The Stories Behind Climate Solutions
My name is Tess Emmel, and I recently finished my B.S. in environmental studies at USC and will start my master’s in entrepreneurship this fall. Over the summer, I worked as an USC Wrigley Institute Environmental Communications Intern for the Climate and Carbon Management Initiative.
Thank you to the Wrigley Institute, which gave me the chance to learn from researchers focused on climate solutions and helped me develop skills as a science communicator. Thank you to Wrigley Institute Staff Scientist Amanda Molder and Associate Director for Public Communications Kathryn Royster, who provided feedback and guidance that influenced my experience throughout the internship.
Before I had the words to describe it, I felt a sense of stewardship for animals and the ocean. Time spent outdoors nurtured that feeling and expanded it into a curiosity about how the natural world works and a desire to help protect it. Studying environmental science at USC taught me how complex climate challenges are, but it also showed me something equally important: scientific discoveries can only make a difference if people understand why they matter.
This internship stood out because it focused on translating climate and carbon management research for a larger audience, rather than conducting research directly. I wanted to understand the science behind climate solutions and improve my ability to communicate those ideas clearly. While climate change challenges are often discussed, I was interested in learning about the solutions and how to share them in a way that encourages hope and makes the information accessible.
During the internship, I worked with researchers on projects ranging from reducing air pollution linked to ocean alkalinity enhancement to investigating enhanced rock weathering as a method for carbon removal.
When I started working on enhanced rock weathering, I realized how much I still needed to learn. I filled pages with notes and found myself with even more questions. This made it clear that if I needed this much explanation as an environmental science student, most people would need even more context. My task became figuring out which questions mattered most and how to communicate the core ideas in a way that made sense to someone without a science background.
To bring these stories to life, I interviewed researchers like Josh West, Will Berelson, Steffen Buessecker, and YC Chan and filmed fieldwork on Catalina Island. I created educational graphics and short-form videos, turning hours of interviews into content people could understand and, hopefully, be interested enough to keep watching.
This experience reinforced my interest in science communication. As I begin my master’s in entrepreneurship at USC, I see the value in making research accessible outside the scientific community. Whether through supporting the commercialization of new climate technologies or by finding better ways to share scientific discoveries, I want to help make sure that important ideas reach the people who can use and support them.
This summer reminded me that solving climate change isn’t only about developing new technologies. It’s also about helping people understand them. Every interview, infographic, and video confirmed the importance of making science engaging and hopeful. I’m incredibly grateful to the Wrigley Institute, Amanda Molder, Kathryn Royster, and all of the researchers who generously shared their time and expertise. Their work has inspired me, and I look forward to continuing to tell stories that help connect people with climate solutions.
See Tess’s infographic and watch her one of capstone videos below.
