In a crisp December morning at Stanford University, two young climate researchers, Rebecca Grekin and Yannai Kashtan, met up on the deserted campus to discuss their hopes of changing the world. Despite being friends, they had differing views on a crucial question: should money from oil and gas companies, the main contributors to global warming, be used to fund their work?
As we toured Mr. Kashtan’s lab, surrounded by sensitive methane-detecting equipment, he expressed skepticism about accepting funding from fossil fuel companies. He believed that the incentives were misaligned and could lead to a cynical outlook. On the other hand, Ms. Grekin, whose academic career had been funded by Exxon Mobil, saw things differently. She believed in changing the system from within and pointed to examples of positive change resulting from such collaborations.
Their discussions continued throughout the day, covering topics ranging from university funding sources to the role of cutting-edge technologies in combating climate change. Ms. Grekin’s research on the climate impact of consumer goods was prominently displayed in her lab, featuring the ExxonMobil logo. While Mr. Kashtan raised concerns about industry-funded distractions from more practical solutions, Ms. Grekin defended the importance of exploring new technologies to find better and cheaper solutions.
Their differing perspectives reflected a larger debate within the scientific community about the role of fossil fuel funding in climate research. Stanford University’s Doerr School, founded in 2022 with a significant donation from venture capitalist John Doerr, faced criticism for accepting donations from fossil fuel companies. The school’s list of funders read like a who’s who of the fossil fuel industry, raising questions about the potential influence of such partnerships on research outcomes.
As we sat down for lunch at a local Burmese restaurant, Ms. Grekin and Mr. Kashtan’s commitment to their research and beliefs was evident. From Ms. Grekin’s eco-friendly lifestyle choices to Mr. Kashtan’s skepticism about industry-driven technologies, their dedication to finding solutions to climate change was unwavering. Despite their differences, they shared a common goal of making a positive impact on the world through their work.
In the race against time to combat climate change, the perspectives of young researchers like Ms. Grekin and Mr. Kashtan shed light on the complex challenges and ethical considerations facing the next generation of climate scientists. Their friendship, built on mutual respect and shared passion for their research, serves as a reminder of the importance of diverse voices and viewpoints in tackling one of the most pressing issues of our time.