The two scientists were deep in conversation about climate change, conservation and sustainability of planet earth, topics that fill their lives each day. They meet every few months for dinner, and to discuss how to help Mother Earth. One of those conversations was recently featured during Pivot, a TEDx St. Louis virtual event.<\/p>\n
The scientists \u2014 Kyra Krakos, PhD, associate professor of biology and program director for Maryville\u2019s online Bachelor of Science in sustainability, and Peter Raven, PhD, world-renowned American botanist, and now president emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden after serving nearly 40 years \u2014 are longtime friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always dine on Peter\u2019s back porch,\u201d Krakos said. \u201cPeter was my adviser in graduate school and over the years has continued to be my mentor and friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
TEDx St. Louis features talks by outstanding thought leaders on topics connected to the region. When Krakos and Raven were invited to participate in the December 8 event, Krakos said they decided their presentation would \u201cturn the camera on ourselves and provide highlights of our conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n
The two scientists sat on Raven\u2019s deck in the wooded backyard, wrapped in blankets, and 2,000 people tuned into the TEDx St. Louis event remotely. Titled \u201cPivot,\u201d the event\u2019s six speakers gave fresh perspectives on the current state of our world.<\/p>\n
Raven, the recipient of multiple prizes including the National Medal of Science and MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships, has published nearly 800 papers and some 20 books on our environment. He offered his audience a brief history on how the earth has seemingly deteriorated overnight.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had no idea of conservation in the 1920s, 30s, 40s, even the 50s,\u201d he reminded them. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t until the end of the disruptive 60s that humans began destroying the world. The number of people in the world quadrupled in the 20th century. The sheer numbers of us on the planet now are destroying our entire ecosystem at a rate we have never seen.\u201d<\/p>\n
The author of \u201cThe Biology of Plants,\u201d the best selling botany textbook for 50 years, paused to let it sink in for the audience.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe depend on plants for our existence,\u201d he continued. \u201cSince all of our food comes from plants, we are creating a modern dystopian world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the dire predictions, these scientists refer to themselves as optimists and remain hopeful.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut there is no reason to remain hopeful at all if you\u2019re not willing to do something about it,\u201d Raven said.<\/p>\n
Krakos can rattle off plenty to be hopeful about. \u201cWe have accumulated serious data on Conservation, Sustainability and Climate Change, said Krakos after the TEDx St. Louis event. \u201cWe have also seen success in addressing these serious issues, when we put our minds to it. And that gives us hope. We are both very positive people and believe in a sustainable world. But social justice must be supported; we cannot live selfishly.\u201d<\/p>\n