Ronald Oxburgh, Baron Oxburgh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Oxburgh
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 2 November 1934 |
| Alma mater | University College, Oxford Princeton University |
| Spouse(s) | Ursula, Lady Oxburgh |
| Children | 3 |
| Awards | Bigsby Medal (1979) |
| Scientific career | |
| Thesis | Geology of the eastern Carabobo area, Venezuela (1960) |
| Doctoral advisor | Harry Hammond Hess |
Ernest Ronald Oxburgh, also known as Lord Oxburgh, was born on November 2, 1934. He is an English scientist who studies the Earth (a geologist and geophysicist) and also a politician. Lord Oxburgh is well known for talking about the need to reduce carbon dioxide in the air. He also supports finding new ways to create energy. He has shared his concerns about how much oil the world uses.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Oxburgh was born in Liverpool, England, on November 2, 1934. He lived there with his family during World War II. Even with air raids, they stayed in Liverpool. He went to Liverpool Institute High School for Boys from 1942 to 1950. He later studied at University College, Oxford. He also earned his PhD from Princeton University in 1960. There, he worked with the famous geologist Harry Hammond Hess. They studied the new idea of plate tectonics, which explains how Earth's crust moves.
Career Highlights
Lord Oxburgh has taught about geology and geophysics. He taught at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. At Cambridge, he was a professor and led the Earth Sciences Department. He was also the President of Queens' College. He has been a visiting professor at top universities in the United States. These include Stanford, Caltech, and Cornell.
From 1988 to 1993, Lord Oxburgh was a chief science advisor. He worked for the Ministry of Defence, helping with scientific advice. He then became the head of Imperial College London from 1993 to 2000. He was also part of a group that looked into higher education in 1997.
Working with Energy Companies
From 2004 to 2005, Lord Oxburgh was a chairman at Shell UK. This is part of a large company that deals with fossil fuels. Even while working there, he spoke about his "fears for the planet." He was worried about climate change. He encouraged finding new energy sources. He also urged the world to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Lord Oxburgh has held many important roles. He was a deputy chairman for a science and engineering research council in Singapore. He is also an advisor for groups focused on climate change. He has been involved with companies that produce wind energy and biodiesel.
Inquiry into Climate Research
In 2010, Lord Oxburgh led an investigation. This was about research from the Climatic Research Unit. People had made claims about their data. His report found that the work was done with "integrity." It said that claims of misrepresentation were "not valid." Some people questioned this because of his past business ties. However, the University of East Anglia said it was hard to find experts without any opinions on global warming.
Personal Life
While studying at Princeton University, Lord Oxburgh married his fiancée, Ursula. They have three children together. He enjoys being outdoors. He used to like orienteering and running marathons. After knee surgery, he now enjoys mountain hikes with his wife.
Awards and Honors
Lord Oxburgh has received many awards and honors for his work:
- He was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1992.
- He became a Life Peer in 1999, known as Baron Oxburgh. He sits in the House of Lords.
- He is an honorary fellow at St Edmund Hall and University College, Oxford.
- He received the Platts Life Time Achievement Award in 2007.
- He is a fellow of the Royal Society.
- He is an honorary fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
- He is a member of the US National Academy of Sciences.
- He has honorary degrees from Leeds University and Liverpool John Moores University.
- He received Singapore Honorary Citizenship in 2012.
- He was awarded the Melchett Medal in 2014.
