Two prominent environmental thinkers and activists will address climate change, biodiversity and pollution during an upcoming lecture at Washington University in St. Louis.
The lecture, titled “To Hell in a Handbasket? The Global Environment and Sustainability,” is free and open to the public. It will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in Whitaker Hall Auditorium. The primary sponsors are University College — the adult, evening and continuing education division in Arts & Sciences — and the International Affairs program in University College.
Adjunct instructor Anukriti Hittle, the driving force behind the lecture, suggested Robert Repetto and Daniel Tunstall as speakers because of their long history of environmentalism.
“These two speakers have a long-term and deep understanding of the issues that plague our world today,” said Hittle, who teaches in the International Affairs and Environmental Studies programs and advises students on environmental and sustainability careers through The Career Center.
“Not only are they scholars, they are activists. I suggested Bob Repetto because he is a pioneer in environmental economics and Dan Tunstall because he has worked with indicators of sustainability since the Nixon administration.
“When our students hear about these complex and intractable issues, they want to know what they can do. I know that these two speakers can help answer this question, as well as inspire by example.”
Repetto, author of America’s Climate Problem: The Way Forward, has combined an academic career as an economist at Harvard, Yale and the University of Colorado with a leadership role in environmental policy as vice president of the World Resources Institute.
Tunstall worked on statistical policy in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget under presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, and he directed the information program at the World Resources Institute until his retirement in 2011.
The lecture is part of a larger daylong symposium on sustainability issues. The other events include a lunch and discussion with guests and selected students and faculty, and short presentations for students about sustainability careers.
Other sponsors include the School of Engineering and Applied Science; the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability; the Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies; the International and Area Studies program; the Environmental Studies program; the Office of Sustainability; and the College of Architecture.
The event grew out of Hittle’s professional association with the two speakers and University College’s interest and programs in international affairs, sustainability, global leadership and management. The symposium also reflects a universitywide commitment to sustainability and global issues.
For more information, call (314) 935-6700.