November 01, 2018

Expert to discuss U.N. climate report at next Saluki Energy Forum

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill. – An expert in climate variability and change will give a keynote presentation at the next Saluki Energy Forum early next week.

Justin Schoof, professor and chair of the Department of Geography and Environmental Resources at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will explain the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report, a landmark document on climate change, during the forum, set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 8 in the Student Center Renaissance Room and Art Gallery. The event is free and open to the public, but those attending are asked to make a reservation.

Key report, art exhibit spread awareness 

An art exhibit titled “Environmental Graphiti – The Art of Climate Change, featuring the work of Alisa Singer,” also will be on display. The work aims to dramatize the science of climate change to expand public awareness.

Schoof’s research interests include climate variability and change, synoptic climatology and statistical climatology. Organizers hope the presentation will underline the effects of changing climate, as well as how decisions made today might significantly impact the future.

“It is important for every member of the SIU community to understand the impacts of our changing climate,” said Geory Kurtzhals, sustainability coordinator. “The decisions we make in the immediate future will significantly impact the world we are creating for ourselves a short decade from now. We no longer have the luxury of planning for future generations. We must take action now.”

After Schoof’s presentation, Kurtzhals will share opportunities for campus and community members to engage in campus sustainability working groups, hosted by SIU’s Sustainability Office.

Forum is second in a series

The forum is the second in a series planned at SIU and will include environmental and energy science groups from campus and the community providing information on their various efforts and missions.

The event is sponsored by the Saluki Energy Focus Group, an informal working group including

The Advanced Coal and Energy Research Center, the Sustainability Office, Center for Environmental Health and Safety, Plant and Service Operations, student groups and others.

For more information, contact Amy McMorrow Hunter at 618/453-7327 or amcmorro@siu.edu