big picture environment studies

Long term readers (all two of you) will know that I tout my Dad on this blog from time to time. In that light I thought I would point out the recent initiative by the University of Washington, his employer, to create a College of the Environment. It would include the departments of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, Marine Affairs, Oceanography, and Forest Resources as well as members of other departments who might be particularly interested in environmental issues. This would foster a broader dialogue with voices from across disciplines, including scientists and policy experts. A Seattle Times op-ed says the effort “catches up with the seamless view students have of the world they are studying, experiencing, and preparing to manage.” Dad’s been a part of this push from the beginning, and I’m glad it’s moving forward. Addressing the environmental issues of today requires input from researchers, policy makers, economists, political scientists, historians, and many more. In a recent article on the ethics of climate change, Richard Somerville makes this point, suggesting scientists cannot and should not work alone at addressing climate change. Perhaps UW’s College of the Environment can widen the conversation just a bit more.