TD Walter Bean Professorship in Environment Speakers

Senior Vice President & Chief Scientist, Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development

“Creating Sustainable Cities from the Ground Up – Lesson from Disney Research”

The scale, speed and impact of this is unprecedented. For this effort to be sustainable, new conceptual models of urban planning as well as new technologies in design, financing, and construction management of major infrastructure projects have to be developed and tested in a very short time. This lecture provides a view from the front lines of this amazing real world challenge with Dr. Ben Schwegler and his lecture titled Sustainable Cities in China.

Senior Scientist, Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Colorado State University

“Invasions from Inner Space: Species Invasion and Extinction”

Thomas Stohlgren is a leading authority in the field of biological invasions and holds numerous recognitions including several Partners in Conservation Awards and the Meritorious Service Award. His lecture touched on many points regarding transport, establishment, and effects of invasive species, as well as possible eradication strategies. A highlight of his talk was the parachuting mice laced with acetaminophen.

Regents Professor, University of Arizona, Visiting Professor of Environmental Policy & Development, Oxford University

“A Delicate Balance: Fighting Poverty in the Age of Climate Change”

Diana Liverman's career has focused on the human dimensions of global environmental change, climate impacts, vulnerability, adaptation, and climate policy and mitigation especially in the developing world. Her highly informative lecture explored the impacts of climate change on rivers, cities, ecosystems, health and food security while examining what is already being done and what can be done to reduce the most severe impacts. 

Former Director & Professor, Disaster Prevention Research Institute

“Averting Disaster: Coping with Earthquakes, Tsunami and Nuclear Meltdowns”

Norio Okada is an expert in the management of physical and human systems, including natural disasters, the environment, water resources, and infrastructure. A former director and professor at the Disaster Prevention Research Institute at Kyoto University. His lecture will recall lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake, presenting his Vitae Systems methodology for handling future events in a proactive, adaptive, and integrative fashion.

Senior Research Scientist/Associate, CIRES & University of Colorado

“Extreme Weather in the Coming Decades – What is the Role of Climate Change?”

Critical resources of water, food, energy, human health, and ecosystem function need protection from extreme weather. Join us as Dr. Pielke presents new perspectives being used by the climate change community to assess threats and determine how important they are relative to other social and environmental threats.

Former Professor, Environmental Biology & Global Change, Stanford University

“Truth or Consequences: What can I do about Climate Change since I can’t negotiate with China?”

World-renowned climatologist, Dr. Stephen Schneider served as Waterloo’s TD Canada Trust Walter Bean Visiting Professor in the Environment in 2010. His impact was profound – as is his legacy of leadership in the battle to save the Earth’s climate.

President, Undersea Research Ltd. Adviser, Titanic Discovery Team

“Leadership Lessons from the Gulf of Mexico”

Dr. Joe MacInnis has led over 20 deep-sea expeditions in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans. From this unique vantage point, Joe will provide a rare glimpse into the devastating impacts of the oil spill.

Former Reactor, UNESCO-IHE Chair, Intergovernmental Council of IHP Professor, National University of Public Service

“Water For the 21^st Century: Will There Be Any?”

Szöllösi-Nagy is internationally recognized as an expert in hydrological forecasting and modelling, filtering techniques and statistical hydrology. Hydrology studies water in the earth and atmosphere, along with its distribution, uses and conservation. His lecture addressed the current water resource management practices and identified what needs to be done in the future.

Professor of Glaciology, Swansea University

“Warming Climate, Melting Ice: What is our Future?”

Internationally recognized as an expert on climate change and the stability of glaciers, Murray will examine whether it is already too late to reverse glacial melting in one of the fastest-changing parts of the Earth.

Former Premier of British Columbia

“Canada’s Cities: Competitive and Sustainable?”

The Honourable Michael Harcourt is a former premier of British Columbia, mayor of Vancouver, and city councillor. Mike is a passionate believer in the power of cities and communities to improve the human condition. His lecture discusses the similarities and differences in how canadian cities deal with the topic of sustainability.

Professor Emeritus, Analytical & Environmental Toxicology, University of Alberta

“150 Years and Counting: Drinking Water Safety Lessons are Learned Slowly”

A leading expert on environmental health risks, Steve Hrudey's lecture explores the safety of drinking water in Canada. Hrudey examines drinking water safety in Canada, ranging from the Walkerton disaster to the recent Kashechewan reservation evacuation. In an effort to emphasize the urgency of water safety measures given our technological advacements. 

Professor & Ohio Eminent Scholar in Hydrogeology, The Ohio State University

“Whisky’s for Drinking. Water’s for Fighting Over”

A researcher in contaminant hydrogeology and groundwater geochemistry, Schwartz used his expertise to discuss issues contributing to conflicts over water resources such as drought, population growth, profits and politics in North America and elsewhere. 

Former Cabinet Minister

“Afghanistan: Failed State or Struggling Democracy”

The. Hon. Flora MacDonald served 16 years as Member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands during which time she held three Cabinet positions. Since leaving Parliament she has been Chairperson of the International Development Research Centre in Ottawa; Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Canadian Studies at the University of Edinburgh; and in 1999 she was CoChair for Canada of the UN International Year of Older Persons. 

Senior Scientist, CANMET Energy Technology Centre of Natural Resources Canada

“Fossil Fuels, Climate Change and Kyoto: Are We in a Fix?”

A leading international authority on climate change and fossil fuel, Kelly Thambimuthu lecture explores how we can eliminate harmful emissions from using fossil fuels for energy. In other words, the steps that can be taken now and until such time when the technology is available to effectively use alternative energy sources.

Adjunct Professor, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, University of Miami

“Where the Water Flows: Energy Flux Paths in a Stratified Lake”

An expert on water flows and water resources, Jorg Imberger's lectures ties in his academic knowledge and first hand experience on the topic of energy flux paths in a stratisfied lake. 

Visiting Senior Fellow, University of the West Indies Senior Research Associate, MERI

“Sustainable Livelihoods in Today’s World Insights from Systems Thinking and Complexity Theory”

Senior Research Scientist & Forest Ecologist/Micro climatologist, NASA

“150 Years and Counting: Drinking Water Safety Lessons are Learned Slowly”

President, Undersea Research Ltd. Adviser, Titanic Discovery Team

“Titanic: In a New Light”

Killam Memorial Professor of Ecology, University of Alberta

“The Impact of Climate Change on Canadian Lakes”

Former Physicist/Metallurgist, University of Toronto

“Environment Versus Nature”