The New Era of Environmental Science | Milton Muldrow | TEDxDover
Summary
TLDRThe speaker discusses the rapidly changing world and the urgent need for environmental scientists to adapt. In this new era, scientists must communicate effectively with the public, address ethical concerns around biotechnology, and confront the challenges of climate change. The speaker emphasizes the importance of engaging everyone, avoiding political divides, and finding practical, inclusive solutions. Scientists must admit their own environmental impact while inspiring public support for bold goals, such as restoring ecosystems. The future of environmental science will also require strong data analysis, programming, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Takeaways
- 🌍 The world is rapidly changing with environmental crises like mass extinction and ecosystem collapse threatening our planet.
- 🧑🔬 Modern environmental scientists must be excellent communicators to effectively convey their findings to the public, who often fund their work.
- 🎯 The scientific community must set realistic goals for ecosystem preservation, balancing innovation with acceptance of Earth's changing conditions.
- 🧬 Biotechnology and genetics may play a key role in addressing environmental problems, but ethical questions and decisions need to be addressed.
- 📊 Data science and programming skills are becoming increasingly essential in environmental science, especially with the growing amount of data collected but under-analyzed.
- 👥 Scientists need to communicate better with the public and policymakers, especially to promote trust and behavioral changes needed for environmental solutions.
- 🌡 Climate change is real, and countries like China are leading in solar technology, while some still debate its validity.
- 🏫 There is a lack of public understanding about what it takes to become a scientist, with many unaware of the years of study and dedication involved.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Diversity and inclusivity in environmental science are both moral and practical imperatives for ensuring the field's continued relevance and success.
- 🚀 A Silicon Valley-like urgency and innovation are necessary in environmental science to tackle challenges like deforestation, reef destruction, and ecosystem decline.
Q & A
What are the key challenges facing environmental scientists today?
-The key challenges include dealing with mass extinction, ecosystem collapse, and adapting to rapidly changing environmental conditions like ocean warming and acidification. Scientists must also focus on effective communication and policy advocacy to address these issues.
Why are communication skills essential for the new generation of environmental scientists?
-Communication skills are essential because environmental scientists must convey their findings effectively to the public and policymakers, who often fund their research. Clear communication is crucial for influencing behavior and policy changes to tackle environmental problems.
What are some of the ethical dilemmas environmental scientists face regarding biotechnology?
-Scientists must grapple with the ethics of using biotechnology, such as genetic engineering and cloning, to address environmental problems. For example, there is debate over whether humans should genetically engineer coral reefs or attempt species de-extinction, and how such technologies should be used responsibly.
How does the speaker suggest environmental scientists approach the concept of ecological baselines?
-The speaker suggests that the scientific community must decide what ecological baselines are achievable in a changing world. Instead of striving for a 'glorious phantom ecosystem' that may no longer be possible, scientists may need to adjust expectations and goals based on the new environmental realities.
What is the significance of data analysis and programming skills in modern environmental science?
-Data analysis and programming skills are increasingly important as large amounts of environmental data are collected but remain unanalyzed. Skills in quantitative analysis, programming, and artificial intelligence can help scientists find patterns in complex datasets and contribute to more impactful research.
What does the speaker say about the public's understanding of scientists and the scientific process?
-The speaker notes that the public often lacks understanding of what it takes to become a scientist, including the many years of education and research required. There is also a misconception that scientists always agree on issues like climate change, when in reality, scientific progress involves debate and differing viewpoints.
Why does the speaker mention the decline of the Great Eastern Forest and coral reefs?
-The decline of these ecosystems is used as an example of how the Earth is changing and how current conservation efforts are insufficient. These declines highlight the urgency of addressing environmental problems and the need for innovative solutions.
How does the speaker view the relationship between environmental science and politics?
-The speaker emphasizes that environmental science is deeply connected to politics, as many solutions require policy changes. Scientists must engage with both the public and policymakers to ensure their work is understood and supported, and to influence policy decisions that can mitigate environmental damage.
What role does the speaker believe diversity plays in environmental science?
-The speaker stresses that diversity is both a moral and practical necessity. Environmental science must engage people from all backgrounds to ensure that different perspectives are included and to maintain public support for scientific endeavors. Without broad engagement, the field risks losing relevance and public funding.
What comparison does the speaker make between environmental science and the Apollo missions?
-The speaker draws a parallel between the drive to reach the moon during the Apollo missions and the need for a similar level of passion and determination to address environmental issues like saving the Amazon or coral reefs. Clear goals and public imagination are essential to inspire action.
Outlines
🌍 Rapidly Changing World and the Role of Environmental Science
The world is facing rapid changes, from mass extinction to the destruction of ecosystems. Modern environmental scientists must possess strong communication skills to convey their findings to the public, who often fund their work. The scientific community must decide on realistic ecological baselines in light of warming oceans and ecosystem degradation. Biotechnology and genetics could play a crucial role in environmental problem-solving, but ethical concerns need to be addressed. The need for effective communication with the public and policymakers is emphasized, especially given the current political climate.
🎓 Understanding the Path to Becoming a Scientist
Many people are unaware of the long and difficult path to becoming a scientist, which involves years of education, often in poverty. A typical journey includes 4-5 years of undergraduate studies, 2-3 years for a master’s degree, and another 4-5 years for a PhD. Scientists are not driven to agree with one another, and healthy debate is a part of the scientific process. Data collection has always been interdisciplinary, and the next generation of scientists will need strong quantitative and programming skills to analyze the vast amounts of data being collected.
🧑🔬 The Role of Data and Quantitative Skills in Future Environmental Science
Environmental science is evolving with the introduction of new technologies, like NASA's imaging tools for large-scale coral reef surveys. As scientists gather more data, many are now focusing on analyzing this information with artificial intelligence, detecting patterns that may not have been previously visible. Increasingly, impactful environmental scientists may never need to leave their desks as they process data remotely. The diversity of approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration is crucial for the success of future environmental research and solutions.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mass Extinction
💡Ecosystem Quality
💡Climate Change
💡Biotechnology
💡De-Extinction
💡Communication Skills
💡Public Trust
💡Interdisciplinary Science
💡Quantitative Skills
💡Diversity in Science
Highlights
The world is rapidly changing, with mass extinction and the threat of entire ecosystems vanishing within our lifetime.
New environmental scientists must have excellent communication skills to effectively share their research, especially since public funding is often involved.
We must decide as a scientific community what ecological baselines and goals are achievable, considering the changing physical conditions on Earth.
The future of environmental science may involve difficult decisions, such as whether to aim for past ecosystem states or adapt to new realities.
Biotechnology and genetics will play an important role in addressing environmental problems, though ethical considerations must be taken into account.
There has been progress in using genetics for conservation, but there is still a lack of drive and momentum in this area.
Environmental scientists must also focus on influencing public behavior and governmental policies, as science alone cannot solve environmental issues.
Climate change serves as a case study of the importance of communicating scientific findings to both policymakers and the public.
Many people are unaware of the rigorous process involved in becoming a scientist, including the years of education and research required.
Scientists are not driven to agree on issues like climate change; disagreement and debate are part of the scientific process.
Data analysis skills, including programming, are becoming increasingly important in environmental science due to the vast amounts of data being collected.
New technologies, such as NASA’s imaging systems, are revolutionizing environmental research by allowing for more comprehensive data collection.
Diversity and inclusion are critical for the future of environmental science, as engaging everyone is both a moral and practical necessity.
Environmental scientists must acknowledge that they too contribute to environmental issues, such as through the use of resources and technology.
Environmental science must adopt a Silicon Valley-like fervor to solve the world's pressing environmental problems, with clear goals and public engagement.
Transcripts
all
right well the world is changing rapidly
that's no secret uh from issues of mass
extinction to the threat of Extinction
of entire ecos systems within our
lifetime no longer May ecologists and
environmental scientists have the
relative luxury to spend a lifetime or
career in the forest as it's cut down
around them or scuba diving over a reef
as it Reeds beneath them this new crop
of environmental scientists uh will be
required to have excellent communication
skills right they're going to have to
have the ability to effectively
communicate their science
uh because the public often funds
them this will require uh new skills as
well as new culture in the
field in this new era of environmental
science we will have to decide as a
scientific community on our ecological
baselines and goals what do we truly
believe we can achieve and maintain in
terms of ecosystem
quality you know the the oceans are
getting warmer and more acidic what do
we realistically think we can achieve in
terms of core Reef restoration as an
example do we stubbornly shoot for some
glorious Phantom
ecosystem despite changing physical
conditions armed with Innovation or do
we concede the fact that the Earth has
changed uh and adapt our our
expectations
accordingly either way we as a community
will have to to start making some
decisions genetics and
biotechnology we should start to explore
more explicitly the role of
biotechnology and genetics in solving
our environmental
problems we also need to Grapple with
the ethics of biotechnology but we're
going to have to start making some
decisions right ideas involving biotech
range uh to the extreme you know in
terms of cloning and de Extinction you a
process in which we bring you know
species back from the dead so to speak
my son back there William he wants to be
a dinosaur scientist right uh and his
lifelong goal he's only seven but he
wants to bring bring dinosaurs back so
you know it's farfetched but you know
y'all haven't seen will yet so he's he's
coming uh there have been few advances
regarding the use of genetics and
conservation uh you know we have made
some steps but I don't sense a
tremendous drive or momentum in this
area should man genetically engineer
reefs through new advances I don't know
although I suspect uh our future
environmental Sciences can
increase uh their value in the job
market if they attain some of these
skills science and policy are becoming
ever more important in environmental
science right
communicating our science to the general
public and our policy makers our
scientists must become skilled
communicators and willing to engage
anyone and that means anyone what we see
in the white house today as it pertains
to science is all of our fault right
that's not a political statement not
necessarily um but uh many solutions to
environmental problems involve
convincing people to change their
behavior avior as well as convincing
governments to change the way they do
business no matter how tremendous our
scientific advances no matter how
brilliant they are if we don't
communicate them uh and people if people
don't trust what we do they fall
flat let's take climate change as a case
study much of the world is operating is
as if climate change is true because it
is right uh as an example you know China
is racing to be the the the you know
dominant in the space of solar panel
production while we're still trying to
figure out if this stuff is
real uh but I must say that we as
scientists you know we must communicate
to the general public even what it takes
to be a scientist you know someone you
know watching the news right watching a
Cable News segment about climate change
may not even understand how to you know
evaluate the qual quality qualifications
of the panelists a lot of people don't
know what it takes to become a scientist
let's say a research scientist at a
university a lot of people don't know
believe it or not that it takes four or
five years of undergraduate work usually
five right in a basic science they don't
know it takes another two or three to
get a master's degree two years is what
it says on a brochure but we know we
know better right uh you know when I was
working on my masters in the Florida
Keys I had set up all my plots in the uh
in the subtropical forest in upper kargo
and then Hurricane Katrina came right
back down and blow them right back down
so I had to go back another excuse to go
to paradise right uh but then after that
right it's another four or five years to
a PhD often okay same issues organisms
die experiments fail takes time after
that you're often you know uh spending
two years as a postdoc okay okay that's
roughly 13 years plus I just outlined in
trying to become a scientist usually
willfully being in poverty right all
because you love your field right okay
there's uh there there's not a lot of
money at that stage general public
doesn't understand
that what they also don't understand
often times is that scientists aren't
driven to agree right they're not driven
to agree on climate change uh I used to
work for the federal government the
National Science Foundation and one of
the most enjoyable aspects of that job
was going to panels right because you
could see scientists arguing over you
know proposals and ideas okay if I could
be the smarty pants to debunk climate
change it's probably going to be good
for my career wouldn't you say right um
scientists aren't driven to
agree uh though we know know no uh no
field is
perfect
data although environmental science has
always been interdisciplinary the
collection of skills the next generation
of environmental Sciences may need maybe
vastly different than the former an
immense amount of data is being
collected by our universities by our
scientific agencies and very little is
being analyzed and this new era of
environmental science
uh it has a big seat at the table for
people with great quantitative skills
even programming skills as an example
coral Coral surveys were trip uh
typically done using scuba in transex
right uh although NASA has just deployed
new technology new imaging technology uh
that you know straps onto an airplane
and thereby they can cover a much larger
expanse in a relatively shorter period
of time
whether it's counting whales from space
crunching ocean data using artificial
intelligence software finding patterns
and unexplored data sets some some of
the most impactful environmental
Sciences of the future may never leave
their
desks diversity uhoh here we
go so uh when a student goes to a school
right they shouldn't feel like the words
in that page alone okay uh not in this
great melting plot with all these
resources but even more than being alone
with that uh uh that word represents is
a lack of distribution of resources okay
I hear a lot of my colleagues in
Academia you know discussing the current
administration's lack of diversity
initiatives and I would I would agree
with a lot of that right uh but then I
think hold on now I remember walking in
in those those hallways alone I REM
remember being told I can't or I won't
right you see reaching out to everyone
is not just a moral decision it's also a
practical
one you know if we don't discuss our way
of thinking with everybody then our way
of thinking may not be around
anymore remember the scientific enterpr
Enterprise is dependent on public
funding okay so if the public is not
part of your way of life or thinking
then your way of life may cease to exist
we must engage
everyone this picture of Appalachia
there why are the science is branded so
strongly
liberal remember the biggest you know uh
spokes person for climate change was Al
Gore and I'm not saying he didn't do
great work but I think we should be
careful careful with the way we brand
ourselves right we can't be seen on one
side or the other today I believe we pay
for our own failure uh to relate some of
our policies uh you know across the
Spectrum for example as environmental
scientists we need to admit a few things
to the general public right we need to
admit to them as Eco dudes that that we
drive right we need to admit that you
know my my iPhone has the same
deleterious compounds as yours uh I
probably fly more than you do my lab
uses a tremendous amount of water right
um and we can also explain to the
general public why we do some of these
things but count ourselves as part of
the problem as well as we work together
as part of the solution rather than
making the general public feel like
we're pointing fingers
okay we need to be more inclusive
because no matter how smart we think we
are evidently we can't do it alone the
decline of the Great Eastern Forest
represent that the decline of reefs all
around the world represent that now Dr
King spoke obviously about the plight of
African-Americans okay but he also spoke
about the poverty in
Appalachia Appalachia is one of the
world's oldest mountain
ranges and it has a different and
diverse culture but today has been
reduced to a uh a
punchline right how many of us told some
of those West Virginia
jokes well West Virginia helped put
those scientific policies in office as
did Pennsylvania and Ohio and so on and
so forth okay
so time to prove it right time to prove
it
lastly in the environmental Sciences we
need to establish an insatiable Silicon
Valley like fervor to solve problems
okay I included this picture here uh of
a footprint on the Moon from one of the
Apollo missions because America's desire
in reaching a goal like that must be
matched by our desire to save the Amazon
save the Great Eastern Forest of the
United States states save the
Reef we must establish clear clear goals
capture the Public's
imagination uh and you know after all
this is the only planet we call home
thank
[Applause]
you
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