John Nielsen-Gammon

Location of Interview
Collection Name

The Gulf Podcast and Oral History Project

Description

The Gulf is an oral history project and podcast that shares stories about people and nature on the Texas Gulf Coast. For more information, visit the The Gulf's homepage.

Interviewer
Date of Interview
02-11-2022
Transcribers

Kenya Zarate and Alyssa Lucas

Principal Investigator
Audio
Biographical Sketch

Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon is a renowned climatologist who has dedicated his career to the study of weather and climate, particularly in relation to Texas. Born and raised in Northern California, he developed an interest in weather at a young age, conducting his own weather observations and experiments from the age of ten or eleven. He pursued his passion for weather and climate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he studied for ten years before completing a postdoc in Albany, New York. In 1991, he joined Texas A&M University, where he specialized in weather and weather forecasting. In 2000, Dr. Nielsen-Gammon was appointed the Texas State Climatologist, a role that has seen him focus more on climate-related issues. He enjoys working with numbers and statistics, understanding different perspectives on climate issues, and contributing to society through his research. Throughout his career, Dr. Nielsen-Gammon has been involved in several memorable events, including storm chases and observing the dramatic changes brought about by strong cold fronts. He also plays a crucial role in communicating climate information to the public, providing unbiased, nonpartisan information about climate.

Scope and Content Note
This interview covers Dr. Nielsen-Gammon's life and work, focusing on his experiences with Texas weather and climate, and his insights on Texas water issues and freshwater inflow. The interview begins with Dr. Nielsen-Gammon's early life and background, including his childhood interest in weather and his academic journey. He discusses his career progression, from his studies at MIT to his current role as the Texas State Climatologist. Dr. Nielsen-Gammon also shares his favorite aspects of being a climatologist, his memorable experiences, and his approach to communicating climate information to the public. He emphasizes his commitment to providing unbiased, nonpartisan information about climate. The interview concludes with Dr. Nielsen-Gammon's reflection on his most memorable coastal location, Indianola, Texas, a port that was wiped out by hurricanes in the nineteenth century. This interview provides valuable insights into the life and work of a prominent climatologist, as well as his perspectives on weather, climate, and the impact of human activities on the environment. It also provides a detailed account of Dr. Nielsen-Gammon's work on air pollution events in Texas cities, particularly Houston, and his research on the unique weather patterns that contribute to pollution buildup in these areas.  He discusses climate modeling and explains the challenges and complexities involved in simulating the climate system. He discusses the role of scenarios in climate modeling, and how these scenarios help in understanding the potential future emission rates of greenhouse gases and the possible impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the collection provides insights into Dr. Nielsen-Gammon's work on freshwater inflow, a topic that is touched upon but not fully explored in the interview. Overall, this collection offers a comprehensive view of Dr. Nielsen-Gammon's career and contributions to climatology, as well as his perspectives on key climate and environmental issues. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers, students, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of weather, climate, and the environment.


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The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.

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