| The title of Dr. Reese Halter’s new book, Wild Weather: The Truth Behind Global Warming, might send some would-be readers in search of the latest whodunit or celebrity bio — anything but another doom and gloom picture of looming environmental catastrophe. That is, unless you know a little about Dr. Halter.
He has been working on environmental issues for more than 20 years. He’s an award-winning conservation biologist, syndicated science writer, television documentary host, best-selling children’s author and professor of Botany at Humboldt State University in California. In the late 1980s, Dr. Halter founded Global Forest Science and still works with the charitable research organization with a team of more than 160 solutions-oriented professional problem solvers in nine countries to short-circuit ecological disasters and identify and protect fragile ecosystems.
Dr. Halter is fiercely optimistic. He compares the environmental crisis today to small pox and polio — diseases that threatened humans in the past. He says there were contrarians back then saying such diseases would be the end of us. Similarly, he thinks contrarians today are wrong, "the truth about global warming is that it’s an opportunity in disguise." He goes on to say, "We are very close to the tipping point. We must change, but I know our species will rise to this challenge."
Dr. Halter describes his book as approachable. "I write science for non-science people. People look to scientists to help get us out of messes." According to Dr. Halter, the next five to eight years will be the most exciting time to be alive because there will be incredible innovations to deal with climate change. He says the changes are already manifesting in some of the most unlikely places.
"Our perception of China is that it’s a dark monster puffing coal. But China is currently working on the biggest solar plant in the world. China is also sixth in the world for wind power generation and has a goal to lead the world in wind power by 2020."
Recognizing innovations in places like China, Dr. Halter sees endless opportunity for Canada and the United States. He points out that Canada has the largest coastline in the world, making it a prime location for offshore wind production. He also says we’re sun rich and need to start taking advantage of solar energy.
"We have to cut back and pulse down. If we wait for government to sit around and agree on this, we’re done. It’s about each of us making a difference. We all need to band together and take better care of the Earth and be gentler on the Earth."
Simple changes are what Dr. Halter believes will turn the tides on climate change. He suggests families go online to calculate their carbon footprint and make a family project out of decreasing energy use. He rattles off a list of "no brainers" – personal changes like using cold water in the wash, condensing vehicular chores to one day of the week instead of multiple trips, walking once a week instead of driving and switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs."
Dr. Halter wants people to read his book in order to understand weather and our unequivocally changing climate. He hopes readers will start a domino effect of feeling enlightened, making better decisions, telling others and reducing consumption.
Dr. Halter’s upcoming tour will stop in Calgary for two dates. Attendees can expect to be inspired, entertained, informed and leave feeling like they are part of the solution.
Dr. Halter will speak about climate change Sunday, April 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Macleod Trail Chapters and Monday, April 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the University of Calgary, Earth Sciences Building ES162. |
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