Transmissions

Simulating a Climate-Changed Earth Atop the Seinfeld Diner (1x7)

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NASA’s top climate scientists study some of the world’s most advanced computer models in the same building that Jerry Seinfeld once ordered cereal for lunch. The Goddard Institute for Space Studies is perhaps the nation’s premier climatology hub, and it’s where director Gavin Schmidt attempts to predict what, exactly, will happen as humanity loads the earth with planet­ scorching greenhouse gases. In this Transmissions short, we’ll sit down with Schmidt, who has been director since 2013, when he took over for the grandfather of climate science James Hansen, to discuss what makes a good model—how they work, how accurate they are, and what kind of technology goes into making them what they are. Also: Do they say we’re doomed?