Born on December 20, 1955, and with a solid educational foundation—a Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Michigan in 1978, followed by a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Meteorology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1980 and 1982—Spencer has dedicated his career to advancing our understanding of Earth’s atmosphere through innovative satellite-based technologies.
Professional Journey
His professional journey began at the University of Wisconsin’s Space Science and Engineering Center, where he served as a research scientist from 1982 to 1984. Spencer then joined NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, rising to the role of Senior Scientist for Climate Studies. In 2001, he transitioned to the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) as a Principal Research Scientist, a position he holds today. One of his standout roles has been as the U.S. Science Team Leader for the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR-E) on NASA’s Aqua satellite since 1994, where he has led efforts in satellite meteorology and climate monitoring.
Driven by Data
Spencer presents astonishing new evidence that recent warming is not the fault of humans, but the result of chaotic, internal natural cycles.
His contributions include designing an algorithm in 2001 to detect tropical cyclones and estimate their wind speeds using the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit, enhancing weather prediction capabilities.
Spencer’s accolades reflect his impactful work: he earned NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 1991 and the American Meteorological Society’s Special Award in 1996 for his satellite-based temperature monitoring.
Much of this success stems from his long-standing collaboration with fellow climatologist John Christy. Together, they developed the first successful satellite temperature record at UAH, providing a data-driven global temperature dataset that has informed climate studies worldwide.
Their joint efforts, including co-authoring papers on cloud feedback and radiation budgets, have earned them recognition for objective, measured approaches to atmospheric data.
In 2025, Spencer and Christy contributed to a U.S. Department of Energy report critically reviewing greenhouse gas impacts on U.S. climate, emphasizing evidence-based analysis over alarmism.
Misinformation and Alarmism
On climate change, Spencer advocates a welcome perspective, acknowledging that even though greenhouse gases may contribute to warming, the effects are much milder than many models predict and generally a positive development.
Spencer’s take: How global warming hysteria leads to bad science, pandering politicians and misguided policies that hurt the poor.
This balanced stance encourages robust scientific debate, underscoring the need for practical energy policies. Spencer has denounced the corrosive role of government funding when it comes to climate science.
“The debate is typically described with two extremes: ‘real’ scientists warning us of an inevitable climate catastrophe, versus ‘deniers’ who won’t accept scientific truth and [who] spread disinformation as part of a heavily funded campaign by Big Oil. This narrative only exists in people’s imaginations. No skeptical scientist I’m aware of is funded by Big Oil.”
He highlights natural variability, potential agricultural benefits from CO2, and the limitations of current models in policy-making. While some climate alarmists label his views as ‘misinformation’, validation from satellite records and independent reviews support his emphasis on empirical data, showing weaker warming trends and no significant rises in severe weather tied to emissions.
Through his blog, books, and research, Spencer promotes transparent science communication, making complex data accessible. His enduring commitment to evidence-based inquiry continues to inspire, proving that thoughtful skepticism can enrich our global climate dialogue.
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