From exploring the disappearance of the honeybee to lessons the American West could learn from Australia’s long-term battles with drought and floods, Boulder is looking at a wide array of issues this week.
“Science Director, U.S. Department of Energy to Speak on Science for Energy,” hosted by the Renewable & Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), a joint institute of CU-Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. November 1.
What? Dr. Brinkman, director of the Office of Science, will present the ways in which the Department of Energy science programs are supporting the Obama administration’s blueprint for clean energy. The presentation will include research on clean energy being explored in the lab as well as research that’s being applied outside of the lab, including the exploration of more cost-effective methods for harnessing solar energy and carbon sequestration. Dr. Brinkman holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Missouri.
Where? Fleming Courtroom, 2445 Kittredge Loop Drive, CU-Boulder. Map
Time? 6:30 p.m.
Cost? Free
Website
“Film Screening of ‘Vanishing of the Bees,” hosted by CU Going Local (CUGL). November 1.
What? Honeybees have been mysteriously disappearing across the planet. This phenomenon, known as Colony Collapse Disorder, is explored in the documentary “Vanishing of the Bees.” The film follows two commercial beekeepers, David Hackenberg and Dave Mendes, who travel to Capitol Hill and across the Pacific Ocean in an effort to keep their bees healthy and alive. One out of every three bites of food on our table, they say, is pollinated by commercial honeybee operations. CUGL will provide a guest speaker following the film.
Where? Hale 270, CU-Boulder. Map
Time? 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost? Free
Website
“Twenty Year of Water Reform in Australia — Any Lessons for the American West? by Brad Udall,” hosted by CU-NOAA Western Water Assessment and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Science (CIRES). November 3.
What? Australia is one of the driest inhabited continents and is known for extreme droughts and floods. Federal and state governments in Australia have been pursuing numerous policy initiatives to minimize the impact of these extreme weather events. Brad Udall, an expert in hydrology and related policy issues in the West, will present some of Australia’s public policy responses to droughts and floods, policy responses from Australia that might be implemented in the U.S. and the likely role climate change played in the droughts and floods. Udall recently returned from a 4-month research trip to Australia that focused on water policy in the Murray Darling Basin, water policy reform and the interface of science and policy.
Where? CSTPR Conference Room, CU-Boulder. Map
Time? 12 – 1 p.m.
Cost? Free
Website
“Pages from the Book of the Unknown Explorer,” hosted by the CU-Boulder Geography Department. November 4.
What? This performance lecture from Judit Hersko will examine polar exploration and science from the perspective of a fictitious, unknown female explorer, Anna Schwartz. By inserting Schwartz into real events and scientific quests, Hersko is able to reflect on the absence of women from the history of Antarctic exploration and science. The presentation also delivers current scientific data on the effects of ocean acidification and climate change. Hersko’s lecture is based on her collaboration with scientists and her experience in Antarctica as the recipient of the National Science Foundation Antarctic Artists and Writers Grant.
Where? IBS building, room 155, CU-Boulder. Map
Time? 3:30 p.m.
Cost? Free
Website
*Correction: The original version of this write-up misspelled the name of Dr. Brinkman. The error was amended October 31, 2011.
