Energy & Climate: Breaking the Link

Richard Wolfson, Benjamin F. Wissler Professor of physics at Middlebury College, will give a free public talk, "Energy and Climate: Breaking the Link," at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, in Alumni Recitation Hall Room 302.

In his talk, Wolfson will discuss energy consumption, the sources and uses of that energy, and the most recent evidence of its impact on climate. He will conclude the talk by offering suggestions for breaking the energy-climate link, which could lead to a future where Americans can enjoy the benefits of energy without damaging the planet.

Wolfson will also present a  seminar on solar physics, “Wild Sun: A Drama in Three Acts,” at noon Tuesday, April 14 in Noyce Science Center Room 1023. Food will be served.

Wolfson, who teaches Climate Change in Middlebury's Environmental Studies Program, completed his undergraduate work at Swarthmore College, where he majored in physics and philosophy. He also holds a master's degree in environmental studies from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in physics from Dartmouth College. His current research involves the eruptive behavior of the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, as well as terrestrial climate change and the sun–Earth connection.

He is the author of several books, including the college textbook titled Energy, Environment and Climate. He also interprets science for those who are not scientists through his contributions to Scientific American and his books, Nuclear Choices: A Citizen's Guide to Nuclear Technology and Simply Einstein: Relativity Demystified.

Both talks are sponsored by the Harold W. ’38 and Jean Ryan ’38 Squire Lectureship in Physics.

Grinnell welcomes and encourages the participation of people with disabilities. ARH is wheelchair accessible and has an elevator at the south end and accessible restrooms on the third floor. Automatic door operators are located on the southeast and southwest sides of ARH. Several accessible parking spaces are available along Park Street. Accommodation requests may be made to conference operations.