Dr. Michael Dorsey is an Asst. Professor at Dartmouth College where he teaches in the Environmental Studies Program. Dorsey is a graduate of the U of Mich. School of Natural Resources and Environment; Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the U of Mich. Dept of Anthropology, from which received his PhD. Prior to joining Dartmouth's faculty, he held the Thurgood Marshall Fellowship in Environmental S tudies and Geography at Dartmouth College from September 2001 to January 2002.Dorsey's work covers a wide variety of international and domestic environmental policy concerns. In 1996 he began researching the political-economy of biodiversity conservation and management, as well as the development and deployment of biotechnologies. He teaches courses on the aforementioned areas as well as on the topic of environmental justice and ethics
350 is the number that leading scientists say is the safe upper limit for carbon dioxide—measured in "Parts Per Million" in our atmosphere. 350 PPM—it's the number humanity needs to get back to as soon as possible to avoid runaway climate change. If we are already past 350, are we doomed? No. We're like the patient that goes to the doctor and learns he's overweight, or his cholesterol is too high. He doesn't die immediately—but until he changes his lifestyle and gets back down to the safe zone, he's at more risk for heart attack or stroke. The planet is in its danger zone because we've poured too much carbon into the atmosphere, and we're starting to see signs of real trouble: melting ice caps, rapidly spreading drought. We need to scramble back as quickly as we can to safety.
The science is clear: global warming is happening faster than ever and humans are responsible. Global warming is caused by releasing what are called greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. Many of the activities we do every day like turn the lights on, cook food, or heat or cool our homes rely on energy sources like coal and oil that emit carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. This is a major problem because global warming destabilizes the delicate balance that makes life on this planet possible. Just a few degrees in temperature can completely change the world as we know it, and threaten the lives of millions of people around the world. But don't give up hope! You can help stop global warming by taking action at 350.org.
We need an international agreement to red uce carbon emissions fast, and 2009 might be our best shot. The United Nations is working on a global climate treaty, which is supposed to be completed in December of 2009 at a conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. But the current plans for the treaty are much too weak to get us back to safety. This treaty needs to put a high enough price on carbon that we stop using so much. It also needs to ensure poor countries a fair chance to develop. This year, we can create a grassroots movement connected by the web and active all over the world. We can hold our decision-makers accountable to producing a treaty that is strong, equitable, an d grounded in the latest science. On 24 October, we're holding a Global Day of Climate Action to do just this. If this global movement succeeds, we can get the world on track to get back to 350 and back to climate safety.
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Bucknell Environmental Club, Environmental Center, Office of the President, Geology Department, Residential Colleges, Center for Race, Ethnicity and Gender, Multicultural Center, International Relations Department, Environmental Studies Program, Office of the Provost, Dean of Students Office, President’s Office, University Lectureship Committee, Geography Department, BSG
October 14 (Wed)
Kick-off Dinner
gt; in the cafeteria to highlight local farmers and green initiatives! Outdoor documentary, Earth, playing in the science quad. Bring your own blanket! (8pm) Enjoy some refreshments (hot chocolate, hot cider, cookies, etc.) October 15 (Thurs) Keynote speaker, Michael Dorsey, professor of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth College and recipient of a Ford Foundation grant. His lecture will focus on Climate Justice and the social and environmental inequalities associated with climate change policy (7pm in the LC Forum) Check out the visiting students from our peer schools! October 16 (Fri) Climate Action Plan Discussion- Join us as the Bucknell community discusses Bucknell’s plan for climate change. Sustainable Co-op: Open house tour and reception at the Sustainable Cooperative (Taylor House) to learn about Bucknell’s first eco-themed house October 17 (Sat) Join the Environmental Club for any of th
e following activities: - Volunteering at a local farm - Kayaking down the Susquehanna - Hiking with the Outing Club Email Molly.Burke@bucknell.edu to sign up!
