George Woodwell, climate change pioneer and ecologist, passes away at 95

George Woodwell, founder of the Woods Hole Research Center, whose influential work shaped U.S. environmental policies, died at 95.

Keith Schneider reports for The New York Times.

In short:

• George Woodwell, who founded the Woods Hole Research Center in 1985, was instrumental in shaping U.S. policies on toxic substances and climate change.
• His research highlighted the dangers of synthetic pollutants and the impact of rising carbon dioxide levels, making him a key figure in early climate change awareness.
• Woodwell's work led to significant environmental actions, including the federal ban on DDT and the establishment of the Environmental Defense Fund.

Key quote:

"I said the same things then that I say today. The climatic disruption has the potential of changing the earth as much as a nuclear war will."

— George Woodwell, ecologist

Why this matters:

George Woodwell's pioneering research and activism laid the groundwork for modern environmentalism and climate policy, spearheading the ongoing need to address climate change to protect public health and the environment. Read the announcement from the Woodwell Climate Research Center.