CSU’s Kelly brings soil studies to life
- Kelly is Professor of Pedology/Head of Soil and Crop Sciences and Assoc. Dir. of Research for SoGES.
Question: Why is healthy soil so important?
Answer: It’s essentially the skin of our planet! It is our most important living and life-giving natural resource. As world population and food production demands rise, keeping our soil healthy is of paramount importance. In fact, the 68th United Nations General Assembly just declared 2015 the International Year of Soils to help raise awareness among societies and decision makers about the profound importance of soil for human life.
Q: How did you become interested in soil science?
A: I drifted into soil science while studying natural resources at CSU. I was drawn to pedology because it’s highly interdisciplinary and converges around the things that interest me: chemistry, physics, biology, geology and ecology. It’s a discipline that simultaneously challenges one intellectually and physically and brings one to the field in some of the most beautiful and interesting places imaginable.
Q: What are some of the questions that you explore with students in your Global Environmental Sustainability (GES 101) class?
A: I teach Global Environmental Sustainability and I ask students questions at the beginning of the term and we revisit them at the end of each semester! Here are a few and the rationale I explain to students for each question:
1. What will the world look like when you are 60?
I explain to them that our environmental future will be a world of 9 billion to 10 billion people, with drastically different energy and climate conditions. To change the future, we must first envision it.
2. What was the person who cut down the last tree on Easter Island thinking?
Supposedly, Easter Islanders’ rapid deforestation deprived residents of even the ability to build canoes and exploit their fisheries. From our vantage point it’s easy to say, “What were they thinking?” In the future, someone may ask that about our use of fossil fuels.
3. What would Bono do?
This is my favorite question. Environmental issues have become much more divisive of late (climate change, fracking, GMOs). All trigger emotional responses. As scientists we need to be aware there is a chasm between what we know scientifically and gaining public and political acceptance. In my view Bono, U2 lead vocalist and humanitarian activist, has an intuitive grasp of effective discussion: make your point, confirm the values of those with whom you speak, and allow participants from different value systems to engage with you. I tell students that no matter what the issue — remind yourself that the “other side” is not going away — so we need to engage and have productive and open dialogue. And say to yourself, “What Would Bono Do?”
Q: What are the biggest changes in environmental awareness you have seen in your 25 years at CSU?
A: The recognition that the “environment” isn’t an abstract concept. It begins with your home, community and family. These are all at the mercy of the larger global forces at work, and if we make the connection between local vs. global, the importance of what is at stake emerges.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you consistently share?
A: I think it was the Dali Lama who said something like, “choose to be optimistic, it just feels better.”
Q: What other types of research do you do?
A: I am interested in being able to evaluate the vulnerability of soils to changing climatic and land use conditions in the context of global and climate change. I continue to study soil degradation globally, and the results are pretty consistent across the board — that a minimum of half of the topsoil on the planet has been lost in the last 150 years and overall soil health is declining — this is mostly impacted by aspects of our food production systems. These are very real and severe issues both locally and globally that I want to address with my research now and into the future.
Q: What’s your go-to lunch spot in Fort Collins?
A: Running on Spring Creek or Poudre Trail or Chebahut.
Q: What’s the one word you use too often?
A: Yes.
Q: What are you most proud of?
A: My family!
Gene Kelly
Title: Professor of pedology and head of soil and crop sciences and associate director of research for School of Global Environmental Sustainability (SoGES)
Family: Wife Lisa and three children: Ian, Brendan and Liam
Hobbies: Running, swimming and biking
Education: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from CSU and a Ph.D. in soil science from U.C. Berkeley
City of residence: Boulder
Date started at CSU: 1989