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Professor Ralph Cooney with grandson Quinn, 17, at a reception following Prof Cooney’s valedictory address. Quinn Cooney also aims to pursue a career in science.
Kaipara Flats Professor Ralph Cooney finished his valedictory address at Auckland University last month with a stirring appeal for action on climate change.
Prof. Cooney, an expert on materials surface chemistry, made the remarks after reviewing his five decades of research and academic leadership roles, which began at the time of the first moon landing.
His Auckland University positions included Head of Chemistry, Executive Dean of Science, Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of the Tamaki Innovation Campus.
Prof. Cooney began his comments on climate change by quoting former United States President Barack Obama: “There’s one issue that will define the contours of this century more dramatically than any other and that is the urgent and growing threat of a changing climate.”
Prof. Cooney said it was time to put the debate about climate change aside and instead, decide what to do about it.
“It’s really important to recognise that climate change is not just going to affect the wealthy countries, but it’s also going to have a great impact on poor countries,” he said.
“We must look for solutions that are not just high tech solutions, but solutions that are low-tech as well. Both can be done.”
In terms of low-tech solutions, Prof. Cooney praised the United Nations’ establishment of a soil remediation fund to restore “alienated” soils in poorer countries, such as those found in Africa.
He said the move would do much to not only to address climate change but would also address issues of poverty and low food production.
In terms of high-tech solutions, Prof Cooney said we were in the midst of a revolution in terms of electric transport, which would not only see the development of more electric cars, but also of electric planes and ships.
In this regard, he acknowledged the world was still heavily dependent on lithium-ion batteries and, unfortunately, the world’s supply of lithium was limited.
“We are looking for new types of batteries and super capacitors so there’s great potential for some high-tech research into these areas,” he said.
Prof. Cooney praised the efforts of companies like Dow Chemical and Unilever, responsible for production of hundreds of different plastic products.
He said these companies had made a commitment to trim commercial plastics in production around the world to only those that were totally recyclable, and they aimed to do this within the next five years.
Prof. Cooney urged stronger connections between materials researchers and environmental and oceanographic researchers to more effectively tackle the challenge posed by climate change.
Earlier in his address, Prof. Cooney provided an overview of his academic career, highlighting the scientists who has inspired him and his principal research interests.
His key published papers have covered the fields of spectroscopy (the study of light and wavelength), adsorption (the process by which solids hold molecules of gas or liquid), catalysis (acceleration of chemical reactions), electrochemistry and nanotechnology (the study and use of tiny particles).
Prof. Cooney says science is a discipline which involves many builders and a few architects.
“I would urge young researchers at the start of their career to be focused and diligent and precise about your building, but try and also have some aspiration to reshape science itself,” he said.
Prof. Cooney said in retirement he looked forward to continuing his research interests giving talks to community groups, and writing a science column for Mahurangi Matters.
“My motivation is not to promote science but to help the community understand science in matters that may confuse or worry them,” he said
