2015–2016 EVENTS
Fall 2015
Tuesday, September 15, 5:15 p.m., ES study abroad picnic
If you are interested in finding out about ES study abroad programs, come to this
picnic and talk with ES students who have recently returned from abroad. We will serve
international food to set the mood!
Location: Outside Dana Science Center
Wednesday, September 16, 5:30 p.m., Charles Dowd Lecture: “Capitalism, Values, and
Quality of Life: An Empirical Psychological Approach”
Dr. Tim Kasser from Knox College will discuss how the American form of corporate capitalism
emphasizes materialistic, self-enhancing values, but these values often lead to lower
well-being, less pro-social behavior, and more ecological damage. The talk will conclude
with a discussion of ways to dampen the excesses of American corporate capitalism
and pursue healthier alternatives.
Location: Gannett Auditorium
Monday, September 21, 6:30 p.m., ES keynote speaker Nagaraja Harshadeep: “Modernizing
Approaches to Address Environmental Challenges in the Developing World”
Harshadeep is senior environmental specialist at the World Bank with a specialty in
watersheds. He will discuss institutional and investment approaches to manage environmental
problems around the world, including watershed degradation, pollution, water conflicts,
and climate resilience.
Location: Gannett Auditorium
Monday, September 21, 5:30 p.m., informational tables from local environmental groups
Informational tables from local environmental and conservation groups will be set
up in advance of the keynote talk. If you are interested in finding out about internship
or volunteer opportunities, please come by to talk to local representatives.
Location: Gannett Lobby
Tuesday, October 6, 5 p.m., Saha Global information presentation
Kate Clopek from Saha Global will be on campus to offer an information session on
the Global Leadership Program, which offers students the opportunity to work in rural
communities in Ghana on projects that empower local women to solve their villages'
need for clean water and electricity. 100% of the businesses that Saha Global has
launched are still in operation today. Past Skidmore participants will be on hand
to answer questions.
Location: Palamountain 202
Monday, October 19, 6:30 p.m., Dominic Frongillo, “From Keystone to Fracking: How
the Millennial Generation is Turning the Tide to a Clean and Just Energy Future”
Sustainable Skidmore welcomes Dominic Frongillo, an environmentalist who has been
internationally recognized for his work in climate change and clean energy and serves
as a delegate to UN climate talks. He will talk about how young people around the
world are leading successful movements for sustainability and political change.
Location: Gannett Auditorium
October—Saturday field trip to Kawing Crow Awareness Center
Students will have the opportunity to visit the Kawing Crow Awareness Center in Greenfield
Center to meet founder Vince Walsh and learn about local natural and cultural history,
wilderness skills, and permaculture and other sustainable living practices. The date
will be announced after the start of the semester.
October—Advising meeting for students interested in environmental studies
In advance of registration for spring courses, the ES Program will hold a meeting
to introduce students to the ES curriculum and answer questions about major and minor
requirements and upcoming courses. ES faculty will give an overview of the program,
and then students will break into small groups to discuss the different tracks of
the ES major. A date and time will be announced in early October.
Tuesday, November 3, 7 p.m., Carr Lecture: “The Sixth Extinction”
Special Programs and Center for Leadership, Teaching, and Learning welcome Elizabeth
Kolbert, staff writer for the New Yorker and author of several books on the history of science and climate change, including
her Pulitzer Prize–winning book, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History. She will give a public lecture on Nov 3 at 7 p.m., followed by a reception and book
signing.
Location: Gannett Auditorium
Monday, November 16, 7 p.m., Dr. David Seidenberg, “Gaia, Kabbalah, Panpsychism, and
the Exuberance of Life”
Should we believe the Earth is alive? Kabbalah says yes, and so does the science behind
Gaia theory. We will explore resonances and contrasts between these ways of thinking,
and explore the Kabbalistic imagination that sees in the exuberance of life, its sheer
multiplicity and diversity, the infinity and complexity of God's attributes. Understanding
the world -- Earth or universe -- as ensouled, was before Descartes the normative
view of the best science. How this changed, and how mysticism can bring a correction
course to our science, is a fundamental question that will impact our ability to live
sustainably upon the land.
Wednesday, November 18, 7 p.m., Filene Hall: Comfort Zone movie screening and discussion
Sustainable Saratoga’s Climate and Energy Committee and Skidmore’s Sustainability
Office are showing The Comfort Zone, a film about climate change in upstate NY and
what three movie-maker citizens have done about it. The screening will be followed
by a discussion led by ES Assistant Professor Kurt Smemo, Sociology Professor Rik
Scarce and NYS DEC climate analyst Mark Lowery.
