International Conference at Pantnagar
Vir Singh
posted on
Thu, Feb 25, 2010
International Conference
COOLING THE EARTH: TACTICS FOR RESTORING CLIMATE ORDER AND SAVING THE LIVING PLANET
Pantnagar, Uttarakhand
November 15-17, 2010
Prof. Dr. Vir Singh
Department of Environmental Science
College of Basic Sciences and Humanities
GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
PANTNAGAR - 263145, Uttarakhand, India
Phone: +91-5944-233887
Mobile: +91-9410116962
Fax: +91-5944-233611/ 233473
International Conference
on
COOLING THE EARTH
TACTICS FOR RESTORING CLIMATE ORDER AND SAVING THE LIVING PLANET
15 to 17 November 2010
Sponsored by
Department of Biotechnology
Government of India
Organised by
Department of Environmental Sciences
College of Basic Sciences and Humanities
G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology
Pantnagar-263145, U.S. Nagar (Uttarakhand) India
www.gbpuat.ac.in
International Conference
on
COOLING THE EARTH
Tactics for Restoring Climate Order and Saving the Living Planet
15 to 17 November 2010
Background
Global warming and climate change are the worst realities of our times. Never before in the recorded history of life has the living planet faced such an alarming situation. Local, national and international organizations have generated, collected, exchanged and disseminated enough information on the on-going trends, patterns, factors and implications of the global warming and consequent climate change. Volumes of information on the subject have come into being. Earth｡ｦs warming climate is estimated to contribute to more than 150,000 deaths and five million illnesses every year and, according to WHO, this toll could double by 2030. The climate change is driving up rates of malaria, diarrhea, outbreak of dengue fever in South Asia, and fast adding to human woes, such as glacier melt, gloom on Antarctica, rise in sea level, loss of species, and the likes. The catastrophic changes need not to confine only to the altered socio-economic scenarios. The implications might be much more formidable than the humanity could predict or even thought of. If the warming up trend goes on rampantly, the ecological processes that keep life in the state of equilibrium and sustainability might be knocked down giving rise to a situation that would spell a doom on the planet. The rampantly going-on processes of liberalization, privatization and globalization (LPG) are increasingly giving way to economic development without a thought at the cost of the living planet.
Time is now ripe for us to evolve all possible strategies which could be of critical value for resolving vital issues of our times. The state of the planet is largely owing to anthropogenic dimensions. Therefore, restoration of the Earth｡ｦs climate order and cooling of Earth is possible. Humanity is capable not only of arresting and reversing the global warming process, but also of putting the living planet back into the state of vibrancy, joie de vivre and sustainability. This, amongst other things, demands efficient environmental management with focus on carbon emission reduction and abatement, enhanced carbon sequestration, increased use of clean and non-polluting sources of energy, ecological philosophies nurtured by philosophers that could be vital for evolving eco-centric strategies of development, and formulation and implementation of policies and programmes that could lead to cooling of the Earth.
Issues relating to global warming and climate change are relatively new. Emphasis on the work towards handling these issues vigorously dates back to mid 1990s. The very notion of climate change increasingly becoming a buzzword of our times and the contribution to awareness about the issues has even won Nobel Prize for ex-US Vice-President Al Gore and IPCC. Intensive efforts towards evolving effective strategies implementable at global scale that could dynamically lead to cooling of the Earth, however, are still to be made. Further, in global warming mitigation efforts focus has rather been on piecemeal approach, not on comprehensive strategies of cooling the Earth that could provoke action at global level. The proposed international conference would give this opportunity.
The recent Environment Report based on a pilot study, called the 2006 Environmental Performance Index, indicates about the dismal state of environment in the context of India. This has to be taken seriously and remedial measures to maintain our environment safe and sound need to be taken up and implemented effectively.
When it comes to address the issues of global warming and consequent climate change, it could be realized that most of the seminars and conferences have focused on carbon sequestration, also known as carbon farming. The GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology conducted a National Conference on Ecosystem Diversity and Carbon Sequestration in 2007. Carbon sequestration, eventually is linked with ecosystems diversity. If the carbon sequestration issues are to be effectively addressed, they need be done so against the background of the ecosystem diversity. Carbon sequestration through physical/ artificial means, clean development mechanisms, carbon-trading, etc. is the major focus so far often discussed on various forums throughout the world. No-till farming being taken massively by the International Society of Soil and Water Conservation is the other area of intensive discussion. World Bank in Washington, DC has mobilized the Bio Carbon Fund to alleviate poverty and promote biodiversity conservation by aiding farmers in developing countries to practice no-till. There are many other such agencies which are coming forward to pay for carbon sequestration efforts of farmers.
Cooling the Earth is undoubtedly has to be the greatest concern and challenge before the humanity｡V as well as the most critical human obligation to be accomplished. We need to evolve holistic strategies to solve the problems that have implications for the very survival and sustainability of our planet, as well as of our own species on the planet. The proposed International Conference would be an attempt towards that direction.
Objectives
- To bring scientists, academicians, researchers, thinkers, philosophers, environmentalists, managers, social workers, industrialists, administrators, institutions, government representatives, and NGOs committed to the cause of the Earth from all over the world on a single platform to analyse and discuss the alarming problems and trends facing humanity and costing the living planet
- To evolve viable, effective and workable strategies, including promotion of eco-philosophy and lifestyles without carbon footprints, that could contain and reverse the processes of global warming and help restoring climate orders of the Earth
- To send an appeal to all peoples of the world for creating synergies and social atmosphere conducive to resolving critical socio-economic, development and environment related issues of our times and work out a plan for global cooperation for promoting long-term strategies aimed at preparedness against global warming and climate change.
- To promote life enhancing ecological philosophy, alternate and frugal lifestyles and prepare a ground for ecological renaissance for healing and reviving our tormented planet.
Themes/ Topics
- Our Common Biosphere: State of the global environment
- Climate change impacts on different environmental components (lands and soils, waters, atmosphere, biosphere)
- Himalayan mountains and their contribution to cooling of the Earth
- Biodiversity and climate change mitigation
- Climate change impacts on various food production and livelihood systems (cropping, forestry, rangelands, pastoralism, animal husbandry, fisheries, etc.) and on food, nutrition and livelihood security, and on human health
- Concerns, challenges and conflicts being borne out of the current state of free carbon in environment manifesting into global warming, climate change and socio-economic unsustainability
- Social, cultural, and political dimensions of the problems
- Environmental management, energy resources, clean development mechanisms, adaptation strategies, case studies and success stories
- International legislations and agreements
- Eco-philosophy, alternate lifestyles, ecological renaissance; ushering in a sustainable future; searching new horizons of sustainability
Participants
University/ college teachers, researchers, environmental managers, agriculturists, research students, representatives from R&D organizations, ministries, government departments/ organisations, expert NGOs/ International NGOs, representatives from industries, administrators, policy makers, sociologists, economists, committed environmental activists and eco-philosophers.
Submission of Abstract
Participants are requested to send an Abstract on any of the themes of the Conference through e-mail attachment to: coolingtheearth2010@rediffmail.com, coolingtheearth@gmail.com
Format of Abstract
Title (14 PT BOLD, CENTRED) ｡V double space after atitle
Presenting author, other authors (12 Point, Normal)
Department/ institute/ company address (10 Point, Normal)
e-mail (9 Point, Normal) ｡V double space after this line
Abstract not exceeding single page should be typed in 12 Point, Times New Roman, Normal font, single space
Use A4 size paper with margins: Top, bottom and right 1 inch and left margin 1.5 inch
Last for Abstract submission: 15 May 2010
Last date for Abstract acceptance: 30 May 2010
Last date for submission of full paper: 30 June 2010
Registration Fees
|
|
Indian (Rs.) |
Foreign (US$) |
|
Delegate |
2000.00 |
200 |
|
Student delegate |
1000.00 |
100 |
|
Accompanying person |
1000.00 |
100 |
|
Delegates from industry |
3000.00 |
300 |
|
Post-conference tour (optional) |
200.00 |
5 |
Registration fee will include registration kit, accommodation, all meals and refreshments, cultural events, compendium and other literature, etc.
Day-long post-conference tour is an opportunity for the participants to have a glimpse of the panorama of majestic Himalayas, picturesque lakes and life of mountain people.
Payment can be made through draft in favour of COOLING THE EARTH payable at Punjab National Bank, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand, India) Branch or through direct bank transfer. Please write to the Coordinator for details. On-the-spot payment in cash or through draft/ local cheque can also be requested.
The Venue
The GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology based in Pantnagar in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Uttarakhand State of India is the first and the largest agricultural university in India based on the Land Grant Pattern of USA. Established in 1960, the University is ushering in its Golden Jubilee Year from November 18, 2009. The University is recognised as the Harbinger of Green Revolution in India. It carries out four major programmes: education, research, extension and seed production. The College of Basic Sciences and Humanities (CBSH), one of the ten faculties of the University, came into being along with the establishment of the University. CBSH runs degree programmes for Undergraduate, masters and Ph.D. students and conducts research on vital issues relating to environmental science, chemistry, agri-chemicals, plant physiology, biochemistry, physics, bio-physics, biological sciences, molecular biology and genetics, maths and statistics, sociology and languages, etc. The Department of Environmental Science came into existence in 1984 as the eleventh department of CBSH. The Department runs M.Sc. and Ph.D. Degree programmes and conducts research on environmental management, eco-toxicology, eco-restoration, forest/ rangeland ecology, carbon sequestration, climate change, etc.
______________________________________
Patron: Dr. BS Bisht, Vice-Chancellor, GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology
Chairman: Prof. BRK Gupta, Dean College of Basic Sciences & Humanities
Coordinator: Prof. Vir Singh, Department of Environmental Science
Contact: Prof. Vir Singh, Department of Environmental Science, CBSH, GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar ｡V 263145 (Uttarakhand) India Phone: +91-233321 (Off.); +91-233887 (Res.); +91-9410116962 (Mobile)
e-: coolingtheearth2010@rediffmail.com, coolingtheearth2010@gmail.com, drvirsingh@rediffmail.com
www.gbpuat.ac.in
REGISTRATION FORM
International Conference
COOLING THE EARTH
Tactics for Restoring Climate Order and Saving the Living Planet
November 15-17, 2010
Name:
Position:
Gender: Male ズ Female ズ
Affiliation:
Country of Residence:
Citizenship:
Mailing Address:
Passport No. (for foreign delegates):
Date of issues/expiry of passport:
Phone:
Fax:
e-mail:
Category: delegate ズ student ズ industry ズ
With spouse/ accompanying person ズ without spouse/ accompanying person ズ
Registration fees: INR____________/ USD_____________ paid through:
Draft ズ Bank transfer ズ; Fee will be paid in cash at the time of registration ズ
(Draft should be in favour of COOLING THE EARTH payable at Punjab National Bank, Pantnagar. Details for direct bank transfer can be obtained from the Coordinator. On-the-spot payment can also be requested)
Paper presentation Yes ズ No ズ
Paper title:
The Registration form should be mailed to:
Prof. Vir Singh
Coordinator, International Conference
Department of Environmental Science
College of Basic Sciences & Humanities
GB Pant University of Agriculture & Technology
Pantnagar ｡V 263145, Uttarakhand, India
Phone: +91-9410116962; Fax: +91-5944-233473
e-: coolingtheearth2010@rediffmail.com, coolingtheearth2010@gmail.com
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