David W. Orr could be considered at once an educator’s educator, a political scientist’s political scientist, and an ecologist’s ecologist. Through his non-self-serious, aw-shucks attitude; wry wit; raw oratorical talent (he’s the son of a preacher); and vast knowledge, Orr has continuously delivered conversation- and curricula-shifting books (nine so far, including, most recently, Democracy in a Hotter Time: Climate Change and Democratic Transformation, from M.I.T. Press, which he edited), articles (more than 250 to date), and lectures (hundreds around the world) with an impressive consistency and cadence. While he could be considered a generalist, through his long-view understanding of both democracy and the climate crisis, Orr’s also a specialist, someone deeply focused on the repair and strengthening of American democracy. The Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics emeritus at Oberlin College and currently a professor at Arizona State University, he is by turns an erudite academic and a political-science wonk, but also a cool-headed intellect and the kind of laid-back funnyman you’d want to grab a beer with.