Weather at arMs
Veerabhadran Ramanathan , distinguished professor of atmospheric sciences at Scripps , is an avid proponent of both the scientific and the ethical imperatives behind environmental stewardship .
Even the Pentagon agrees — climate change is a national threat . From increased demand for humanitarian efforts to environmental threats to military installations , the peril is out there .
Rear Admiral Tim gallaudet ( Scripps , Ph . D . 2001 ) visited Scripps in may 2014 for a workshop on rising sea levels . Then the deputy director of the Navy ’ s Task Force Climate Change , he outlined some of the military ’ s vulnerabilities , as well as its approach to assessment and coping . gallaudet was subsequently named admiral and commander of the Naval meteorology and Oceanography Command , the first Scripps alumnus to achieve the high ranking .
Research being carried out at UC San Diego could prove fundamental to future national security . Stronger understanding of weather patterns — as well as improved weather prediction and monitoring systems — will play a significant role in how we can better adapt to a changing world .
Photo : Bob Ross Photography
THE mORAl imPERATiVE
To move beyond this impasse , casting climate change as a moral issue as much as an economic one has gained traction in scientific circles . In June 2015 , Pope Francis embraced this viewpoint , issuing the now historic and controversial encyclical — an official papal letter typically offering direction on Catholic faith — titled “ Laudato Si .” The document used the observations of science to lament society ’ s irresponsible use of the environment , a condition intertwined with social injustices suffered throughout the world , especially by the poor .
A relationship with a UC San Diego researcher proved to be a key inspiration for the Pope ’ s encyclical . Veerabhadran Ramanathan , distinguished professor of atmospheric sciences at Scripps , has been a proponent of the powerful role religion can play in mobilizing public support for environmental stewardship . Pope John Paul II elected Ramanathan to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in 2004 . Ramanathan ’ s convening of an academy workshop at the Vatican in May 2014 was a key precursor to the encyclical .
After the workshop , Ramanathan was given a chance to briefly speak to the Pope . The elevator pitch he delivered was that the world ’ s 3 billion poorest people have no access to fossil fuels and therefore have contributed little to global warming . Yet , Ramanathan added , they will suffer the worst consequences of climate change . Ramanathan said he left the Pope to consider exhorting his followers to become better environmental stewards .
Ramanathan has also addressed the United Nations on the subject , and has publicly discussed the intersection of science and moral authority with other religious leaders , including the Dalai Lama .
Ramanathan followed up on his Vatican experience by co-authoring a Science essay , “ The Pursuit of the Common Good .” The piece begins : “ Humanity is at a crossroads . Do we continue trends of preceding decades that lift people out of poverty and extend life spans , but in the process run down the planet ’ s natural capital ? Solutions to this profound problem will require greater cooperation among people .” A simple truth , no matter how inconvenient .
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