One of Canada's most respected science journalists, Jay Ingram, the host of the Daily Planet, came to the Saint Mary’s university a few weeks ago to host a lecture for SMU’s Sustainability Week. Ingram’s discussion dealt with climate change, global warming, and introduced students to possible solutions to help the environment.

Jay Ingram is one of Canada's best-known science popularizers who focuses much of his time to finding out how does the average person makes a difference in the fight to stop climate change and global warming.

He has been the host of the Daily Planet since it began in 1995. From icecaps to hot springs, the Daily Planet, travelled to remote corners of the Earth to find out what could be done to reverse global warming and what people are doing to create a sustainable future. When it first aired it was the only hour long prime time show on television that dealt with science in the world. Before joining the Discovery Channel, he hosted CBC’s national radio science show, Quirks and Quarks from 1979 to 1992. Jay Ingram also wrote and hosted two CBC radio documentary series, as well as short radio and television science stories for a variety of programs.

Due to his vast achievements and his constant efforts to increase science popularity, Jay Ingram has been awarded the Sandford Fleming medal from the Royal Canadian Institute, the Royal Society’s McNeil medal for the Public Awareness of Science and the Michael Smith award from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. He has also received four honorary doctorates and is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Alberta.

During his visit here at SMU, Jay Ingram was able to set aside a few minutes in his busy schedule to share a few words with the Journal. During our talk he told me that he has always had a fascination with science. Not so much practicing but being able to bring the knowledge of science to others. Ingram has been on both radio and television however he says each brings out a different side of him.

Along with his credentials we talked about science and the connection it may or may not have with religion. He states that he has always been in love with science and even though faith in religion might be important to others, he is more interested in how religion meets science so that one can help explain the other.

Jay Ingram has also written 10 books, most recently The Daily Planet Book of Cool Ideas, which explores what people can do to reverse global warming and what they are doing to create a sustainable future, along with writing a weekly science column for the Toronto Star for 12 years. He told me that although he likes writing books because it helps him to learn more through research, he’s not planning on doing it forever. Lately, he has plans on setting up lectures with a musical group that will play music during intermissions. He said the idea is to keep the interest of the audience so that their attention doesn’t falter.

Ingram was also very interested in seeing the Atrium’s Living Wall located near SMU’s Patrick Power Library. He said it good to see education taking new and dynamic paths towards learning. Global warming is a global issue, and his lecture was core to the vision of the course. In his lecture, Ingram explained what global warming is and possible solutions -- even extreme solutions -- for dealing with the warming planet. He also showed how different people are making a difference around the world, from using solar-powered ovens to living off the grid. After the lecture, Ingram was thanked by our Student Body president, Matt Anderson, who expressed his gratitude on behalf of SMUSA and the entire student body. Following the presentation, there was a book signing session where Ingram took pictures and answered more questions from the audience.