The Oklahoma Academy of Science is one of the sponsors of a global warming information session that will take place in the Aaronson Auditorium of the Central Library in downtown Tulsa on Thursday, May 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. The other sponsor is Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education.
Dr. Stanley Rice will give a presentation and then lead a discussion about global warming. I am the author of several science books. Two of them (Green Planet: How Plants Keep the Earth Alive and Encyclopedia of Biodiversity) have extensive coverage of global warming. A PDF file of the text of the presentation will be available on my website under “presentations” shortly before the session.
Global warming is beginning to surpass evolution as the hot topic of science education today, and that is why OAS and OESE are interested in it. As with creationism, global warming denialism is based on inaccurate science and often on religious assertions that have no clear connection with religious tradition. In addition, there is a strong motivation by some industry groups to deny global warming. At the same time, many other industries are ready to pursue clean energy, and many religious groups want to protect what they see as God’s creation from damage caused by humans.
My professional connection to the science of global warming is that I have a multi-year study of the effects of climate change on budburst times in deciduous trees, and I studied the effects of carbon dioxide on plant growth when I was in graduate school.
The event is free and open to the public. Expect a diverse crowd: the Tulsa geologists (many of whom are petroleum geologists) have been invited to participate in the audience and discussion.
Posted by: Stanley Rice, president-elect
