When your mother is a climate scientist, her advice might be worth extra attention. Science Moms, a nonprofit group of scientists who are also mothers, aims to engage other moms in conversations about climate change. By making climate change a regular discussion topic, they hope to inspire action and awareness.
Sierra Petersen, an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences, is a member of Science Moms. She studies historical climate patterns to understand past climate conditions, contributing her expertise to the group’s mission.
What is Science Moms, and what is its goal?
Science Moms is dedicated to climate change advocacy, targeting mothers who might influence their communities. This nonprofit consists of climate scientist moms who communicate the significance of climate issues to other mothers, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to protect future generations.
The initiative focuses on children’s futures, pondering the world they will inhabit as they grow. It encourages prioritizing climate change in decision-making by fostering widespread dialogue about its importance.
Can you talk a little bit about your research and how it informs your work with Science Moms?
Petersen’s research in paleoclimate involves studying ancient climate conditions through fossil seashells. She focuses on periods like the Cretaceous thermal maximum, when Earth was significantly warmer. Her findings reveal that ocean temperatures in regions like Wyoming were once as high as today’s waters around Bali.
Understanding these historical climates aids in predicting future changes, offering insights into how different climate components interact. Learning from Earth’s past climates helps project future scenarios and prepare for potential shifts.
How does outreach through Science Moms work?
Science Moms builds local trust by collaborating with media outlets. Petersen serves as a community expert during climate-related events, explaining how such occurrences connect to climate change. The organization’s outreach emphasizes relatable, nonpolitical messages.
Petersen positions herself as a local expert and fellow parent, sharing scientific knowledge from both professional and personal perspectives. This approach helps demystify climate science and aligns it with family values.
What’s the most effective way to talk about climate change?
Petersen suggests highlighting multiple benefits of climate-friendly actions. For instance, switching from gas-powered to electric leaf blowers reduces noise and odor, improving quality of life regardless of climate concerns. Electric vehicles and school buses similarly offer dual benefits, such as cleaner air for children.
Focusing on these added advantages encourages broader acceptance of changes without requiring political shifts. It’s the practicality and immediate benefits that often drive people to embrace sustainable choices.
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