Last November 3rd I was honored when Steve came to Climate One on the day his book, Science As a Contact Sport, was published. Here is the video of Steve presentation, which integrates his views on science, society managing risk, news organizations, ethics, and much more.
Steve has been a guiding force from the beginning of Climate One and was the first person to join the Climate One Advisory Council.
His influence began after I had returned from a 10-day journey on a Russian icebreaker in the Arctic during the summer of 2007. I had listened to the lectures of world-class experts in climate change every day and was still feeling like a complete novice on the subject. And yet, Steve Schneider agreed to meet with me and give a tutorial on climate science and politics. It was a blissfully sunny day in Stanford at the café outside the Cantor Arts Center.
He arrived and asked if we could sit out of the sun, explaining he had just beat a form of cancer and had written about it in his new book The Patient From Hell.
Once settled in, with his colleague Patricia Mastrandrea sitting protectively at his side, he unleashed a tour de force. I still vividly recall his comments about who he considered villains and angels in the climate battles.
Over the next three years I encountered him at the Governors' Global Climate Summit, AAAS Meetings, Energy Crossroads at Stanford, and the Bella Center in Copenhagen. I have the privilege of hearing many brilliant people at the fantastic Commonwealth Club, which truly is a national treasure. Therefore it is rare for me to go outside and listen to people talk. I did when Steve spoke last year at the Institute at the Golden Gate. He spoke so long they didn't have time for audience questions. Classic!
He could always be counted on to give advice candidly and directly. Every time I listened to Steve I picked up valuable information and my understanding deepens.
After the Golden Gate discussion, a few of us went to lunch and talked about how Steve had convinced some big-time CEOs that climate change is real, here and now. An intern who joined us was thrilled to have the opportunity to watch a climate elder hold court.
In May this year, we arranged to have dinner with blogger Joe Romm and others after Joe's Climate One conversation on July 19th. Before Joe took the stage that evening we showed a Climate One highlight video that opens with Steve and includes many leading voices in the energy debates. Early in July, Steve emailed to confirm that he would attend even though he was flying in that day from Sweden. On July 15th, Steve wrote that he was, "not in the best of health" and needed to, "stop burning the candle at both ends and in the middle too." Rather than attend the dinner he would rest up for a busy day ahead at Stanford. He had a heart attack en route and never made it home.
At the dinner, Adam Werbach wept deeply when he heard Steve was gone. Another person told of being at the North Pole with Steve and having a great time. Hundreds of people have stories. Hundreds were mentored. Hundreds were inspired to learn and act. I'm grateful that I am among them.
Greg Dalton
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