Laura Tenenbaum
NASA science communicator and climate expert making complex environmental issues engaging, relatable, and actionable.
Why you should book Laura Tenenbaum for your next event
- Learn how Laura transformed NASA’s climate communication into one of the world’s most engaging science platforms.
- Gain practical insights into climate communication, storytelling, and making complex science understandable for any audience.
- Experience inspiring talks filled with real-world examples, humor, and actionable perspectives on environmental challenges.
Non-binding request for Laura Tenenbaum
Award-winning climate communicator and former NASA Senior Science Editor
Laura Tenenbaum is an award-winning science communicator, environmental advocate, and former Senior Science Editor at NASA who has spent her career making climate science accessible, engaging, and impossible to ignore. Known for transforming complex scientific topics into compelling stories, she helped turn NASA’s Global Climate Change website into a leading digital platform reaching more than half a million monthly visitors. With a unique blend of scientific expertise, humor, and emotional intelligence, Laura empowers audiences to better understand climate challenges while inspiring meaningful action and optimism for the future.
Laura Tenenbaum
Laura Tenenbaum is one of the most respected voices in climate communication and environmental storytelling today. With a career spanning NASA, higher education, digital media, and public speaking, she has dedicated her work to helping people better understand the realities of climate change and the role each of us can play in shaping a more sustainable future.
As former Senior Science Editor at NASA, Laura became widely recognized for her ability to communicate difficult scientific concepts in ways that resonate with both experts and everyday audiences. Her work has consistently bridged the gap between scientific accuracy and public understanding — a challenge that many organizations struggle to navigate effectively.
NASA, climate science and global reach
During her time at NASA, Laura played a central role in transforming the organization’s Global Climate Change website into one of the most influential digital climate resources available. Under her leadership and editorial direction, the platform grew into a digital destination attracting more than half a million visitors every month.
Her highly successful blog, Earth Right Now, became the most popular blog within NASA’s climate division. The platform stood out because of Laura’s ability to combine scientific precision with personality, emotion, humor, and storytelling. Instead of overwhelming audiences with technical language, she made climate science understandable, relatable, and engaging without compromising accuracy or nuance.
This ability has made Laura a sought-after keynote speaker for organizations, conferences, educational institutions, and leadership events focused on sustainability, communication, innovation, and the future of our planet.
Award-winning communication
Laura’s work has received widespread recognition across the digital and science communication industries. She is a five-time Webby Award winner, highlighting her exceptional ability to create online content that reaches and influences large audiences.
Beyond traditional media, Laura has also built a strong presence on social media, including TikTok, where she reaches more than 134,000 followers. Through short-form video content and educational storytelling, she continues to engage younger generations in conversations about climate science, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
Her communication style stands out because it is informative without being overwhelming. Audiences appreciate her ability to speak honestly about environmental challenges while also leaving room for hope, action, and innovation.
Making climate science understandable
One of Laura Tenenbaum’s greatest strengths as a speaker is her ability to simplify highly complex scientific concepts. Climate science can often feel intimidating or inaccessible to many people, but Laura has built her career around changing that perception.
Her presentations help audiences understand:
- The science behind climate change
- How environmental systems affect our daily lives
- Why communication matters in sustainability work
- The role storytelling plays in public engagement
- How organizations can communicate science more effectively
- Ways individuals and communities can contribute to positive change
Whether speaking to corporate leaders, educators, policymakers, researchers, or students, Laura adapts her message to ensure it is both accessible and impactful.
Education, leadership and inspiration
In addition to her work with NASA, Laura has spent more than a decade teaching and mentoring younger generations as a professor and author of college-level textbooks. Her experience in education has strengthened her ability to communicate clearly, inspire curiosity, and encourage critical thinking.
She continues to maintain strong relationships with senior NASA scientists, researchers, and global thought leaders, giving her unique insight into the latest developments in climate science and environmental innovation.
Laura’s talks are known for being insightful, engaging, and highly relevant to today’s biggest environmental and societal challenges. She speaks with authenticity, credibility, and passion while helping audiences move beyond fear and toward understanding and action.
Book Laura Tenenbaum for your event
Organizations looking for a speaker who can combine scientific expertise with exceptional storytelling will find Laura Tenenbaum to be a powerful addition to their event. Her presentations inspire audiences to think differently about climate communication, sustainability, innovation, and public engagement.
Laura delivers keynote talks that are educational, thought-provoking, and memorable while making even the most complex environmental topics approachable and relevant. From corporate conferences and leadership summits to universities and sustainability events, she creates conversations that stay with audiences long after the event ends.
Keynotes
Keynote by Laura Tenenbaum:
From Glaciers to Missiles: My Two Expeditions to Greenland with NASA
Laura had the privilege of traveling to Greenland twice as part of a NASA suborbital campaign, where she helped measure the rapid ice loss of the glaciers along Greenland’s coastline.
Her journey also took her to Thule Air Force Base, a site with strategic military importance, where the U.S., Canada, Denmark and Greenland have tracked intercontinental ballistic missiles for over 50 years—underscoring Greenland’s pivotal role in the current geopolitical landscape as global powers increasingly vie for influence in the Arctic region amidst climate change and shifting security dynamics.
Key takeaways:
- Get a firsthand up-close view into an important location that few people have had the opportunity to experience.
- Learn about remote areas of Greenland’s coastline and the impact of climate change on ice mass loss.
- Recognize the importance of relationship between scientific and military endeavors.
- Acknowledge the importance of collaboration with political allies.
- Help your team learn to resolve opposition and apparent controversy.
Keynote by Laura Tenenbaum:
Surviving the Unexpected: Lessons from NASA's Survival Training for Navigating Today's Turmoil
During Laura's certification process to become part of a NASA crew, she had to take an FAA post-crash survival course, which taught her critical strategies for staying calm, focused, and adaptable in high-pressure situations.
The skills she learned in that course—whether it’s assessing the environment, thinking critically, or maintaining resilience—are just as vital in navigating the uncertainty and challenges of today’s unusual climate, and they can empower us all to thrive in times of turmoil.
Key takeaways:
- Recognize key strategies for boosting morale during times of difficulty.
- Help your team understand how to respond to the disorientation that happens during major transitions.
- Learn how to observe yourself and your team members for signs and symptoms of stress.
- Acknowledge the crucial nature of teamwork and mutual support in challenging times.
- Understand the value of being prepared.
Keynote by Laura Tenenbaum:
When Global Warming gets you down, come back stronger
What if climate change became an opportunity, not a challenge? Laura Tenenbaum's keynotes redefine the narrative.
In a world grappling with the burden of global warming, she empowers audiences to view it as a challenge worth facing with courage. Giving up is not an option; instead, Tenenbaum's transformative keynotes offer a refreshing perspective. She turns the lemons of climate change into lemonade, providing actionable insights and innovative solutions. Embrace the change, harness the strength, and turn adversity into an opportunity for growth and innovation.
Key takeaways:
- See climate change as an opportunity, not just a challenge.
- Respond to global warming with courage and resilience.
- Embrace the climate crisis as a chance for innovation.
- Transform adversity into a platform for positive change.
- Motivate your team to approach climate challenges with optimism and strength.
Keynote by Laura Tenenbaum:
The Past, Present & Future of Women in Science
Ever wondered about the untold stories of women in science? Laura Tenenbaum's keynotes illuminate the overlooked narratives of women pioneers.
Explore the galaxy far, far away from the traditional lens. Laura's insights not only bridge historical gaps but also inspire the future. Book her keynotes to bring visibility to women in science, fostering diversity and empowerment. Transform the pain point of unexplored narratives into an opportunity for your team to celebrate the significant contributions of women in the scientific realm.
Let Laura ignite a fresh perspective, empowering your audience to embrace and champion women's roles in shaping the scientific landscape.
Key takeaways:
- Illuminate the untold stories of women in science past, present, and future.
- Explore the often-overlooked narratives of women pioneers in a diverse galaxy.
- Inspire a future where women play a significant role in scientific endeavors.
- Foster diversity and empowerment by bringing visibility to women in science.
- Embrace and champion the contributions of women, shaping a more inclusive scientific landscape.
Keynote by Laura Tenenbaum:
Snap into a Clean Energy Future
What happens on Earth stays on Earth, but what if we could reshape its future sustainably? In a world craving a clean energy future, Laura Tenenbaum's keynotes are the catalyst for change.
Explore innovative solutions and snap into a sustainable tomorrow. With no spare Earths, every drop of effort matters. Laura's insights go beyond the ordinary, offering a roadmap to a sustainable future. Her keynotes will inspire your team, turning the challenge of sustainability into an opportunity for impactful change. Let's collectively ensure that every drop adds up to a greener, brighter, and more sustainable planet for generations to come.
Key takeaways:
- Embrace a clean energy future through innovative solutions.
- Recognize the importance of sustainable practices on our planet.
- Understand that Earth has no substitutes; sustainability is vital.
- Acknowledge the collective impact of individual efforts.
- Turn the challenge of sustainability into an opportunity for impactful change.
Host Reel Laura Tenenbaum
Watch Laura Tenenbaum in action
Laura Faye Tenenbaum: "Giving up is not a solution. We have to try everything we can possibly try."
Watch Laura Tenenbaum in action
Game On, Climate Change. Game On. | Laura Tenenbaum | TEDxUCSD
Watch Laura Tenenbaum in action
