Elemental: How Five Elements Changed Earth's Past and Will Shape Our Future
Thursday, 09 Nov 2023 at 6:00 pm – 2630 Memorial Union
It is rare for life to change Earth, yet three organisms have profoundly transformed our planet over the long course of its history. Porder will discuss how microbes, plants, and people used the fundamental building blocks of life to alter the climate, and with it, the trajectory of life on Earth in the past, present, and future. He will highlight humans’ similarities to, and differences from, our world’s changing predecessors. Finally, Porder argues that understanding world-changing organisms helps illuminate a path to a more sustainable future. Stephen Porder is associate provost for sustainability and professor of ecology, evolution, and organismal biology at Brown University, where he is also a fellow in the Institute for Environment and Society. Porder is the author of over 70 peer reviewed publications and the new book Elemental: How five elements changed Earth's past and will shape our future. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Time Magazine, Natural History, and other leading publications. He is also the cofounder of Possibly, a radioshow/podcast that airs on The Public’s Radio and provides practical advice on sustainability to a general audience (available on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher).The University Book Store will be onsite selling Elemental at the event.This lecture was recorded and can be found on the Available Recordings page.It is rare for life to change Earth, yet three organisms have profoundly transformed our planet over the long course of its history. Porder will discuss how microbes, plants, and people used the fundamental building blocks of life to alter the climate, and with it, the trajectory of life on Earth in the past, present, and future. He will highlight humans’ similarities to, and differences from, our world’s changing predecessors. Finally, Porder argues that understanding world-changing organisms helps illuminate a path to a more sustainable future. Stephen Porder is associate provost for sustainability and professor of ecology, evolution, and organismal biology at Brown University, where he is also a fellow in the Institute for Environment and Society. Porder is the author of over 70 peer reviewed publications and the new book Elemental: How five elements changed Earth's past and will shape our future. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Time Magazine, Natural History, and other leading publications. He is also the cofounder of Possibly, a radioshow/podcast that airs on The Public’s Radio and provides practical advice on sustainability to a general audience (available on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher).The University Book Store will be onsite selling Elemental at the event.This lecture was recorded and can be found on the Available Recordings page.
Stay for the entire event, including the brief question-and-answer session that follows the formal presentation. Most events run 75 minutes.
Sign-ins are after the event concludes. For lectures in the Memorial Union, go to the information desk in the Main Lounge. In other academic buildings, look for signage outside the auditorium.
Lecture Etiquette
- Stay for the entire lecture and the brief audience Q&A. If a student needs to leave early, he or she should sit near the back and exit discreetly.
- Do not bring food or uncovered drinks into the lecture.
- Check with Lectures staff before taking photographs or recording any portion of the event. There are often restrictions. Cell phones, tablets and laptops may be used to take notes or for class assignments.
- Keep questions or comments brief and concise to allow as many as possible.