Exploration and Discoveries in New Guinea

The speaker shares his journey from a childhood fascination with fossils in Melbourne to becoming a paleontologist. His career led him to New Guinea, where he made significant discoveries, including a new species of tree kangaroo. He reflects on the cultural insights gained from working with local tribes and the challenges faced. The speaker later realized the threat of climate change, prompting him to write 'The Weather Makers' and focus on climate issues.

What sparked the narrator's initial interest in paleontology?

• A school project on dinosaurs

• Discovering fossils in Port Philip Bay

• A family trip to a natural history museum

• Reading a book about ancient mammals

What was the narrator's profession before focusing on climate change?

• Botanist

• Geologist

• Paleontologist

• Marine biologist

What was one of the challenges faced by the narrator in New Guinea?

• Language barriers with local tribes

• Health risks like malaria

• Difficulty in obtaining research permits

• Lack of funding for research

What was unique about the tree kangaroo discovered in 1994?

• It was a carnivorous species

• It was the size of a small dog

• It lived above the tree line

• It lived in the rainforest canopy

How did the local tribes view the tree kangaroo known as dingiso?

• As a pest to be hunted

• As a sacred ancestor

• As a source of food

• As a symbol of bad luck

What did the narrator find humbling about the discovery of the tree kangaroo?

• Its ability to adapt to different climates

• Its role in the local ecosystem

• Its survival until the late 20th century

• Its size and strength

What did the narrator learn from the indigenous people of Papua New Guinea?

• The importance of storytelling

• In-depth knowledge of natural systems

• How to navigate the rainforest

• Advanced hunting techniques

What realization did the narrator have about climate change?

• It was a problem for future generations

• It was a minor issue with little impact

• It was a major threat to biodiversity and civilization

• It was only affecting polar regions

What action did the narrator take after realizing the threat of climate change?

• He moved to a more sustainable lifestyle

• He wrote a book titled 'The Weather Makers'

• He started a conservation organization

• He began a campaign to plant trees

What did the narrator observe on mountain summits in New Guinea that indicated climate change?

• Increased rainfall patterns

• Advancing tree lines

• Melting glaciers

• Decreased animal populations