In This Climate
Michael Mann: Hope, disinformation, Carl Sagan, and climate communication
Sep 21, 2023
Climate scientist and communicator Michael Mann discusses hope, disinformation, and the influence of Carl Sagan in climate communication. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling, reclaiming the science, and avoiding doom and despair when addressing the climate crisis. Mann also highlights personal connections, mentors in climate communication, challenges of reaching skeptical audiences, and the creation of a new center for science, sustainability, and media at Penn.
28:15
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Doom and despair messaging leads to disengagement and misrepresentation of paleoclimate evidence to support the climate change narrative.
- The fossil fuel industry's deliberate disinformation and influence on public discourse hinder effective climate communication and require a functioning democracy to address the crisis.
Deep dives
The Importance of Framing and Reclaiming the Science
Dr. Michael Mann discusses his book 'This Fragile Moment' and his motivation to bring a fresh perspective to the climate change narrative. He highlights the dangers of doom and despair messaging, which leads to disengagement, and the misrepresentation of paleoclimate evidence to support this narrative. Dr. Mann emphasizes the need to reclaim the science and convey both the urgency and agency in combating climate change.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
