Rather than simply presenting information and moving through slide after slide, an ASU panel chose to inspire the audience to think for themselves about modern environmental problems.
While the conversation in the ASU Origins Project panel titled “Inconvenient Truths - From Love to Extinctions" covered significant ground, its central theme focused on inspiring attendees to consider solutions to pressing environmental concerns.
"Three weeks ago tomorrow, in Hawaii, it was recorded for the first time for a full day that carbon dioxide was at 400 parts per million (in the atmosphere)," said Lawrence Krauss, ASU foundation professor at the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the director of the Origins Project. "For the first time, not just in human history, but in the history of the planet since humans weren't humans."
And yet, following the third presidential debate, the topic of climate change had still not been brought up, said Krauss.
Curtis Marean, speaker and professor at ASU's School of Human Evolution and Social Change, reciprocated Krauss’ concern over the coverage of these topics in politics, but left the audience with some advice.
“For human cooperation to work properly, you have to have great leadership … leaders need to be able instill trust and use that cooperative thinking,” said Marean.
The speakers did not give up on the issue, however, and chose to center the event around inspiring people to make their own change.
“One of the reasons we run our Origins events, besides the information, is to get people thinking about issues that are important, and not try to rustle them up, but hopefully provide information for people to think about,” Krauss said.
Fellow speaker Michael Shermer, editor-in-chief at Skeptic magazine, spoke at length about why it is so difficult for people to change strongly held opinions about issues like climate change.
“Generally, I think, if you leave people with the idea to take it home and think about it … in the quiet of the late night they start thinking, 'Huh, maybe I will read that book or go to that web page,'” said Shermer.
Shermer went on to say that there is no definitive way to persuade people to agree with a particular viewpoint, but that scientists embrace the uncertainty of knowledge.
“We try to prove ourselves right, but we try to prove ourselves wrong,” said Krauss. “And that aspect of the scientific process, if we could just do that more generally, would be profoundly important. Because it’s a great state to be in … the greatest situation I find myself in is to be wrong or confused, because it really means it’s an opportunity for learning.”
Krauss said that ASU was an essential part in remedying gaps in knowledge and using science to sway public thought.
“One of the things I feel so privileged about, having moved here, is colleagues like Curtis,” said Krauss. “When I came here I really wasn’t aware of the incredible depth of talent at Arizona State University. For me it’s been like being a kid in a candy store because I’ve been able to learn so much.”
Reach the reporter at jpleona1@asu.edu or follow @jpleonard123 on Twitter.
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