Perhaps we will call it the Ed Wilson Prize for Effective Individual Achievement, for that scientist who did the best job in translating his or her discipline to the public. Or the Peter Raven Award for Institutional Relevance, given to that scientific institution that best used its reach to advance public engagement in the preservation of the natural world. It is absolutely imperative that we as a society, and you as scientists, do a better job of rewarding those who translate their science, who bring it to the public's attention, and who foster broad public understanding. My first tutor in thinking about science was Walter Roberts, a wonderful man, founder of the National Center for Atmospheric Science in Boulder. Walter taught me and others about the commitment of science in service to society, and he was right.
Science is absolutely critical if our global society is going to develop sustainably.
One final prediction. I predict that ten years from now, Paul will have won the bet. Paul's timing was off, but he was right. Ten years from now, we will be asking Julian Simon to come forward to pay off. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.