Furman presents conference on climate change Nov. 8-9

Furman University will present a conference on climate change Wednesday, Nov. 8 and Thursday, Nov. 9 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Shaw Hall of Younts Conference Center on campus.

Charles Bolden, Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The two-evening conference, “Climate Change is Real: Now What?” is free and open to the public. Registration is not required. It is presented by Furman University’s Riley Institute, Shi Center for Sustainability, and Institute for the Advancement of Community Health with support from the A.J. Head and Bill Mayville funds.

Featured speakers for the event include former astronaut and head of NASA Charles Bolden; Sherri Goodman, former deputy undersecretary of defense for environmental security; and former U.S. Congressman Bob Inglis.

Moderated by longtime broadcast journalist Mark Quinn, the conference is part of Furman’s yearlong exploration of climate change, a series of programs including faculty and alumni panel discussions, a film series and visiting speakers.

The scientific consensus is overwhelming that human-caused climate change is real. So, what does that mean for people’s health and livelihoods, for cities and homes, for ecological systems and our national security? Are there concrete ways communities can work together to solve this crisis and save the planet? Here’s the conference program:

Nov. 8, 7-8:30 p.m.

Sherri Goodman

“A Global Perspective on Earth’s Climate”
Charles Bolden, former astronaut and head of NASA

“Every Other Breath: Hidden Stories of Climate Change”
A look at The Post and Courier’s award-nominated series as reported by Tony Bartelme, special projects reporter for The Post and Courier

“Is Climate Change Making us Sicker?”
Allison Crimmins, climate scientist and lead author of interagency study on impact of climate change on health 

“What Now?”
A conversation with Dana Beach, executive director and founder of the South Carolina Coastal Conversation League, Tony Bartelme, Charles Bolden and Allison Crimmins

Nov. 9, 7-8:30 p.m.

“At Risk: Our Nation’s Security”
Sherri Goodman, former deputy undersecretary of defense for environmental security, and senior advisor, The Center for Climate and Security

Bob Inglis

“What Cities Can Do: A Conversation With Two Coastal Mayors”
Phil Stoddard, Ph.D., mayor, South Miami, Florida,and Billy Keyserling, mayor, Beaufort, S.C.

“Can Free Enterprise Solve Climate Change?”
Bob Inglis, former U.S. Congressman and founder and CEO, RepublicEn.org

For more information about the conference, visit the Riley Institute’s website, or contact the Riley Institute at 864-294-3546. Or contact the Furman News and Media Relations office at 864-294-3107.