Newsroom

NEWPORT - Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport is hosting a series of special events on Earth Day (Saturday, April 24) that promise fresh perspective on topical issues of interest locally and globally.

As an example: a sampling of fuel efficient gas/electric hybrid cars will be on display all day in front of the center's main entrance. Visitors will have the opportunity to talk to the dealers and owners about the advantages and disadvantages of hybrid automobiles.

Inside the Hatfield Marine Science Visitor Center, Earth Day will be celebrated with thought-provoking talks, exhibits and videos.

Featured presentations in the Hennings Auditorium focus on world population growth, global climate change, and practical solutions to global warming. A summary of the talks follows:

• 11 a.m. - "World Population Growth: How Dense Can We Get?," by Vicki Osis, OSU. Many of the Earth's looming ecological catastrophes can be traced directly to human impacts. Too many people are exploiting too few natural resources. Biological diversity is often an early causality to overpopulation. Adequate fresh water supply is a critical issue in many regions of the world. These and other critical issues are caused by rising tide of human population.

   

• 1:30 p.m. - "Global Climate Change: Are Humans to Blame? Can We Stop It?," by Philip Mote, Washington State climatologist. Earth's climate has fluctuated wildly over geologic time, from scorching to frozen and back again. In recent decades, humans have been tampering with Earth's energy balance by pumping extra greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. But does that matter? And if it does, will technology ride to the rescue?

   

• 3 p.m. - "Practical Solutions to Global Warming," by Chris Hagerbaumer, program director for the Oregon Environmental Council. Oregon has a great tradition of responding to environmental challenges with creativity and innovation. Learn how individuals, businesses and local governments are reducing their 'carbon footprint' and learn how you can participate."

Earth Day hours at the HMSC Visitor Center are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The facility is managed by the Oregon Sea Grant program of OSU.