July 2008 IssuE
ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS
Create a Climate Change Roadmap
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- PEGG file photo SUN ON THE ICEFIELD |
Members owe it to their clients, themselves, the public and their professions to learn as much as they can about climate change, says the teacher of a three-day course this summer through the University of Calgary. The trouble is, many members need a framework of general understanding to even begin the process and sort through the politics, adds renowned scientist Dr. David Manz, P.Eng.
“I believe it’s an obligation of our membership to become and stay informed about climate change,” says Dr. Manz. “This topic is very complex, so an introductory course provides a roadmap or an easy entry point, allowing members to pursue the topic themselves and become lifelong learners.”
The course through U of C Continuing Education amounts to 15 hours in all, which is about the minimum it takes to learn the basics, says Dr. Manz, a former Summit Award winner known internationally for his work in water treatment technology. It takes place July 22, 23, and 24.
“This course deals with the science of climate change and global warming. It is very important for APEGGA members to be able to judge for themselves what is known and what is not known, and become competent self-learners.”
Don’t expect to find that grounding in the popular media, Dr. Manz emphasizes. Newspapers, magazines and one-hour talk shows will never do the subject justice.
“Popular media are concerned that their consumers will get bored with the science, so it is often skipped over to address impacts, adaptation, mitigation, or the policy debate and politics. This is unfortunate because the so-called denier community almost always addresses the science of climate change,” says Dr. Manz.
“The public is left with no way to evaluate the comments being made — correct or incorrect.”
The U of C course, however, cuts through the noise.
“The study of the science of climate change is somewhat extensive and complex. It’s difficult to present in a manner that is readily understood without an extensive scientific background to the subject,” Dr. Manz continues. “However, it is possible to put the technical jargon scientists and engineers use in their day-to-day activity into a language that the public — and for that matter members who might be untrained or experienced in the area — can understand.
“The course achieves these objectives.”
Course Info |