad generada por la energía solar y eólica más que nunca. Pero...¿qué es el almacenamiento, y cuales son las ventajas?
Forest firefighter and conservation biologist Jon Trapp talks about analyzing wildfires, close calls with endangered wolves, and the urgency of global warming.
Today’s episode starts with part four of our series on who pays for climate damages followed by a replay of Dr. Naomi Oreskes discussing her book, Why Trust Science?
Global security expert Dr. Cameron Tracy discusses misconceptions about hypersonic weapons and how they could lead us into another arms race.
Author Angela Saini discusses biological myths and racist biases in the sciences from past to present
Climate scientist and Bay Area resident Dr. Kristy Dahl discusses how global warming is fueling wildfire season and its impacts on the most vulnerable.
Dr. Elena Krieger explains how an unsung technology can increase reliable access to clean energy
When electric vehicles start retiring, what happens to their batteries? Transportation expert Hanjiro Ambrose discusses the importance of recycling EV batteries.
La Dra. Astrid Caldas de UCS habla sobre los retos que tendrán que enfrentar las comunidades cuando choquen los huracanes con las áreas más afectadas por COVID-19
Senior climate scientist Dr. Astrid Caldas discusses the connections between climate change and more intense hurricanes and underscores the challenges when they converge with COVID-19.
Voting rights expert Dr. Michael Latner explains how science can keep us safe when casting our votes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Voting rights expert Dr. Michael Latner explains how science can keep us safe when casting our votes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scientist and lawyer Dr. Adrienne Hollis connects the dots of the pandemic, and why a disproportionate number of Black and Brown people are dying.
El Dr. Juan Declet-Barreto discute el estudio de UCS ´La ciencia abandonada, promesas rotas´ sobre cómo la administración Trump ha rechazado métodos científicos y leyes basadas en evidencia diseñadas para protegernos. Sus acciones han empeorado las desigualdades que enfrentan las personas de raza Negra y las exponen aún más a la contaminación.
Renewable energy expert John Rogers is back on the podcast to talk about COVID-19 is affecting clean energy jobs, and how we can create a stronger, healthier clean energy economy for everyone.
John Rogers, experto en energía, regresa al podcast para hablar de impactos de la crisis creada por COVID-19 en el sector de energía limpia, y cómo creamos una economía más fuerte y sana para todos.
Science policy expert Michael Halpern exposes how the Trump administration is unraveling health and safety standards during COVID-19.
Infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Beth Linas discusses how we move forward after flattening the curve of the coronavirus.
Dr. Kristy Dahl reviews NOAA spring flooding and maps the potential collision with COVID-19.
El Dr. Juan Declet-Barreto analiza los datos de NOAA y mapea una posible colisión entre las inundaciones que veremos este año con la pandemia del COVID-19
Dr. Jo Anne Welsch, currently working on vaccine development for low and middle income countries at a global health organization, discusses how vaccines are developed and tested, and the implications of the process for the coronavirus.
Dr. Kim Waddell, a biologist living in the Caribbean, discusses threats and responses to climate change.
Transportation expert Don Anair discusses why ride-hailing is a problem for the climate, and what we can do about it.
Physicist David Wright discusses the nuclear weapons policies and scenarios that threaten our safety, and how to mitigate those risks.
Climate scientist and educator Dr. Mel Fitzpatrick dissects Australia's wildfires and explores how climate change has made them more catastrophic.
Research scientist Anita Desikan digs into the data to uncover the communities most at risk from the Trump administration ignoring science.
Physicist and global security expert Dr. Laura Grego fills us in on the past, present, and future of satellites.
Former USDA senior scientist Lewis Ziska discusses his research on rice and carbon dioxide – and how the Trump USDA suppressed his findings.
Dr. Jacob Carter explores the consequences of the Trump administration’s attacks on science.
Energy analyst Joe Daniel explains why seasonal shutdowns can save utilities, and customers, money.
Dr. Sarah Cooley explains how changes in ocean chemistry are having a ripple effect on sea life and our economy.
Science Historian Naomi Oreskes explains why science's social character makes it trustworthy, and what we can learn from science's past.
Dr. Dick Garwin, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, discusses his work developing the hydrogen bomb, GPS, and touch screens, as well as his advocacy for arms control
Scientist and adventurer Dr. Arlene Blum discusses her research on cancer-causing chemicals in kid’s pajamas in the 70s and chemical safety today.
Analyst Karen Perry Stillerman discusses how cereal makers can help farmers improve soil health, prevent water pollution, and reduce the climate impact of our agricultural system.
Physicist Ed Lyman discusses new safety threats to US nuclear reactors and why risks here are different than in Russia.
How do electricity grid operators make sure there’s always enough energy to meet demand? Energy expert Julie McNamara reveals the painfully wasteful answer.
Dr. Carly Phillips, a climate scientist and fellow at the Union of Concerned Scientists, explains how climate change is turning Alaska into a tinderbox, and what to do about it.
Climate scientist Kristy Dahl explains off-the-charts deadly heat, just how bad it could get, and what we can do to avert the worst-case scenario.
Ep. 62: Clean Energy Momentum: From Goals to Gigawatts by Union of Concerned Scientists
Yanel de Ángel and Ramón Bueno, an architect and climate expert originally from Puerto Rico, discuss how the island can bounce back stronger with renewable energy and other sustainable practices.
Yanel de Ángel y Ramón Bueno, una arquitecta y un experto en el clima de Puerto Rico, hablan de como la energía renovable y otras prácticas sostenibles pueden ayudar a la isla a reponerse.
A conversation with Dr. Marcia DeLonge about the wide-ranging impacts of global warming on our agriculture system.
Dr. Susanne Moser is an expert on climate change adaptation. She was one of the facilitators of California’s climate-safe infrastructure working group, which brought together scientists, planners, architects, and engineers to figure out how climate impacts can be factored into infrastructure planning.
Dr. Geeta Persad outlines four types of super pollutants that play a significant role in the climate change equation.
Dr. Lisbeth Gronlund, Co-Director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, explains the capabilities of the US nuclear arsenal and why smaller-scale nuclear weapons are just as dangerous as bigger bombs.
Dr. Rachel Cleetus, an economist and climate expert at the Union of Concerned Scientists, puts the ambitious Congressional resolution under the microscope.
Author and professor Dr. Safiya Noble talks about racial bias in search results and discusses her book Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism.
In a troubled, divisive time, a small group of scientists decided to make their voices heard—and founded the Union of Concerned Scientists in the process. Dr. David Wright, co-director of the UCS Global Security Program, talks about those beginnings and the half-century of science advocacy that grew from them.
Mobility and equity Kendall Science Fellow Dr. Richard Ezike walks us through the equity implications of autonomous vehicles (AVs), and the infrastructure overhaul needed to get AVs on the road.
Dr. Gretchen Goldman takes us through the systematic dismantling of science protections, what it means for public health and safety, and how scientists are standing up for science.
We go behind the scenes with NASA glaciologists Dr. Kelly Brunt and Dr. Adam Greeley as they prepare for a data-collecting expedition around the South Pole.
Molecular biologist, Dr. Maryam Zaringhalam, left the lab to explore the intersection of science and public policy.
PhD candidate Evelyn Valdez-Ward talks about her family’s story, her research on soil and climate, and her experience mentoring younger students.
Los Angeles native Prof. Edward Avol talks about the impacts of pollution on children—and why it’s so important to “keep on pushing” for strong clean air standards.
Agricultural scientist Dr. Ricardo Salvador tells the story of how our food really gets to the grocery store, and discusses the urgent need for a sustainable and equitable food system.
El Dr. Ricardo Salvador, científico agrícola, nos cuenta la historia de cómo llega la comida al supermercado, y nos explica por qué necesitamos urgentemente un sistema agrícola perdurable y equitativo.
Just in time for Halloween, an episode that’ll scare the daylights out of you. Frank Keutsch joins us to explain what geoengineering is, why it isn’t a magic fix for climate change, and why we still need to greatly reduce CO2 emissions.
Andrew Rosenberg, director of the Center for Science and Democracy, goes over some of the key issues facing science, and how your vote in the upcoming midterm elections can help.
Senior energy analyst John Rogers tells us all about offshore wind, it's clean energy benefits and why offshore wind is more feasible than ever before.
Climate Scientist Juan Declet-Barreto teaches us about community and resilience a year after Maria.
Juan Declet-Barreto, científico climático, nos enseña sobre comunidad y resiliencia un año después de María.
Dr. Jimmy O’Dea talks about a future with electric buses, trucks and other heavy duty vehicles, and the positive impact they will have on global warming emissions.
Paula García, experta en energías renovables, nos cuenta sobre la expansión de las energías renovables en el mundo y en los Estados Unidos.
Energy expert Paula Garcia talks about the growth of renewable energy across the globe and in the United States.
Dr. Joel Nigg, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor at Oregon Health and Sciences University, discusses his research into the mental health impacts of climate change.
Professor John Bailey, an expert on all things fire, tells us about controlled burning, silviculture and why Smokey Bear had it all wrong.
Vehicles expert Dr. Daniel Sperling walks us through the future of transportation and the multiple revolutions needed to make self-driving cars an affordable, convenient, and efficient reality.
Economist and climate change expert Dr. Rachel Cleetus discusses new analysis that pairs NOAA climate change research with Zillow real estate data to show the threat to coastal property.
Atmospheric scientist Don Wuebbles discusses ozone recovery, all-nighters at the White House, and communicating climate science.
Joel Clement, a former policy director at the Department of Interior and new senior fellow with the Center for Science and Democracy at UCS, shares his experience of political interference in the Trump administration and the steps he took to fight back.
Dr. Gregory Kulacki talks about what is motivating North Korean President Kim Jong Un and the possible outcomes of a summit with President Donald Trump.
How much do you know about nuclear power? Dr. Edwin Lyman, internationally recognized expert on nuclear proliferation, walks us through nuclear power, its associated risks, and small modular reactors.
One of the nation’s most respected (and harassed) scientists, Dr. Michael Mann, discusses the climate change tipping point and battling forces of denial.
You may know it as food stamps. Millions of Americans know it as the reason their families won’t go hungry tonight. Food systems and health analyst Sarah Reinhardt knows that it needs to be strengthened, not weakened, in the next Farm Bill.
Follow the journey of Dr. Giovanna Guerrero-Medina as she grows from neurobiology researcher to organizer and science advocate for Puerto Rico before and after Hurricane Maria.
Charise Johnson, research associate at the Union of Concerned Scientists, talks about why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention can’t study gun violence injuries and death, and how this leaves the public in the dark and at risk.
Dr. Michael Latner, Kendall Voting Rights Fellow with the UCS Center for Science and Democracy, uses science to level the playing field for voters.
Physicist Dr. Laura Grego explains in lay terms just why the US ground-based midcourse missile defense system--the one that is supposed to intercept a North Korean missile--doesn't work.
Sally Jewell, former Secretary at the Department of Interior, talks about the Trump administration’s effort to roll back scientific and conservation safeguards.
Straight from the Los Angeles auto show, UCS engineer David Reichmuth talks about the drive to make EVs more accessible, affordable, and ubiquitous.
Gina McCarthy, former administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency talks about the current state of affairs under Scott Pruitt.
Find out why we should be thanking science this week. Five esteemed scientists, including a Presidential Medal of Freedom winner, tell us why they are grateful for science.
Dr. Ben Santer, climate scientist and one of the first scientists to identify how humans are influencing the global climate, talks about his work and also how he became the target of vicious attacks by fossil-fuel interests.
From football to pharmaceuticals, there’s a playbook for sidelining science. Former NFL player Chris Borland joins UCS science and policy analyst Genna Reed to discuss how powerful interests deceive, misinform, and buy influence at the expense of public health and safety.
Dr. Jeremy Richardson, senior energy analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, discusses his new report on the dwindling role of coal in the U.S. energy sector, talks to a number of innovators in his home state of West Virginia about how they are transitioning away from coal, and relays the experience of environmental justice advocates fighting to improve public health in their communities.
Dr. Andrea Basche, an agricultural scientist and AAAS Fellow at USDA’s National Institute for Food and Agriculture, talks about the power of soil to fight floods and droughts. Tune in to get the dirt on dirt.
Mustafa Ali was a chief environmental justice official and founding member of the Office of Environmental Justice at the Environmental Protection Agency. He talks about his experience at the EPA, his decision to resign, and the importance of science in environmental justice.
Senior energy analysts Laura Wisland and John Rogers from the Union of Concerned Scientists discuss all things solar, from getting solar on your roof to connecting that energy to the power grid.
Dr. Gretchen Goldman, research director for the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists and co-author of the new UCS report "Sidelining Science since Day One", talks about the Trump administration's attacks on science, their real-life consequences, and how scientists and the public can fight back.
UCS scientist and climate advocate Nicole Hernandez Hammer and Pulitzer-prize nominated journalist and UCS fellow Derrick Z. Jackson talk about what they are seeing on the ground in chronically flooded coastal communities.
Erika Spanger-Siegfried, senior analyst at the Union of Concerned Scientists, brings us startling new research on sea level rise and the hard choices ahead for coastal communities. More at: http://www.ucsusa.org/risingseashithome
Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, is back to give a recap of the recent months of the Trump administration and how he sees things playing out in light of President Trump pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Part 2 of our interview with Dr. David Wright, co-director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Dr. Wright continues his discussion of North Korea’s missile program, the accelerating pace of launch tests, and what scientific information he gleans from each of them.
Dr. David Wright, co-director of the Global Security Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, discusses North Korea’s missile program, the accelerating pace of launch tests, and what scientific information he gleans from each of them.
Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University, discusses her life as an evangelical Christian and climate scientist.
Dr. Vincent Intondi, director of the Institute for Race, Justice, and Community Engagement at Montgomery College, talks about the forgotten history of African Americans against the nuclear bomb. In this interview he connects the fight against nuclear weapons with racial equality.
John Rogers, senior energy analyst with the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, talks about some of the surprising findings in a new UCS report on state-level clean energy progress.
Dr. Juliet Christian-Smith, senior climate scientist with the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, talks about water, snowpack, and the drought in California.
Dr. Robert Bullard, the father of the environmental justice movement, discusses his past, new fights, and the role of scientists in solving environmental racism.
Vehicles analyst Jimmy O'Dea from the Union of Concerned Scientists discusses everything from the practical issues to the philosophical implications of self-driving cars.
Dr. Andrew Rosenberg, director of the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists discusses the challenges ahead for federal scientists in the Trump administration.
Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, discusses the role of science in the Trump administration.
Climate scientist Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel sets us straight on snowy weather and global warming.