This Issue of EarthWatch Ohio is Dedicated to Miles Coburn
The environmental and academic community lost a powerful advocate when Miles Coburn was struck and killed by an SUV while riding his bicycle in rural Geauga County on August 16. He was 58 years old. A University Heights native and resident of Cleveland Heights, he lived close enough to work that he could get there by riding a bike or walking, and he brought his lunch with him every day in an effort to move more and eat less. He was diligent about doing anything possible to reduce his own consumption of energy, from shutting down the office computer at the end of the day and unplugging every unused piece of vampire electronics, to wearing a sweater rather than turning up the thermostat.
He focused on the seemingly small but simple lifestyle changes that everyone can implement easily and that will greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Miles did these things because he felt strongly that the solution to the problem of climate change lies greatly in the cumulative effect of the daily lifestyle changes that each of us can make.
As a professor in the Department of Biology at John Carroll University, Miles developed his aptitude to lead and teach by example, and was admired among students, friends and neighbors as a role model in the effort to increase awareness about climate change. Miles believed that when people are involved in their own communities, they will be more likely to care about issues of national and global importance, such as their own carbon footprint and the role of industry and politics in environmental policy. He was an exceptional optimist and passionate 
environmentalist who had an unshakable faith in everyone to do the right thing when given the knowledge and tools to do so. He will be greatly missed.
Motorists, please share the road. Cyclists, please ride safely.
To learn more about Miles Coburn and the things he cared about, visit www.rideformiles.org or www.jcu.edu/breakingnews/mcoburn.htm