Bill Nye, The Science Guy... Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!

I bagged front row seats (Row D!) for the University at Buffalo's Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Bill Nye, the Science Guy. Decked out in his familiar bow-tie, Bill spoke passionately about preserving planet Earth, our Goldilocks planet: not too hot ala Mercury or Venus but also not too cold like Mars or ex-planet Pluto. Earth is just right. For now. The current climate changes occuring, however,are real and in dire need of attention. Nye not only talks the talk, but walks the walk: his home is decked out with solar panels, he competes with his neighbour to see who can lower their energy bills the most and he hands out lettuce from his garden to friends because they are "growing like weeds".

With a science spin in his speech, Nye reminded the audience that technology could be the saving grace of our planet, only if we choose to apply ourselves to pursuing it. John Tierney in his column pointed out that environmentalists in the 70s were burdened by guilt because of the doomed equation: I=PAT.

Impact = People x Affluence x Technology

It seemed that the more of PEOPLE there were, and the more AFFLUENT we became, coupled by the TECHONOLOGY we embraced, our IMPACT on the planet's climate was exacerbated .

Now, however, there exists a possibility that we can still maintain our planet yet simultaneously sustain growing humankind without retarding development. Green technology IS the answer. Electric cars, solar & wind powers, nanotechnology, efficient batteries are just the tip of the iceberg. The ball is in our court.

Happy Earth Day!