216: The Endangerment Battle and Why Climate Science Still Matters with Naomi Oreskes

Matt speaks with Harvard historian of science Naomi Oreskes about the long-standing scientific consensus on climate change and the political forces undermining it. Oreskes explains how Congress understood climate risks as early as the 1960s, why the EPA’s endangerment finding remains crucial, and how powerful interests have attacked science as climate change shifted from prediction to observable reality. The conversation highlights threats to academic freedom and the growing political pressure on universities.

Episode Resources

• Naomi Oreskes on Linkedin
• The Big Myth: How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market on Amazon
• Matt Matern on LinkedIn
• A Climate Change on Apple
• A Climate Change on Spotify
• A Climate Change on YouTube

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Guest Bio:

Naomi Oreskes is a world-renowned historian of science, author, and Harvard University professor whose work has shaped global understanding of climate change and climate denial. With groundbreaking research on how scientific consensus forms—and how powerful interests attempt to undermine it—Oreskes has become one of the most influential voices defending science in the public sphere.

She is the author of several acclaimed books, including Merchants of Doubt and The Big Myth, and her writing has appeared in major scientific journals and international publications. Oreskes frequently testifies before lawmakers, contributes to climate policy debates, and speaks worldwide about the urgent need to protect both the planet and the integrity of science itself.