Robert Fleagle Endowed Lecture in Atmospheric Sciences Policy
Professor David Keith
October 13, 2010
7:30-8:30, Kane Hall 210
Dr. David W. Keith
Director, ISEEE Energy and Environmental Systems Group; Canada Research Chair in Energy and the Environment; Professor, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering and Department of Economics, University of Calgary; Adjunct Professor, Department of EPP, Carnegie Mellon
Lecture: "Engineering Earth's Climate: Risks, Limitations, and Prospects"
About the Speaker
Professor Keith has worked near the interface between climate science, energy technology and public policy for twenty years. His work in technology and policy assessment has centered on the capture and storage of CO2, the technology and implications of global climate engineering, the economics and climatic impacts of large-scale wind power and the prospects for hydrogen fuel. As a technologist, Keith has built a high-accuracy infrared spectrometer for NASA's ER-2 and developed new methods for reservoir engineering increase the safety of stored CO2. He now leads a team of engineers developing technology to capture of CO2 from ambient air at an industrial scale.
Keith took first prize in Canada's national physics prize exam, he won MIT's prize for excellence in experimental physics, was listed as one of TIME magazine's Heroes of the Environment 2009 and was named Environmental Scientist of the Year by Canadian Geographic in 2006. He spent most of his career in the United States at Harvard University and Carnegie Mellon University before returning to Canada in 2004 to lead a research group in energy and environmental systems at the University of Calgary.
Keith has served on numerous high-profile advisory panels such as the UK Royal Society's geoengineering study, the IPCC, and Canadian 'blue ribbon' panels and boards. David has addressed technical audiences with articles in Science and Nature, he has consulted for national governments, global industry leaders and international environmental groups, and has reached the public through venues such as the BBC, NPR, CNN and the editorial page of the New York Times.
Robert Fleagle Endowed Lecture in Atmospheric Sciences Policy
Dr. Ralph Cicerone
Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone
President, National Academy of Sciences
May 13, 2008
Lecture: "Climate Change and Human Energy Usage: Constraints and Options"
May 14, 2008
Seminar: "World Energy Usage: Finding a Sustainable Trajectory"
About the Speaker
Dr. Ralph Cicerone received his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He is an atmospheric scientist whose research in atmospheric chemistry and climate change has involved him in science and environmental policy nationally and internationally. His work with Richard Stolarski in 1973 led to the discovery of the C10X chain mechanisms for depletion of stratospheric ozone. His research was acknowledged on the citation for the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to his colleague F. Sherwood Rowland. Cicerone was also the 1999 laureate for the Bower Award and Prize for Achievement in Science. He was awarded the 2002 Roger Revelle Medal by the American Geophysical Union, which recognized his outstanding research contributions to the understanding of Earth's atmospheric processes, biogeochemical cycles or other key elements of the climate system. He was honored with the Albert Einstein World Award of Science in 2004 by the World Cultural Council for his research of "true benefit to mainkind." Cicerone was the chancellor of the University of California, Irvine, before becoming president of the National Academy of Sciences.
Pre-Lecture Dinner
Dr. Ralph Cicerone (left) and Prof. Robert Fleagle (right). Photo: K. Katsaros
Robert Fleagle Endowed Lecture in Atmospheric Sciences Policy
Dr. Robert Watson
Dr. Robert T. Watson
Chief Scientist and Director for Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development for the World Bank
May 1, 2007
Lecture: "The Science, Economics, Equity and Politics of Global Warming," PowerPoint Presentation
May 2, 2007
Seminar: "Living Beyond Our Means: Natural Assets and Human Well-Being," PowerPoint Presentation
About the Speaker
In May 1996, Dr. Watson joined the World Bank as Senior Scientific Advisor in the Environment Department. In July 1997, he became the Director of the Environment Department and Head of the Environment Sector Board.
Prior to joining the World Bank, Dr. Watson was Associate Director for Environment in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President in the White House. Prior to joining the Clinton White House, Dr. Watson was Director of the Science Division and Chief Scientist for the Office of Mission to Planet Earth at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Dr. Watson received his Ph.D. in Chemistry from London University in 1973. He has received many national and international awards and prizes for his contributions to science, including the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences Award for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility in 1993 and the insignia of Honorary Companion of St. Michael and St. George from the British Government on December 10, 2003.
Comments by Fleagle at Inaugural Reception
There was a time when U. S. meteorologists were interested in matters of science policy only to the extent that they affected the budget of the Weather Bureau. Fortunately, there came to be enough distributed wisdom in government that expanded atmospheric research was encouraged in several agencies in this and other countries. Research results over time led to new understanding of atmospheric phenomena and recognition that human activities could harm the physical environment. As a result, interaction of science with policy has come to be far more sophisticated and complex than it used to be. Global aspects have become especially important.
The Fellowship being inaugurated tonight is intended to broaden understanding of the interaction of the atmospheric sciences with science policy for our students and faculty and the general public. We hope to appoint a series of Policy Fellows of eminence for short periods, at least one during the residence of each PhD graduate student. We are extremely fortunate to have Dr. Robert Watson to initiate the series. Dennis (Hartmann) will introduce him later on, so I will just say that his achievements in science and in policy provide him unique perspective. I am looking forward eagerly to hearing his views on the topics he has chosen for the lecture.
Prof. Robert Fleagle (left) and the first holder of the fellowship Dr. Robert Watson (right).
Photo: D. Hartmann