Facing Climate Extremes: ANDERS LEVERMANN on Society’s Tipping Point - Highlights

Facing Climate Extremes: ANDERS LEVERMANN on Society’s Tipping Point - Highlights

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Professor at Physics Institute of Potsdam University
Senior Research Scientist at Earth Institute, Columbia University

A lot of people think climate change is about avoiding the extinction of mankind. In my opinion, climate change is about putting pressure on society and disrupting society to an extent that it can't function properly anymore. So my greatest fear is that if we don't combat climate change, the weather extremes will hit us with a frequency and intensity that we will not be able to recover after each impact. And then we will start to fight with each other.

ANDERS LEVERMANN - Physics Institute of Potsdam U & Snr. Research Scientist, Earth Inst., Columbia University

ANDERS LEVERMANN - Physics Institute of Potsdam U & Snr. Research Scientist, Earth Inst., Columbia University

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Professor at Physics Institute of Potsdam University
Senior Research Scientist at Earth Institute, Columbia University

A lot of people think climate change is about avoiding the extinction of mankind. In my opinion, climate change is about putting pressure on society and disrupting society to an extent that it can't function properly anymore. So my greatest fear is that if we don't combat climate change, the weather extremes will hit us with a frequency and intensity that we will not be able to recover after each impact. And then we will start to fight with each other.

Shark Scientist, Science Communicator, TV Presenter & Author MELISSA CRISTINA MARQUEZ - Highlights

Shark Scientist, Science Communicator, TV Presenter & Author MELISSA CRISTINA MARQUEZ - Highlights

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Shark Scientist, Science Communicator, TV Presenter & Author

A lot of people when you think of sharks, you think of hammerheads, great white sharks, tiger sharks, but there’s so much more diversity than just that. There’s over 500 different species and on average we’re discovering new species every two weeks, not just of sharks, but also their cousins, the stingrays, skates and sometimes the chimeras as well. And so knowing that diversity exists, for me it’s really important to get that message out there.

MELISSA CRISTINA MARQUEZ - Shark Scientist, Science Communicator, TV Presenter & Author

MELISSA CRISTINA MARQUEZ - Shark Scientist, Science Communicator, TV Presenter & Author

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Shark Scientist, Science Communicator, TV Presenter & Author

A lot of people when you think of sharks, you think of hammerheads, great white sharks, tiger sharks, but there’s so much more diversity than just that. There’s over 500 different species and on average we’re discovering new species every two weeks, not just of sharks, but also their cousins, the stingrays, skates and sometimes the chimeras as well. And so knowing that diversity exists, for me it’s really important to get that message out there.

The Ice at the End of the World with JON GERTNER - Highlights

The Ice at the End of the World with JON GERTNER - Highlights

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Journalist & Historian on Science, Technology & Nature

I don’t think there is anything in our history that prepares us for what we have to do next. I think we have a lot of promising signs. It seems like the real work is still ahead of us. To me it feels that we’re making this up as we go along, we’ve made a couple good steps, we know the problem really well. We know what to do or at least what is needed, but those questions of policy and politics and how to mobilise governments and align people, at least to me it seems like the world has gotten more contentious, maybe because of the pandemic, rather than more willing to align.

JON GERTNER - Journalist & Historian on Science, Technology & Nature

JON GERTNER - Journalist & Historian on Science, Technology & Nature

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Jon Gertner is a journalist and historian whose stories on science, technology, and nature have appeared in a host of national magazines. Since 2003 he has worked mainly as a feature writer for The New York Times Magazine. He is the author of The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation and The Ice at the End of the World. A frequent lecturer on technology and science history, Gertner lives with his family in New Jersey.

This interview was conducted by Mia Funk & Lila Muscosky with the participation of collaborating universities and students. Associate Interviews Producers on this podcast were Panisara Jaijongkit & Lila Muscosky. Digital Media Coordinator is Hannah Story Brown.

Mia Funk is an artist, interviewer and founder of The Creative Process.

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