Scientist to Discuss ‘Good News About Environment’ at WSU
OGDEN, Utah — Renowned climate scientist and glaciologist Richard Alley will discuss the history of climate change and possible solutions during two presentations, Dec. 11 at 12:30 p.m. in Weber State University’s Wildcat Theater and at 5:30 p.m. at Union Station’s Browning Theater in downtown Ogden.
Alley is recognized as a leading expert on climate change. In the mid-90s, he began work with a team to retrieve ice cores from Antarctica and Greenland, which were then used to unlock secrets of Earth’s climate history. He published his account of the work in his book “The Two-Mile Time Machine.” Alley also hosted a three-part PBS miniseries titled “Earth: The Operators’ Manual.”
“Richard Alley is someone who’s extremely good at depoliticizing a highly politicized area of science,” said Dan Bedford, geography professor and event coordinator. “That’s why I thought he would be a great person to come here.”
Alley’s lecture at WSU is titled “Abrupt Climate Change: Surprises in the Greenhouse?” During his talk, he will discuss the issues of abrupt climate change and the events that trigger rapid changes.
In the evening, Alley will present a lecture titled “The Good News about Energy, the Environment and Our Future” at Union Station, 2501 Wall Ave., Ogden. Light refreshments will be served. Both events are free and open to the public.
“Alley is not a doom and gloom guy,” Bedford said. “He knows it is serious, but in his point of view, America has faced serious problems in the past and has come out triumphant. Climate change is a problem that American ingenuity can overcome.”
Because of Alley’s extensive work, he has become the go-to person for climate change stories in the media. He has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post and on the PBS series “Nova.”
“He brings experience the likes of which we don’t often get here,” Bedford said. “He’s not just sitting behind a desk. He’s going out to harsh and extreme environments like Antarctica and Greenland. That’s a rare commodity.”
In 2014, Alley was awarded the National Academy of Sciences’ Arthur L. Day Prize for science communication. With the award money, Alley offers the National Academy of Sciences Day Prize Lecture Series, which allows him to travel and present on a variety of topics throughout the United States. In addition to his upcoming Utah visit, Alley has presented at Kent State University, Tulane University and Wilson College.
“Richard’s work has been central to paleoclimatology, which is the study of ancient climates and how that relates to the present-day climate,” Bedford said. “He is a remarkable communicator, and he’s a climate scientist of international reputation.”
To watch an excerpt of “Earth: The Operators’ Manual,” visit youtube.com/watch?v=KfIr7oDGi48.
To learn more about Alley and his lecture series, visit nasonline.org/programs/awards/day-prize-lecture-series.html#wc.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Rachel Badali, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7295 • rachelbadali@weber.edu- Contact:
Dan Bedford, geography professor
801-626-8091 • dbedford@weber.edu