research activities

Overview

 The intent of the symposium is to provide reviews of the current state of what is known about climate change and its impacts at a level accessible to the general public. To that end, leading research scientists from the U.S. are convening at The University of Iowa to review what is known and to indentify the current research frontiers.

The symposium will have three main sessions: paleoclimates, climate modeling and monitoring, and climate impacts. Each session will feature three speakers and a panel discussion. Introductory and closing addresses and an evening keynote address will consider the implications of the science for energy and foreign policy.

Schedule

9:00 AM - Opening remarks will be made by Jerald Schnoor, UI Foundation Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering, University of Iowa.

9:30 AM - Paleoclimates: The speakers in this session will address three lines of inquiry into past climates. By bringing together a variety of approaches to assessing climate change, a broad and sound foundation of understanding can be laid. the speakers and their topics are:

  • Margaret Bryan Davis, Regents' Professor of Ecology, University of Minnesota: Climate change and paleoecology from pollen.
  • Malcolm Hughes, Director, Laboratory of Tree Ring Research, University of Arizona: Climate change from tree rings.
  • Luis Gonzalez, Associate Professor of Geology, University of Iowa: Climate change from geochemistry.
  • Panel Chair: Richard Baker, Professor of Geology, University of Iowa.