INFORMATION FOR
A daylong conference that brings together experts from a variety of fields to examine the accomplishments and failures of efforts to deal with the global environmental crisis will be held at William Paterson University on Thursday, April 15, 2010. The event is free and open to the public.
The conference, “Beyond Copenhagen: The Global Environmental Crisis, Challenges and Possibilities,” will be held in the University Commons Ballroom A on the campus in Wayne. The program will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The conference is sponsored by William Paterson University’s Departments of Political Science, Environmental Science, Geography and Urban Studies, and Anthropology.
In December 2009, world leaders met to try to agree on a plan to curb the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to climate change. This year, Congress is poised to debate major energy legislation. This conference will look at the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead.
Sheila Collins, director, M.A. in Public Policy and International Affairs, political science, at William Paterson will give the welcoming remarks. From 9:30 to 10 a.m., Eban Goodstein, director, Bard Center for Environmental Policy, who has organized nearly 2,500 events on climate change at educational institutions across the country, and Rev. Paul Mayer, co-founder, Climate Crisis Coalition, will present “Report from Copenhagen.” At 10 a.m., John Mason, William Paterson professor, political science, will discuss “Climate Change and Global Security.” A discussion follows from 10:30 to 10:45 a.m.
From 11 to 11:30 a.m., Nicholas Robinson, distinguished professor of environmental law, Pace Law School, and one of the foremost experts on environmental law in the country, will discuss “International Environmental Law.” He has been a legal advisor to numerous governments and international bodies around the world, and publishes prolifically on environmental law.
From 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Aaron Tesfaye, professor, political science, at William Paterson, will discuss “The Global Food and Water Crisis,” and Hans Zandvliet, water engineer and environmentalist, will discuss “Bolivia: Case Study of Climate Crisis and New Approaches from the South.” Zandvliet has designed sanitary facilities for a dozen rural boarding schools in Potosi, and has studied the sources of contamination of Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest lake. A discussion will follow.
From 2 to 3:15 p.m., the topic will be “Building Blocks for a Sustainable Earth.” Paul Mayer, co-founder, Climate Crisis Coalition, climate writer and activist, will speak about “Ethical Dimensions of the Climate Crisis.” Peter Brown, professor at McGill University School of Environment, will cover “Right Relationship: Building a Whole Earth Economy.” Brown is involved in tree farming and conservation efforts. Jill Kubit, assistant director, Cornell Global Labor Institute and co-author of the United Nations Environmental Program’s study of green jobs, will discuss “An Aggressive Climate Policy is Necessary to Drive Employment Growth and Economic Recovery.” A discussion will follow.
From 3:30 to 4 p.m., Eban Goodstein will present “Grassroots Power in the Struggle for Sustainability.” A discussion of “Models and Ideas for Regional and Local Sustainability” will be held from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Presenters include George Haikalis, president, Institute for Rational Urban Mobility; Jane Hughes Gignous, founder/director, TreeFriends; Jerry Flach, projects director for Sustainable Building Habitat for Humanity, Paterson, and sustainable business owner; and Rayna Laoisa, chair, Hawthorne Environmental Commission. A roundtable discussion concludes the event.
For further information, contact Sheila Collins, director, M.A. in Public Policy and International Affairs, at collinss@wpunj.edu or 973-720-3424.
