The connections between the environment, science and journalism are the focus of the annual public lecture series this week, Scientists and Journalists: Getting the Point Across, sponsored by the Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting at the University of Rhode Island's Graduate School of Oceanography. The week-long lecture series is part of a science immersion workshop for news reporters from around the United States.
"This year's lecture series looks at a number of complex environmental questions," said Jackleen de La Harpe, Executive Director, Metcalf Institute, "by bringing together journalists, researchers, and policy experts to examine the role of opinion writing on public discourse, the links between population and the global environment, and the possibilities for addressing climate change through innovative business practices. These experts will help to both clarify environmental questions and, at the same time, raise more questions about the environment."
The lectures are held at 3:30 p.m., June 13-16, and at 11:00 a.m. on June 17 in the Coastal Institute Auditorium, URI Graduate School of Oceanography, URI Narragansett Bay Campus. All events are free and open to the public.
Monday, June 13, 3:30 p.m.
"Print Journalism on the Precipice," Walter Shapiro, former USA Today political columnist and author of One-Car Caravan.
What is the future of print journalism in an age of bloggers, combative cable TV, talk radio, and partisan polemics? Shapiro will describe the challenges facing the press as distrust of the media grows and circulation withers.
Tuesday, June 14, 3:30 p.m.
"Population Growth: The Forgotten Environmental Crisis," Fred Meyerson, Georgetown University.
The media reports global population as leveling off and declining within a few decades, yet each year the U.S. population grows by more than 3 million, increasing oil imports, greenhouse gases, and environmental and economic pressures. Meyerson will explain these complex issues and some population policy options.
Wednesday, June 15, 3:30 p.m.
"Some Say By Fire: Climate Change and the American Response," James Gustave Speth, Dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
A quarter century has passed since the National Academy of Sciences held the first panel on climate change, but the U.S. has yet to face this serious environmental problem. We have elected leaders in the Presidency and Congress who prefer to ignore this threat. What now?
Thursday, June 16, 3:30 p.m.
"The Market-Based Approach to Environment," John Fialka, Energy and Environment Reporter, Wall Street Journal, Washington Bureau.
Cap-and-trade emissions trading systems are designed to remove power plant pollutants from the air, but they're unpopular with some environmentalists. Fialka will describe market incentives that successfully spur development of renewable energy.
Friday, June 17, 11 a.m.
"People and Fish: The Environmental Cost of Consumption," Ellen K. Pikitch, director of the Pew Institute of Ocean Science.
The oceans' productive capacity has been outstripped by consumers, and key marine fish populations, once the mainstay of coastal economies, are collapsing. Pikitch will discuss how the dynamics between fisheries and consumers may be altered.
For more information, call (401) 874-6211 or visit the Metcalf Institute's website.
