Tomorrow I catch a flight to one of Canada's great cities, and one which I have never before visited. My wonderful hosts are the DeSmogBlog and the University of British Columbia, and other than the fact that it's going to be cold and rainy, I'm absolutely psyched.
The occasion is the UBC's "Celebrate Research Week," and I'll be participating in two events, both of which are described in detail after the jump:
The State of the Media on Climate Change
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
6:00PM - 8:00PM
UBC Robson Square Theatre - 800 Robson St.UBC's School of Journalism and the DeSmogBlog.com host a discussion on climate change and the role of media. The panel is made up of some of the most well-known and outspoken media personalities, scholars and writers on the controversy surrounding the issues of global warming in North America. This panel will examine media's role in creating widespread confusion on the subject and the role it should play clearing the air on what is arguably one of humankind's greatest challenges.
Panellists include:
* Hadi Dowlatabadi, UBC Professor Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability
* Chris Mooney, Washington correspondent for Seed Magazine and author of The New York Times bestseller, The Republican War on Science
* Ross Gelbspan, Pulitzer Prize winning editor and author of the groundbreaking book The Heat is On
* Bill Blakemore, ABC National News Correspondent on Global Warming
* Kirk LaPointe, Managing Editor of the Vancouver Sun
* Jim Hoggan, President James Hoggan & Associates and founder of DeSmogBlog.comModerated by: Stephen J. Ward, Director, UBC School of Journalism
Then the next day, I'm on this panel:
Science Journalism: Hype, spin, or the real thing?
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
7:00PM - 9:00PM
UBC Robson Square Theatre - 800 Robson St.A panel discussion evening combined with the official launch of four new science journalism awards for excellence in Canadian science journalism. Topics of discussion will include the problems that still exist between the realms of science and journalism, how difficult topics (such as genetics and genomics) can be better covered, where science journalism in Canada should be headed and perhaps where more research is still needed. The evening will also include the official launch of four new science journalism awards for excellent in Canadian science journalism.
The panel will be moderated by Prof. Sid Katz and include a high-profile Canadian science journalist (TBA), Dr. Elizabeth M. Simpson from the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics here in Vancouver, Prof. Edna Einsiedel, from the Dept. of Communications, University of Calgary and Chris Mooney, Washington correspondent for SEED magazine and author of The Republican War on Science.
The general public and members of the media are encouraged to participate. Please RSVP by email to jandciu@interchange.ubc.ca or call 604-822-8747. Complete details about this event at: www.journalism.ubc.ca
I hope any Intersection readers in Vancouver will come on out. Also, I'm planning to run into fellow ScienceBlogger Dave Ng of The World's Fair, which should be good times. Maybe I'll post another picture of me with a Miller Lite from this trip....
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Enjoy your stay in Vancouver, it is a beautiful city. But Miller Lite? Come on this is Canada, have a Moosehead Lager.
Say hello to Stephen Ward for me. I used to sit in on quite on a few of his school of journalism panels.
I'm sorry I'll miss the talk! I hope you enjoy your stay in Vancouver, and if you have time for skiing, it's particularly amazing right now.
What!? They're importing some Miller Lite-drinking non-scientist from the USA and Victoria resident Tim Ball isn't invited? But he's the foremost climate scientist in the whole world! I tells ya, no respect!
You bring the Miller Lite and I'll bring the camera. I kinda specialize in moody bar shots featuring beer. So I guess there should also be beer. Ha!
"it's going to be cold and rainy".
Big mistake. Never, ever, pay any attention to what our weather forecasters say. It's a large area. It probably (49% did they say?) will rain, in some corner of the GVRD, for a few minutes at least, on any given day.
Hey, in the last three days in my little corner, it has been bright, sunny and warm, pouring rain, snowing, sprinkling, and snowy again, all mixed in seemingly random patterns.
Have a great time here!
Ahhh, Canadian beer, beware Chris it is certainly better than Miller lite and packs a bit more of a punch. And Canadians are excellent at socializing...
I love UBC and the area. I'd make the trip up there if I was still in the PacNW, at the very least to point out the good beers up there... ;o)
Good luck, sir.
Best,
D
Hey Chris,
I am going to attend and hope to say hi!
While you're up in Canada, may you could find time to interview Paul Hellyer; he's got a novel suggestion for Global Warming:
Former Canadian Defense Minister Says Alien Technology May Save Earth
Thanks, folks (and Coby look fwd to meeting you). I am here, haven't had a Miller Lite yet, and don't know how to ski. But I"m looking out my window over the water and it's absolutely beautiful. And yesterday we saw a bald eagle. And...the weather isn't so bad after all. And my DeSmogBlog hosts are awesome. I'm having a great time...more later.