Inside the EPA’s most ambitious car-pollution plan ever

I discussed the EPA’s new plan to boost fuel economy and reduce pollution from cars and trucks on the Apple News Podcast.

Climate Conversations: Insurance - National Academy of Sciences

I moderated this discussion about how the insurance industry is reacting to the heightened risks introduced by climate change.

The rise of food allergies - Unexplainable

I reported this story on the sudden rise of food-borne allergies in children and adults, interviewing scientists and doctors about the prevailing theories behind the spike.

Science Friday 4/29/2022

I had another turn hosting Science Friday. This time, I talked to experts about hydrogen, container ships, sharing viruses for science, and dog breeds.

Coal Phaseout - Here and Now

Dozens of countries signed onto an agreement to phase out coal power production. But major coal burners like the US, Australia, China, and India are not among them.

Carbon Offsets - Al Jazeera

I was a guest on Al Jazeera’s The Stream talking about carbon offsets and how seriously we should take them.

Climate change scenarios - To The Point

The biggest uncertainty in climate models is what people end up doing about climate change, whether the world will actually cut emissions, continue as usual, or what have you. I talked to Warren Olney about the different scenarios that scientists are considering when they test their models, from the most optimistic to the grimmest.

Wildfires, fitness trackers, and charismatic creatures - Science Friday

In a first for me, I guest-hosted an entire episode of Science Friday. It was interesting being the interviewer for once. I also helped pick stories for the show.

The New IPCC Climate Report - Today, Explained

The first installment of a major new climate change report from the United Nations is here. It sums up the latest science and the results are grim.

The US is back in the game - Diane Rehm - On My Mind

I talked to Diane Rehm about the US rejoining the Paris climate agreement and President Biden’s new climate target.

Extreme Heat and Covid-19 - The Takeaway

A heat wave is baking much of the United States. Some had hoped that summer heat would help reduce transmission of Covid-19. However, during heat waves, people spend more time indoors, which may increase the chances of spreading the virus. There are ways to control this, however, with good ventilation and air filtering.

Reopening the economy - 1A

I spoke to NPR’s 1A about the benchmarks states and the federal government are using to decide when it is safe to relax restrictions during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

The fires down under - Science Friday

Massive bushfires have ignited across Australia following record heat and drought. I discussed the climate factors that are at play and how they converged to create this disaster.

SciFri · How Climate Change Is Fanning Australian Flames

Climate Crisis Town Hall - Today, Explained

I attempted to cram seven hours of climate change discussion on CNN with 2020 democratic presidential candidates into a 20-minute conversation.

When the rainforest burns - Diane Rehm: On My Mind

I talked to Diane Rehm about the economics, politics, and social forces driving the forest fires in Brazil. I also discussed the science of rainforest ecology and what I learned on my recent trip to the Amazon.

Amazon Rainforest Fires - Cheddar

I talked a bit about the recent surge in fires in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest and the factors driving them.

It's a flying shame - All Things Considered

I spoke to NPR’s Ailsa Chang about Greta Thunberg’s boat trip across the Atlantic and the growing concern about the environmental impacts of flying. Or as the Swedes call it, “flygskam.”

Fossil fuel divestment - Where We Live

Schools like Harvard and Yale sit on a gargantuan pile of money. That money is invested for the benefit of the schools, but that often means holdings in fossil fuel companies. Now campaigners want their schools to withdraw those investments for the sake of the climate, but administrators are pushing back. They argue that divesting from fossil fuels adds an unnecessary political element to their holdings, and that they can better pressure companies with a seat at the table.

The rise and fall of the Clean Power Plan - Science Friday

On this week’s Science Friday News roundup, I talked about the Trump administration’s recent repeal of President Obama’s signature climate policy, the Clean Power Plan. I also discussed NASA’s new mission to Titan, the standoff in Oregon, and the ongoing heat wave in Europe.