**Uncovering Climate Mysteries with Lonnie Thompson**
In this episode, we speak with Lonnie Thompson, a renowned ice core scientist whose work has greatly contributed to understanding past and present climate change.
Thompson has spent decades collecting and analyzing ice cores from around the world, with a particular focus on the Andes of South America and the Himalayas. Through his research, he has discovered evidence of past climate fluctuations, including periods of extreme warmth and cold, that provide insights into the potential impacts of future climate change.
Thompson’s work is not only important for scientific research but also for raising awareness about the urgency of climate action. He has testified before Congress, consulted with policymakers, and given numerous public lectures to educate people about the challenges facing our planet.
In this conversation, Thompson shares his passion for science and exploration, the importance of long-term research, and the need for collaboration to address the complex challenges of climate change.
**Key Takeaways:**
* Ice cores provide valuable insights into past climate conditions and can help us understand future climate change scenarios.
* Long-term research is essential for understanding the complex interactions within the Earth’s climate system.
* Collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and the public is crucial for addressing the challenges of climate change.
**Additional Resources:**
* Lonnie Thompson’s website: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ice-and-climate/staff/lonnie-thompson/
* The Ohio State University Byrd Polar Research Center: https://bprc.osu.edu/
* The National Ice Core Laboratory: https://nicl.usgs.gov/
* The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): https://www.ipcc.ch/
**Transcript:**
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the podcast, Lonnie. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today.
**Lonnie Thompson:** It’s my pleasure to be here.
**Interviewer:** Let’s start with your work on ice cores. What makes ice cores so valuable for studying climate change?
**Lonnie Thompson:** Ice cores are like time capsules. They contain layers of ice that have accumulated over thousands of years, and each layer contains information about the climate conditions at the time it was formed. By studying the ice cores, we can reconstruct past climates and understand how they have changed over time.
**Interviewer:** You’ve collected ice cores from all over the world. What are some of the most interesting things you’ve discovered?
**Lonnie Thompson:** One of the most fascinating things we’ve discovered is that the Earth’s climate has not been stable over time. There have been periods of extreme warmth and cold, and these periods have been driven by a variety of factors, including changes in solar radiation, volcanic eruptions, and changes in the Earth’s orbit.
**Interviewer:** Your work has also shown that the Earth’s climate is currently changing at an unprecedented rate. What do you think are the biggest threats posed by climate change?
**Lonnie Thompson:** Climate change is a major threat to our planet and to our way of life. The most immediate threats include rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and changes in water availability. In the long-term, climate change could lead to the loss of biodiversity, the collapse of ecosystems, and even the extinction of our own species.
**Interviewer:** What can we do to address the challenges of climate change?
**Lonnie Thompson:** We need to take action on climate change now. We need to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases, invest in renewable energy, and adapt to the impacts of climate change that are already happening. We also need to educate ourselves and others about the importance of climate change and the need for action.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Lonnie. Your work is inspiring and it’s helping us to understand the challenges facing our planet.
**Lonnie Thompson:** You’re welcome. I’m just one of many scientists who are working to understand climate change and find solutions to the challenges it poses. We need to all work together to create a sustainable future for our planet..
