Colloquium: November 1, 2007 (Thursday), 3:00-5:00 pm, Classroom 129

Note: This seminar is sponsored by the UW Office of the President and by various UW Colleges.   It is coordinated by the UW Climate Change Symposium.  The seminar and discussion runs from 3 to 5 pm in the Classroom Building, Room 129.

Schlesinger will review the basis of the “greenhouse” effect on planet Earth, past changes in climate, and recent changes due to human activities.  Global warming will significantly affect the distribution and growth of vegetation, availability of freshwater, epidemiology of insect-borne disease, and other environmental attributes important to humans.  He will look briefly at what can be done to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and encourage alternative sources of energy for modern society.