David Hastings Eckerd College Professor

Chemical oceanographer and marine geochemist David Hastings Eckerd College Professor. In 2000, he settled on Eckerd College's Tampa Bay campus to lead marine science, environmental science, and chemistry courses. David Hastings began his journey by earning his Ph.D. in chemical oceanography from the University of Washington. In particular, he is interested in paleoclimatology, the study of past climate change revealed by ocean sediments. David Hastings investigates the effects of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill on marine sediments and microplastics. David Hastings thinks that scientists should have a voice in policy discussions with the public and elected officials and that immediate action is needed in Florida to lessen the worst effects. In addition to explaining the scientific basis for the extreme worry among scientists about the future of our planet, David Hastings emphasizes potential solutions. Eckerd College is a small liberal arts college in St. Petersburg, Florida, and David Hastings has retired from teaching there. Singing, exploring the outdoors (on foot, by bike, in a canoe, or a kayak), and eating his homemade lemon sorbet are among his favorite activities.