U.S. Representative Ed Markey is expected to speak at Brandeis on Friday, April 13th about global warming and environmental issues. The event will also include a screening of An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gores documentary film about global warming, and an introduction by Brandeis biology and Environmental Studies professor Dan L. Perlman.
Representative Markey is a Democratic Congressman from Massachusetts 7th District, which includes Waltham. He has held his seat since 1976. According to his website, Markey is also the Chairman for the newly formed House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and has consistently championedenergy efficiency and environmental protection.
Hes been here many times before, said Brandeis Senior VP of Communications Lorna Miles of Rep. Markeys relationship to the Brandeis community. When hes available to speak we always like to host him.
I know he is head of a new global warming committee, commented Perlman. Thats going to be a very interesting piece of the puzzle.
The congressmans visit to Brandeis coincides with the release of a report on global warming from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN organization. I assume hell be talking about that and his new committee, said Perlman. Miles said she also expected Rep. Markey to speak about the finding of the report.
Eben Burnham-Snyder, a spokesperson for Markey, confirmed that Rep. Markeys speech will deal with the findings of the report.
Mr. Markey will be discussing the recent evidence for action on global warming from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which predicts widespread impacts here and abroad, Burnham-Snyder said.
He'll also discuss global warming's unique impacts on Mass. and New England, and on the younger generation.
“Scientists are telling us that global warming's impacts are already here, and the Supreme Court is telling our government they need to clean up their act. Now is the time for everyone to take real action to reduce our dependence on oil and cut global warming pollution.”
Markeys speech is also significant because a new major in Environmental Studies may soon be created at Brandeis. It is going to the faculty today for a second reading for approval, said Miles, adding that the major will be available in the fall of 07. Environmental Studies has previously been a minor at Brandeis.
Perlman, who chairs the Environmental Studies department, was quick to point out the high degree of interest in environmental issues among Brandeis students. A lot of the motivation for creating the major came from students themselves, who have in large numbers been creating majors in environmental studies. The impetus came from the students.
Markeys speech and the film screening will take place at 4pm in the World Court at Lemberg Academic Center.
