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The Life Scientific

Peter Stott on climate change deniers and Italian inspiration

Sep 10, 2024
Peter Stott is a climate scientist at the UK's Met Office Hadley Centre and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. In this conversation, he recounts how the devastating 2003 heatwave inspired his research into extreme weather and human impact on climate change. He confronts climate denialism with hard evidence and shares his journey from physics to atmospheric science. Peter also discusses significant moments in his career, particularly his battles with skeptics and the importance of effective science communication in addressing global warming.
28:29

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Quick takeaways

  • Peter Stott utilized mathematical modeling to investigate the role of human activity in extreme weather events following the devastating 2003 heatwave.
  • He highlights the importance of effective communication and storytelling in climate science to combat misinformation and inspire collective action against climate change.

Deep dives

The Impact of Extreme Weather Events

The 2003 European heatwave, which claimed over 70,000 lives, prompted significant inquiries into climate change and its connection to extreme weather. This heatwave acted as a catalyst for climate scientist Peter Stott to explore how human activity influences the likelihood of such climatic events. By applying complex climate models, he investigated how conditions like the heatwave exemplify a shift towards more frequent extreme weather due to global warming. This research was crucial in shaping the understanding of climate change and its tangible effects on human health and society.

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