5/30/23

Dr. Jane Baldwin

Jane Baldwin is an assistant professor in the Earth System Science Department, specializing in atmospheric science and climate modeling. She shares her personal STEM journey, explaining that her interest in environmental issues was shaped by her experience working at a wildlife rehabilitation center and her mother's influence. Currently, her research focuses on two main areas. The first area aims to understand the functioning of the climate system, particularly the role of mountains in shaping rainfall patterns across the Earth. Her approach involves running numerical climate model experiments to explore the effects of altering geographical features. The second area of her research focuses on how extreme events, such as tropical cyclones and heatwaves, will change in the future due to climate change and their potential impacts. She collaborates with economists and public health researchers to translate her findings into estimates of the physical risks and their consequences. Jane emphasizes the importance of understanding uncertainty in climate science. She explains that scientists are aware of the sources of uncertainty in climate change projections, including limited scientific understanding of the climate system, uncertainties in carbon emissions trajectories, and internal variability of the climate system. She emphasizes that uncertainty does not imply a lack of knowledge but rather highlights the probabilistic nature of the climate system. Jane believes it is crucial to educate younger generations about the concept of probability and its implications for climate change. Regarding education's role in climate action, Jane suggests two aspects. First, education should focus on providing students with a confident understanding of climate change, its causes, and expected impacts. This will help move beyond outdated debates about belief in climate change and shift towards discussions on how to address the issue. Second, educating students about uncertainty and fluency in climate science can empower them to make informed decisions as citizens, including voting for candidates who prioritize climate change mitigation and supporting policies like carbon taxes and renewable energy subsidies. Overall, Jane Baldwin's responses highlight her passion for understanding the climate system, exploring the impacts of climate change, and bridging the gap between scientific research and its translation into meaningful policy decisions and societal actions.

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Dr. Michael J Prather