I have nothing new to teach the world; candor and chlorophyll are as old as the hills. In my unextraordinary life, I’ve had the opportunity to be at one of the world's great institutions of “higher” learning — one which affords me the opportunity to fuel a love for plants and the animals that eat them. As an ecology professor at Cornell, I've had the privilege of witnessing this 'animal vegetarian lifestyle' up close, a world brimming with evolutionary quirks and modern-day challenges. My aim in this column is to share the pleasure and responsibility of discovery.
Why plants? It's a question I've often pondered. Perhaps it was a lucky alignment of passion and profession. Or maybe, like a seed finding fertile ground, I could have taken root in any number of fields. Regardless, a childhood steeped in vegetables, fertile gardens and the call of the outdoors undoubtedly sowed the initial interest. The diversity of spices, the architecture of leaves and persistent mysteries — these continue to captivate me. And then there's the fundamental truth, often overlooked: Plants are the silent powerhouses of our planet, converting sunlight, water and carbon dioxide into the very energy that sustains all life. Sharing this wonder is energizing in itself. After all, isn't a deeper understanding of ourselves and our environment what we all ultimately seek?
Candor, to me, is a cornerstone of academic responsibility. It means questioning assumptions, crafting clear narratives and striving for what is real, right or — at the very least — well-reasoned. Humans excel at justification, a trait that often blinds us to alternative perspectives. Recognizing this tendency, reflection becomes paramount. In this column, expect unfinished thoughts — honest explorations acknowledging the limits of my own understanding. While I have principles, ideas and aspirations, my views are evolving. I invite you to join this ongoing process of discovery.
The seeds of this column were sown in an unexpected event: the curious theft of some botanical specimens, which sparked reflections on loss and our relationship with the natural world. From there, my thoughts branched out, exploring the distinctions between humans and other animals, and the shared experience of a changing climate and shifting seasons. The urgent need for biodiversity conservation has long been a driving force, leading me to ponder the precarious state of monarch butterflies and the complex interplay of science and policy within the Endangered Species Act. More recently, I've been grappling with the concept of 'resistance' — those actions we feel compelled to take but find ourselves unable to. Inspiration for these explorations comes from the keen minds of Cornell students, the wisdom of elders and, of course, the quiet resilience of plants themselves.
So, as we embark on this journey together, expect a healthy dose of candor, seasoned with the ever-present wonder of chlorophyll. Spring's arrival feels like a fitting moment to begin this exploration. I'm grateful you've decided to take this walk in the woods with me.
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Anurag Agrawal is the James A. Perkins Professor of Environmental Studies in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He is field biologist and studies the Ecology and Evolution of Botany and Entomology. His column Candor and Chlorophyll runs periodically this semester. He can be reached at profaagrawal@cornellsun.com.