Your Brain On Climate Forecasting the Weather, with Helen Roberts
Predicting the weather is really hard, not least because of all those butterflies in the Amazon flapping their wings about. So an even-vaguely-right forecast is a scientific marvel and a masterclass in risk communication. And how people do and don't take it in is a similarly fascinating dive into human brains and how they deal (or don't) with uncertainty.
But these days you can't talk about our changing weather without talking about our changing climate - even if (too) many people still don't see the link. And what happens when innocent weather forecasters wade by mistake into the culture war?
In this episode of Your Brain on Climate, I'm joined by the brilliant socio-meteorologist (it's a thing), Helen Roberts, from the UK Met Office - the Weather People. Helen explains all about how the modern miracle of meteorology is done - and everything she's learned about how to bring climate reality into the weather forecast, even if some don't want to hear it.
Let me know your thoughts on the show - hello@yourbrainonclimate.com.
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Owl noises = references:
- 17:35: Lewis Fry Richardson, the 'father of weather forecaster'.
- 20:41: that video of the wandering dog explaining climate vs weather.
- 36:06: Helen thought it was 65% of people see the link between weather and climate - the link I found said 76%. Right ballpark.
- 41:13: Availability Bias: I'm sure we've talked about it before but I don't (ha ha) have to hand. So here's Decision Lab on it.
- 43.18: Climate Outreach's Climate Visuals resource.
- 45.08: I'm talking about my episode all about heat and violence - one of my faves.
The show is hosted and produced by me, Dave Powell. You can follow the show on instagram @yourbrainonclimate, and I occasionally put up a Substack.
YBOC theme music and iterations thereof, by me. Show logo by Arthur Stovell at https://mondial-studio.com/.