Climate change, alternative sources of clean renewable energy – these are topics about which we’ve been hearing for a long time. But innovations are being made, many of them right here in the Sunshine State. Join New Topics New College and moderator Professor Frank Alcock for a panel discussion with some of the innovators themselves as Florida looks to secure a leading role in green technology. The event takes place in the Mildred Sainer Pavilion and begins at 7:00 pm.
New Topics is a collaboration of the New College Foundation and New College of Florida. This dynamic community series pairs prominent national speakers with New College faculty for stimulating discussions on relevant topics of our time. A reception follows each program and provides an opportunity to meet the speakers, students and faculty.
Mildred Sainer Music & Arts Pavilion is located at 5313 Bay Shore Road on the New College campus. The cost is $15 and includes a dessert reception following the program, with net proceeds benefiting scholarships and other resources for New College students. Reservations can be made at (941) 487-4888. Media sponsors for the series are the Herald-Tribune Media Group and WEDU public television.
Newly announced is a program on March 9 at 4:00 pm featuring leading environmental photojournalist Gary Braasch, an explorer and photojournalist from Portland, Oregon who will present a visual world view of global warming. Braasch creates remarkable images and important documentation about nature, environment, biodiversity and global warming. Included will be images from Florida and the Atlantic Coast, underscoring the local effects and dangers of rapid climate change. The program is underwritten by the TREE Foundation and the faculty host is Professor Meg Lowman.
Details and speakers bios follow at the end of this release.
For more information on New Topics New College, visit our website at ncf.edu/new-topics-new-college, email [email protected] or call (941) 487-4888.
Fred Bennett is Executive Vice President/CFO of Lykes Brothers and president of its subsidiary companies, Lykes Land Investment and EcoAsset Solutions. Lykes is an agricultural and land management company with principal activities in the citrus, ranching, land investment and insurance industries. The family-owned firm is engaged in solar and renewable energy initiatives and large-scale ecologically compatible community development.
Nick Gladding is an environmental attorney with the law firm of Adams and Reese LLP and is a founding member of SCOPE. A first-time commissioner on the Florida Energy and Climate Commission, he recently received the Governor’s Point of Light in honor of Climate Change/Energy Efficiency Awareness Month. “His tireless efforts are helping pave the way to a stronger economy with a secure energy and climate future,” said Governor Crist.
Mary Anne Bowie is president of Bowie Urban Planners, where she has provided site specific land planning solutions, regulatory and market analysis and expert testimony. She is also Sustainability Leader for Eco Trans Alliance, which assists companies and universities in making the switch from “the pump to the plug” with a range of renewable solar energy transportation solutions. Bowie authored and published 2005 Sarasota Green Pages™ and conducted the Sarasota Green Connection/Marketplace, establishing the initial network of green businesses in the area.
Frank Alcock is Director of the Environmental Studies Program at New College. A political scientist, he teaches courses on global environmental politics, international law and sustainable development. He also serves as director of the Marine Policy Institute at Mote Marine Laboratory. Alcock appears regularly on Sarasota television station ABC7 as a political analyst.