Governor Bill Richardson and Professor Richard Alley powerfully opened The National Council on Science and the Environment‘s three-day conference Building Climate Solutions. This is a rich environment, tens of interesting panels with over 1000 attendees. Governor Richardson’s message to this science-heavy audience:
Scientists have to become more engaged.
You are so respected by media, leaders, and society.
It is critically important that your input through personal visits, social media, opeds, must be stronger.
This is the one message that I would like to deliver to you.
Actually, Governor Richardson had more than “one message” — even though that was the central one.
He added these four points of emphasis:
- We must reaffirm public trust in science.
- Science is not a buffet where you can pick and choose what you like. The becacon of science must shine through.
- Scientists must be engaged at a higher level of decision making.
- The President’s Science Advisor, John Holdren, should be a member of the cabinet. Science should be in the Cabinet. You know the importance of access and science should be there when decisions are being made.
- US action on climate change should not be delayed by disfunction that dominates the US Congress.
- The Adminisgtration should move as aggressively as possible on climate change. Let’s watch what is said on climate change during the State of the Union. President is likely to say: “I would like you to join me but if not I will lead”. There are many things that can be done with a stroke of a pen.
- Reenergize international organization and negotiations.
- There is a role for everyone in dealing with Climate Change.
- Rubber meets the road in State and Local Governments.
- And we, in our own lives, have choices and can have impact.
Professor Richard Alley from Penn State followed Governor Richardson with a textbook example of how to communicate climate science powerfully with substance, eloquence, and humor. I have long know of Prof Alley but have never seen him speak before. I really appreciated having the chance to and plan on seeking more opportunities to do so. As a taste, here is one of his 2013 presentations. My general thought, as I watched Richard Alley: MAGNIFICENT!