The Wild, Wild West of Climate Modeling…Just Got Wilder

In episode 227 of America Adapts, we are re-releasing one of the more popular episodes of the podcast — my interview with Madison Condon, a law professor at Boston University. In our original conversation, we explored the critical role climate modeling plays in climate adaptation, including: what climate models can — and can’t — do; the concept of the “climate industrial complex”; legal liability for inaccurate climate projections and the role of climate analytics firms like First Street Foundation.  When this episode first aired, there was still a general assumption that the federal government would continue to support the vast public infrastructure behind climate data and modeling. That assumption no longer holds. Federal agencies are now actively dismantling the systems that deliver open, accessible climate data — a dangerous retreat from a public good relied on by scientists, communities, and the private sector alike.

Following the original interview, we’ve added a brand-new interview with Madison to reflect on what’s changed, what we’re at risk of losing with the federal pullback, and why this shift toward privatized climate data should concern all of us. If you’ve already heard the original episode and want to jump straight to the new conversation, it begins around the 58 minute mark.

Topics covered in original interview:

• The Federal Reserve “is a climate laggard.”
• What are climate models and what can and can’t they do?
• What is the “climate industrial complex”?
• How right, is “right” enough when it comes to climate models?
• Could climate analytic/modeling companies be held liable for bad projections?
• The role of climate analytic groups like First Street Foundation.
• Do we need a “National Climate Service” to provide basic climate data?