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AMSEcast Conversations: Climate Change Science from Eisenhower to Bush

AMSEcast

Release Date: 01/15/2025

Sailing the High Seas of History with Peter Armstrong show art Sailing the High Seas of History with Peter Armstrong

AMSEcast

Alan is joined by Peter Armstrong, president of Mystic Seaport Museum, to continue our celebration of 250 years of American innovation. Peter reflects on his 25 years in museum leadership and shares insights into Mystic’s long shipbuilding history. The museum, the largest maritime museum in the U.S., features historic vessels like the Charles W. Morgan, clipper ships, and a converted diesel-electric steamboat. From Fresnel lenses to nuclear submarines, Peter highlights how the museum preserves maritime heritage while embracing modern innovation.     Guest Bio Peter Armstrong has...

info_outline The Legacy of George Washington Carver with Curtis Gregory show art The Legacy of George Washington Carver with Curtis Gregory

AMSEcast

AMSEcast continues celebrating 250 years of American innovation with Curtis Gregory. A park ranger at the George Washington Carver National Monument, Curtis sits down with Alan to share Carver’s inspiring journey from enslavement to becoming a pioneering scientist and educator who transformed Southern agriculture. Known for promoting peanuts and sweet potatoes as sustainable crops, Carver created hundreds of uses for them! Beyond his lab, he educated rural farmers through lectures, pamphlets, and the innovative Jesup Wagon. His legacy endures in food security and agricultural education....

info_outline Engineering a Nation with Guru Madhavan show art Engineering a Nation with Guru Madhavan

AMSEcast

Alan speaks with Dr. Guru Madhavan at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, as we continue our series marking 250 years of American innovation. Guru, a leader at the National Academy of Engineering, explores the Academy’s Civil War origins, its lasting role in advising the U.S. government, and its influence on everything from compass design to pandemic response. He discusses how innovation must balance bold ideas with long-term systems like sanitation and maintenance. Calling for a “deep time” perspective, Guru urges us to value resilience, inclusivity, and the often-unseen...

info_outline The History of Spies with Andrew Hammond show art The History of Spies with Andrew Hammond

AMSEcast

AMSEcast celebrates 250 years of American innovation with Dr. Andrew Hammond, historian and curator at the International Spy Museum. Hammond explores the evolution of intelligence and espionage, from trial-and-error codebreaking by pioneers like the Friedmans to today’s cutting-edge technology. He highlights cryptographic breakthroughs, spy tools, and covert communication methods like one-time pads and suitcase radios. The conversation traces the U.S.’s rise as a global intelligence leader, fueled by Cold War innovation and British collaboration. Stories like the CIA’s Glomar Explorer...

info_outline Inside the U.S. Mint with Don Bennett show art Inside the U.S. Mint with Don Bennett

AMSEcast

We continue to celebrate 250 years of American innovation with Don Bennett, Deputy Associate Director of the U.S. Mint’s Manufacturing Directorate. He joins Alan on this episode of AMSEcast to talk about the Mint’s history, operations, and cutting-edge advancements. With facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, West Point, and San Francisco, the Mint produces coins using robotics, high-speed presses, and laser die processing. Don discusses the importance of physical currency, the American Innovation Dollar Coin Program, and upcoming designs for the nation’s 250th anniversary. This episode is...

info_outline The Presidents and Science show art The Presidents and Science

AMSEcast

What you didn't know about the Presidents and the scientific process is on exhibit at AMSE.

info_outline AMSE Science Report with Mark Miodownik show art AMSE Science Report with Mark Miodownik

AMSEcast

Welcome to the AMSE Science Report. Today we speak with Mark Miodownik about his terrific book, It’s a Gas: The Magnificent and Elusive Elements that Expand Our World. A fascinating conversation began by asking a very basic question – what is a gas?

info_outline Marie Curie’s Legacy with Dava Sobel show art Marie Curie’s Legacy with Dava Sobel

AMSEcast

Award-winning science writer Dava Sobel returns to AMSEcast to discuss her latest book, The Elements of Marie Curie. She and host Alan explore Curie’s groundbreaking research, her struggles against societal barriers, and her enduring impact on science and women in STEM. From her discovery of polonium and radium to mentoring future pioneers like Ellen Gleditsch and Marguerite Perey, Curie’s legacy shaped cancer treatment and scientific research. Sobel also highlights Curie’s daughter, Irène Joliot-Curie, and her Nobel-winning work on artificial radioisotopes. Tune in for a fascinating...

info_outline Innovation & Policy with Sudip Parikh show art Innovation & Policy with Sudip Parikh

AMSEcast

With support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, AMSEcast is celebrating 250 years of American innovation with expert interviews. CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher of Science, Dr. Sudip Parikh joins Alan on this episode to explore the forces shaping scientific progress. He highlights interdisciplinary collaboration, the impact of immigration on innovation, and the need for clear communication in securing research funding. Dr. Parikh also discusses the evolution of U.S. science policy, the role of private investment, and the...

info_outline Taking Risks and Innovating Along the Way with Al Romig show art Taking Risks and Innovating Along the Way with Al Romig

AMSEcast

Executive Officer of the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Al Romig joins this special edition of AMSEcast, recorded at the National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington. Dr. Romig has led a distinguished career including leadership roles at Sandia National Lab, Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, and now as Executive Officer of the National Academy of Engineering. He and Alan discuss key innovations from national laboratories and the Skunk Works. He also discusses the importance of risk-taking to foster innovation and why he’s skeptical about the future of American innovation. It’s...

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Alan Lowe, Executive Director of the American Museum of Science and Energy, launches AMSEcast Conversations with a compelling discussion on Jay Hakes’ book, The Presidents and the Planet: Climate Change Science from Eisenhower to Bush. The panel, featuring Hakes alongside energy experts David McCollum and Charles Sims, traces the origins of modern climate science to the 1950s work of Roger Revelle and Dave Keeling. The panel explores the evolution of climate science, the challenges of political resistance, and the growing urgency of action in the face of today’s visible climate impacts. Their discussion emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and persistence in addressing global climate challenges.
 
 
Guest Bio
Jay Hakes is an accomplished author and energy policy expert whose latest book, The Presidents and the Planet: Climate Change Science from Eisenhower to Bush, explores the intersection of science and leadership. Previously, Jay authored Energy Crises: Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Hard Choices in the 1970s. He served for 13 years as Director of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta and was Administrator of the Energy Information Administration during the Clinton administration. Jay also worked under President Obama as Director of Research and Policy for the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Commission, bringing deep expertise to critical energy challenges.
David McCollum is a leading expert in energy and environmental policy, serving as part of the distinguished R&D staff in the Mobility and Energy Transitions Analysis Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). He also holds a joint faculty appointment at the University of Tennessee’s Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs in Knoxville. David’s work focuses on the critical intersections of energy systems, transportation, and sustainability, bringing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to a low-carbon future. His expertise bridges research and policy, making him a key voice in addressing global energy and climate issues.
Charles Sims is an expert in energy and environmental policy, currently serving as the director of the Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy at the University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville. He holds the TVA Distinguished Professorship of Energy and Environmental Policy at UT's Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs and is also an associate professor in the Department of Economics. Charles' work focuses on the economic and policy implications of energy systems and environmental challenges, offering valuable insights into the complex relationship between energy, transportation, and sustainable development.
 
 
Show Highlights
  • (2:49) When scientists realized that climate was changing and human activities were the major cause
  • (4:35) The Keeling Curve
  • (7:18) Why the public’s perception of climate change has shifted over the years
  • (17:14) Eisenhower’s introduction to climate change and its impact on Atoms for Peace
  • (20:49) JFK’s awareness of the climate change issue
  • (26:38) How climate change factored into decisions made during LBJ’s Great Society
  • (31:20) President Nixon and climate change
  • (38:23) The failed marriage between climate science and nuclear power
  • (41:36) Facing climate change on an international scale
  • (48:42) How to test sources on climate change and the importance of good communication
  • (54:16) Are there any positive outlooks on climate change at this point in time?
 
 
Links Referenced