Posted on 06/09/2006 4:13:52 PM PDT by Coleus
The message that global warming may be the most serious threat to our planet is hardly new, but coming from a renowned scientist like Richard Leakey, it carries extra power. The world-famous Kenyan paleontologist, archaeologist and conservationist brought his message to Somerset County last month with a presentation to more than 300 sixth- through 12th-graders at the Gill St. Bernard's School in Gladstone.
The topic, which Leakey prefers to call "global change," is timely, as the country debates searching for alternate energy sources amid soaring gasoline prices. Leakey said there must be a gradual reduction in the reliance on carbon-based fuels. "If you want to see the destruction of this planet, continue doing what you're doing," Leakey said. "You'll see it in no time at all."
Leakey, who was named one of the greatest minds of the 20th century by Time magazine, came across as anything but stodgy and academic. He captivated his young audience with his down-to-earth language and dry wit. He acknowledged being a high school dropout who began his scientific training digging through African dirt.
Leakey was born into an illustrious scientific family. His parents, Louis and Mary Leakey, became famous for their discoveries of early hominid fossils in East Africa. He said he was always fascinated with the relationship of species extinction with the environment.
"I started asking myself, 'Why are these animals not here anymore?,'" he said. Leakey began leading archaeological expeditions on the Kenya-Tanzania border when he was 17. His most famous discovery was "Turkana Boy," a 1.6 million-year-old skeleton considered one of the most complete ever found. Later in his life, Leakey took on conservation issues. From 1989 to 1994, he directed the Kenya Wildlife Service, where he was successful in combating elephant and rhino poaching and overhauling Kenya's troubled park system.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
blecch ping!
This is exactly why you don't call a Plumber to fix your plasma TV.
Uh, no it doesn't. He's not a climatologist. I would be inclined to say that he's speaking outside his field.
"I started asking myself, 'Why are these animals not here anymore?,'"
He says, referring to ancient hominids. How about, they became extinct due to climate change? In the pre-industrial world, climates changed again and again, and it has consequences. Only man has been able to take action to secure his survival whether its cold or hot, he learned to make coats and air conditioners.
His specialty is million-year-old hominids. You would think that itself would set his mind at ease. According to him, at least, we've been here a long time, and we just keep getting better.
Why is it that "coming from a reknown scientist" makes it any less bs?
But he did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Being named one of the greatest minds of the 20th century by Time magazine speaks volumes about where this guy is coming from.
How does digging up old skeletons and elephant/rhino watching make someone an expert in climatology?
"Leaky Leakey?"
but his methods are "leaky"
"use of the notoriously unreliable potassium-argon dating technique that has enabled Leakey and others to come up with these immensely ancient dates for bones which are probably only a few hundred years old. "
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