Being Part of the Process
NEW CONSERVATION BIOLOGY MAJOR INTRODUCES DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO SAVING OUR PLANET
By Kira McEntire, Ph.D
Record-breaking floods, more named hurricanes, devastating wildfires and increased risk of drought are all signs of the climate shifting to a new normal that may be harder to live in than previous generations experienced. Tese changes to weather patterns can have direct impacts on people, plants and non-human animals alike. Growing up in Texas, I have seen some of these changes
firsthand. One memorable year, from 2011-2012, started with a rainy spring resulting in lots of plant growth. Tis was followed by a terrible drought and over 100 days of more than 100-degree weather in the summer. Te drought and heat created an overabundance of dried-up plants. Tis combined with a windy September day created the perfect conditions for a devastating wildfire, covering more than 34,000 acres in Bastrop County. I was home from college the day the fire started and
watched it spread to within one mile of my parents’ house. It was terrifying. To this day, I still see the aftereffects of the fire when I visit home, as it burned approximately two months and is considered the most destructive fire in Texas’ history. Tis natural disaster is one example of many, and few
people remain untouched by one natural disaster or another. Tat is not to say that all natural disasters are caused by climate change. However, the frequency of these events and personal stories are increasing, as the scientific community agrees that these changes are closely linked to carbon dioxide levels and the Industrial Revolution. In addition, proposals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which are largely produced by the burning of fossil fuels (like gasoline and coal), have undeniable economic consequences. Tis makes attempts to slow carbon emissions and, in turn, the impacts of climate change, highly political and a hotly debated topic. Observing and predicting the consequences of climate
change, as well as strategies to limit the impact of climate change are a few of the many topics we will cover in the new conservation biology major we will begin offering in fall 2022. Conservation biology is an interdisciplinary field because it is not only concerned with preserving natural areas and biodiversity but also how people are part of that process. We were inspired to develop this major because
conservation is a critical issue that students and professional scientists alike deeply care about. Although the major is
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heavily influenced by biology, it also requires taking classes in other disciplines such as philosophy and economics to provide an interdisciplinary perspective. Te major will prepare students for a variety of careers from science to policy to environmental consulting. Queens is excited to present this new major and prepare students to face conservation challenges, including climate change, head on. Some strategies may include changes the students decide to make for themselves. We only have one planet, so we better take care of it.
Kira McEntire, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the biology department and started teaching at Queens in fall 2020. Her research with students currently focuses on reptile and amphibian ecology, including behavior, color variation and ecological modeling.
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