Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, spoke in Neely Dining Hall Wednesday as part of Belmont’s “Paradise Lost?” speakers series which is focusing on issues of sustainability and environmental stewardship. Schweiger newly released book is titled Last Chance: Preserving Life on Earth. His appearance was co-sponsored by the College of Arts & Sciences and the Office of Spiritual Development.
Schweiger’s presentation focused primarily on the impact currently being felt by the environment, noting that the one degree rise in temperature has already led to a 10 percent increase in lightning strikes, among numerous other statistics. He added that if temperatures increase another two-three degrees Fahrenheit then 20-30 percent of all animal and plant species will face the risk of extinction.
“The average person now spends six hours a day looking at a screen,” Schweiger said, “which means we are disconnected from nature… Your generation is going to invent the future.”
