Earth Institute News Archive
ALERT: Please note the date of this news release. You may be reading about findings that have changed significantly or about programs and faculty no longer at the university. To check if there is updated information available, search the Earth Institute website
posted 08/20/02
Contact: Mary Tobin
845-365-8607 or mtobin@ei.columbia.edu
Columbia Scientists Bring Scientific Advances to World Summit
Earth Institute to Host Event on Strategies for Sustainable Development
At the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg beginning Monday August 26, 2002, Columbia University researchers will present scientific advances that deserve implementation now, and several more in critical areas where immediate investment is required to relieve extreme poverty and get ahead of global climate change risks.
The Earth Institute at Columbia University will send a six-person delegation to the Johannesburg summit, representing experts from the fields of sustainable development, water, energy, health, agricultural productivity, biodiversity and ecosystem management, as well as climate.
The Earth Institute will also host an event in Johannesburg.
Science and Sustainability: The Earth Institute at Columbia University, Brunch/Discussion at the WSSD in Johannesburg
| Topic: | Investing in Science and Technology: Strategies for Successful Sustainable Development |
| When: | Sunday, September 1, from 10:00am-12:30pm |
| Where: | Water Berry Room,Wanderers Club, Ubuntu Village, Gate 2 |
Brunch will be served.
The delegation will be led by Jeffrey Sachs, Earth Institute Director and Special Advisor to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Sachs will also speak and participate in several panel discussions at the summit. [Click Here for Sachs' WSSD Speaking Schedule].
In addition, Earth Institute at Columbia delegates are:
Dr. Klaus Lackner, Energy
Dr. Roberto Lenton, Water
Dr. Don Melnick, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management
Dr. John Mutter, Climate
Dr. Pedro Sanchez, Agriculture (2002 World Food Prize Laureate)
Limited availability remains for one-on-one interviews with all Earth Institute delegates. For more information or requests please contact Mariellen Gallagher 917-453-3682, mg1152@columbia.edu, or Mary Tobin 845-365-8607, mtobin@ldeo.columbia.edu
Click HERE to see the delegates' broad recommendations on what science needs to know and what it can do with existing knowledge for each of the above topics. The document is also available for download in PDF format.
In May of 2002 the Earth Institute hosted a major conference on sustainability issues called State of the Planet 2002. Scientists speaking at Columbia University expressed optimism that the technical means now exist to end worldwide starvation in the next generation. Results of the conference including archived web broadcasts of all presentations may be viewed at the Columbia Earth Institute website, http://www.earth.columbia.edu/sop2002/.
Compared to the stakes involved, and the realistic promise for dramatic breakthroughs if global R&D efforts are enhanced, current investment is miniscule. A decision in Johannesburg to bolster the world's scientific and technological capabilities in sustainable development would set the world on a much more secure, equitable, and sustainable course for our new century.
Related Links:
08/29/02
Jeffrey Sachs Interviewed by BBC World News
Rich
states 'failing' poor
Jeffrey Sachs' WSSD speaking schedule
Jeffrey Sachs' Biographical Information
Earth Institute Delegates' Recommendations
HTML Page or PDF Download
Scientific Advances Must be Used
to Benefit Underdeveloped World, Says the Earth Institute's John Mutter,
Vice Chair, Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Audio Clips
State of the Planet 2002 Conference
Web Site
http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/sop2002
State of the Planet 2002 Newsletter
(PDF Download)
stateofplanetNL.pdf
Official United Nations Web Site
for the Johannesburg Summit 2002
http://www.johannesburgsummit.org/
About The Earth Institute
The Earth Institute at Columbia University is the world's
leading academic center for the integrated study of Earth, its environment
and society. The Earth Institute builds upon excellence in the core disciplines — earth
sciences, biological sciences, engineering sciences, social sciences and
health sciences — and stresses cross-disciplinary approaches to complex
problems. Through research, training and global partnerships, it mobilizes
science and technology to advance sustainable development, while placing
special emphasis on the needs of the world's poor. For more information,
visit www.earth.columbia.edu.