Making Climate Science Matter
Maiya May is a science communicator, storyteller and host focused on climate science, extreme weather and humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
She hosts Weathered, a PBS digital series exploring climate change and natural disasters through a research-driven, human-centered lens, advancing environmental literacy and public understanding.
Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is an internationally recognized expert in weather, climate, and atmospheric sciences. He is an Associate Dean at the University of Georgia, Director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program and a former NASA-GSFC Research Meteorologist. A Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, Dr. Shepherd has received numerous honors, including the 2023 Environmental Law Institute Award and election to the National Academy of Sciences. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers and serves on several prestigious advisory boards.
Bruce Hungate is a Regents’ professor at Northern Arizona University and Director of the Center for Ecosystem Science and Society.
He is renowned for his research on interactions among soil microbes, carbon cycles and global change. With a passion for sustainability, Hungate’s work reveals how ecosystems respond to climate change, informing stewardship of our planet and bridging science and policy.
Jenni Brandon holds a PhD in Biological Oceanography from Scripps Institution and is a leading expert in marine microplastics. She pioneered methods to track their distribution and history including the first temporal sediment record.
A dedicated science communicator she has delivered hundreds of talks and trained students to translate complex research for diverse audiences.
This panel explored the current state of climate science, emerging solutions and the urgent need to improve how climate issues are communicated. Participants acknowledged that climate impacts are accelerating faster than many scientists anticipated, with increasing concern about compound disasters, sea level rise and extreme weather events. At the same time, the discussion emphasized that climate action should not be defined by fear or inevitability.
Rather than focusing solely on risks, the conversation highlighted practical solutions ranging from soil carbon management and microbial science to clean energy innovation and local climate initiatives. Participants repeatedly stressed that climate progress will come through collaboration rather than singular breakthroughs.
A major theme throughout the discussion was the importance of storytelling. Participants argued that climate communication is most effective when it connects to people’s everyday experiences, economic realities and local concerns. The panel advocated for moving beyond abstract climate messaging and instead focusing on solutions, shared values and community-driven action.
Climate Change Is No Longer a Future Threat but a Present Reality
Participants emphasized that climate change is no longer a distant projection but an observable reality affecting communities today. Discussion centered on evidence that warming may be occurring faster than expected and that impacts such as extreme heat, sea level rise and severe weather are already being experienced.
The panel noted that climate science has evolved from asking whether climate change exists to understanding how it is influencing current events. The emphasis was on recognizing that communities are already living with climate consequences and that adaptation and resilience planning must occur alongside emissions reductions.
One of the most significant insights was the growing threat of cascading and compound disasters. Participants explained that modern climate events cannot be viewed as isolated incidents. Hurricanes, droughts, heat waves and floods increasingly trigger secondary impacts such as power outages, water shortages, public health risks and economic disruption. The challenge is not simply surviving an individual event but managing interconnected consequences that unfold across time and geography. This insight highlighted the need for proactive planning rather than reactive disaster response.
Climate Solutions Will Come from Networks and Communities Rather Than Single Breakthroughs
A recurring theme was the rejection of the “silver bullet” mindset. Participants repeatedly argued that climate solutions are more likely to emerge from interconnected systems and collaborative efforts than from a single transformative technology. This perspective was illustrated through microbial ecosystems, soil carbon research and broader societal responses. The discussion suggested that effective climate action mirrors natural systems, where diverse communities work together to create resilience and long-term stability.
Despite acknowledging serious challenges, participants consistently returned to a mindset of radical optimism. This was not presented as denial of climate risks but as a practical framework for maintaining momentum during periods of political uncertainty and funding instability. Researchers described adapting priorities, seeking alternative funding sources and continuing their work despite obstacles. The common view was that climate progress requires persistence and long-term thinking rather than retreating during difficult periods.
Participants described a shift away from reliance on national-level support toward state, regional and local initiatives. Examples included regional climate projects, foundation-supported programs and state-level partnerships. The discussion suggested that local ecosystems of universities, businesses, nonprofits and governments are becoming increasingly important drivers of climate innovation. This localized approach was portrayed not as a temporary response but as an emerging model for sustained climate action.
Climate Communication Must Shift from Doom to Opportunity
Perhaps the strongest shared insight was that climate communication often focuses too heavily on catastrophe. Participants argued that repeatedly associating climate change with destruction can create hopelessness and disengagement. Instead, communicators should emphasize innovation, economic opportunities, health benefits and technological progress. Examples included renewable energy, cleaner air, resource recovery and emerging industries. The panel suggested that people are more likely to engage when they see climate action as an opportunity to improve lives rather than simply avoid disaster.
Participants strongly agreed that successful communication requires meeting people where they are. Rather than leading with scientific terminology, communicators should connect climate impacts to issues that individuals already care about, such as farming, food prices, insurance costs, health concerns or local environmental changes. This approach allows conversations to be grounded in lived experience and creates opportunities for trust and understanding. The panel emphasized listening first and building from common ground.
The Southeast Provides Powerful Climate Stories That Resonate Locally
The discussion highlighted numerous examples unique to the region, including hurricanes moving farther inland, agricultural losses, pollen seasons, insurance challenges and heat impacts. Participants stressed that these local experiences are often more persuasive than distant or abstract climate examples. By connecting climate science to familiar regional realities, communicators can make the issue more tangible and personally relevant.
The panel ultimately presented a balanced message of urgency and possibility. While participants acknowledged accelerating climate risks and growing societal challenges, they consistently emphasized innovation, collaboration and community-driven solutions. The discussion suggested that the future of climate action depends not only on scientific advances but also on the ability to communicate those advances in ways that inspire action, connect with local values and foster optimism about what can still be achieved.
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