100 min listen
Communicate Weather and Climate with Humor and Fun
Communicate Weather and Climate with Humor and Fun
ratings:
Length:
40 minutes
Released:
Nov 27, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
Climate change is a critical topic for everyone, not just the people interested in science. Today's guests, Dr. Ellen Prager and Dave Jones are committed to finding ways to bring the science of the ocean and atmosphere, including climate change, to the so-called, “non-choir”. They have found innovative ways to make these topics engaging, relevant, understandable, and even entertaining. Broadcast meteorologists offer an especially effective way to reach people with scientific information about more than just weather, such as climate change. Ellen and Dave have an extensive network within the broadcast meteorology community and work to bring them together with leading climate scientists through extreme weather, climate change, and community resilience summits. Additionally, they have written a book for Columbia University Press to engage the public and help combat misinformation about the ocean, marine life, weather, hurricanes, climate change, and more. Their thesis focuses on the frequently asked and sometimes oddball questions they and their colleagues receive, using easy-to-understand answers and some humor to make it more interesting. The title is tentatively ”Megalodons, Mermaids, and Climate Change: You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers. Ask Away!!!,” which is slated to come out in Fall 2024. Ellen and Dave hope to complete a series of public-oriented events associated with the book and restart the summits (the last one was right before COVID) in the next year or two, especially as the impacts of climate change are expected to get more extreme in the future. Climate change doesn’t cause hurricanes, wildfires, heat waves, or flooding, but it makes them more extreme with costly and, in some cases, tragic consequences. Ellen Prager, PhD, is a marine scientist and author, widely recognized for her expertise and ability to make science entertaining and understandable for people of all ages. She currently works as a freelance writer, consultant, Chief Scientist for StormCenter Communications, and Science/Program Advisor to Celebrity Cruises in the Galapagos Islands. She was previously the Chief Scientist for the Aquarius Reef Base program in Key Largo, FL, which includes the world’s only undersea research station, and at one time, was the Assistant Dean at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Dr. Prager has built a national reputation as a scientist and spokesperson for the earth and ocean sciences and is a sought-after speaker for public-oriented events. She has appeared on The Today Show and NBC News, Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, CBS Early Show, The Weather Channel, shows for the Discovery Channel, and was a consultant for the Disney movie, Moana. Ellen focuses much of her time on bringing earth and ocean science to the public through writing, working with the media, creating innovative partnerships, and speaking events. Her recent publication Dangerous Earth: What We Wish We Knew About Volcanoes, Hurricanes, Climate Change, Earthquakes and More takes an engaging look at what scientists wish they knew about some of the planet’s most powerful forces. Her latest novel for middle graders, Escape Greenland, released in April 2021 combines fast-paced adventure, humor, and relatable characters with fun learning about climate change, science, and nature. It is the second book in a series entitled The Wonder List Adventures published by Tumblehome Learning. The first book, Escape Galapagos, released in 2019, received rave reviews from readers. The first book in her previous middle-grade series, The Shark Whisperer, has been called “an underwater Harry Potter”. Her previous popular science book, Sex, Drugs, and Sea Slime: The Oceans’ Oddest Creatures and Why They Matter, took an entertaining look at marine biodiversity, its relevance to the average person, and why ocean life and resources are now at risk. Ocean advocate Carl Safina says of the book, “A great book
Released:
Nov 27, 2023
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (99)
Climate Week NYC 2021: Getting It Done: Critical moments in the Climate Decade and How to Get There by Climate Correction™ - A Climate Change Podcast