Aug 17: For the past three years from their base in Traverse City, Circle of Blue has reported extensively on the critical water-food-energy "choke points" in the U.S., China and Australia. This month they are exploring the Great Lakes in transition -- climate, energy and economy. The reportage will be published this week. Circle of Blue has scheduled a special MaestroConference call for Tuesday, August 21, 10:00 - 11:00 AM (EDT). An announcement indicates that "this is a participatory event, so bring your questions."
MaestroConference is the leader in Social Conferencing technology that allows people to participate in large-scale, truly interactive virtual events featuring real conversations. Using social conferencing, thousands of people can convene around a topic or cause, engage in small group conversation to learn and share, and inspire one another to action and change.
According to the announcement, "The Great Lakes and Great Lakes states are in the midst of a remarkable and confounding ecological and economic transition related to climate change and the fossil energy sector that industries and scientists are busy trying to anticipate and understand. Be part of the conversation with experts in an interactive Maestro conference call about the Great Lakes and their ecological and economic transition related to climate change and fossil fuel."
The announcement indicates, "Real and swift changes are occurring on waterways carrying less coal, pipelines transporting more corrosive fuels, refineries expanding and modernizing, coal plants shutting down, and natural gas wells supplying more gas-fired power plants. The shift in fuel sources has helped to reduce air emissions, but also increased water pollution events. It's also helped Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan become top generators of new jobs over the past year. Meanwhile, the effects of climate change and erratic weather appear to be eroding infrastructure at big ports and influencing waterborne transport as Great Lakes water levels drop. Sediment levels are increasing. Ships carry lighter loads. Docks and other infrastructure are decaying. A wealth of new science also is revealing disturbing trends about the effects of warming air and water on the intensity of storms, ice cover, erosion, stormwater overflows, sea lamprey reproduction, and other events."
Hosts for the event include: J. Carl Ganter, Managing Director, Circle of Blue; Keith Schneider, Senior Editor; Circle of Blue; Ed Wargin, Photographer, Fresh Coast Project; Deborah Lee, Chief, Water Management Division, Great Lakes and Ohio River
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Michael Murray, Staff Scientist, National Wildlife Federation; Victoria Pebbles, Program Director,
Great Lakes Commission.
Access the announcement with links and registration details (click here). [#Access the Circle of Blue website for more information (click here). Access more information about MaestroConference (click here). [#GLakes]
GET THE REST OF TODAY'S NEWS (click here)
32 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals
32 Years of Environmental Reporting for serious Environmental Professionals