When Politics Turns on Science Globally

When Politics Turns on Science Globally

From Meteorology Matters by Rob Jones

May 15, 2026 · 45 min · Season 3 · Episode 16

About this episode

This episode explores the growing global conflict between science and political power, highlighting the challenges faced by weather scientists worldwide.

Weather scientists are increasingly being ignored, censored, arrested, or pushed aside by political movements around the world. From NOAA staffing cuts in the United States to jailed earthquake scientists in Italy and arrested climate activists in Europe, this episode explores the growing global conflict between science and political power. Meteorology Matters examines how attacks on scientific institutions can weaken disaster preparedness, public safety, weather policy, and public trust and why this pattern is no longer isolated to one country or one political system.

People in this episode

Host: Rob Jones

Topics covered

  • politics and science
  • global conflict
  • disaster preparedness
  • public safety
  • weather policy
  • public trust

Keywords

  • weather scientists
  • political movements
  • NOAA staffing cuts
  • earthquake scientists
  • climate activists
  • scientific institutions
  • disaster preparedness
  • public safety

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NOAA

Places: United States, Italy, Europe

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