A Distinguished University Professor in the School of Earth Sciences and a Senior Research Scientist in the Byrd Polar Research Center at The Ohio State University. His research has propelled the field of ice core paleoclimatology out of the Polar Regions to the highest tropical and subtropical ice fields. He and the OSU team have developed lightweight solar-powered drilling equipment for the acquisition of histories from ice fields in the tropical South American Andes, the Himalayas, and on Kilimanjaro. These paleoclimate histories have advanced our understanding of the coupled nature of Earth’s climate system. Special emphasis has been placed on the El Niño and monsoon systems that dominate the climate of the tropical Pacific and affect global-scale oceanic and atmospheric circulation patterns. His observations of glacier retreat over the last three decades confirm that glaciers around the world are melting and provide clear evidence that the warming of the last 50 years is now outside the range of climate variability for several millennia, if not longer. Beyond research, Lonnie is now accepting more opportunities to use his voice to speak to audiences around the world. Featured in CANARY his mission has shifted into engaging people around the world with his inspiring story and message of hope for humanity and the world as we know it.

Data is essential in helping us forward our understanding of the world and how it works. While scientists tend to need to stay objective when you have incredible insight that perhaps the world at large is not seeing, you have an obligation to do what you can to get the message out there. “With great knowledge, comes great responsibility”