By Mary O’KEEFE

“We are going to burn long before we drown.” This was a quote given just a few weeks before the Station Fire. And although it was in reference to the depletion of the ozone layer, the rising temperatures, drought and the overall challenges of climate change, it was oddly prophetic and wise, which is the hallmark of speaking with Bill Patzert.

Patzert has been the go-to climatologist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for decades whom CV Weekly has had the pleasure of interviewing on numerous occasions. But after 35 years, he has retired from JPL.

Patzert received a Bachelor of Science in physics and mathematics from Purdue University, and a Ph.D in oceanography from the University of Hawaii. He then made his way to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego where, from 1972 to 1983, he conducted research to understand the ocean’s role in climate and participated in numerous oceanographic expeditions. Once at JPL, he helped develop long term strategies for ocean, earth and atmospheric remote sensing and became the NASA headquarters program manager for Physical Oceanography and the Ocean Dynamics Program Scientist, NASA’s Scatterometer (NSCAT) and U.S./France TOPEX/Poseidon missions. He conducted research on the ocean’s role in climate variability and worked on various NASA/JPL projects and was also the spokesperson for ocean and climate related space activities, according to the NASA/JPL website.

During his career he saw many changes, especially in technology. He said he began writing his equations on a yellow pad, then moved to writing his college papers on an electric typewriter, and most recently – through the explosion of scientific research technology – he worked with JPL satellites that sent back iconic photos of the Earth from mid-orbit. And although he saw some progress, he also saw regression in some environmental issues. When asked about the recent expansion of offshore drilling proposed by the Trump Administration, Patzert said oil drilling is part of what threatens the ocean.

“On so many levels our oceans are at risk,” he said. “The oceans are warming and sea levels are rising. For centuries we have been using the ocean as a garbage dump.”

He added that it is easier to see the effects of climate abuse on land because the ocean is so vast that the effects are not as easily visible.

While Patzert’s resume reflects his impressive credentials and experience, what it doesn’t show is how well he shared all this knowledge. Patzert not only talked about the climate and oceans but also made it understandable for everyone. He took what he did very seriously and kept an eye constantly on the environment.

“There are no final victories. We have to have constant vigilance. We need to pass on the [vigilance] from generation to generation,” he said.

Patzert was never one to mince words, either. When others might use more politically correct terms or unreachable scientific jargon, he could always be counted on to say exactly what he thought, and in plain English.

“The pull of the dark side is ever present; why do you think there are so many episodes of ‘Star Wars’? The ‘dark side’ is never ending,” Patzert said.

Patzert said he retired now because he just didn’t want to go to any more meetings. He didn’t want to deal with the bureaucracy and he wanted to step back and let a younger generation take a stand. He is also hoping to read the pile of books he has collected and is looking forward to binge watching Netflix. But so there is no confusion: he is not retiring from being an activist.

“I saw my shelf life coming to an end and, given my age, 76, it is time to move out into the community,” he said.

And out into the community he will go. Retirement does not include stepping away from the climate fight for Patzert, just helping spread the message in other ways than with JPL science. The day after he retired, Patzert gave a lecture at the Aquarium of the Pacific to the League of Women Voters. Elsewhere, he is being recognized for his career. He was recently awarded the Sierra Madre Rotary Club’s Humanitarian STAR Awards and, on Saturday, will be honored with the “Freedom of Information Award” by the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California.

The one thing he has noticed since his retirement is the amount of time he has now that he doesn’t have to respond to the hundreds of emails he used to receive.

“I believe emails are a conspiracy against the creative mind,” he said.

  Charly Shelton