Greg Craven (activist)
Encyclopedia
Greg Craven is an American high school
science teacher and climate change
author. The creator of a 2007 viral video
on YouTube
, he is also the author of a 2009 book on the climate change debate.
and graduated from the University of Puget Sound
in Tacoma, Washington
. In 2007, when he was a science teacher at Central High School
in Independence, Oregon
, Craven posted the nine and one-half minute The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See on YouTube
. The video presented a simplified version of risk management using a 2x2 grid to sketch out possible scenarios based on: a) whether we choose to take action or not, and b) whether global warming turns out to be a threat or not. Using the grid, Craven concluded that taking action to combat climate change was the better choice, given the relative risks.
In the first six months online it garnered four million hits, and prompted Craven to spend six weeks creating 44 follow up videos totaling over seven hours detailing specifics of risk management
applied to climate change. Craven's conclusion was that "the risk of not acting far outweighs the risk of acting." Craven was the focus of some media attention, was named "Featured Teacher" by WIRED Science
, and received criticism by climate change skeptics. In 2009, Craven published the book What's the Worst That Could Happen?: A Rational Response to the Climate Change Debate.
At the annual Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union
, Craven delivered a speech (and subsequent comments during a panel discussion) exhorting the climate science community to become personally involved in the public debate over climate change. Craven's comments caused some negative attention in skeptical climate blogs, which argued that Craven was "the face of the 'New AGU.'" This prompted Craven to publish a retraction taking personal responsibility and emphasizing that his remarks were in no way associated with the AGU organization or its official view.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
science teacher and climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
author. The creator of a 2007 viral video
Viral video
A viral video is one that becomes popular through the process of Internet sharing, typically through video sharing websites, social media and email...
on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, he is also the author of a 2009 book on the climate change debate.
Biography
Craven grew up in Silverton, OregonSilverton, Oregon
Silverton is a city in Marion County, Oregon, United States, along the 45th parallel. The population was 7,414 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
and graduated from the University of Puget Sound
University of Puget Sound
The University of Puget Sound is a private liberal arts college located in the North End of Tacoma, Washington, in the United States...
in Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a mid-sized urban port city and the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. The city is on Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, and northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. The population was 198,397, according to...
. In 2007, when he was a science teacher at Central High School
Central High School (Independence, Oregon)
Central High School is a public high school in Independence, Oregon, United States.-Academics:In 2005-2006, Central High School was rated Satisfactory by the Oregon Department of Education....
in Independence, Oregon
Independence, Oregon
Independence is a city in Polk County, Oregon, United States, on the west bank of the Willamette River along Oregon Route 51, and east of nearby Monmouth. It is part of the Salem Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Craven posted the nine and one-half minute The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
. The video presented a simplified version of risk management using a 2x2 grid to sketch out possible scenarios based on: a) whether we choose to take action or not, and b) whether global warming turns out to be a threat or not. Using the grid, Craven concluded that taking action to combat climate change was the better choice, given the relative risks.
In the first six months online it garnered four million hits, and prompted Craven to spend six weeks creating 44 follow up videos totaling over seven hours detailing specifics of risk management
Risk management
Risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities...
applied to climate change. Craven's conclusion was that "the risk of not acting far outweighs the risk of acting." Craven was the focus of some media attention, was named "Featured Teacher" by WIRED Science
WIRED Science
Wired Science is a weekly high-definition television program that covers modern scientific and technological topics. In January 2007 PBS aired pilot episodes for three different science programs, including Wired Science. Using Nielsen ratings, CPB-sponsored research and public feedback, PBS...
, and received criticism by climate change skeptics. In 2009, Craven published the book What's the Worst That Could Happen?: A Rational Response to the Climate Change Debate.
At the annual Fall Meeting of the American Geophysical Union
American Geophysical Union
The American Geophysical Union is a nonprofit organization of geophysicists, consisting of over 50,000 members from over 135 countries. AGU's activities are focused on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics...
, Craven delivered a speech (and subsequent comments during a panel discussion) exhorting the climate science community to become personally involved in the public debate over climate change. Craven's comments caused some negative attention in skeptical climate blogs, which argued that Craven was "the face of the 'New AGU.'" This prompted Craven to publish a retraction taking personal responsibility and emphasizing that his remarks were in no way associated with the AGU organization or its official view.
Publications
- What's the Worst That Could Happen?: A Rational Response to the Climate Change Debate, Perigee Trade, 2009; ISBN 978-0-399-53501-7