Past Events
October 02, 2008
Speaker: Matthias Sauerbruch: "When Less is Really More". Lecture Series Abstract: Sustainability has been long debated in schools of architecture while the profession, the industry, and even the outside world in general sometimes acted, at least in certain regions and countries. This lecture series showcases the state of practice in response to climate change, which is happening at an increasingly faster pace, and conveys a sense of urgency.
September 19, 2008
Speaker Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, will discuss the relationship between technology and energy policy, how technological developments force change in policy, and how technological limits constrain energy policy options, with a focus on electricity competition policy and climate change.
September 13, 2008
A memorial symposium in honor of Dr. Edward N. Lorenz, the "father of chaos theory and butterfly effect", will feature scientific talks by three prominent colleagues of Dr. Lorenz, personal reminiscences by friends and colleagues, and an evening concert by the MIT Chamber Music Society (Piano Trio No. 2, by Franz Schubert). The guest speakers and lectures are:
September 12, 2008
Speakers: John V. Mitchell, Associate Research Fellow, Chatham House and Research Adviser, Oxford Institute of Energy Studies; Paul Stevens, Senior Research Fellow for Energy, Chatham House and Emeritus Professor, Dundee University.Talk Abstract: Petroleum-fuelled prosperity is masking the challenge of oil depletion and removing the sense of urgency that is desperately needed to promote diversification in oil-exporting states.
September 09, 2008
Speaker: Thomas R. Casten, Chairman, Recycled Energy Development. Abstract: Climate change and energy concerns call forth energy policies but there is a failure to understand societal costs of each alternative action. Furthermore, economists and policy advisors assume the present energy conversion system is economically optimal, given current technology. Drawing on 30 years of developing $2.0 billion of local generation projects that recycle waste energy, Casten analyzes the societal costs and savings of twelve alternate approaches to generating electricity.
September 08, 2008
Speaker Friis Arne Petersen, Denmark's Ambassador to the U.S., will discuss expectations for the UN Climate Conference, which Denmark will host in 2009 when the successor to the Kyoto protocol is to be agreed upon. At least 10,000 participants from around the world will be attending, which will be the most significant gathering since the Kyoto meeting in 1997. Denmark is also among the leading nations in the use of renewable energy and has already reduced CO2-emissions by 15 percent.