A Cancer Diagnosis Reframed How Ben Santer Thinks About Climate Science

Atmospheric scientist Ben Santer pioneered the research that connects human activity to specific climate events. Now, pursuing treatment for a rare type of lymphoma, he sees his own diagnosis and his climate science as the same kind of detective work: using essential and basic science to conduct tests, read complex markers, and rule out every other cause. Even while ill, he's calling out efforts by the Trump administration to reject, defund and ignore the science we all depend on.  “If we leave basic science behind because the administration doesn't like the results of the science, then as Americans, we're not gonna thrive, and the planet isn't gonna thrive either,” Santer says. Guests:  Ben Santer, Atmospheric Scientist, University of East Anglia   Rachel Rothschild, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Law School Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction   2:24 – Ben Santer on how he’s doing amidst his health issues  6:43 – Ben Santer on having the motivation to keep going   11:21 – Ben Santer on what it means to find human fingerprints on climate disruption  16:52 – Ben Santer on the importance of climate measuring  20:23 – Ben Santer on persevering through personal attacks and credible death threats 31:01 – Ben Santer on the effect of Trump administration funding cuts 33:43 – Ben Santer dealing with grief  38:54 – Rachel Rothschild on how state superfund laws work 42:26 – Rachel Rothschild on having her personal communication targeted 47:40 – Rachel Rothschild on the personal tax of doing her work  51:45 – Rachel Rothschild on what surprised her    For show notes and related links, visit ⁠our episode page⁠ at ClimateOne.org *** Support Climate One by going ad-free! By subscribing to Climate One on ⁠Patreon⁠, you’ll receive exclusive access to all future episodes free of ads, opportunities to connect with fellow Climate One listeners, and access to the Climate One Discord. ⁠Sign up today⁠. *** Ad sales by ⁠Multitude⁠. Contact them for ad inquiries at ⁠multitude.productions/ads⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices