Experience

I received my BA degree in chemistry from the University of Vermont in 1966.  In 1972 I received my Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from Wayne State University.  I worked for industry, for the first 15 years in the electronics industry (photoresists and solder masks and uv curable materials such as floor covering wear layers and printing plates in Germany, Maryland, California, and New York.

Subsequently I spent a time as product manager of porous demineraliser septums for demineralizing water used in nuclear power plants.  Since 1985 I have lived in Connecticut where I became interested in the process of bioremediation and worked as a one man company cleaning up sites contaminated with hydrocarbons as well as chlorinated solvents.  I used knowledge that I had gained from publications as well as a fellow Wayne State Alumnus who worked with the USEPA risk reduction laboratory.     

I retired and began serving in a series of volunteer positions such as chairing a local harbor management commission, where I learned a great deal about how to fund dredging as well as the environmental aspects of coastal water management.  I am also actively involved in a town conservation commission, and formed an advocacy group to educate the public about human and bird interactions on a series of barrier islands in our town.  During the past 20 years I have, from time to time, served as adjunct professor of chemistry at a local university, teaching first year chemistry and a graduate course in environmental science.

My interest in global warming has increased over the years (I am a part time professional ski instructor as well as an offshore and near coastal sailor).  I have followed very esoteric discussions about the origins of global warming, and whether it is human caused, and how to deal with it.  As a result of that, I have come to the conclusion that although I do not fully understand the causes of global warming, I can easily comprehend that man’s adding to the CO2 in the atmosphere is certainly a contributing cause.

I believe that as scientists we have to make a large effort to make a concerted effort to bring both the public and particularly the press and policy makers, awareness  that we as humans can at least begin to mitigate warming by reducing CO2 output via safe, easily accessible, non life-changing means.  I believe that we scientists have done a poor job of communicating the problem and possible solution in easy to understand non- threatening language that any layman can understand.