Defenders of Wildlife mourns the loss of climate scientist, Dr. Stephen Schneider

Statement on the passing of Dr. Stephen Schneider

Summary:

• The following is a statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president for Defenders of Wildlife:

The following is a statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president for Defenders of Wildlife:

"We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Steve Schneider this week.  Steve's death represents a tremendous loss to both the climate science and conservation communities. Anyone who had to pleasure to interact with Steve, to witness firsthand his brilliance, wit and fierce commitment to the pursuit of scientific excellence, could only describe him as a force of nature. But we'll remember him also as a force for nature.  

As an avid birder, Steve loved both nature and science. He used his climate science research to advance the climate debate and to help governments and policy-makers understand that protecting human communities will only be possible if we also protect nature – the Earth's life-support system. His research provided the critical foundation to move the climate change agenda forward, to help understand the climate system, the impacts of climate change and to illustrate the need to begin the critical work to help wildlife and natural systems adapt to climate impacts before they are irreversibly lost.

Even his book "The Patient from Hell," which focused on his own battle against cancer, was a guide to conservationists facing the challenge of conserving nature. The lesson we'll remember: be a forceful advocate even when the battle is against all odds; use the best scientific evidence as your weapon; and fight, relentlessly, for the preservation of life, and the quality of life. Steve will be sorely missed."

Learn more about the harmful impacts of climate change already being felt by wildlife and natural systems.

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