Episode 6: Chris Field

The podcast explores the intersection of plant physiology, global ecology, and climate science, focusing on scaling processes from leaf to globe. Chris Field, from the Carnegie Institute for Global Ecology and Stanford University, discusses his work on instrumentation for measuring plant physiology, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between scientists and instrument manufacturers. Field highlights the role of leaf nitrogen in photosynthesis and the challenges of scaling this knowledge globally, particularly in the tropics. The conversation further explores the transition of the global energy system away from fossil fuels, the potential for energy companies to drive innovation, and the economic incentives needed to support renewable energy adoption.