Today, I’m joined by Bill Diamond, President and CEO of the SETI Institute, which is America’s only organization wholly dedicated to searching for life in the universe. Bill and I actually met on an Antarctic expedition cruise to chase a total solar eclipse last year. I was immediately drawn to how Bill explained the work going on at the SETI Institute and his perspective on astrobiology, and knew I wanted to have him on the show to take the conversation a step further.

We discuss the considerations for interstellar travel and some of the challenges of sending biology over extraordinary distances. Bill stresses the importance of the discoveries made on The Kepler Mission and explains why statistically, there is a very small chance that we’re alone in our galaxy. Bill highlights one of the most technologically advanced and complex systems humans have ever built, the James Webb telescope, and the design process behind the equipment.

We also get into the intersection of astrobiology and climate change. There’s no denying that the ‘new normal’ is becoming more severe, extreme, and dangerous every year. Bill shares some of the initiatives at SETI to study the impact of climate change on biodiversity, habitable conditions, and life forms. Tune in to learn more about the fascinating advancements happening at the SETI Institute and beyond.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform.

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