Dr. Douglas E. Jones

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Speaking today at The University of Alabama’s winter commencement ceremony, Dr. Douglas E. Jones, UA professor emeritus of geology and curator of invertebrate paleontology at the Alabama Museum of Natural History, said the biggest challenges facing this generation of college graduates are environmental issues.

“It is clear that environmental issues will dominate the agenda: lack of fresh water, destruction of forest and crop land, global warming, overuse of natural resources and staggering population growth,” said Jones, currently a trustee of the Southern Environmental Law Center in Charlottesville, Va. and the Nature Conservancy of Alabama.

“The consequences of this ‘no limits’ philosophy in the United States are more clear today: fresh and salt-water wetlands and forest cover have decreased more than 50 percent in the past 200 years; and 40 percent of the U.S. population now live in areas that violate minimum air pollution standards,” he said.

“This country must develop and heed a balanced natural resources management plan that meets the reasonable needs of society and the health of this planet we call home—for your children and my grandchildren and those to follow.”

“I challenge you to take notice and to realize that we have permitted far too much damage to the delicate natural systems on which our lives and livelihoods depend. Don’t get complacent, get committed!”

Jones received an honorary doctor of humane letters during the ceremony where nearly 1,400 degrees were conferred. With this graduating class, UA has awarded more than 187,000 degrees since its founding in 1831 as the state’s first public university. UA holds commencement ceremonies three times a year.

A 1952 UA alumnus, Jones began his teaching career at UA in 1958. In addition to teaching and research activities during his long tenure, Jones served as a department head, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, dean of University Libraries, vice-president for academic affairs, and executive director, UA Museums.

Jones has served as a consultant in engineering geology and oil and gas and mineral exploration and development. He has authored and edited a number of articles and books on geology, paleontology, 16th century Spanish explorations in the Americas, gold prospecting in New Guinea, and Civil War history.