News Highlights from State of the Planet
October Research Roundup: Select Papers
In this month’s research roundup, we explore how delayed climate action could trigger abrupt changes in the Arctic; what ancient ocean sediments reveal about carbon storage during the last ice age; how fiber-optic cables are improving earthquake monitoring at geothermal sites; and a new timeline of Earth’s magnetic reversals.
Asia’s Glaciers Have Become a Diplomatic Talking Point
As glaciers continue to shrink, important questions around glacier diplomacy and water supply played out among Central Asian nations during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Kyrgyzstan.
How Rollie Williams Turned Climate Science Into Comedy
Williams has channeled his experience as a comedian and his M.A. in Climate and Society to create “Climate Town,” a popular YouTube series and media company that uses meticulously researched satire to explain climate and energy issues.
In the Media
What Happens when Microplastics Meet Water? Scientists Uncovered a Potential Source of Cell-Damaging Molecules
‘Setting the Planet on Fire’: Richest 0.1% Emit More Carbon than Poorest 3.5 Billion, Oxfam Says
Humans Accidentally Canceled the Next Ice Age — But It’s No Reason to Celebrate, Scientists Say
The Virsa Foundation Brings Project Reset. To Columbia Climate School With Third Degree Burnout Screening
U.S. Classes Helium as a Critical Material for Semiconductors — After Iran War Makes It Hard to Source From Qatar
Two Thousand Years Ago, a New Ice Age Began—But Human-Caused Climate Change Recently Reversed It, According to New Research
US Designates Helium as a Critical Material, Citing Its Importance for Semiconductors
For the Media
Media Contact
Press Resources
Guides and information to help the media connect with our scientists and experts.
Press Releases
Top stories from State of the Planet.
October Research Roundup: Select Papers
In this month’s research roundup, we explore how delayed climate action could trigger abrupt changes in the Arctic; what ancient ocean sediments reveal about carbon storage during the last ice age; how fiber-optic cables are improving earthquake monitoring at geothermal sites; and a new timeline of Earth’s magnetic reversals.
How a Massive Ancient Ice Shelf Stabilized Glaciers—and What It Means for Antarctica
New research could lead to more accurate predictions about how quickly Antarctic glaciers might retreat and raise sea levels.
Climate Change Stopped the Next Ice Age
New research shows that 2,000 years ago, remnants of an Arctic ice sheet began growing again, marking the start of a new glacial period—what we commonly call an ice age. But by the 1960s, global warming had raised summer temperatures enough to reverse that growth.
Communicating Science
There are many resources to help scientists and scholars better connect with the press, public, policymakers, and each other. Here are some handy links, including handbooks, toolkits, insights on the relationships between science and the media, and fellowships for scientists who want to hone their communication skills.
More Resources
Guides & Toolkits
- SciComm Toolkits, American Geophysical Union
- A Scientist’s Guide to Working with the Media, American Geophysical Union
- Communication Toolkit, American Association for Advancement of Science
- Social Media Workshop for Scientists: Extending Your Digital Footprint with Sree Sreenivasan, Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science (Slides)
- A Research Communications Toolbox, Boise State University
- Op-ed Writing: Tips and Tricks, The OpEd Project
- Science Editing Handbook, Knight Science Journalism Fellowship at MIT
- Media Training A to Z, TJ Walker
Videos
- Scientists Ordering Breakfast, NPR
- Life After Death by Powerpoint, Don McMillan
- Undergrads Unwittingly Subjected to World’s Worst Research Talk, NanoNerds
- Randy Olson, TEDMED Storytelling
- Gavin Schmidt: The Emergent Patterns of Climate Change, TED
Books
- A Scientist's Guide to Talking with the Media, Union of Concerned Scientists
- If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?, Alan Alda
- Don't Be Such a Scientist, Randy Olson
- Am I Making Myself Clear?: A Scientist's Guide to Talking to the Public, Cornelia Dean
- Explaining Research: How to Reach Key Audiences to Advance Your Work, Dennis Meredith
Articles
- Inside EurekAlert, the News Hub That Shapes the Science You Read, Wired
- Attention, All Scientists: Do Improv, With Alan Alda’s Help, New York Times
- Science Communication Requires Time, Trust, and Twitter, Science
- The Science and Art of Science Writing, New York Times
- Stop Complaining about Your PR Firm. Here’s How the Media Works
- Public Science 2.0—Back to the Future, Science
- Capably Communicating Science, Science
- Outreach: Field Hospitality, Nature
- Why Scientists and Journalists Don't Always Play Well Together, Forbes
- This Is a News Website Article About a Scientific Paper, The Guardian
- Climate Experts Tussle Over Details. Public Gets Whiplash, The New York Times
Fellowships
- Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows Program, American Geophysical Union
- AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship, American Association for Advancement of Science
- Energy Journalism Fellows, Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University