Philip Mote Oral History Interview

Learning about climate change and ozone depletion as an undergraduate student inspired Philip Mote’s interests in studying anthropogenic climate change as an atmospheric scientist. He has collaborated with scientists from a variety of fields, and his research has ranged from global climate modeling to regional trends in the Western U.S. Climate change is at the forefront of his work as the director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute.

Mote describes his path from physics student at Harvard College to research scientist in the Pacific Northwest. He discusses the role of communicating science to non-scientists throughout his career. Other highlights include changing snowpack and water availability in the west, his work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and a broader discussion of climate change.