As climate change has taken effect in Antarctica, scientists have been able to watch two species of penguins — Gentoos and Adelies — respond in real time. Senior Science Editor at The Cornell Lab of Ornithology Hugh Powell has traveled to Antarctica on three expeditions and followed scientists as they observed the changes to some of the largest and smallest Adelie Penguin colonies in the world. In this virtual lecture, Powell will explore what Antarctic penguins can tell us about human response to climate change and share the splendor of Antarctica and its birds through stunning images by nature photographer Chris Linder.

This event is co-hosted by the Essex County Ornithological Club and the Peabody Essex Museum. A brief meeting of the club will be held from 7:30-7:45 pm. All are welcome to attend!

This program is supported by the Lowell Institute. Hugh Powell is the editor of Cornell Lab’s “All About Birds” website and species guide, and writes and edits for the member magazine Living Bird. He holds an M.S. from the University of Montana and a Graduate Certificate in Science Writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. As a grad student, Powell spent three summers in the Idaho wilderness climbing dead trees to understand what black-backed woodpeckers eat. He studied ornithology in college and graduate school, where he became fascinated by the value of telling stories about science to people who weren’t academics. After a stint as an editor at an ornithological journal, he enrolled in a science writing program that specializes in teaching journalism to scientists. Since then, science writing has taken Powell to Antarctica, South America, Africa, Iceland and elsewhere. He still finds satisfaction in providing someone with information that sparks their own curiosity and sense of adventure.