Climate Change
Eating Less Red Meat Is Something Individuals Can Do to Help the Climate Crisis
Our climate problem is big, but a person’s diet change can make an impact
Stories by Naomi Oreskes
Diversity
Once Shunned in Antarctica, Female Scientists Are Now Doing Crucial Polar Research
Women are investigating critical climate crisis problems such as the stability of giant ice sheets
Climate Change
Seeking Certainty on Climate Change: How Much Is Enough?
Two physicists object to a Scientific American essay calling for an end to one climate report. A science historian counters that the report has done its job
Climate Change
IPCC, You’ve Made Your Point: Humans Are a Primary Cause of Climate Change
It’s time to redirect your major focus to how we deal with the problem
Policy
Scientists: When Talking to the Public, Please Speak Plainly
Jargon is appropriate when you’re speaking with colleagues, but it’s a turnoff for the rest of us
Policy
The Lab-Leak Theory of COVID’s Origin Is Not Totally Irrational
Unfortunately, its strongest proponent was, which tainted its reception
Policy
Why Bad Science Is Sometimes More Appealing Than Good Science
Researchers cite studies that can’t be replicated weirdly often
Policy
If You Say ‘Science Is Right,’ You’re Wrong
It can’t supply absolute truths about the world, but it brings us steadily closer
Policy
The Reason Some Republicans Mistrust Science: Their Leaders Tell Them To
GOP officials have been denigrating the government, including government scientists, for decades
Climate Change
That ‘Obama Scientist’ Climate Skeptic You’ve Been Hearing About ...
His track record on getting climate science right is extremely poor
Behavior
Making Vaccines Is Straightforward; Getting People to Take Them Isn’t
Our instincts are unreliable about which problems are easy to solve and which are hard
Policy
Scientists Should Admit They Bring Personal Values to Their Work
Value neutrality among researchers is a myth that hurts the public trust of science
Policy
Expert Opinion Can’t Be Trusted if You Consult the Wrong Sort of Expert
The failure of the U.S. to respond appropriately to the pandemic could have been predicted if anyone had bothered to ask social scientists
Behavior
Scientists Need to Be Kinder to One Another
Mutual criticism in research is necessary, but it needn’t be nasty
Space & Physics
Exploring Space Can Unite the U.S.—but Not in the Way You Might Think
Survey show that Americans want NASA to monitor climate change and asteroid threats, not land astronauts on the moon
Policy
To Understand How Science Denial Works, Look to History
The same tactics used to cast doubt on the dangers of smoking and climate change are now being used to downplay COVID
Policy
Scientists Failed to Use Common Sense Early in the Pandemic
The WHO’s initial advice not to wear masks in the fight to contain COVID sowed dangerous confusion
Policy
Racism and Sexism in Science Haven’t Disappeared
Those who argue that the system will magically self-correct are kidding themselves
Computing
Unlimited Information Is Transforming Society
Technology is blurring the lines between consumers and producers, amateurs and professionals, and laypeople and experts. We’re just starting to understand the implications
Policy
The False Logic behind Science Denial
Those who argue that COVID-19 isn’t a real threat are mirroring bogus attacks on global warming and evolution
