Susan Hassol has done more than anyone not just to communicate climate science effectively, but to help others do the same. Her work to advance public understanding of climate science and mentor members of our community to be more effective communicators embodies everything the Ambassador Award is designed to honor. Susan is not a scientist by training, and that’s actually her greatest strength in the communication arena. It allows her to better see and hear how members of the lay public interpret what scientists say, yielding insights that she is able to share with scientists to help them communicate better to general audiences. Susan serves the scientific community through her writing, speaking, advising and training. She participates in a staggering number of conferences, committees, advisory boards and trainings focused on climate change communication and outreach. She advises the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and World Meteorological Organization. She was the lead writer on three U.S. National Climate Assessments (2000, 2009 and 2014). She authored “Impacts of a Warming Arctic,” the synthesis report of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment in 2004, and wrote the climate documentary Too Hot Not to Handle for HBO in 2006. She also provides one-on-one assistance to scientists for special communication opportunities such as congressional testimony and high-profile media appearances. Susan excels at the art of translating technical and difficult scientific concepts into language accessible to policymakers, the media and the broader public. She is well known for her efforts to educate scientists on how to be more effective communicators. For example, she is famous for identifying words scientists use that mean entirely different things to the public (e.g., “aerosol” means spray can, “positive feedback” is good, “error” is a mistake, “bias” means political motive, etc.). In 2008, Susan published an article in Eos titled “Improving How Scientists Communicate About Climate Change,” and in 2011 she coauthored an influential article in Physics Today on this topic. In these articles, she presented key climate science communication concepts, pioneered numerous helpful metaphors and provided an invaluable table of problematic terms and better alternatives. In addition to her publications and talks, Susan has led many dozens of trainings for scientists at universities, NASA and NOAA labs and other venues to help scientists become more effective communicators. At this critical juncture in the societal discourse over climate change, we should be thankful for the ambassador we climate scientists have in Susan Hassol. 

— Michael E. Mann Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pennsylvania

Response

It has been my great honor to work with and support the community of climate scientists in communicating what we know about climate change, why it matters and what we can do about it for more than three decades. It is the honor of a lifetime to receive the Ambassador Award for these efforts.

I am deeply grateful to Michael Mann, whose work in both the science and communication of climate change is nothing short of heroic, for nominating me and to Jerry Melillo, Ben Santer and Bob Corell for their tremendous support, not only of my nomination but of my entire career. They are among the greatest scientific leaders I have had the pleasure of working closely with these past decades.

It is often said that with great knowledge comes great responsibility. This rings especially true in the realm of climate science. Climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity. Climate scientists thus bear a special responsibility to help society understand our reality and grasp the urgency of action. The Department of Homeland Security implores us, “If you see something, say something.” It’s scientists’ duty to talk about what you see, not only engaging in and promoting societally relevant research, but effectively communicating it.

I am a strong proponent of the view that science is not finished until it is communicated. As our colleague the late Sherwood Roland said, “What’s the use of having developed a science well enough to make predictions if, in the end, all we’re willing to do is stand around and wait for them to come true?”

It has thus been my mission to help scientists meet the challenge of communicating broadly, in public talks, media interviews, testimony to political and legal bodies and even personal conversations. I have witnessed a welcome shift as a younger, more diverse generation of scientists has enthusiastically embraced the importance of communication. I am deeply gratified to have helped so many scientists become more effective communicators and participate more fruitfully in climate conversations at all levels.

While I’m more comfortable in role of the voice coach, I am also pleased to have found my own voice in communicating about the climate crisis. I am fully embracing what it means to be an ambassador for the science. I am deeply grateful to all of you for your support and for honoring me with the 2021 Ambassador Award.

— Susan Joy Hassol,, Climate Communication, Asheville, NC