University of Rhode Island
Graduate School of Oceanography
www.metcalfinstitute.org
Contact: Sunshine Menezes
Executive Director
(401) 874-6211
sunshine@gso.uri..edu
Experts to Address Local and Global Impacts of Anthropogenic Change
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – June 4, 2008 – Metcalf Institute for Marine and Environmental Reporting is hosting its Annual Public Lecture Series, Scientists and Journalists: Getting the Point Across, from Monday, June 9, through Friday, June 13. This year’s program will feature nationally renowned specialists in research, policy and environmental reporting.
Monday’s lecture by Richard Langan of the University of New Hampshire’s Atlantic Marine Aquaculture Center will focus on the controversial subject of using open ocean aquaculture to satisfy the world’s growing demand for sustainable seafood. On Tuesday, June 10, Tom Knutson of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will address the role of human activity in Atlantic hurricane intensity.
Vicki Arroyo, director of policy analysis for the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, will present Wednesday’s lecture on national developments in climate change legislation. On Thursday, J. Carl Ganter of Circle of Blue, will discuss the role of journalism in responding to the global freshwater crisis. On Friday, June 13, Robert Binschlader of NASA’s Hydrospheric and Biospheric Sciences Laboratory will discuss the surprising role of water in the swifter than predicted melting of the polar ice caps.
The Metcalf Institute lectures from Monday to Thursday will begin at 3:30 p.m. and Friday’s presentation will begin at 11:00 a.m. at the URI Narragansett Bay Campus in the Corless Auditorium. All lectures are free and open to the public.
Metcalf Institute, named for the late publisher of The Providence Journal, Michael P. Metcalf, was established in 1997 with funding from The Belo Corporation, The Providence Journal Charitable Foundation, The Washington Post’s Philip L. Graham Fund, and the Telaka Foundation. Metcalf Institute provides science training for reporters and editors to help improve the accuracy and clarity of marine and environmental reporting and offers journalism fellowships in support of diversity and reporting on science and the environment.
Additional information is available online at www.metcalfinstitute.org or by calling (401) 874-6211.