Top Scientists to Gather at Columbia University "350 Climate Conference"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) April 14, 2009 -- For Immediate Release: April 15, 2009

New York, New York – Top scientists will gather at Columbia University on May 2nd, 2009, to consider the need to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions from present levels. The conference will examine newly emerging approaches to limiting climate change and provide a scientific framework for proactive policy ideas in anticipation of the upcoming international negotiations set to take place in Copenhagen later this year.

The upcoming 350 Climate Conference will feature keynote speaker Dr. James Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, who has recently published a study indicating that the safe upper limit for atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations is likely to be 350 parts per million (ppm) or lower. This is problematic since we find ourselves at 387 ppm and rising—some 35 percent above preindustrial levels of 280 ppm.

The conference will be comprised of presentations and panel discussions on various themes related to reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide emissions, including: Post-Kyoto negotiations, economic and legal implications of implementing carbon dioxide reductions, green jobs, environmental justice, carbon sequestration and storage, climate change education, and alternative energy solutions. Featured speakers will include:

•Majora Carter, Founder of Sustainable South Bronx, named one of The New York Post’s Most Influential Women in NYC for the past two years

•Daniel Hillel, Researcher, Center for Climate Systems Research
•Johannes Lehmann, Professor of Soil Biogeochemistry and lead researcher on biochar carbon sequestration, Cornell University
•Gernot Wagner, Economist, Climate and Air Program of the Environmental Defense Fund
•Michael Gerrard, Director, Center for Climate Change Law, Columbia University
•Kevin Conrad, Executive Director, Coalition for Rainforest Nations, a Time Magazine Hero of the Environment 2008
•Jaimie Cloud, Founder and President, The Cloud Institute for Sustainable Education
•Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow at the Post Carbon Institute

The conference will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Rotunda of Low Memorial Library on the Columbia University Morningside Heights campus. Registration is available online at: www.350conference.org.

The 350 Climate Conference is an initiative of students in the Climate and Society M.A. program at Columbia University, the first interdisciplinary masters program in the U.S. to train professionals and academics on the impacts of climate variability and climate change on society and the environment.

CONTACT:

Ryan Hottle

Phone # 740 258 8450
350conference@gmail.com
www.350conference.org