“Peak Earth: Population, Climate and Energy in the 21st Century” -- A Conversation About the World’s Growing Population and Energy Demand and Their Impact on the Environment
Tuesday, November 27 at 6:30 pm
Free for Members and Students with ID; $5 for Non-Members at the Door
With the growing frequency of extreme weather events occurring in the United States – including tornadoes, droughts, wildfires and floods; as well as the recent hurricane and nor’easter that collided to create Superstorm Sandy, which devastated New Jersey, New York and Connecticut – many people are interested in gaining a better understanding of the natural and man-made forces shaping these events.
The Bruce Museum Science Lecture Series is pleased to present Peter B. Kelemen, PhD and Michael Cembalest who will discuss the world’s growing population and demands for energy and the way in which these forces are altering the Earth’s natural environment.
“Peak Earth: Population, Climate and Energy in the 21st Century – A Conversation” will be held at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 27 in the Museum’s Lecture Gallery.
Dr. Gina Gould, Curator of Science at the Bruce Museum, notes that the number of inhabitants on this planet is more than 7 billion and is projected to increase by more than 2 billion within this century. “Scientists know that the energy demands of this growing population, together with exponential economic development, are significantly altering our environment. The steadily increasing use of coal, oil and gas is causing atmospheric CO2 to rise at an unprecedented rate, while these fossil fuels are becoming more expensive to extract. Alternative energy solutions have been slow to materialize, and those that are developing will encounter their own resource bottlenecks.”
Dr. Kelemen, Arthur D. Storke Memorial Professor of Geochemistry in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University, combines geochemical and geophysical techniques to study Earth processes, including the geologic capture and storage of CO2.
Michael Cembalest, Chairman of Market and Investment Strategy at JP Morgan Asset Management and member of the Lamont-Doherty Advisory Board, appreciates the importance of carbon capture and storage given the effects of climate change.
Together they consider the consequences of growth, discuss the potential for carbon management and outline the current rush for commodities that are essential for a post-oil transition.
Reservations are strongly recommended. Call the Museum at 203 413-6757; or send an email to info@brucemuseum.org with the event date and title, your name and number of people attending.
The lectures are free to Museum members and students with school/college identification. Admission for non-members is $5 at the door.
Refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm and the lecture begins promptly at 7 pm.
