Heroes are wonderful things. By lifting them up, we keep ourselves grounded; by following in their footsteps, we chart our own paths.
There’s certainly no shortage of heroes to choose from. Every field, from science to sport, has its legends who serve to inspire and shape the next generation. For me, my heroes are writers and scientists–sometimes, all at once. Carl Sagan is the chief example for me, a man recognised easily by the shadow he casts on all scientists and writers after him.
Born in New York City on November 9th, 1934, Sagan would live a life defined by wonder – a deep fascination with the world he lived in. This is reflected well in his occupation as an astronomer, planetary scientist, and most notably, science communicator. His efforts in educating everyday people in the wonders of the universe earned him the title “The People’s Scientist”.
Arguably his most famous work is the 13-part television series, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. If you’ve ever read a quote attributed to Sagan, it likely came from here. My favourite is his “Pale Blue Dot” speech, in which he emphasised the fragility of Earth, the pettiness of our conflicts, and our insignificance against the cosmic backdrop of space. It is here that Sagan taught in a way only he could – as a teacher with the mind of a scientist and the heart of a poet.
I never had the chance to meet him, but much of his work is available and easy to find. The best part about heroes is how their legacy can remain even when they’re long gone. The entire world is worse off without him. He died far too young–only 62 years when he passed from pneumonia in 1992. This citizen of the pale blue dot will forever remember him as the best of us.
All in all, Sagan is a hero to me because of his dedication, intelligence, integrity and his sheer common humanity. He believed in the power of science and in humanity’s potential to overcome its problems in order to build a better world for all.
I hope to see progress continue at Zero Carbon Charge, so that the Pale Blue Dot that we all share can be preserved for all the centuries to come.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stawie is a tech-loving young optimist, intrigued by the mysteries of what lies ahead.
