Colin Tudge > Quotes

“Scientists study only those aspects of the universe that it is within their gift to study: what is observable; what is measurable and amenable to statistical analysis; and, indeed, what they can afford to study within the means and time available. Science thus emerges as a giant tautology, a "closed system". It can present us with robust answers only because its practitioners take very great care to tailor the questions.”
― Colin Tudge

“In recent years, too – in fact since 2001 – American meteorologists in particular have realized that over the past few decades the full effects of global warming have been masked by ‘global dimming’. It transpires that atmospheric pollution by particles – variations on a theme of soot – has been reducing the energy input from the sun by an astonishing 30 per cent. The world, currently, is cleaning up the soot – which, technically, is fairly easy to do. Catalytic”
― Colin Tudge, The Secret Life of Trees: How They Live and Why They Matter

“The prime motive of science is not to control the Universe but to appreciate it more fully. It is a huge privilege to live on Earth and to share it with so many goodly and fantastic creatures.”
― Colin Tudge , The Variety of Life: A Survey and a Celebration of All the Creatures that Have Ever Lived

“Economically, Pinus is the most important of all the genera of trees. There are vast plantations worldwide of several species, in the Southern Hemisphere as well as the Northern, like those of Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea) near Brasilia and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata) just about everywhere.”
― Colin Tudge, The Tree: A Natural History of What Trees Are, How They Live & Why They Matter