Planning for Potential Disasters Topic of Annual Student Water Symposium at Colorado State University Nov. 7-9

In times of uncertainty, planning for potential disasters is critical. Colorado State University’s fifth annual Student Water Symposium will give students the opportunity to present research and ideas in an effort to be better prepared for water-related problems.

The symposium, held on campus Nov. 7-9 in the Lory Student Center, features presentations on water-related research by both graduate and undergraduate students from a variety of departments at Colorado State. The event will highlight the importance of interdisciplinary, water-related research being conducted at the university.

Peter Gleick, president of the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security, will deliver the keynote address, "The Changing World of Water: New Ideas for Old Problems" at 7 p.m. in the Cherokee Park Room Nov 7. Gleick has published numerous works pertaining to climate change, water resources and environmental policy. He also serves on several national and international boards, including the board of directors for the International Water Resources Association.

The inevitability of natural disasters will be discussed during a panel discussion at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Longs Peak Room in the Lory Student Center. The panelists will address how humans alter their environments, thus making the world more hazardous.

"If we pave the grasslands, they can no longer absorb rainwater, and it runs off in huge amounts, sometimes flooding homes and communities," said Annie Epperson, Student Water Symposium coordinator.

For more information on the symposium and the schedule of events, contact Epperson at (970) 491-5197 or visit the Web at watersym.colostate.edu.