DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, host Lizzie O'Leary interviews Shayna Roth, a senior producer at Slate, about her recent experience with extreme weather events in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Shayna recounts having to take shelter in her basement multiple times this summer due to tornado warnings, which was a relatively rare occurrence during her childhood in Michigan.
Lizzie then brings in climate scientist Daniel Swain to discuss why these extreme weather events seem to be catching people by surprise. Daniel explains that the science behind weather forecasting is better than ever, but the way the information is communicated to the public, often through oversimplified weather apps, can lead to a disconnect. He highlights the role of organizations like the National Weather Service in providing detailed warnings and predictions.
Daniel also discusses the connection between climate change and the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. While acknowledging the reality of these changes, he emphasizes the importance of adaptation and preparedness in mitigating the consequences of natural hazards. He suggests that even without climate change, improving resilience to extreme weather would be beneficial.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Extreme weather events, such as severe thunderstorms, tornados, and heat waves, are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
- Despite advancements in weather forecasting technology, people often feel surprised by extreme weather events due to oversimplified communication through weather apps and a disconnect between scientific predictions and public perception.
- Organizations like the National Weather Service provide comprehensive and detailed weather forecasts and hazard warnings, but these resources are underutilized by the general public.
- While the reality of climate change and its impact on weather patterns cannot be denied, adaptation and preparedness are crucial in mitigating the consequences of natural hazards.
- Effective communication and dissemination of weather and climate information to the public is essential for improving resilience and preparedness.
- Even without the influence of climate change, improving society's resilience to extreme weather events would be beneficial and a wise investment.
- The disconnect between scientific predictions and public perception of extreme weather events highlights the need for better public understanding and communication of weather and climate science.
- While the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events can feel defeating, maintaining hope and focusing on adaptation strategies can help mitigate the impact of these events.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Honestly, I think there's only been, there was maybe only, I don't know, half a dozen times growing up when we were like, oh, the weather's so bad, we gotta get in the basement.“ by Shayna Roth
- “The latest research is that there's not a turning point or a tipping point or a knee in the curve. It's just going to get hotter and hotter and worse and worse and more and more extreme.“ by Daniel Swain
- “You know, in a place like the US, when it comes to meteorological hazards, we do have this incredible, really honestly, in an international context, essentially unique given its really regionally intensively expansive nature. The national weather service, this branch of NOAA of the federal government embedded for better or for worse, within the Department of commerce.“ by Daniel Swain
- “An extreme weather event does not necessarily a disaster make, especially if we try hard to increase our resilience to these kinds of increasing extremes. And honestly, that would be something we would want to do even absent climate change.“ by Daniel Swain
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Episode Information
What Next | Daily News and Analysis
Slate Podcasts
6/28/24
Saying any one storm or heat wave or weather in general was “caused by climate change” is tricky—summer is, after all, usually pretty hot, and storms happen. But researchers are working on a model that brings “climate change” from abstract into the particular.
Guest: Daniel Swain, climate scientist at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, studying how extreme events are changing on a warming Earth.
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