Some of the world’s leading environmental scientists will be visiting New Hall in the coming weeks to continue a series of public lectures looking at our relationship with the natural world.
Some of the world’s leading environmental scientists will be visiting New Hall in the coming weeks to continue a series of public lectures looking at our relationship with the natural world.
Environment On The Edge is an ongoing series that began at the University of Cambridge college in 2004, in which internationally-recognised experts discuss the environmental change and issues that are affecting policy-making. The series is managed by a consortium of Cambridge-based experts from New Hall, the British Antarctic Survey, the UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre and St Edmund’s College.
The 2007 instalment will begin today, January 18, with a presentation by Professor Zhang Jing, an expert in coastal and estuarine studies from East China Normal University in Shanghai.
Professor Zhang will be examining the effects of the Sanxia Dam on the Yangtze. When finished, this huge structure will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world – but there are concerns about its environmental impact, in particular on the river it spans. Among other consequences, it is feared the dam’s existence will threaten the habitats of endangered species such as the Chinese paddlefish, Siberian Crane and the Chinese River Dolphin. There are also serious threats to the living and working environment in cities along the riverbanks.
Other forthcoming lectures include:
• February 15: “The Global Carbon Cycle: A Faustian Bargain?” Given by Professor Berrien Moore III, Director, Institute for the study of Earth, Oceans and Space, University of New Hampshire:
• March 15: “Valuing Sustainability” looking at sustainable value and whole-life evaluations in the procurement of buildings. Given by Richard Saxon. Dr Saxon was the author of the recent Government Report, Constructing Excellence
• April 26: “Transport: a case of systemic sclerosis”. Professor David Fisk, BP/Royal Academy of Engineering Chair at Imperial College in Engineering for Sustainable Development.
• May 17: “The Island of Ireland – An Environment on the Edge”. Professor Sharon Turner, Chair of Environmental Law, School of Law, Queens’ University, Belfast.
New Hall is one of three women’s colleges at the University of Cambridge, and has a particular interest in promoting research and debate on environmental issues and sustainable development.
All the lectures will be held at 5.15pm in the Buckingham House Lecture Theatre, New Hall. Admission is free. To reserve a place Email directorate@unep-wcmc.org
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