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Join environmental biologist Jack Harper and ecological anthropologist
O.G. Harper in the 6-part RE series "Earth in Crisis"
to discuss the devastating human-induced impacts to the planet and
ourselves. You may participate in the sessions of your choice in
the BRUU RE office.
Climate - Tuesday January 11th, 7:30 - 9:00
We start with the most serious environmental threat, Earth warming,
examining its causes and consequences. The effects of global warming
on high latitude ecosystems and their human populations are already
apparent. Does the new forecast of an accelerated time table for
Earth warming imply that the problem cannot be solved? Are governments
siding with the short term interests of entrenched industries?
National
Geographic
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0409/feature1/index.html
Natural
Resources Defense Council
http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/default.asp
Union
of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_environment/global_warming/index.cfm
Woods
Hole Research Center
http://www.whrc.org/resources/online_publications/warming_earth/
Hadley
Centre Simulation
http://www.met-office.gov.uk/research/hadleycentre/images/HadCM2_IS92a+SO4_spinning.mpeg
Extinction - Tuesday January 18th, 7:30 - 9:00
We have entered the 6th period of the mass extinction of plants
and animals on Earth. In this century it has been estimated that
half of all living species will become extinct. We will discuss
the processes of human-induced extinction and the current estimates
of endangered birds, mammals, and fish. What is the role of human
culture in the deterioration and destruction of natural ecosystems?
How can this mass extinction be brought under control?
The
Sixth Extinction
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/hall_tour/extinct.html
MASS
EXTINCTION UNDERWAY
http://www.well.com/user/davidu/extinction.html
The
Sixth Extinction
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/9902/fngm/
Earth
faces sixth mass extinction
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn4797
SPECIES:
UNPRECEDENTED EXTINCTION RATE, AND IT'S INCREASING
http://www.iucn.org/info_and_news/press/species2000.html
How
Will the Sixth Extinction Affect the Evolution of Species?
http://www.actionbioscience.org/newfrontiers/myers_knoll.html
Population - Tuesday January 25th, 7:30 - 9:00
The United Nations has forecast that world population will rise
from 6.3 billion at present to 8.9 billion by the year 2050. Largest
increases will be in the developing countries, particularly India
and sub-Saharan Africa. Already it is estimated that population
is 20% above the Earth's carrying capacity. What impacts does population
growth have on the planet and what are nations and the world community
doing to stabilize growth rates?
U.S. and World Population Clocks - POPClocks
http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html
United
Nations Population Fund
http://www.unfpa.org/swp/swpmain.htm
Population
Beyond the Numbers
http://www.worldwatch.org/press/news/2004/08/16/
Social
Development and Population
http://www.worldwatch.org/live/discussion/18/
Urbanization:
An Environmental Force to Be Reckoned With
http://www.prb.org/Template.cfm?Section=PRB&template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=10186
New
Study Gives United States a "C" for Lagging Suppor
t of International Reproductive Health and Population Efforts
http://www.populationaction.org/news/press/news_120204_p&p.htm
Globalization - Tuesday February 1st, 7:30 - 9:00
Globalization not only impacts economies worldwide but also affects
the flow of ideas, disease, plants and animals, people, technology,
and culture. Americanization, drug traffic, and the imposition of
multinational corporations and nations further complicates and destabilizes
lives. We will examine the effects of globalization on Jamaica,
a microcosm of a third world nation struggling against the forces
of international commerce and banking.
YaleGlobal
On Line
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/about/index.jsp
The Globalization
Web Site
http://www.sociology.emory.edu/globalization/
Economic Globalization,
UUA Statement of Conscience
http://www.uua.org/csw/DSOCEcoGlob02.pdf
Globalization
for Whom?
http://www.harvard-magazine.com/on-line/070280.html
Measuring
Globalization
http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=2493&PHPSESSID=d6211b46774928efb78509e9458f952a
Kerala
Struggles with Globalization
http://www.bruu.org/greencorner.htm
Life
and Debt
http://www.lifeanddebt.org/about.html
Consumption - Tuesday February 8th, 7:30 - 9:00
Consumption, though necessary for humankind, is accelerating at
such a pace that the planet's water resources, air quality, biodiversity,
and human health are being severely impacted. We will examine the
cultural responses to diminishing natural resources and inequalities
of distribution. Are more resource wars in our future? What are
the alternatives for consumption to provide better lives for all?
Worldwatch:
Consumption
http://www.worldwatch.org/features/consumption/
Global
Issues: Consumption
http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Consumption.asp
Global
Review: What's Driving Consumption?
http://www.bostonreview.net/ndf.html#Consumption
Why
Consumption Matters
http://www.sierraclub.org/sustainable_consumption/tilford.asp
Dying
for Consumption
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/1210-26.htm
Sustainability - Tuesday February 15th, 7:30 - 9:00
The present global system encompassing economies, ecosystems, and
human societies is unsustainable. What can we learn from nations
and cultures near sustainability? How do succeeding generations
react to environmental deterioration? Can sustainability be realized?
Is the "good life" that we seek compatible with sustainability?
How can we participate in the cultural transformation that is needed
to avoid continual global deterioration?
2005
Environmental Sustainability Index
http://www.yale.edu/esi/
Nations
Ranked as Protectors of the Environment
http://www.truthout.org/docs_05/012605X.shtml
Environmental
sustainability possible within a generation
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/News_Releases/web_of_life02050401.asp
Sustainability
http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/
The
Sustainability Report
http://www.sustreport.org/home.html
Jared
Diamond: Why Societies Collapse
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/stories/s707591.htm
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