IEEE – IAS/IES DINNER
PRESENTATION
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Global Climate
Change: Drilling Back to the Future in Antarctica
Presenter: Ross Powell, Research Professor of Geology at Northern
Illinois University
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Powell’s research career has
focused on understanding how glaciers and ice sheets are behaving today and
reacting to climate change, which also allows him to read how ice sheets have
reacted to past warming events. This expertise allows him to contribute to the
pressing problem of global warming that rightly concerns scientists, the public
and politicians alike. A significant concern for humanity as a consequence of
the warming is how fast and to what magnitude changes in glaciers and ice
sheets will occur. As part of that effort Powell is co-leading one of the most
important current international research efforts in Antarctica - ANDRILL (ANtarctic geological DRILLing)
that aims to document how the massive Antarctic Ice Sheet has reacted to past
natural climatic changes in order to better predict how it may react to
on-going changes.
ABOUT THE TOPIC
The
Antarctic Ice Sheet has existed for 34 million years or more and has
experienced past global warming and cooling cycles but none that appear to be
as fast as the one we are experiencing now and in the near future. Scientists
are concerned how this massive ice sheet that holds 70% of all of the world’s
fresh water, covers a land mass 1.5 times as large as the US, and rises to an
average height (1.5 miles) higher than Denver, will react to this current
warming. Ross will discuss some of the
evidence of current climate change and the effect it is having on the polar
regions; present a history of past behavior of the Antarctic Ice Sheet, placing
that in context with present conditions; and then describe some ways in which
individuals may make a difference to help save the ice sheet and slow warming
to also help human society.
LOCATION Time
Costa's (GREEKTOWN) Social................................................................... 5:30 p.m.
314 S. Halsted St. Dinner.................................................................. 6:00 p.m.
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Directions |
Cost |
Reservations |
|
Costa's is
located in Greek town. |
Your
cost includes the presentation and a four-course dinner with a choice of the
main entry - Roast lamb, Chicken, or Fish. (Vegetarian or special dietary
meals available upon request). Cost is $25 IEEE Member and $30 non-member.
Valet parking is included with your meal. |
Click
here to make your reservation online. Or Call
the IEEE Business (630) 493-4333 with your reservation. Please note any
special meal requests at the time of the reservation. |
Note: For P.E. licenses that require continuing education for renewal, attendance at IEEE Technical Meetings is acceptable as one Professional Development Hour (PDH) per meeting.