How will climate change transform the world? What can be done to reduce our vulnerability? Who needs to get involved? These and other questions will be addressed by political scientist Debra Javeline, Ph.D., in her lecture, “The Politics of Adapting to Climate Change,” Wednesday, Oct.23, at the BioScience Technology Complex, Room SC-127, on Palm Beach State College’s Palm Beach Gardens campus, 3160 PGA Blvd. The public is welcome to attend the free lecture, which will be given twice: 12:30-1:45 p.m. and 2-3:15 p.m.

Javeline

According to Javeline, the world is being transformed by climate change. Even if every country could somehow stop greenhouse gas emissions immediately, the emissions already in the atmosphere will cause considerable impact. In her lecture, Javeline will review the field of climate change adaptation and explore how this global crisis can be met through the contributions and collaboration of professionals from a variety of backgrounds.

Javeline received her doctorate from Harvard University and is currently an associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame. An expert in survey research methodology and a specialist in the former Soviet Union, she has become increasingly concerned about the climate crisis and now devotes a significant part of her research and teaching to understanding climate impacts and the possibilities for mitigation and adaptation. Recent and forthcoming articles include “Expert Opinion on Climate Change and Threats to Biodiversity” (Bioscience) and “The Most Important Topic Political Scientists Are Not Studying: Adapting to Climate Change” (Perspectives on Politics).

Javeline has received grants from the National Science Foundation as well as the College of Arts and Letters’ Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts. She also was awarded an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation New Directions Fellowship, which assists higher education faculty in pursuing cross-disciplinary research. Her visit to Palm Beach State College is funded by the Mellon Foundation.

Questions about the event may be directed to Jay Matteson, Ph.D., director of the College’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, at 561-207-5302 or email [email protected]. Website: www.palmbeachstate.edu/IEES.