Professors present latest climate reseach at symposium

Author: Andrew Fuller

A faculty and student research symposium on climate change took place on March 10 to discuss issues related to the problem from the viewpoint of different academic disciplines. Organized by Mead Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies Steve Trombulak, the symposium consisted of presentations by seven faculty members in front of a packed room about their respective research. After the symposium, audience members viewed an exhibition of student researchers' work in the Great Hall in McCardell Bicentennial Hall.

According to Trombulak, the idea for a symposium came from faculty members researching climate change.

"A group of us realized that a lot of climate change research goes on here. There is a lot of experience on the subject at Middlebury College. I thought that we could come together and invite the public and discuss it," said Trombulak.

The faculty presented research on aspects of climate change relating to physics, biology, economics and geology. The presentations also explored the nature of climate change in different eras of history. Topics varied from Benjamin F. Wissler Professor of Physics Rich Wolfson's discussion on the impact of variations in the sun's energy output on climate change to Associate professor of Biology Andrea Lloyd's research on how climate change has irreparably altered the Arctic.

In his presentation, Wolfson explained that "over the long scale, the sun is the main driver of earth's climate" but that "solar variability's effects on climate change are almost completely negligible compared to anthropogenic effects" because of the shorter time frame involved. Because of this, Wolfson argued, those who deny global warming are mistaken when they claim that climate change is due to changes in the sun's output.

Lloyd explained how global warming promotes vegetation growth on tundra in the Arctic, and how that in turn accelerates global warming. "When you decrease the amount of time that ground is covered with snow, you increase the amount of solar radiation absorbed," said Lloyd. Because global warming and its effects promote each other, it is unlikely that changes in the climate that have already occurred can be reversed, said Lloyd.

The symposium aimed "to focus a discussion around the theme of climate change [and] to illustrate the wide range of climate change expertise that Middlebury faculty bring to this discussion from the diverse disciplines within a liberal arts education," said Dean of Environmental Affairs Nan Jenks-Jay.

Those participating included Wolfson, Lloyd, Trombulak, Professor of Geology Patricia Manley, Assistant Professor of Geology Jeff Munroe, Associate in Science Instruction in Biology Matt Landis and Professor of International Economics Jon Isham.

Faculty presenters also mentioned the need for legislation dealing with climate change. In the beginning of her presentation, Lloyd expressed frustration with policymakers handling of the climate crisis. Isham argued that Washington should raise the costs of polluting by "auction[ing] off the right to put fossil fuels into the air." According to Isham, companies that release carbon emissions should have to pay to be able to do so. Isham also recommended, in response to an audience member's question, that those in favor of tackling global warming should highlight the jobs that could come from a more environmentally friendly economy.

Student research on climate change was also placed on display in Bicentennial Hall. Student research displayed included projects by Drew Walker '08 on "the feasibility of nuclear power as an alternative to coal in China" and by Austen Levihn-Coon '08 on "climate change activism in the United States." Organizers of GoLoco and the 1 Sky Campaign also displayed material.

"One of the things that made this [event] different is that all of the speakers are on the faculty. This was a nice forum and served a great educational purpose," said Trombulak.