nicholas school graduation - 2005

Presentation to the Graduation Ceremony
The Nicholas School, Duke University
14 May 2005

William H. Schlesinger
James B. Duke Professor of Biogeochemistry, and Dean

I can think of no time in my environmental career when we have needed more of what you will achieve this weekend—a professional or graduate degree in environmental science and policy, which will allow you to make a difference—a better environment for all peoples of the world. I hope you have had fun with us and are anxious to put your new skills to use. I hope you will cherish some of your friendships here, and use your acquaintances as a rolodex of contacts for your future career. The Duke family is tight, but I hope you will fan out across the US and around the world to make sure that every corner of this country and every species on the planet has a chance of survival against the onslaught of so many of our own number that share the Earth with them. I am happy for the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, but also sad for him—perhaps the last of a proud species that searches a woody swamp in Arkansas for the chance that another of his own kind may also survive.

We must also be stewards of the quality of our environment. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat play primary roles in shaping who we are and what we become. Many of you will be in a position to protect these vital resources.

I remember those quiet summer nights when I was growing up in Cleveland when the air wreaked of DDT used to spray for Dutch Elm disease. Recently, I was shown a paper reporting on studies of cancer in identical twins—individuals with identical genetics. The co-occurrence rate for most common cancers was very low—27% for breast cancer, indicating that it is most often environment, rather than genetics, that controls the initiation of cancer.

I hope along the way you will take the time to educate a few of your fellow citizens—over the backyard fence, in some popular writings, and in presentations in local schools and churches, about the importance of what you did here, and what you now do with your life. I was appalled to hear a few years ago that when 109 children were shown pictures of animals and pictures of Pokemon, at age 8, they could identify 78% Pokemon characters versus 53% of common plants, mammals, and birds. I grew up collecting insects and birds nests, rocks and seashells, and other parts of nature that made me appreciate the diversity of the natural world and how quickly it can be lost. How can we expect the public to love it if they do not know it.

I also hope you will pay special attention to places many of us may never get to know well, but which nevertheless suffer the impact of humans—Tropical Rainforests, Antarctica, and the Sea. The products we buy every day can well determine whether humans can live sustainably and preserve these special habitats on planet Earth. The car we drive helps determine the atmosphere’s carbon dioxide level and changes we will see in each of these vast ecosystems.

Today, is also a day of celebration and memories. It’s been fun having you here with us, and I hope we will see you again frequently. If we don’t see you here, I can assure you that the Alumni office will track you down with the tenacity of Homeland Security. Good natured of course: they will simply ask you to help others enjoy what you have enjoyed and to do what you are about to do.

I may not have always been in town to watch what you do, but I am proud to see you graduate today and to welcome you to the Nicholas School family.