Harvard Professor Naomi Oreskes to Speak About Climate Change

Sunday, March 15 at 4 p.m. in Orcas Island Community Church

— by Michael Riordan — 

Naomi Oreskes, Currents Lecture Series speaker

A world-renowned science historian, Naomi Oreskes recently wrote a landmark book, Merchants of Doubt, revealing how a small, industry-financed group of spin-doctors has been repeatedly trying to muddle the public discourse on phenomena ranging from tobacco smoke to climate change. She will visit Orcas Island on Sunday, March 15, to counter this misinformation and address today’s pressing question, “Why Should We Trust Climate Science?”

In this Orcas Currents event, Oreskes will draw on historical examples to demonstrate how science works in actual practice and why we should trust the widespread consensus that burning fossil fuels is the primary cause of climate change. It is derived from a TED talk she presented last year in New York, “Why We Should Trust Scientists,” which has already garnered over 835,000 views: https://www.ted.com/talks/naomi_oreskes_why_we_should_believe_in_science?

Oreskes earned a Ph.D. from Stanford University in the history of science, specializing in earth and environmental sciences. Before coming to Harvard in 2013, she served as Professor of History and Science Studies at the University of California, San Diego, examining the history of plate tectonics and the theory of continental drift. She is particularly interested in trying to understand scientific consensus and dissent.

Naomi Oreskes is among the best-known and most-respected historians of science. Her articles and essays have appeared in The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Nature and Science. Her book Merchants of Doubt won the coveted Watson-Davis Prize of the History of Science Society.

This March SONY Pictures is releasing a feature-length documentary, “Merchants of Doubt,” inspired by the book and starring Oreskes in a lead role. It is sure to raise the stakes by focusing a glaring light on fossil-industry attempts to obfuscate climate science. The trailer for the film can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8ii9zGFDtc

Organized by Orcas Currents and cosponsored by Orcas Island Pubic Library, Friends of the San Juans, and Coates Vineyards, the lecture will begin at 4 p.m. in Orcas Island Community Church, 176 Madrona Street, Eastsound. Afterwards the Orcas Island High School Environment Club will host a reception at the church. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

This is the first in a series of three events involving science, technology and culture that Orcas Currents will be presenting this spring. Stay tuned for more information about future events, including:
• Thursday, May 14: Thor Hansen, on “The Triumph of Seeds”
• Thursday, June 11: Gary Greene on “The Sea Floor Around Us.”

We hope to reach the broadest possible segments of the Orcas community.

For more information contact Michael Riordan at (360) 376-3717, or by email at mriordan137@gmail.com