TALK ON GLOBAL WARMING AND TERRORISM

Wednesday, November 28, 2001, 7:30 p.m
Neilson Browsing Room, Smith College

Concerns about U.S. dependence on Mideast oil have obtained new urgency with the events of September 11. Similarly, the recent international compromise on implementing the Kyoto treaty, negotiated without U.S. participation, has focused world attention on our extensive use of fossil fuels. Mount Holyoke economics professor Jens Christiansen maintains that a drastic cutback on U.S. oil consumption is both necessary and feasible. It would be a crucial first step towards reducing the threats we face from both terrorism and global climate change.

Jens Christiansen is Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies at Mount Holyoke College, where he has taught since 1986. He has held visiting positions at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, Stanford University, the University of California at Santa Cruz, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and Yale University. His major interest and concern is the politics and economics of global climate change. Other research interests and many of his recent publications focus on questions of comparative economic performance in the G-7. In particular, he is examining the differences in productivity growth, inequality, and unemployment among these economies. He has presented his research findings at numerous international conferences and has been an economic commentator on radio and television programs. Christiansen is a founding member of the environmental studies program at Mount Holyoke College, which offers students a truly interdisciplinary perspective on environmental questions. He is married, has two children, is an avid gardener, and likes to travel.