climate change

Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie Thompson: What Can We Do about Climate Change (Part Two)

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Side by side image of Profs Ellen and Lonnie Thompson

Paleoclimatologists Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie Thompson continue their discussion with host David Staley on the imminent challenges and possible solutions to climate change. They emphasize the importance of collective action, innovative technologies, and political will in combating environmental issues. They highlight practical actions individuals can take, such as voting and reducing energy consumption, and discuss the role of global cooperation and investment in science. Drawing from their extensive fieldwork, they share personal experiences and stress the need for a multidisciplinary approach, integrating sciences and liberal arts, to address the multifaceted impacts of climate change. Despite short-term pessimism due to current inaction, they express long-term optimism that humanity will rise to meet the crisis.

Listen to Part One

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Ellen Mosley-Thompson and Lonnie Thompson: Ancient Ice Cores Tell Us the Future (Part One)

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Renowned paleoclimatologists Ellen Mosley-Thompson, Distinguished University Professor of Geography, and Lonnie Thompson, Distinguished University Professor in Earth Sciences, discuss their groundbreaking work in studying ice cores to understand Earth’s climate history. Join host David Staley to learn how they extract climate data from ice cores, the logistical challenges of their fieldwork, and the importance of preserving ice core samples for future research. The Thompsons emphasize the significance of addressing climate change, the technological advancements in their field, and the need for greater investment in science and renewable energy. They also discuss the potential consequences of rising global temperatures and the crucial role of young people and international collaboration in combating climate change.

Listen to Part Two

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Andréa G Grottoli: Will Coral Reefs Survive?

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Andréa Grottoli, Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences, discusses her research on and the future of coral reefs with host David Staley. Grottoli shares insights into coral biology, the impacts of climate change on coral reefs, and the significance of coral ecosystems to the economy and environment. She specializes in coral resilience, the traits that enable some corals to survive environmental stressors. She has co-created innovative technologies, such as the UZELA device, to enhance coral survival. Listen in to see what the future might be.

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Sean Downey: The Significance of Indigenous Knowledge

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Sean Downey headshot

Sean Downey, associate professor of anthropology at The Ohio State University, discusses his research on the social and environmental dynamics of farming and foraging societies. Dr. Downey talks about his Human Complexity Lab and its work on swidden agriculture in Belize, highlights the significance of indigenous knowledge, and advocates for interdisciplinary approaches to understanding ecological patterns. He also shares his journey into anthropology, his passion for fieldwork, and the future direction of his research in supporting indigenous rights and addressing climate change.

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Alex Thompson Looks at How Climate Change Agreements Have Evolved

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Alexander Thompson, Professor of Political Science and Senior Faculty Fellow at the Mershon Center for International Security Studies, conducts research in international relations with an emphasis on the politics of international organizations and law. From the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to the Kyoto Protocol to the Paris Agreement, countries have tried different tactics to deal with climate change.

Prof. Zhengyu Liu on Using the Past to Predict the Future of Climate Dynamics

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Zhengyu Liu is the Max Thomas Professor of Climate Dynamics in the Department of Geography. His areas of expertise include climate change, Earth systems modeling, and climate dynamics. He discusses how scientists can have confidence in their predictions about the future of climate on this week’s Voices of Excellence.

From Florida to the Antarctic: W. Berry Lyons’ Scientific Journey

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W. Berry Lyons, Professor and Distinguished University Scholar in the Ohio State School of Earth Sciences, was born and raised in the sunny state of Florida, but much of his career has been focused on the decidedly colder Antarctic, where he’s researched the impact of climate and climate change on the McMurdo Dry Valleys, the continent’s largest ice-free area.