CSU’s School of Global Environmental Sustainability Selected for 2010 State of the Planet
On Thursday, March 25, the School of Global Environmental Sustainability at Colorado State University will host one of 30 global classrooms showing a live feed of the State of the Planet panel sessions taking place in New York, Beijing, New Delhi, Nairobi and London. The panel discussions bring together some of the world’s most influential and innovative thinkers and leaders in a wide range of fields – from academics to media, government, policy and business spheres – to tackle critical global issues.
Around the world, people will be able to participate via webcast and interactive elements, including submitting questions through Twitter using hashtag #sop2010. The global classroom will be held in CSU Lory Student Center Room 230 and will run from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Four featured topics
The panel discussions will be centered on four globally important topics.
- Climate change – In the wake of the international climate change conference in Copenhagen last year, many remain unsure about what it will take to complete a climate deal. The science remains sound but the backlash over the climate e-mails hacked from the University of East Anglia and errors made by the IPCC have given skeptics a new round of ammunition. Where will leadership come from? Is there a middle ground between rich and poor countries? Is a legally binding treaty still possible? Session begins at 6:55 a.m.
- Poverty – The nations of the world agreed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals — a set of established targets to reduce poverty, hunger and disease by 2015. Though many countries have done well since the goals were adopted in 2000, places like Haiti are a grim reminder of the fragility of an impoverished nation living on the edge. How can the goals be achieved in the next five years? Session begins at 8:45 a.m.
- Economic Recovery – The recession left a great rift in the global economy. Unemployment rates in the United States remain high while Washington continues to debate the best way forward. Is the country headed back toward business as usual, or will the future be in a green recovery? Session begins at noon.
- International Systems – Increasingly, the concurrent crises of the environment, global health and the economy weaken the ability of many countries to respond to disasters. How can international systems be built to deal with critical issues that span borders? Session begins at 2 p.m.
This event is free and open for the public to come and go throughout the day. Questions for the State of the Planet panelists can be submitted via Twitter using hashtag #sop2010 or submitted through the School of Global Environmental Sustainability at soges@colostate.edu. Full event schedule can be found at http://soges.colostate.edu.
About the School of Global Environmental Sustainability
A first for the state, the School of Global Environmental Sustainability is an umbrella organization that encompasses all environmental education and research at the university. The school positions CSU to address the multiple challenges to global sustainability through broad-based research, curricular and outreach initiatives.
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