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Jay Gulledge
Dr. Jay Gulledge is the Senior Scientist and Director of the Science and Impacts Program at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. A Certified Senior Ecologist with 20 years experience teaching and conducting research in environmental science, Dr. Gulledge possesses an invaluable combination of scientific expertise, understanding of public policy, and exceptional communication skills. Dr. Gulledge directs the Pew Center’s efforts to assess the latest scholarly information about the science and environmental impacts of climate change. He was integral in the latest update of the Center’s Climate Change 101 series, a primer on understanding and responding to climate change, and he produces numerous fact sheets, figures, and briefs for a non-expert audience. The dedication of Dr. Gulledge to communicating climate change expands beyond his role at the Pew Center. He works closely with national security and military experts to forge common-sense approaches for managing climate change risks. He serves as a non-resident fellow at the Center for a New American Security where he co-authored Lost In Translation, a report about closing the information gap between climate scientists and national security policy makers. Dr. Gulledge also spoke to numerous audiences in 2010, including the CIA, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Council on Foreign Relations, about scientific uncertainty and security risks. Dr. Gulledge collaborates with several scientific organizations to provide opportunities for scientists to communicate with the public and policy makers. He helped organize and participated in climate change briefings for Congress, state legislators, religious groups, city chamber of commerce groups, nonprofit boards, and the general public. Dr. Gulledge tailors his presentations so his messages connect with each group. Dr. Gulledge uses traditional and innovative media to communicate the science and risks of climate change, working with international, national, local, and trade media to express the idea that individuals’ actions today prepare the way for future climate change; and further, that an imperative need exists to act now to manage these risks in the face of uncertainty. By making a clear, cogent, and easy-to-understand case for taking climate change action, he reaches a broad audience – from business leaders to policy makers to educators and families. As a prolific contributor to the Pew Center’s Climate Compass blog, Dr. Gulledge uses extreme weather events as a teaching tool to convey the message that uncertainty should motivate action, not delay it. His blog posts make climate science more accessible to the layperson, and they consistently attract the most readers. His media appearances in the past year include ABC World News, E&ETV, Forbes, and Reuters. He also penned a Washington Post letter to the editor explaining climate science in response to a George Will column. From decision makers to everyday citizens, Dr. Gulledge helps people to better understand that uncertainty is not a reason for inaction; rather it is a reason to act now to avoid risk. This message is especially true in advancing the climate change conversation, and Dr. Gulledge works tirelessly to clearly communicate this topic. Nominated by: Eileen Claussen, President, Pew Center on Global Climate Change |
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