Climate change heats up foreign affairs panel discussion
Leaders in environmental fields spoke to students about the impending dangers of climate change, debated whether it's still possible to reverse the process
At one point, Lovejoy described the outlook as "bleak" but said that the problem was still manageable, only if a major change was made in energy production and in conservation tactics.
Maple presented a different perspective.
"I am not depressed or intimidated by the truth," Maple said in his opening.
Drawing mainly from his experiences as an ally of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, with whom he wrote a book, Maple argued for conservation.
He said that it was a bipartisan issue and that Gingrich disengaged only because it became too "politically hot."
Maple said that zoos are bringing nature to the people and are now drawing more visitors than major league sports games.
Zoos, according to Maple, are making the people appreciate what might be lost from climate change.
"In the future, a consensus must be built to get stuff done," Maple said.
The bipartisan consensus he described includes partnerships between non-governmental organizations and businesses, as well as increased subsidies for new technology.
The third speaker of the evening, Scott Brown, director of the New Energy Capital Corp., described what he called "a small slice of the solution."
Brown, who has a long history in energy generation, said that new technology made alternative solutions economically feasible.
Now is the time for young people to get involved in the industry and Hopkins students have the education and background to do so, according to Brown.
"The key is signaling to capital markets" that the time is right, and "having willing investors," Brown said. This is the only way to move forward and cut oil and coal usage.
The crowd started small and thinned throughout. By the end, there were fewer than 50 students in attendance. Still, those present left with favorable impressions.
"This a conversation that has to keep happening, and I'm happy Hopkins is interested and aware of global warming," freshman Dakota Devos said.
A former director fo the World Wildlife Fund's U.S. branch, Lovejoy is a staunch supporter of preserving the rainforest. Throughout his career, he has consistently focused on the Brazilian Amazon.
Maple co-authored A Contract With the Earth with Gingrich. The book examines the potentially dangerous effects of climate change. Maple, a professor at Georgia Tech. and former director of Zoo Atlanta, in addition to his curent position, has also written Zoo Man: Inside the Zoo Revolution and Saving the Giant Panda.
Maple presented a different perspective.
"I am not depressed or intimidated by the truth," Maple said in his opening.
Drawing mainly from his experiences as an ally of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, with whom he wrote a book, Maple argued for conservation.
He said that it was a bipartisan issue and that Gingrich disengaged only because it became too "politically hot."
Maple said that zoos are bringing nature to the people and are now drawing more visitors than major league sports games.
Zoos, according to Maple, are making the people appreciate what might be lost from climate change.
"In the future, a consensus must be built to get stuff done," Maple said.
The bipartisan consensus he described includes partnerships between non-governmental organizations and businesses, as well as increased subsidies for new technology.
The third speaker of the evening, Scott Brown, director of the New Energy Capital Corp., described what he called "a small slice of the solution."
Brown, who has a long history in energy generation, said that new technology made alternative solutions economically feasible.
Now is the time for young people to get involved in the industry and Hopkins students have the education and background to do so, according to Brown.
"The key is signaling to capital markets" that the time is right, and "having willing investors," Brown said. This is the only way to move forward and cut oil and coal usage.
The crowd started small and thinned throughout. By the end, there were fewer than 50 students in attendance. Still, those present left with favorable impressions.
"This a conversation that has to keep happening, and I'm happy Hopkins is interested and aware of global warming," freshman Dakota Devos said.
A former director fo the World Wildlife Fund's U.S. branch, Lovejoy is a staunch supporter of preserving the rainforest. Throughout his career, he has consistently focused on the Brazilian Amazon.
Maple co-authored A Contract With the Earth with Gingrich. The book examines the potentially dangerous effects of climate change. Maple, a professor at Georgia Tech. and former director of Zoo Atlanta, in addition to his curent position, has also written Zoo Man: Inside the Zoo Revolution and Saving the Giant Panda.
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