How Can Engineering Geology Help Society Meet the Challenge of a Changing Climate
September 5, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Speaker: Dr. Vince Cronin, Baylor University
Dr. Vince Cronin is an emeritus professor from Baylor University. His lecture will focus on the utilization of geological engineering as a tool for navigating, adapting, and mitigating our ever-changing climate.
Engineering geology forms an important part of the practical interface between humans and our Earth's environment. The year 2023 has been marked by record heat worldwide, both on the land surface and in most oceans, and the highest concentrations of atmospheric greenhouse gases ever measured. We have just emerged from the most severe drought condition in 1200 years in parts of the western United States, quenched by an unprecedented series of atmospheric rivers. Massive fires in desiccated areas devastate grasslands, forests, and communities. Supplies of potable fresh water are reduced in many places. Rising sea level places coastal infrastructure and communities at risk, and historic rainfall events from atmospheric rivers and hurricanes cause equally historic floods and trigger landslides. The warming climate can worsen existing problems of environmental justice.
Mitigating the effects of a warming climate will require the sustained efforts of the engineering and engineering geoscience communities throughout the coming decades. In parallel with the need to reduce the human-controlled drivers of global warming, we need to provide reliable information to society so that the adverse effects of a changing climate can be avoided or mitigated. Ignoring the problems does not generally lead to solutions, but preparing to address the problems will lead to opportunities for engineering geologists to provide great service to society.
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All are welcome to join us for this informational talk held in SELE 1280.
More information: Richard H. Jahns Lecture Series - How Can Engineering Geology Help Society Meet the Challenge of a Changing Climate
Date posted
Aug 27, 2023
Date updated
Aug 27, 2023