In the wake of the recent 35 day partial government shutdown, the longest in US history, Blue Dot takes a look back at three interviews with federal scientists, people whose lives and work have been directly affected. Science took a huge hit during the shutdown with scientists unable to attend conferences here and around the world, collect data nor share it with important stakeholders. We talked last year to Jim Smith from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, an expert on one of world's most diverse and productive fisheries -- the Sacramento River.
Then we look back at a conversation with NASA oceanographer and climate scientist Josh Willis who is working to unravel what is happening to the ice shelves and glaciers of Greenland. Finally, we revisit an interview with National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Kurth, who was a lead forecaster for some of California's catastrophic wildfires in 2018. Finally, Dave offers his thoughts on the impact of the shutdown on the lives of family and friends who work for the federal government and by definition, for all of us.
