Penn Center for Science,
Sustainability, and the Media
In today’s fraught media environment, communicating policy-relevant science is more challenging than ever, and nowhere is this more evident than in the public discourse over human-caused climate change. The Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media focuses on the challenges and opportunities in communicating climate and environmental sustainability to the public and policymakers.
PCSSM in partnership with APPC hosted SEJ 2024 at the University of Pennsylvania
The Penn Center for Science Sustainability and the Media along with the Annenberg Public Policy Center hosted the annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Journalists at Penn.
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Upcoming Events
HIGHLIGHTS FROM PCSSM
Commentary
The Choice to Remain an Optimist
I grew up in Florida and have distinct memories of the destruction Hurricane Andrew inflicted on my state in 1992. I remember hunkering
Communicating Policy: Raising IRA Awareness in Philadelphia
Philadelphians stand to benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), but many may be unaware of how it can help them affordably make their homes more energy efficient.
COP 28 PRIMERS: The Two Dangerous Myths COP28 Is Built Around, and the Two Climate “Solutions” That Make Things Worse
Dr. Romm has put together four COP28 primers, 1- or 2-pages long, because tragically, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN-led global effort to avoid catastrophic climate change
News
What behavioral strategies motivate environmental action?
Originally published May 13, 2025 by Erica Moser for Penn Today A collaborative study from researchers affiliated with the Annenberg School for Communication, Annenberg Public Policy Center, and School of Arts & Sciences tested 17 strategies in an ‘intervention tournament.’ 4 min. read Key Takeaways Interventions targeting future thinking, such as writing a letter for a child to read in the future, are the most effective ways to motivate climate action Interventions emphasizing …
Small nuclear reactors are no fix for California’s energy needs
Originally published on April 18, 2025 by Joe Romm for the LA Times It might seem like everyone from venture capitalists to the news media to the U.S. secretary of Energy has been hyping small modular reactors as the key to unlocking a nuclear renaissance and solving both climate change and modern data centers’ ravenous need for power. On Monday, the Natural Resources Committee of the California Assembly will consider a bill to repeal a …
Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media hosts first Research Day
Originally published by Norah Findley for the Daily Pennsylvanian on April 17, 2025 The Penn Center for Science, Sustainability, and the Media will host its first Research Day on Friday, April 18. Showcasing the ongoing work at PCSSM, the Research Day will include research talks by a number of PCSSM staff and researchers, as well as a poster and networking session. PCSSM research focuses on a range of topics in communication science, including climate and …