There are many annual events at Wake Robin and one of our favorites is the Gentry Lecture.
This series is named after Stokes and Mary Jane Gentry for their contributions as founders, board members, and residents of Wake Robin. The program was established in 2002 and has brought prominent figures from the government and economic sectors, as well as the fields of science, education, and the arts.
This year’s offering came in mid-October and our guest presenter was Dr. Steven Hamburg, Chief Scientist Emeritus of the Environmental Defense Fund. He is recognized around the world as an expert on climate and energy systems. His presentation, “Cutting Methane, Cooling the Planet,” is an exploration of one of the most effective strategies for slowing global warming. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and reducing emissions offers one of the fastest ways to cool our planet.
Steven’s connection to Wake Robin is through Tom Siccama, a former resident, who was one of his professors at Yale. Climate issues are wide-ranging and happen on many fronts. Changes are happening faster than expected. He says methane is a relatively easy target since we already know how to mitigate its effects. It is the cause of 30% of our warming, and it is emitted in the process of making fossil fuels. The main problem is that methane leaks during the extraction process.
For over a decade, scientists gathered data in partnership with the United Nations. The data showed that there was no denying that there was a problem. They needed solutions and they wanted to have impact. Dozens of companies signed on to help figure out how much leakage was occurring and where it was coming from. They collected information from observers on the ground, from aircraft, and from a satellite. Among the solutions are plugging leaks and capturing vented gases, making dietary changes for livestock to reduce methane production in their digestive systems, and diverting organic waste from landfills. None of these are especially high-tech or expensive.
As Steven told the crowd, “It just takes the will to do something. With the support of the people, we have the power to make a difference.”
