Facts and Climate Change
I read your article “Ocean Blues” in the June Columns, and my opinion is that the author Sandra Hines really needs to have her article fact-checked. The central statement that “in the past 200 years, the oceans have absorbed about 525 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere” is false.

In the article, the true statement that around the world humans are releasing about 7 billion tons of CO2 every year does not mention that natural processes—decaying vegetation and volcanoes—are releasing over 150 billion tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. Thus, humanity’s contribution is about 5 per cent of the global total. Therefore, if we assume that 70 percent of the total CO2 is absorbed by the oceans, then at least 20,000 billion tons of CO2—not 525 billion tons—have been absorbed by the oceans in the last 200 years.

Further, there is no quantitative data contained in the article whatsoever. If the oceans are indeed reaching the point of ocean acidification, then there should be some measurable pH change. This would tell the tale of how serious the problem is at present, and further, the idea of [Professors Richard] Feely and [Christopher] Sabine subjecting a microsystem of marine life in a large aquarium to changing levels of CO2 is a good one. This would allow some quantitative measurements as to the effects of CO2 on sea life.

… My hope is that a very sharp incoming or graduate student at the UW will figure all this out and use all the facts to determine just what is happening with climate change.

Steve VanWyk, ’71
Poulsbo

Richard Feely and Christopher Sabine reply: From observations and models conducted over the past 40 years, we know that the oceans naturally exchange about 282 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year into and out of the oceans in a two-way exchange process. It is important to note, however, that for at least the last 11,000 years prior to the industrial revolution, the natural ocean carbon uptake was balanced by ocean carbon losses resulting in no net change in the carbon stored in the ocean. The increase in atmospheric CO2 since the beginning of the industrial revolution has now changed that balance so that the ocean is now accumulating carbon every year. This net accumulation is what the article discusses and is the topic of concern among scientists. Today, the ocean annually absorbs an additional 8 billion tons of CO2 from anthropogenic sources (burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, land use changes, etc.). This CO2 is retained in the ocean and after two centuries of accumulation is starting to change the chemistry of the seawater.

If Columns readers are interested in more quantitative results, we encourage them to read some of our scientific work. In order to determine the distribution of anthropogenic CO2 in the global oceans, a large number of U.S. scientists participated in a 15-year long collaboration amongst oceanographers from 8 different countries to acquire the largest ever ocean carbon data set (more than 77,000 samples). We were involved in this effort and published the results in an article in Science (Sabine et al., Science, 305, 367–371) in which we point out that since the beginning of the industrial revolution this additional of anthropogenic carbon dioxide uptake has amounted to approximately 525 billion tons of carbon dioxide (as pointed out by Sandra Hines on page 19 of her article). This estimate has been verified with other observations and models since the original work was published. At same time we were also able to publish a second article in same issue of Science (Feely et al., Science, 305, 362366) that showed the carbonate chemistry of the oceans had dramatically changed in response to this uptake, including a measurable surface-ward migration of waters that are corrosive to the CaCO3 shells and skeletons of marine life. We reported on a number of published laboratory studies that indicated that many species of calcifying organisms were highly sensitive to the increased CO2 concentrations. Additional work from both observations and models, recently published in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 4th Assessment Report (Chapters 5, 7, and 10) have documented that the surface ocean pH has decreased by 0.1 pH unit (30% increase in acidity) since the beginning of the industrial revolution, and the pH is presently decreasing at a rate of approximately 0.02 per decade. These changes have been observed at time-series stations in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Moreover, several modeling studies have indicated that by the end of this century the pH could decrease another 0.1 - 0.3 units depending on the growth of CO2 emissions. Such dramatic changes of the CO2 system in open ocean surface waters would have major impacts on our ocean’s ecosystems as Hines describes in her article.


Outrageous, Bogus Claims
My wife and I were stunned by the June 2007 issue of Columns. The magazine began with the “Prelude” column and continued to one of the most outrageous, bogus pieces I have ever read: “Ocean Blues.” This story was so far to the left and so full of distortions, falsehoods and unsupported claims (disasters, calamities, etc.), that I was compelled to respond.

I realize that the U Dub has a history of being a left-leaning institution full of crackpots, radicals and extremists. I also know that the Bullitt and Brainard Foundations have a stranglehold on many environmental studies by virtue of their “generous grants” to support their radical political views. I understand that many state and city of Seattle grants and contracts fund vast portions of the University of Washington and therefore can virtually dictate any current political environmental agenda. But frankly to have someone like Sandra Hines, who is essentially a journalist with little or no background in science, make outrageous claims by quick and out of context quotes and supposition is way over the line.

I note in the “Prelude” [that] bogus concepts like: climate change, global warming, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon emissions are used as though they were not some far out, left wing extremist hypothesis but fact! Using the word “may,” this issue is predicting:
 
1. Die off of most of the ocean’s marine animals and plants.
2. Acid oceans.
3. Disasters and calamities.
 
I find it remarkable that this piece on the one hand says that almost 50 percent (the actual number is much higher) of all the historic CO2 emissions by man has been absorbed by the oceans, but then talks about greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) causing global warming. The writer can’t have it both ways.

I am of the belief that the U Dub is making a mistake attempting to troll around for grants with the statement: “Our faculty is recognized internationally for its work in studying climate change.” I didn’t realize that one could study something that doesn’t exist! This article destroyed your credibility with us.

Bob Clark
Monroe

Keep Us Informed
We just wanted to say “thank you” for your article on the acidification of the oceans. Keeping us informed on climate change processes and issues is extremely important. Do you have any news on what current University people and alums are doing personally to help mitigate CO2 emissions? We think having people share what they are doing would be inspirational to others and help get others thinking and, more importantly, doing too! We look forward to future issues of the Columns.

Pam Lewis, ’68
Seattle

Beyond the Tipping Point
Your June 2007 edition of Columns with the headlines “Ocean Blues” was indeed most interesting and troubling. The headline was the incentive I needed to write about several issues.

I graduated from the UW School of Fisheries in March 1974. I was not one of the UW’s most distinguished graduates that year but rose within the ranks of the then Washington State Department of Fisheries (now Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife) to develop and lead their marine outreach and education program to the citizens of Washington State. I have been their Marine Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist since 1988 (just completed my twentieth year of outreach activities this month). In 2006, I was named environmental educator of the year by my agency award for public and employee service as well as many community awards for my attempts to enlighten and connect our citizens to the plight of the marine environment both coastal and Puget Sound. I have also won several EPA awards for working with underserved/minority communities to promote environmental awareness and justice.  In 1989, I was inducted into my high school hall of fame for professional, humanitarian and community work.

I feel a special connection to the marine environment that most people miss and also consider myself a keen observer to the changes taking place. What is happening is very dark and ominous, in my opinion. In May I completed my 32nd year of employment and became eligible to retire. I ask myself many nights, “What have I accomplished?” and “Have I enlightened, educated and inspired to action the citizens of the state?” “Have I created a sense Puget Sound and the coast?” While our article touched on one aspect affecting the oceans, there are so many more assaulting them on so many fronts that I do feel, within my heart, the balance has already been irreversibly tipped. I believe the vast majority of the populace has no idea or conception how intricately tied we are to the oceans and the life they support. The way of the ocean is the way of the human race. I have no doubt about this!

I have had the unique experiences of visiting many oceans around the world. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with other marine educators through my affiliations with the National Marine Educators Association (which I served on from 1999–2003 as the northwest representative) and the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (which I served as president of in 1997–98). Our oceans are beautiful and highly fragile places. Many of them are in deep peril. I had a fourth grade girl once ask me why I cared so much about the ocean. To this day I remember where she was seated in her classroom, her dress color and her hairstyle. I could see she was serious about her question. I told her I wanted her to have the same experiences I had when I was in fourth grade and frankly I was concerned they would not be there for her and her classmates. She then told me, “Thank you for caring for me.”

Your article was a very good one but frankly I feel what is on the horizon for the oceans of the world and the human race is not good. The oceans are in decline and until we can connect the public to their plight, we will continue to see them slip away from the economic and intrinsic beauty they offer us. I gave it my all but in my heart I believe I have failed to inform, inspire, educate and motivate the citizens of Washington state to speak on behalf of the oceans for present and future generations. All of the awards and accolades will have been naught unless the conditions of the oceans can be reserved.

… I hope your “Ocean Blues” article will bring more awareness to the plight of the troubled oceans.

Alan D. Rammer, ’74
Montesano

Hungry Readers
My husband and I are alumni (both class of ‘93) and we devour each issue of Columns. We receive two other alumni magazines and neither match the liveliness, spirit or journalistic interest that Columns achieves. In the most recent edition, I especially enjoyed the article on “Ocean Blues” and the profile of Dawn Williams. Thank you for such excellent work.

Crystal Tecca Mangahas, ’93
Santa Rosa, Calif.

Button Pusher
Thanks for the great article on Dan Evans [“Engineer of Change,” June 2007]. One of my favorite memories of studying at UW and living in Seattle was my participation in Dan’s gubernatorial campaign in 1964. I had grown up as an “Eisenhower Republican” and was not happy at Gov. [Nelson] Rockefeller’s rejection by the Republican national convention. Since the state primary was still a month and a half away, my then wife and I did some homework and concluded than Dan and Slade Gorton were the primary candidates who best represented the style of Republicans that we wished to support.

Over the five weeks between the convention and the primary election, we both took every opportunity to ring doorbells and hand out literature for Dan and Slade. Both won handily.  A few days after the primary, Slade asked me to spend my efforts for the main election on Dan’s campaign and shortly after that I found myself the doorbelling chairman. I spent a week analyzing previous elections by precinct, laid out a campaign and we managed to execute it. I expect that it being Dan’s home district had more to do with it than my efforts, but we were the highest over our vote quota in the state. That and an invitation to the inaugural ball were pretty heady stuff for a kid who finally earned a B.S. in math at the end of that fall quarter.

Chris Prael, ’65
Menlo Park, Calif.

Population Puzzle
Reading a paragraph in Eric McHenry’s piece on Dan Evans four times, my puzzlement only grew. Could it be true that in 1859 there were only “500 people living in Kitsap County ... and fewer than 12,000 in all of Washington Territory”? Even given that diseases such as smallpox felled tribal communities, such small population numbers as McHenry cites still seem incredible. Could it be that McHenry means only 500 and 12,000 people of European descent?

Thank you for helping me stay in touch with the life of so treasured an educational institution as the University of Washington.

Anne Winnifred Martin, ’76, ’79
Seattle

Editor’s Note: Martin is right, and has illustrated one of the hazards of relying on census data for historical information. The numbers cited in “Engineer of Change” were drawn from the 1860 federal census, which did not count most Native Americans—only those who had renounced tribal rule. The first effort to include all Native Americans in a census did not happen until 1890.

True Scope of Hepatitis C
I was very interested in your article about the hepatitis C virus [“Bad Blood,” June 2007], but was very disappointed to learn that “(there are) no further resources to continue their work on the virus culture system.” When my son was 18 and decided to donate blood, he was told he had hepatitis C (he is now 25). He went through the interferon and ribavirin therapy during his college years. My son has epilepsy so it is necessary for his liver to be healthy for as long as possible. (We assume he contracted it during one of his many hospital visits as a young child.) He has tested negative for the last few years, but we are still concerned that this virus may rear its ugly head again. This is not just a drug-user virus. I understand it is contracted in this way, but it was also passed on to many children who just happened to be born before it was a known virus. My hope is that funding will become available as more and more people realize the true scope of this infection.

Patricia Cashin
Nashville, Tenn.


Gender Balance
I was dismayed to find that none of the seven Distinguished Teaching Award winners [“Extra Credit,” June 2007] was female. I have no doubt that these men are well-deserving of recognition and reward, but surely there is at least one female who is equally qualified! Is no one paying attention here?

Sheree Galpert, ’84
Newtonville, Mass.

Editor’s note: Teaching award winners are chosen by a committee of faculty, students and alumni. The composition of the group of winning teachers changes from year to year. Last year four out the seven winners were women.


Where Are the Women?
I spent my morning reading the latest edition of Columns, and couldn’t help but notice a remarkable gender imbalance. Strong images of men dominate advertising as well as articles, most notably by the seven distinguished teachers and the features on Dan Evans. Women appear in prominent roles as follows:
•    Murdered on campus
•    “Lonely lunch” (note that Dawn Williams’ article appears on the same page as an ad for a catering company; also, I had no idea she had been alumni president until I reached the end of the article)
and in less prominent roles as:
•    National Teacher of the Year (note the tile “Musical Gift” as opposed to “Engineer of Change”)
•    Women’s basketball coach
•    Deborah Parker, who managed to squeeze herself in beside President Emmert in “Tribal Summit”
•    Famous victims of hepatitis C
•    “Some admirers” of Taylor Barton, stud

I do not degrade music, or using lunches to launch a career of service, but the Columns staff could do a better job of showing women in nontraditional roles. It’s the 21st century, after all. I’m embarrassed to be using the term “nontraditional.” At least “Ocean Blues” was authored by a woman.

My impression, were I visiting from Mars, would be that men count (make that white men) and women don’t. I wonder if that’s the best foot forward for the University of Washington.

Sharon E. Streeter, ’65
Portland, Ore.

The Mystery of the Missing Lobby
Your look back on the design of Padelford Hall [“Unintelligent Design,” June 2007] spoke about its twisted design, modernist experimentation, and unusual topography. However, you never pinpointed a particular reason for a lack of formal entry, lobby or transition from public to private space.
 
I certainly never looked forward to meeting an advisor there because I didn’t know if I would ever find my way back out! While taking the prerequisite course to apply to the College of Architecture and Urban Planning, we were told to study a building on campus. I chose Padelford because it was close to my residence (Haggett Hall), and because it would be a challenge compared to the predictable formality of traditional Gothic buildings on campus.
Though I was never able to meet the architects at Walker & McGough, I do recall speaking to some faculty members who had offices in the building. Their recollection—a combination of facts and lore—of why the building is so confusing to navigate was to stave off any large demonstrations by students. There is no gathering space, no central area, and no easy way to organize a meeting. Unfortunately, my research led me to design a mock pavilion in the spirit of the confusing design. My graduate student TAs, who were unfamiliar with anything east of “Red Square,” didn’t understand it and gave me a mediocre grade. Indeed a testament to the building’s unintelligent design!

Thomas Carver, ’92
Olympia


Devastating Affliction
In this month’s issue, Alum Notes offers a tribute to Taylor Barton, ’03, for his lifetime struggle with Crohn’s disease, and it references the significant part he played in a recent film on the topic: True Guts: Struggle and Triumph over Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. I tried to find that film, of course, being myself a longtime victim of the disease. Imagine my surprise in discovering that the UW Library System does not have a copy of the film! In fact, there is no library copy of it to be found within 670 miles of Seattle. I would strongly urge that the UW Library be informed of this oversight, and that it be immediately corrected. It would in the positive interest of the university community (including the UW Alumni Association) to see that this is done as soon as possible, as the film makes quite clear what a devastating—yet unusually ‘hidden’—matter this particular affliction is.

Irv Thomas, ’90
Seattle

For the Love of the Sport
On Saturday, April 7, 2007, the UW Athletic Department hosted a wonderful evening for women athletes who had competed at a varsity level on Husky teams of the past. Prior to the passage of Title XI equalizing funding for sports, women played but received no credit or letters for this. The athletic department, spurred by some younger Husky women athletes, decided that the University of Washington has a nationally recognized tradition of excellence in women’s athletics and should honor the “trailblazer” athletes who set this path.
 
About 200 women were honored for sports including skiing, Silver Fish (synchronized swimming), basketball, baseball, field hockey, volleyball, badminton, rifle, tennis, golf, bowling, track and field, crew, gymnastics, swimming and soccer. Each athlete received a nicely framed varsity letter. Those who were eligible were also awarded the Husky athletic blanket. Speakers of the evening included: Todd Turner, Director of Athletics; Mark A. Emmert, ’75, university president and Donna Lopiano of the Women’s Sports Foundation.
 
Teammates of long ago gathered, talking full tilt, to make up for the years in between. Grandchildren applauded grandma’s past athletic prowess. Pictures recorded the event for posterity. Some honorees were in wheelchairs or on walkers. Three were in their 90s. All were united in celebrating an event long overdue. Those of us “women pioneers” did not compete for the tangible reward. We played for love of the sport. We would like to have been recognized at the time but it was really exciting to be validated at this lovely event. I think the Homecoming blanket parade will grow this year as some us get our first ever chance to stand on the field and participate in this annual salute of athletes to athletes sponsored by Big “W” Club.
 
Although there are women playing in pools, fields and courts all over this country—and many of our U.S. women’s teams and athletes have won ultimate awards such as Olympic Gold medals—some gender inequity still exists. Women are paid substantially less than their male counterparts; clothed in men’s castoffs; travel by bus or play on the old field. Most of us had long ago quit even thinking about getting a varsity letter or a blanket. An event such as this one, held by the UW, recognizing the impact of the women who, through their pride and dedication to sport, essentially set up the opportunities of today’s female athletes, validates all women.
 
Janet Slauson, ’55
Lake Forest Park