Climate change focus of honors college lectures

KALAMAZOO—A lecture series featuring weekly talks and discussions focused on climate change will kick off Wednesday, Jan. 9, and continue through April 17 at Western Michigan University.

The multidisciplinary talks are free and open to the public and will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Lee Honors College lounge. Those attending are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch.

A diverse group of WMU faculty members will present the talks, which are part of the Lee Honors College's 2013 Lyceum Lecture Series titled "Climate Change: Scientific, Socioeconomic and Policy Perspectives." No talk will be offered March 6 because of WMU's spring recess.

"This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about a topic that has an ever-increasing influence on every aspect of our daily lives," says Dr. Carla Koretsky, associate dean of the Lee Honors College and professor of geosciences and environmental studies.

Subjects to be discussed include the anticipated effects of climate change on ecosystems, species and emerging diseases; linkages between energy resources and climate change; and socioeconomic and geopolitical implications of climate change at regional, national and international scales.

Lecture series schedule

• Jan. 9—Anthropogenic Climate Change: Past, Present and Future, Dr. David Karowe, professor of biological sciences
• Jan. 16—"Effects of Climate Change on Species and Ecosystems," Dr. David Karowe, professor of biological sciences
• Jan. 23—"Climate Change and Its Effects on Fossil Mammals in the Geologic Record," Dr. Robert Anemone, professor of anthropology
• Jan. 30—"The Dance of the 3 E's: Energy, Environmental Stewardship (CO2 Emissions Mitigation) and Economic Imperatives," Dr. David Barnes, professor of geosciences
• Feb. 6—"Climate Change and Emerging Infectious Diseases," Dr. Kathryn Docherty, assistant professor of biological sciences
• Feb. 13—"Climate Change and Energy for the Transportation Sector," Dr. Steve Bertman, professor of chemistry
• Feb. 20—"Economics of Climate Change," Drs. Bruce Ferrin, professor of marketing, and Paul Clements, professor of political science
• Feb. 27—"What's the Worst That Could Happen?," Dr. Duane Hampton, associate professor of geosciences
• March 13—"The Ethics and Politics of Climate Change," Dr. Paul Clements, professor of political science
• March 20—"Social Organization of Climate Change Denial," Dr. Ronald Kramer, professor of sociology
• March 27—"History and Climate Change: What's Culture Got To Do With It?," Dr. Sarah Hill, associate professor of anthropology and environmental studies
• April 3—"International Climate Change Policy Frameworks," Dr. Denise Keele, assistant professor of political science and environmental studies
• April 10—Lecture to be announced
• April 17—"Controlling Greenhouse Gas Emissions at WMU," Dr. Paul Pancella, professor of physics

Parking and directions

Guest parking for the Lee Honors College is located off of Wilbur Street between the Fetzer Center and the Wesley Foundation. For driving directions to WMU, as well as parking and other maps, visit parking.wmich.edu and click on Parking Maps.

For more information about the 2013 Lyceum Lecture Series is available by contacting Carla Koretsky in the honors college at @email or (269) 387-3230.