Bio

Peter Ward is Professor of Biology, a Professor of Earth and Space Sciences, and Adjunct Professor of Astronomy at the University of Washington in Seattle. He is Principal Investigator of the University of Washington node of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, which involves the leadership of over 25 scientists studying the probability of finding life beyond the Earth. He is also Senior Councilor of the Paleontological Society, and was awarded an Affiliate Professorship at the California Institute of Technology.

Past Shows

Earth: Extinctions & Climate

Appearing during the first three hours, Prof. Peter Ward, the author of Under a Green Sky, discussed his latest work on hydrogen sulfide extinctions, and how we are creating the circumstances for extinctions in the future. His research has connected... more >>
Host: George Noory

Greenhouse Extinctions

Professor of Earth and Space Sciences and Astrobiologist for NASA, Peter Ward (Book Link) discussed his vision of the end of the world based on past mass extinctions. While most scientists agree that a meteor impact killed the dinosaurs 65 million... more >>
Host: Art Bell

Climate & Extinction

Investigator for the NASA Astrobiology Institute, Prof. Peter Ward discussed his new book, Out of Thin Air, which shows how fluctuating oxygen levels have contributed to mass extinctions and evolutionary changes over millions of years. For instance,... more >>
Host: Art Bell

Searching for Alien Life

Peter Ward, an investigator for the NASA Astrobiology Institute, discussed his new book Life as We Do Not Know It, which ponders the possible existence of alien life. Ward believes that scientists need to expand their classifications of what constitutes... more >>
Host: George Noory

Extinctions & Climate Change

Prof. Peter Ward, the author of Gorgon, shared his research into mass extinctions and climate change. A "Great Dying" took place 250 million years ago, he said, that was brought about by global warming. Volcanic events in Siberia added more carbon dioxide... more >>
Host: Art Bell

Rare Earth Hypothesis

Paleontologist Peter Ward, the co-author of Rare Earth, discussed the hypothesis that complex life forms, such as our own, are relatively uncommon in the universe. more >>
Host: Art Bell