Climate Matters: Bridging Science to Storytelling
Bernadette Woods Placky
Vice President for Engagement and Chief Meteorologist, Climate Central
Fellow, AMS and Penn State Earth and Mineral Science
Monday October 6, 2025, 2 PM ET
Abstract:
Research shows that while more than 70% of Americans understand that the climate is changing, they have questions about what that means for the people, places, and things they love–and what they can do about it. At the same time, only 36% talk about it, even occasionally. Communication is a climate solution. This talk will share examples from the Climate Matters program—spanning meteorologists, journalists, and digital creators—along with best practices and practical resources to help scientists connect science to storytelling and foster more effective climate conversations.
Biosketch:
Bernadette Woods Placky is Climate Central’s VP for Engagement, Chief Meteorologist, and directs the Climate Matters program where she helps the public understand the importance of climate change science, impacts, and solutions. In her role, she develops partnerships with media organizations, non-profits, and academic institutions; leads a team that creates weekly, local data and other reporting resources for a large and growing network of media professionals; and serves as an expert on the links between climate change and weather.
Bernadette previously worked for more than a decade as a TV meteorologist, where she won an Emmy for Best Weathercaster. Other awards include being named an American Meteorological Society (AMS) fellow and Penn State Earth and Mineral Science fellow.
She’s been elected to the AMS Council, National Academy Board of Atmospheric Science and Climate, chairs the Penn State Meteorology and Atmospheric Science advisory committee, is on The Weather Channel’s Pattrn Board, and is a science advisor for C-Change Conversations. She also serves on the Princeton Wrestling Club Board. Bernadette previously served on the Penn State GEMS and Watershed Institution Boards.
Bernadette graduated from Penn State University with a BS in Meteorology and a minor in French.
Webinar:
Event site: https://go.umd.edu/placky
Zoom Webinar: https://go.umd.edu/essicseminarwebinars
Zoom Meeting ID: 918 7733 3086
Zoom password: essic
US Toll: +13017158592
Global call-in numbers: https://umd.zoom.us/u/aMElEpvNu
For IT assistance:
Cazzy Medley: cazzy@umd.edu
Resources:
Seminar schedule & archive: https://go.umd.edu/essicseminar
Seminar Google calendar: https://go.umd.edu/essicseminarcalendar
Seminar recordings on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ESSICUMD
