Press Release

James Hansen Selected as EarthSky Scientist Communicator of the Year

By SpaceRef Editor
December 30, 2008
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EarthSky – a clear voice for science heard around the world – and more than 600 scientists today announced James Hansen’s selection as the EarthSky Scientist Communicator of the Year.

Dr. Hansen, a physicist, now heads the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York City. He is an outspoken authority on climate change. Hansen was elected as EarthSky Scientist Communicator of the Year after EarthSky asked its 600+ Global Science Advisors to nominate and vote on which scientists had best communicated with the public about vital science issues or concepts during 2008. Dr. Hansen’s name rose to the top from a wide field of prestigious figures in science.

“Jim Hansen was the first leading scientist to explain global warming to the U.S. Congress and the American people,” said Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. “His warnings proved to be accurate and prescient. When he came under political attack, he bravely and successfully defended his freedom to speak out. His fortitude has made him not only a great scientist, but a great scientist-statesman, one who plays a unique role in helping all of us understand the dire risks of man-made climate change and how to address them.”

EarthSky is featuring Dr. Hansen in an 8-minute EarthSky Clear Voices for Science podcast, speaking on the role of science in the coming century. Listen to the podcast: http://www.earthsky.org/james-hansen .

EarthSky – producer of the internationally syndicated Earth & Sky science podcast series – serves as a platform for scientists to speak on important issues facing the 21st century. Through its global broadcast network and online outlets, EarthSky creates 14 million media impressions for science and scientists every day. In other words, people hear, watch or read the words of scientists – via EarthSky – that often every day.

The EarthSky promise: “To bring the ideas, strategies and research results of scientists to people around the world, with the goal of illuminating pathways to a sustainable future.”

SpaceRef staff editor.