Contacts: Jennifer Myers
The Aspen Institute
(202) 736-2906
jennifer.myers@aspeninstitute.org
Beth Foster
National Geographic magazine
(202) 857-7543
befoster@ngs.org
Forum to take interdisciplinary look at how we best manage planet against stressors of human population;
Speakers to include Hania Zlotnik, Bill McKibben, Daniel Nocera, Thomas Lovejoy
Washington, DC March 30, 2011—The Aspen Institute and National Geographic are pleased to announce that scholarships are available to attend the fourth annual Aspen Environment Forum, to be held on May 30-June 2, 2011, in Aspen, Colo. Applications and nominations for the Scholars Program must be received by Saturday, April 9, and those selected will join other committed voices to explore how people from a wide range of perspectives — business, government, academia and non-governmental organizations — can work together to develop equitable sustainability across a variety of issues, including resource management, food supply, environmental conservation and climate change adaptation. The discussions this year will be shaped through the lens of marshalling these interrelated issues to meet the needs of a worldwide human population soon to exceed 7 billion.
The Aspen Institute and National Geographic, the organizers of the Aspen Environment Forum, designed the Scholars Program to bring diverse, accomplished leaders to the Forum who might not otherwise be able to attend. Forum Scholars are selected on the basis of their experience, achievements and interest in the issues pertaining to the focus of the Forum, as well as their commitment and contributions to their field.
Forum Scholars will be hosted in Aspen by the Aspen Institute and will have the opportunity to explore complex ideas about population — focusing on what we can do as citizens, corporations and countries. Forum Scholars are invited to participate in the Forum’s extensive programming, including large plenary sessions, panel discussions, one-on-one interviews, multiple concurrent morning and afternoon sessions, unique daily seminars, luncheons, casual conversations, dinner events and evening exchanges.
Scholars will have the opportunity to listen to and engage speakers, including US Senator Jeff Bingaman; Co-Founder and President of The Long Now Foundation Stewart Brand; CEO of Water for People Ned Breslin; Bipartisan Policy Center Director of Transportation Policy Emil Frankel; General Service Administration Administrator Martha Johnson; Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, World Bank, Daniel Kamen; US Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt; Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers; Director of the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Hania Zlotnik, among others.
Applications and nominations can be submitted online at http://www.aspenenvironment.org/aspen-environment-forum-scholars-program. The deadline for submissions is April 9, 2011.
More information about the Aspen Environment Forum and a list of all confirmed speakers are available at http://www.aspenenvironment.org/.
EDITORS’ NOTE: Media interested in obtaining a press pass for the 2011 Aspen Environment Forum can apply online at http://www.aspenenvironment.org/media.
The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,600 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
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