August 11, 2008

Climate change subject of Purdue State Fair exhibit and panel talk

The panel discussion on climate change will be on the demonstration stage in the middle of the Our Land Pavilion building and begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday is also Purdue Day at the state fair.

The presentation is in conjunction with a display about climate change that is part of Purdue Extension's annual exhibits during the fair inside the Our Land Pavilion. The panel will talk about how climate change may change the future for Indiana residents and people worldwide.

"The panel will be an opportunity to discuss why there is an urgent focus to study climate change," said Dev Niyogi, Indiana State climatologist and a member of the Purdue Climate Change Research Center. "This is a chance for an informal exchange of ideas about the effects climate change may have on our future."

Niyogi, along with Paul Shepson, Laura Bowling and Tim Filley, will make short presentations including slides, and then answer questions from the audience. They each conduct research into different areas of science connected with climate change and are members of the university's climate change research center. Shepson is the center's director.  Bowling is assistant professor of agronomy and Filley is associate professor of earth and atmospheric sciences.

"Climate change represents a great challenge for society, but one that we can meet," Shepson said. "While there is much to be learned, there is much we already understand about the role of humans in the changing climate. The change is opening innovative, exciting opportunities for society to explore new paths for how we live."

The related climate change exhibit is on display in the Our Land Pavilion throughout the fair. The display includes interactive games and videos. Purdue researchers will be available at the exhibit to answer questions during most of this week and further information is available on the Climate Change Research Center Web site, https://www.purdue.edu/climate/  

Writer: Susan A. Steeves, (765) 496-7481, ssteeves@purdue.edu

Sources: Paul Shepson, (765) 494-7441, pshepson@purdue.edu

Dev Niyogi, (765) 494-418-9575, dniyogi@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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