Brazilian scholar explores meteorological topics
Jan. 12, 2001
KALAMAZOO -- Global warming, Amazon deforestation and biodiesel as an energy source are just some of the topics to be discussed by a scholar who will visit Western Michigan University for the next two weeks.
Dr. Luiz Carlos Baldicero Molion, professor of meteorology at the Universidade Federal de Alagoas in Brazil, will be on campus Jan. 15-30 as part of WMU's Visiting Scholars and Artists Program.
Molion is an expert in climatology, especially relating to the impacts of Amazon deforestation, Northeast Brazil's droughts, global climate change and variability, the ozone layer, water desalination, and renewable energy sources. While here, he will present free public lectures on many of those topics, including:
- "Amazon Deforestation Impacts on Local and Global Climate," at noon Wednesday, Jan. 17, in Room 1001 of Wood Hall:
- "Global Warming--Planetary Albedo vs. Greenhouse Effect," at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 18 in Room 1718 of Wood Hall;
- "Biodiesel--A Renewable Energy Resource," at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23, in room 1110 of Rood Hall;
- "Solar Spots, Jupiter and Climate Variability," at noon Wednesday, Jan. 24, in Room 1001 of Wood Hall;
- "Effects of Volcanic Aerosols on Tropical Climate," at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30, in room 210 of the Bernard Center; and
- "Brackish Water Desalination in Brazil," at noon Wednesday, Jan. 31, in Room 1001 of Wood Hall.
A fellow of the Wissenschaftskleeg zu Berlin in Germany, Molion is the Latin American representative in the Advisory Working Group of the Commission of Climatology and formerly worked for the National Institute of Space Research in Brazil. He earned his doctoral degree in meteorology from University of Wisconsin and conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute of Hydrology in Wallingford, United Kingdom.
The Visiting Scholars and Artists Program was established in 1960 and has supported more than 500 visits by scholars and artists representing more than 65 academic disciplines. The chairperson of the committee that oversees the program is Dr. James M. Hillenbrand, professor of speech pathology and audiology.
Molion's visit is sponsored by WMU Department of Geography. For more information, contact Dr. Elen M. Cutrim, WMU associate professor of geography, at (616) 387-3418.
Media contact: Marie Lee, 616 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu