Stephen Schneider was one of the most influential climate scientists in the world. His career covered four decades. He did both the very heavy lifting of research and served to help the public understand the complexities of the subject and the stark reality that the science has been telling us for decades. He has been characterized as not only a brilliant mind but a courageous soul, a “climate warrior” and a “scientific pugilist.” He passed away yesterday. This release from Stanford University, his research home, says he “…had long been in the midst of political and scientific debates over global warming, tirelessly urging political leaders and the public to take action…”
RealClimate has posted a eulogy from another important climate scientist, Ben Santer, here which says: “His voice was clear and consistent, despite serious illness, and despite encountering vocal opposition by powerful forces – individuals who seek to make policy on the basis of wishful thinking and disinformation rather than sound science.”
For an in-depth interview with Schneider, see this from Frontline, from the excellent documentary “Heat” of a couple of years ago. See also this short, punchy statement from him from 2007.