Two of the hottest topics--Marcellus Shale and clean energy--will be the focus of two different environmental events in the next few weeks.
The
Carnegie Science Center will host Dr. Charles E. Jones, a geologist from the Department of Geology and Planetary Science at the
University of Pittsburgh, for a discussion about Marcellus Shale and what it means for western Pennsylvania.
As part of the Science & Society Town Square lecture series, attendees can listen and discuss the science relevant to Shale and the future of Pennsylvania's economy and environment.
"It will be covering the basic science," Jones says, such as how and when the Shale formed and why it's full of organic matter. The audience will learn more about the Shale, he notes,so "if someone wants to drill on their land, they can ask better questions."
The lecture will be held Thursday, March 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. Registration is $12 for Science Center members and $15 for non-members. Coffee and dessert are included.
Click here to register.
On April 3, PennFuture hosts the 2011 Southwest Pennsylvania Global Warming Conference: Clean Energy for a Cool Pittsburgh.
"Clean energy is a really important part of the global warming debate," says Tiffany Hickman, spokesperson for
PennFuture,. "Changing how and what kind of energy we use is the most important thing we can do to combat global warming, because the energy that we use currently in this country contributes so much to heat trapping gases."
The Conference features a list of local, state and national speakers. They include Kate Gordon, vice president for energy policy at the Center for American Progress; U.S. Representative Mike Doyle, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the subcommittees on Communications and Technology and Energy and Power; and Dr. Robert Sroufe, director of sustainability at the Beard Institute at Duquesne University.
"I think Pittsburgh is poised right now to make a big difference for the environment" Hickman adds. "For Pittsburgh to take a stance now on clean energy is going to put it far above its competition in other cities. It's really important for us to set a precedent here, especially with our legacy of dirty energy."
Learn more by attending the Conference on Sunday, April 3 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at
Duquesne University's Power Center. Registration is free to PennFuture members and students with an ID and $10 for others.
Click here for more information and to register.
Writer: Alex Audia
Source: Tiffany Hickman, PennFuture