The Earth has warmed by almost two degrees Fahrenheit since 1880. This seemingly small increase in global warming explains why much of the land ice on the planet is starting to melt, the oceans are rising at an accelerating pace, and weather extremes are becoming common. Climate researchers have vetted the overwhelming science-based evidence and conclude that human activities associated with the release of greenhouse gases are the primary culprit. Read more…

March 2, 2016

Perlstein Hall Auditorium, Illinois Institute of Technology
10 West 33rd Street, Chicago, IL, USA

Solar energy holds the best potential for meeting humanity’s future long-term energy needs while cutting greenhouse gas emissions—but to realize this potential will require increased emphasis on developing lower-cost technologies and more effective deployment policy. This lecture presents results of a comprehensive study on The Future of Solar Energy by the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), which is part of a series of multidisciplinary reports that examine the role various energy sources could play in meeting future energy demand under carbon dioxide emission constraints. Read more…

Global warming is a reality that we will be forced to adapt to in the coming decades. A true solution will not come from one area; there is no silver bullet. Rather, lasting and significant change will come from a suite of modifications to our behavior, as well as technological improvements.

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The United Nations has recognized 2015 as the International Year of Soils, yet how many of us appreciate the fact that we can’t eat, breathe, drink, or maintain healthy communities without good soil. Let’s talk dirty and explore the diverse and complex world of soil as well as how local scientists manage soil systems to maintain ecosystem services.  Read more…

Is it possible for our industrial activities to ever exist in harmony with nature? What can nature teach us about how to sustain our economies? Industrial ecology has been proposed as the “science of sustainability.” Read more…

February 12, 2015

Northwestern University, Chicago Campus, Hughes Auditorium
303 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, USA

Lake Michigan is Chicago’s pride and joy. Chicago and the region have a long relationship with our lakefront and the Chicago River.

Our water has driven our economy, made us a destination for visitors, and ensured we have an adequate water supply. From reversing the Chicago River to building the deep tunnel, managing water has been a driver for Chicago to innovate and reinvent our world.

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