Feb 24, 2020
Dr. Mark Z. Jacobson is an
expert on global climate models and created one of the first.
In this podcast, he describes
Dr. Jacobson is a professor of civil and environmental engineering
at Stanford University. He works on understanding air pollution and
climate change issues and develops large-scale clean, renewable
energy solutions. Currently, he's working on a three-dimensional
atmosphere, biosphere, and ocean computer model. He simulates air
pollution, weather, and climate to enable renewable energy road
maps for states to transfer to 100% renewal energy systems in the
near future.
As a young person, he traveled to LA frequently and experienced physical effects of air pollution, inspiring him towards his present work. He's still working on a model he started in grad school that tracks the "life cycle" of air pollution. In this conversation, he talks about the process of collecting emissions data from a gridded system that integrates anthropogenic emissions. He then adds natural emissions as well and weather predictions.
He tells listeners that
transportations is the biggest pollution emitter and why. He also
explains that this not only causes the greenhouse effect, but also
causes numerous health problems and thousands of deaths. Therefore,
he reminds listeners, eliminating air pollution is a vital health
issue.
Finally, he explains how his global climate models are scaled to
state-wide systems to help governments reduce air pollution and
climate change through suggested technologies.
For more, see his web page at
Stanford. It contains links to his papers as well as a free online
class he offers: https://web.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/
You can find him on twitter as @mzjacobson