EV1-233
Seth is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management at the University of Waterloo. He completed his Ph.D. in Geography at the University of British Columbia and held a SSHRC Postdoctoral Fellowship at Concordia University. His research focuses on climate change mitigation, communication, and AI risk.
Research Interests
My research applies what we know about behavioral change and risk communication to climate change and AI safety. I see artificial intelligence as an emerging global risk that could especially benefit from climate communication expertise. My research relies mostly on quantitative methods: surveys, randomized controlled trials, and carbon accounting, supplemented by occasional interviews. I hold a CIFAR AI catalyst grant which I am using to explore how we can safeguard against AI persuasion in democratic governance. I also hold a SSHRC Insight Development Grant focused on reducing emissions from the food system. Some highlights of my past work include assessing the beliefs of IPCC authors on future climate outcomes, and recommending ways to reduce air travel emissions from professional sports teams (some of which have been taken up by major league sports).
Key Areas of Graduate Supervision
Climate change mitigation; AI risk communication, public perceptions of AI risk; public perceptions of climate change; Canadian climate policy; clean transportation
Recently Taught Courses
GEMCC 603: Climate Change Mitigation
GEOG 417: Climate Change Communication
GEOG 359: Low Carbon Transition
GEOG 452/GEMCC690: Climate Change Projects
Public Outreach
Seth’s research has been featured in publications including The New York Times, The Guardian, The Los Angeles Times, and the CBC. His own words can be found in Scientific American, the Toronto Star, and his 2019 Penguin Random House book, SOS: What you can do to reduce climate change. Seth also maintains a newsletter about his research, climate change, and AI risk (Carbon Creatures).
Select Recent Publications
Wynes, S., Davis, S.J., Dickau, M. et al. Perceptions of carbon dioxide emission reductions and future warming among climate experts. Commun Earth Environ 5, 498 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-024-01661-8
Wynes S, Matthews HD. (2023) Missing density: Elected officials and members of the public who support climate action show less support for compact cities than clean transport. Climate Policy https://doi.org/10.1080/14693062.2023.2190870
Wynes S, Dickau M, Kotcher JE, Thaker J, Goldberg MH, Matthews HD, Donner SD (2022) Frequent pro-climate messaging does not predict pro-climate voting by United States legislators. Environmental Research: Climate https://doi.org/10.1088/2752-5295/aca8c4
Matthews HD, Wynes S (2022) Current global efforts are insufficient to limit warming to 1.5°C. Science 376(6600) https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abo3378
Wynes S (2021) COVID-19 disruption demonstrates win-win climate solutions for major league sports." Environmental Science & Technology 55(23) https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c03422
Wynes S, Kotcher J, and Donner SD (2021) Can citizen pressure influence politicians’ communication about climate change? Results from a field experiment, Climatic Change, 168(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-021-03215-9
Wynes S, Motta M, and Donner SD (2021) Understanding the climate responsibility associated with elections. One Earth, 4(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2021.02.008
Wynes S, Zhao J, and Donner SD (2020) How well do people understand the climate impact of individual actions? Climatic Change, 162(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-020-02811-5
Wynes S, Donner SD, Tannason S, and Nabors N (2019) Academic air travel has a limited influence on professional success. Journal of Cleaner Production, 226(20). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.109