2013 Sustainability Lecture
The President’s Sustainability Steering Committee and the Office of Sustainability have collaborated with the School of Undergraduate Studies to offer the 2nd annual sustainability-focused lecture that fulfills the spring 2013 Signature Course University Lecture Series requirement.
Dr. John B. Callicott, University Distinguished Researh Professor and formerly Regents Professor of Philosophy at the University of North Texas, and Dr. Sahotra Sarkar, Professor of Philosophy and Integrative Biology at UT Austin, will discuss sustainability and the ethics of our personal actions in this lecture entitled Sustainability: 7 billion and counting. Why do my actions matter?
During this era of rapid human population growth, global climate variability, unemployment, resource depletion, and political stalemate, students at The University of Texas at Austin are faced with questions such as ‘what is my personal role in shaping our world's future?', 'what is a good life?', 'does it even matter?' —questions that underlie the essence of sustainability. Current and future student generations face critical decisions about the efficient and equitable use of the planet’s natural resources, which will only become more difficult as the world’s population continues to grow. Callicott and Sarkar will address the complexity of developing and practicing environmental ethics and challenge attendees to think critically about their individual role as students, community members, and citizens of the planet in creating our common future.
The session will be moderated by Jim Walker, Director of Sustainability, in an engaging format where students and audience members will be encouraged to think critically about the topic, share their insights and ask questions. The event will be held in KLRU Studio 6A (CMB Building), the former home to Austin City Limits.