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Yearly Archives: 2011

Schiff lecture features prominent German climate researcher

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The following appeared in the Tuesday, November 15th edition of YFile.

Andreas Wahner, director of the Institute for Energy and Climate Research – Troposphere in Forschungszentrum Juelich, Germany, will give the 21st Annual Harold I. Schiff Lecture in York’s Senate Chamber on Dec. 2.

Organized by the York University Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry and the Faculty of Science & Engineering, Wahner’s talk, "Atmospheric Trace Gas Degradation and Secondary Pollutant Formation: New Insights from Process Studies", starts at 2pm in the Senate Chamber, N940 Ross Building on York’s Keele campus.

Right: Andreas Wahner

Hydroxyl (OH) radicals play a central role in the chemistry of the troposphere (the lowest level of the Earth’s atmosphere). These radicals are mainly responsible for the chemical degradation of many trace gases and they initiate chemical reactions that may eventually lead to the formation of photochemicals or the depletion of tropospheric ozone.

Wahner posits that recent field measurements of the key radicals hydroxyl and water, and measurements of the turnover rates which determine the radical recycling, are significantly underestimated by current atmospheric chemistry models. At a high load of anthropogenic (human impact) and biogenic (produced by biological processes) volatile organic compounds and low nitric oxide (NO), a significant hydroxyl radical is missing.

The challenging questions Wahner will discuss in the Harold Schiff Lecture are: Which kinds of reactions cause such efficient OH cycling? What does this mean to our understanding of the trace gas degradation and photochemical ozone production, which is normally linked with radical cycling through NO reactions?

The Harold I. Schiff Lecture series was established in honour of late Professor Emeritus Harold I. Schiff, who was York's founding dean of the Faculty of Science in 1968. Among his numerous achievements are his major contributions to the development of techniques for measuring trace constituents in the upper atmosphere and to the interpretation of the physics and chemistry of the stratosphere.

An educator and scientist in the field of chemistry, Schiff began at York in 1964 and was named a member of York’s Founders Society in honour of his contributions to the early development of the University. While at York, Schiff was chair of the Department of Chemistry and director of the Natural Science Program in 1964, dean of the Faculty of Science from 1965 to 1972, and director of the Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry from 1985 to 1989.

The annual Harold I. Schiff Lecture is organized by the Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry at York. For more information, e-mail cac@yorku.ca.

The death of planning? A critical look at some current urban governance issues

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Exclusion, Expulsion and Extraction

2011 Tuesday Lecture Series

The death of planning? A critical look at some current urban governance issues

Date: Tuesday, November 15th, 12:45 – 2pm, HNES 140

MARIANA VALVERDE

Director, Center for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, University of Toronto

Presented in Collaboration with the city institute at York University

In her new book, Making law on the street: urban governance and the challenges of diversity, Valverde presents evidence that several urban governance issues, including planning-related community consultations, must recast a critical look at two components of the Jane Jacobs legacy. Only certain communities are empowered through public consultation processes that were create in the 1070s to democratize planning. Large-scale planning encouraged – though not caused – the current tendency to privilege micro-level planning. Valverde argues that it is time to consider new city-wide mechanisms for democratic planning that address geographic; economic and cultural inequalities, and that are forward-looking rather than nostalgic.

Joint Seminar: Sustainable Energy Initiative Seminar Series

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On behalf of the Environmental Studies at York University, you are invited to attend the Sustainable Energy Initiative Seminar Series joint seminar at the 2011 OSEA Community Power Conference. This event will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 800 Level, Hall G from 9am – 12noon on Tuesday November 15th. Breakfast will also be served beginning at 8:30am. There is a conference fee associated with this event. To register, please visit www.cpconference.ca and RSVT tarob@yorku.ca

Faculty of Environmental Studies Power Conference

Joint Seminar: Sustainable Energy Initiative Seminar Series

Education and training for the new green energy economy

Tuesday, November 15th, 9AM – Noon

Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 800 Levels, Hall G

Continental breakfast served at 8:30am. This seminar, hosted at the OSEA 2011 Community Power Conference in Toronto, provides an overview of international renewable energy programs advancing renewable energy adoption, developing local capacity and mobilizing knowledge. Moderated by JOSE ETCHEVERRY of York University’s Faculty of Environmental Studies, the seminar will reflect on strategies to facilitate community power initiatives and increase public participation in renewable energy.

Seminar presenters:

David Nixon: sustainable technologies monitoring coordinator, TRCA/Kortright

Adegboyega (babs) Babasola: SEARC Lead Researcher, St. Lawrence College

Frithjof Straiss: Managing Director, Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research, Baden-Wurttemberg Germany

Frede Hvelplund: Professor, Aalboro University Denmark

Tickets $95/day, conference details/registration at www.cpconference.ca

Challenge what is. Imagine what could be.

 

BOLSA FAMILIA: Its design, its impacts & possibilities for a future without misery in Brazil

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The Brazil Chair and the Brazilian Studies Seminar proudly present the talk:

BOLSA FAMILIA

Its design, its impacts & possibilities for a future without misery in Brazil with Dr. Sergei Soares IPEA – Brasilia

Research Institute of Applied Economies

Date and Time: Wed. Nov. 16, 2011, 2:30 – 4:30 pm

Location: 519 York Research Tower, York University

Brazil can boast of some impressive titles. We have the world’s largest rain forest, the most World Cups in soccer, and certainly the world’s most exuberant carnival. Until a decade ago, we also held a more somber title: world’s champion in income inequality. To our fortune, we have definitely lost this sad position over the last ten years: income inequality in Brazil has been steadily falling since 20001 and today we are far from being the most unequal nation in the world. The recent fall in income inequality becomes all the more interesting since it came after decades of stubbornly high levels. Much has been learned about why inequality fell but much still remains unclear. The objective of the talk is to describe the fall in Brazilian inequality, explore its magnitude and analyze the explanations on why this is happening.

Free! Everyone is welcome.

Light refreshments will be served.

Please RSVP at brazilst@yorku.ca

Email sbohn@yorku.ca for the presentation paper

The Brazilian Studies Seminar thanks the Consulate General of Brazil for sponsoring this talk

 

WEBSITE LAUNCH

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Join Nnewh for the Launch of

www.womenandchemicals.ca

In recent years, the National Network on Environments and Women’s Health (NNEWH) has been working on a variety of projects related to chemicals and women’s health.

Join us to celebrate the launch of our new website and latest report, Sex, Gender & Chemicals: Factoring women into Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

WHEN? THURSDAY NOVEMBER 17, 2011

6:30PM – 8:00PM

WHERE? TORONTO WOMEN’S BOOKSTORE

73 HARBORD STREET, TORONTO

If possible, please RSVP to: nnewh1@yorku.ca

Light refreshments will be served.

National Network on Environments and Women’s Health

Occupy COP17

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A new Occupy movement has just started up for COP17 in Durban. They are seeking to protest against the further entrenchment of the carbon market and trading as a solution to climate change. They have poignantly stated  that " [the] very same people responsible for the global financial crisis are poised to seize control of our atmosphere, land, forests, mountains and waterways. They want to institute carbon markets that will make billions of dollars for the elite few, whilst stealing land and resources from the many. We need to organise to protect the planet and safeguard those who depend on and defend our ecosystems." Follow them or join their occupation of the COP by visiting http://occupycop17.com/

Call for Student Rapporteur

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Call for Student Rapporteur

The W3 (Work in a Warming World) at York University is looking hire two students Rapporteur to cover and report on a discussion on work and climate change. One student for November 18, 2011 and another for November 19, 2011.

Title: International Panel – Greening Work in a Chilly Climate: Canadian Challenges & International Perspectives

Date: November 18 &19th, 2011
Time: 10:00am-4:00pm (approx)
Address: Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street,

Toronto, Ontario M4W 2GB

Event Description: The Workshop is organized by W3–Work in a Warming World. One year into our work, we’re workshopping the first stage of research, and identifying next questions.

The papers presented are by our W3 people and some invited presenters. They map the impact of climate change on employment, assess Canadian government policy in comparison with other OECD countries, explore the intersection of gender, work and climate change, and look at how unions are working with other organizations to introduce green transition to collective bargaining. Some of our papers look at what is happening in other countries, some are also internationally comparative.

Workshop participants include W3 team members, a member of W3’s International Expert Reference Group, and, for the first time, the students in W3’s new Student Network.

Topics to be covered during the workshop include:

Day 1

a. History and policy

b. Economic sectors

Day 2

c. Good practice and wicked problems

d. Vulnerability, resilience, strategic creativity

Requirements:

  • Meet with W3 Project Coordinator prior to the event to discuss details
  • Attend the event International Panel on your selected date (18th or 19th).
  • Within ten days following the event, complete an 800-1000 word report summarizing the key issues and debates that were covered during the discussion.
  • Electronically submit the final report to the W3 Coordinator.

Application:

  • Name
  • Year of Study (4th years and graduate students only)
  • Department of study
  • Resume and Coverletter
  • Short paragraph of discussion why the topic Work and Climate change interests you, either academically or personally (max 200-250 word )
  • Please indicate on your application which date you prefer to Rapporteur. Your preference will be taken into consideration, however there are not guarantees.

Payment: $20 hour (approx 5hours-10hours)

Deadline: November 11, 2011

Please submit your application to Kausar Ashraf (Project Coordinator for the W3) at akausar@yorku.ca and feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Sheila Watt-Cloutier: “Not the Time to COP Out

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Climate Change, Human Rights, and the UN COP-17 Negotiations

IRIS will be hosting a screening of Sheila Watt-Cloutier's public lecture, "Not the Time to COP Out", broadcasted live from Mount Allison University on Nov 29th, 2011. The lecture will mark the second day of the international UN COP-17 climate change negotiations in Durban, South Africa.

As former international chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, Watt-Cloutier has worked extensively at the UN level to advocate on behalf o f Northern and Inuit peoples, who are disproportionately affected by climate change. She was amongst the first to link climate change within a human rights frame work and, as a result, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. This public lecture coincides with the UN international climate change negotiations, COP-17, which is the final opportunity or the world to ratify a post-Kyoto Protocol agreement. This is Wall-Cloutier’s first public lecture in New Brunswick and as a Visiting Scholar at Mount Allison University

Date: Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 6:00 pm

Location: Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) A Keele Campus

 

Glendon primatologist talks orangutans, research and rainforests

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The following appeared in the Monday, November 7th edition of YFile.

Prominent Canadian primatologist and Glendon psychology Professor Anne Russon will talk about the Borneo Orangutan Society of Canada (BOS Canada) and their research projects in Kutai National Park this Thursday as part of the Institute for Research & Innovation in Sustainability Speaker Series.

The talk, “Orangutans: Research & Rainforest Protection in Borneo”, will take place Nov. 10, from noon to 1:30pm, at 305 York Lanes, Keele campus. There will also be a panel discussion with representatives of BOS Canada. Light refreshments will be served.

The event is designed to help spread the message about the work Russon is doing in Kutai National Park, about the work of BOS Canada and about the many potential opportunities for research available in this incredibly unique and threatened wilderness.

Russon specializes in research on wild orangutan intelligence and has recently taken over Camp Kriu in Kutai National Park in Indonesian Borneo, where she studies a large population of wild orangutans. Her work is represented in Canada as part of BOS Canada.

In 2002, Borneo suffered massive fires. Kutai National Park was heavily damaged and was thought to be a write-off by many conservation biologists. As Russon will discuss during her talk, this was anything but the case. Secondary growth in the forest of Kutai has taken off, providing an incredibly rich habitat for wildlife with faster growing plants and more available fruit than in a primary forest setting.

Left: Anne Russon

Consequently, a healthy wild orangutan population is now thriving there. The park, however, is not unthreatened. Across the narrow Sangata River that divides Kutai from private land, there is a coal mine large enough to be seen from space. Like the rest of Borneo, the park risks being re-zoned for timber, mining or palm oil, should its value as a nature reserve come into dispute.

It is important to note that this region of Indonesia represents the second most biologically diverse area of the world after the Amazon. It is quickly being swallowed by the oil, timber and mining industries with little regard for the indigenous peoples who live on the land.

Russon’s profile in the park, as someone living and working there, helps to keep it protected. To continue building the profile of her project and expanding the research activities at Camp Kriu, Russon is welcoming interested students and researchers to join her.

For more information, visit the Institute for Research & Innovation in Sustainability.

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