When I was a student, I worked closely with two scientists that
were very active in communicating science to the public:
Carl Sagan and Steve Schneider. Both impressed upon me
the importance of scientists talking directly to the public,
something that is even more acutely needed today because of the
hollowing out of the traditional media (e.g., less science
reporters) and the explosion of social media.
I have tried to follow my
mentors advice by creating a weather blog
(cliffmass.blogspot.com) and through my weekly radio broadcast
on the local NPR station, KNKX. In addition, I wrote a
popular book on Northwest weather, give many public lectures,
and interact with the media a great deal.
