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AMSEcast Conversations: Climate Change Science from Eisenhower to Bush

AMSEcast

Release Date: 01/15/2025

General MacArthur’s War Path with Walter Borneman show art General MacArthur’s War Path with Walter Borneman

AMSEcast

Alan talks with historian Walter Borneman about his book MacArthur at War: World War II in the Pacific. They examine General Douglas MacArthur’s early career, his leadership in the Philippines, and his strategic command from Australia. Borneman discusses MacArthur’s evolving coordination with the Navy, his key role in island-hopping operations, and his push to reclaim the Philippines. They also explore MacArthur’s late awareness of the atomic bomb, his post-war leadership as Supreme Commander in Japan, and his legacy as a pioneering military strategist and symbol of American resolve...

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AMSEcast with guest Tom Zoellner show art AMSEcast with guest Tom Zoellner

AMSEcast

Given the centrality of uranium to the story of the Manhattan Project, the creation of Oak Ridge, and the ongoing nuclear renaissance, I thought it would be good to learn more about that element, so I spoke on our podcast, AMSEcast, with Tom Zoellner about his fascinating book, Uranium: War, Energy, and the Rock that Shaped the World. I started by asking why uranium is so unique and so suited to creating the chain reactions that are central to both nuclear energy production and the workings of nuclear weapons.

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Inside the National Air and Space Museum with Margaret Weitekamp show art Inside the National Air and Space Museum with Margaret Weitekamp

AMSEcast

Alan Lowe speaks with Dr. Margaret Weitekamp of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum about its transformation ahead of America’s 250th anniversary. They explore how new exhibits, immersive storytelling, and iconic artifacts like the Wright Flyer, Space Shuttle Discovery, and Neil Armstrong’s spacesuit bring aviation and space history to life. Weitekamp discusses the museum’s role as both a public institution and research center, preserving innovations from early flight to modern space exploration. She also reflects on international collaboration, private sector...

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Inside the Invention Factory with Kathleen Carlucci show art Inside the Invention Factory with Kathleen Carlucci

AMSEcast

Kathleen Carlucci, director of the Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park, joins AMSEcast to discuss Edison’s lasting impact on American innovation. From his early love of telegraphy to his system-wide inventions in sound, light, and film, Edison redefined how ideas were developed and assembled skilled teams in the world’s first “invention factory.” Carlucci highlights his resilience, collaborative spirit, and ability to turn failure into progress. Visitors to the Center can explore original artifacts, interactive exhibits, and hands-on demonstrations that bring Edison’s legacy to life,...

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A Library of Treasures in American History with Josh Levy show art A Library of Treasures in American History with Josh Levy

AMSEcast

Dr. Josh Levy is a historian of science and technology at the Library of Congress. In this episode of AMSEcast, he highlights key figures and artifacts from all across America’s innovation history. From Samuel Morse’s early telegraph designs to George Washington Carver’s advocacy for sustainable farming, Levy reveals stories of invention and resilience. He also discusses aviation pioneer Lt. Thomas Selfridge and Claude Shannon’s groundbreaking work in information theory. Josh and Alan finish with Gladys West, whose geoid calculations became foundational for GPS. Her later recognition...

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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...

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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....

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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...

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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...

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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...

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More Episodes
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