Dorothy – 08/11/02
In November 2001 Dr Neil Cherry, known around the world for his research into the health threat from electromagnetic radiation, received the news that he had been awarded the honour – Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) for his work as a scientist, an educator, and in the community. Neil and his wife Gae were very excited at this news.
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| Dr Neil Cherry |
Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (O.N.Z.M.)
Dr Neil CHERRY, of Christchurch
For services to science, education and the community. Dr Cherry, has made an outstanding contribution to meteorology for over 30 years. His research has included areas in Agricultural Meteorology, Meteorology, Human Biometeorology, Environmental Epidemiology, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change and Electromagnetic Radiation Health Effects. Dr Cherry has been involved in the Greens Effects Trust, Environmental Protection for Children Trust and is a past Company Director of the PlaNet Community Company.
Further awards Environment Canterbury gave him the first “outstanding contribution” awarded cited as: Councillor Associate Professor Neil Cherry ONZM in the recognition of outstanding service to environmental science, local government and the community.
The Clean Air Society of Australia and New Zealand gave him the inaugural New Zealand Clean Air Achievement Award for his services in the science of air pollution and his community: This is to certify that Neil Cherry has been recognised for making a significant contribution to achieving improvements in the quality of the air and environment. Presented at the clean air conference in August 2002 in Christchurch.
Diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease The Cherrys’ joy was to be short-lived. Neil was having problems with the muscles in his foot and was given a number of tests to confirm the cause. The resulting diagnosis was that the symptoms showed the onset of motor neurone disease.
Now, a year later, Neil is confined to a wheelchair and has only very limited movement in his arms and hands. Using voice operated software supported by some key strokes with one finger on his right hand he has spent hours ensuring that the results of his research will not be lost.
He has updated the articles in NZine about the health threats from electromagnetic radiation and the dangers of excessive use of the present design of cellphones.
He continues to work as an educator in his position as Associate Professor of Environmental Health at Lincoln University, and as a local body politician on Environment Canterbury (The Canterbury Regional Council).
He is emphasising the danger to everyone from the silent and invisible threat of electromagnetic radiation and ardently promoting measures to make Canterbury a more healthy area in which to live.
In a moving television programme on November 3, 2002, on Television New Zealand’s Channel 1 he spoke openly about his increasing mobility problems, his determination to work as long as possible, and his rejection of life-prolonging treatment if he were to become what he described as “only a vegetable”.
The updated articles will be published in issues of NZine before the end of 2002.
Strong international concern about the dangers of Electromagnetic Radiation
