On May 8, Dale Jamieson returned to Carleton to give a talk on climate change and environmental justice. Jamieson, who was formerly the Henry R. Luce Professor of Human Dimensions of Global Change at Carleton and is now the chair of the Environmental Studies Department at NYU, called climate change the “most complex, profound, and important” environmental justice issue that exists today.

Bessie interviewed 17 Clayquot Sound residents about environmental issues for a study supported by a fellowship from Carleton, the Natural Capital Project, and the University of British Columbia.

Edith Widder is a biologist, deep-sea explorer, and specialist in bioluminescence (the light chemically produced by many ocean organisms). Her convocation address on “New Technologies to Discover Our World,” combined her expertise in deep-sea research and technological innovation with her commitment to reversing the worldwide trend of degradation to the world's marine environments. In 2005, Widder co-founded the Ocean Research Conservation Association (ORCA), which strives to develop high-tech sensory equipment to evaluate the health and preservation of marine ecosystems. “We are destroying the oceans faster than we can discover what’s in them,” she warns. “A lot of people are totally unaware of what’s going on in our oceans. We need to educate them to avert a crisis, and I’d like to be part of the solution.”

J. Drake Hamilton, a leader in climate change policymaking and education, present a convocation address titled “Global Warming Solutions and Economic Opportunities.” Hamilton serves as the Science Policy Director for Fresh Energy, a St. Paul-based non-profit organization working to establish energy independence. She is known for her ability to communicate global warming solutions, and for bringing integrity, environmental stewardship, and a courageous passion for progress to her work. Fresh Energy's efforts focus on clean energy, energy efficiency, transportation policy, global warming solutions and energy justice. In an effort to promote a modern, innovative energy system for the 21st century, the organization provides research, advocacy and innovative policy models while engaging citizens to take action on the energy issues.

Heidi Welsh, ’88, is a research analyst with RiskMetrics, a group that examines corporate policy and performance indicators regarding climate change, the environment, ethics, human rights, and labor.  Most recently Welsh participated in a study assessing more than 1,700 global companies on more than 200 policy and performance indicators. The title of her presentation was “Global Warming and Corporate Responsibility.”  Welsh’s lecture continued the 2007-2008 Climate Change Lecture Series sponsored by the Environmental and Technology Studies program.

The Global Implications of Climate Change
How will human societies be impacted by climate change on a global scale? Watch a discussion the scientific and social implications of warming and the way in which the media presents this critical issue. Panel Discussion led by faculty members Tun Myint, Mike Hemesath, Deborah Gross, and Michael Griffin.

Science and Policy Options of Global Warming
Watch panelists Will Hollingsworth, Nathan Grawe, and Cam Davidson discuss the science of global warming and the policy options that exist for grappling with the issue. Is there consensus in the scientific community? How can we, as a society, respond to this challenge?

Global Warming and Water Scarcity
How will global warming impact water? Panelists Gary Wagenbach and Mark Kanazawa discuss the impacts that climate change has upon the hydrologic cycle and patterns of precipitation and the ways in which these changes may impact animal and human communities.

Minnesota and Global Warming
How can we understand global warming in the context of Minnesota? Watch a discussion of the environmental risks and economic opportunities that global warming presents the state. Panel discussion led by Bruce Anderson, Nancy Braker, and Mark McKone.

The Youth Climate Change Movement
A presentation focusing on the role of youth in climate change. Student leaders and U.S. Senate candidate Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer talk about the importance of youth involvement in global warming and how students can be active on campus and in the broader community.

A podcast dedicated to all things Carleton.In our third episode, we talk with Carleton student Becky Dernbach '08 about "Campus Energy Wars," a campaign to help students be aware and reduce energy usage on campus.