Hágase la energía is, without doubt, a promising title. What is the book about?
What I set out to do was to write a physics book designed so that anyone can understand it – without technical jargon and moving away from the stereotypical teacher who only presents formulae. I want to bring physics closer to people of all ages, from children to adults. I explain what energy is through phenomena that surround us in everyday life.

For those of us in the humanities, physics can feel somewhat distant.

Why, then, are we afraid of physics? Because of the way it is taught; at school everything revolved around mathematical formulae and complex concepts. What I wanted to know was: why do you get an electric shock when you put your finger in the socket? How does a microwave work? How is a star formed? For the first time, this book answers those questions in a clear and accessible way.

You have a background in physics, but you are also a journalist.

For me, that is where the magic lies: someone who understands science and who also knows how to communicate it. The best scientist is a good communicator. You may encounter the world’s best scientist who cannot convey what they know; at the same time, there are excellent communicators who do not have an in-depth understanding of the subjects they discuss. On television, we notice this immediately: I do not want to be told what I can already see on screen – I want to be told something new.

As a meteorologist, you must have highly developed communication skills. Have you noticed a growing public interest in weather information on television?

The media very quickly recognised the interest that weather generates. That is why meteorologists are now everywhere: in news programmes, entertainment shows and comedy formats. The main reason is that it attracts audiences.  We all want to know what the weather will be like – to plan holidays, decide what to wear, and so forth. However, weather forecasting now goes much further. When there is an extreme weather event, we receive an alert on our mobile phones; a few years ago, this would have been completely unthinkable, something reserved for tornadoes in the United States or earthquakes in China. Our lives now depend on meteorological conditions.

Mobile phones have become our main tool for checking the weather.

In the past, meteorology was not easily accessible to most people; you could only consult it on television, on the radio or in the newspaper. Now we check it constantly on our phones and on social media and it is even taught in schools. Society needs to be prepared and informed in the face of increasingly extreme weather phenomena.

The total solar eclipse on 12 August

A highly anticipated phenomenon in Catalonia and across Spain is the total solar eclipse that will take place on 12 August. What can you tell us about it?

First of all, when it ends, we will say, “Goodness me, what we have just experienced.” Most people have never witnessed a total solar eclipse. By mid-afternoon, it will get dark; birds will begin to behave strangely, as will woodland animals, and even our dogs and cats. The sun will gradually fade until, for just over a minute, the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth and everything becomes completely dark.

It is therefore a historic event in our country.

If we step back and observe the globe, the area from which the eclipse will be visible is limited to Spain and a small part of Iceland. It also coincides with the holiday period, a time when major storm systems are not usually present. In Catalonia, it will be visible from almost the entire province of Tarragona, the south of Barcelona, and the southern half of Lleida. We must prepare to welcome thousands, or even millions, of people.

So, if you stay in Barcelona, will you miss out?

You will see a more limited display. I recommend that anyone who can travel south or west should do so, because they will witness something they will never forget and will be able to share with future generations.

What recommendations should we follow?

The most important thing is to use the approved eclipse glasses, which will soon be on sale, so that you can watch the eclipse. They cost less than ten euros and protect your eyes. Unfortunately, as is the case every time there is a total eclipse, there are always people who end up in hospital with retinal burns. We must take extreme care.

This is, therefore, a phenomenon full of energy.

We are energy: the planet, the stars, everything around us. I would encourage anyone who is curious or eager to learn something new – not only about the physical or astronomical world, but also about aspects present in their everyday lives – to read Hágase la energía. It will surprise you!