Tue, February 4, 2014 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM UBC Point Grey Campus. Free. Interdisciplinary Futures: Conversations to Launch a New Decade of the Cecil H. and Ida Green Visiting Professors Program
Future Earth: A Science Agenda for Sustainability and Human Prosperity
Timothy O’Riordan, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia; Jonathan O’Riordan, Former Deputy Minister, Sustainable Resource Management, Province of British Columbia
5-6:30 pm, with reception to follow
Coach House, Green College, 6201 Cecil Green Park Road, UBC
In the first part of this joint presentation, Timothy O'Riordan will reflect on the changing understandings of sustainability and "sustainable development" since the introduction of the latter term by the UN's Brundtland Commission on Environment and Development in 1987, emphasizing how the science of sustainability has evolved in its evidence base and its relationship to government, business and civil society. He will then map out the possible pathways for sustainability science for the rest of this decade, in the light of the shifting fortunes of the global economy, the Anthropocene, and the Future Earth initiative of the International Council for Science.
Jonathan O'Riordan, in his turn, will review the range of research and policy initiatives taken in British Columbia with respect to climate change in general and water governance in particular. Finally, the two will bring their ideas together and suggest some fruitful lines for further research, such as could be pursued by future holders of the Timothy and Ann O'Riordan Fellowship in Sustainable Development at UBC.
This academic event hosted by Green College is open to the University community and general public without charge. For more information, contact gc.events@ubc.ca or visit www.greencollege.ubc.ca
Those interested in attending dinner at Green College after the event are asked to purchase a dinner ticket at least by noon the business day before. Contact 604-822-8660 or visit the Green College website at www.greencollege.ubc.ca for further details