A Scientist's Perspective

Listening to Scientists and Doctors

A couple of my CCL compatriots volunteered to write a letter on climate change from their perspective as a scientist and as a medical doctor. These are enlightening letters. I would encourage anyone to study climate change. You do not have to be a scientist, or doctor. With a little study, you will soon see for yourself the consequences, as they apply to you, to our community, and to our country.

Before reading the perspective of a scientist, have you ever asked yourself if you could be a scientists or doctor? I have. The unanswered question for me is, “Would I have had the right temperament?”  I have had the good fortune of mixing with doctors and scientists often throughout my flying career.  What I have come to realize is that they all are motivated to do “good” by acquiring and applying knowledge. They are in the business of solving problems for our well-being. This desire to do good manifests itself in the admirable traits of discipline, perseverance, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to work as a team. 

So, would I have been a good scientist or doctor, or even persevered through all that schooling? I am going to be kind to myself and put it this way, “I would have had to grow in many ways.”

Here is an enlightening letter from a scientist and mom:

A Scientist’s Perspective

Nicola Philpott, PhD.

 

I worked as a research scientist for 16 years before giving up my career to have a family.  As a former scientist and assistant professor, it is utterly shocking to me that anyone would dispute the fact that climate change is happening and that it is primarily caused by humans.  Over 97 % of climate scientists agree that human-caused climate change is here, and it is catastrophic. Please give the experts some credit.

Having worked in many research laboratories, I've experienced the blood, sweat and tears that go into making even the tiniest discoveries - most of which go unnoticed by the general public.  Scientists are dedicated to their vocation and make huge sacrifices to do this work.  They have very little social life, and the few who have families lose precious time with them.  Research science is a highly competitive, cut-throat industry with constant pressure to get funding. 

 

To be a research scientist is to be immersed in your work. You go to bed and wake up thinking about it.  When you make a small discovery, your work is put through rigorous scrutiny before any results are published.  I accept what climate scientists are telling us, not because I’ve scrutinized the data but because I know what they’ve been through to obtain and publish their results.  It's absurd for people with no scientific background to dismiss climate change.  It has been thoroughly studied, debated and researched, using numerous techniques and models, with findings published hundreds of times.  

When we’re sick, we go to the doctor.  We don’t review all the medical literature, because we know it will be over our heads.  We just want to get better, so we accept the treatment that a doctor prescribes.  Right now, our planet is sick, and we know the cause is elevated greenhouse gas emissions.  Moreover, we know the proper treatment is to drastically reduce our consumption of carbon-based fuels such as coal, oil and gas.  Like any other malady, climate change will be easier to treat sooner rather than later.  As a parent I can’t leave this problem for my children.

Fortunately, there's a legislative proposal that will facilitate our conversion from fossil fuels to renewable energy.  It’s called Carbon Fee and Dividend.  Economists have shown that this policy will increase jobs in Northern Michigan, boost the economy and put money in the pockets of lower and middle-income households. 

Representative Bergman has taken the first step by listening to constituents and joining the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus.  I ask him now to please listen to climate scientists and economists and use his position to take the next step to mitigate climate change.  Representative Bergman has the authority and is in the perfect position to introduce Carbon Fee and Dividend legislation.  By doing so, he will provide a livable world for our children and grandchildren.  This could be his legacy.  Scientists have warned us, now it is time to act.

Nicola Philpott, PhD has a doctorate in biochemistry and molecular biology. She previously worked as an assistant professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota and has written 18 peer-reviewed scientific publications. Philpott is a co-leader of the Grand Traverse Area Citizens’ Climate Lobby.