Dr. Molly Patterson: Antarctic Ice, Sea Level Rise & Climate Futures
Take a break, we’re on Smoko. This week, we sit down with Dr. Molly Patterson, oceanographer, climate scientist, and Assistant Professor at Binghamton University, for a deep dive into the dynamic world of Antarctic research and its crucial role in understanding sea level rise.
Molly shares insights from her work on the SWAIS2C project—a global research initiative drilling into the seabed beneath the Ross Ice Shelf. Their goal? To extract sediment records that reveal how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet responded to previous warm periods, and what that means for our future.
“Studying Antarctic ice is like reading Earth’s past and future in one frozen landscape.” – Dr. Molly Patterson
We explore the sobering projections of sea level rise—up to 30 cm or more—and how that could result in annual extreme sea level events devastating coastal cities and island nations. Molly breaks down the science of ice sheet sensitivity, model-building, and the interdisciplinary teamwork required to understand these monumental changes.
The episode also touches on mentorship, the challenges of science communication, and how climate scientists are uniquely positioned to advocate for bold, informed action in the face of a biotic crisis. Molly’s clarity, passion, and leadership highlight why this research is both urgent and empowering.