Science Cafés provide an opportunity for audiences to discuss current science topics with experts in an informal setting. All four Science Cafés take place at Conor O'Neill's Traditional Irish Pub, 318 South Main Street, Ann Arbor. Free hors d'oeuvres are served at 5:30 pm. The program runs from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 24
Politics and the Poles
U-M geologist Henry Pollack (co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace prize with Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), and his wife, environmental policy expert and former State Senator Lana Pollack discuss the current outlook for the polar regions, what warming trends might mean globally and at the poles, and relate these topics to the politics of our state and national government.
Sponsored by the College of Literature, Science and the Arts
Wednesday, February 13
Pollution at the Poles
U-M faculty Nil Basu and Gerald Keeler study the biology and the chemistry of heightened levels of toxic chemicals in Earth's polar regions. Find out how toxics, such as mercury and PCBs, get to the polar regions. What is their impact on the people and wildlife of the Arctic? Are there policies or practices here at home that could mitigate these effects? Sponsored by Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society
Wednesday, March 19
Melting at the Poles
We've all heard dire predictions concerning sea level rise caused by melting ice caps at the Earth's poles. Ben van der Pluijm, U-M professor of Geology, the Environment, and Director of the U-M Global Change program, and Barry Rabe, professor of Public and Environmental Policy, will discuss where these predictions come from, what we can expect, and what policy solutions might mitigate or moderate these possible consequences of polar melting. Sponsored by the University of Michigan Credit Union
Wednesday, April 9
People and the Poles
Ecologist and Director of the U-M Biological Station Knute Nadelhoffer and U-M marine engineer Guy Meadows discuss the impact of human presence in the polar regions, including tourism, oil exploration, research, global warming trends, and more. Sponsored by the U-M Alumni Association
