CHARLES Sturt University (CSU) in Port Macquarie will host a free public lecture by Professor Clive Hamilton on Wednesday 14 May.
Professor Hamilton holds the Vice-Chancellor’s Chair and is Professor of Public Ethics at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) in Canberra. He will address the question: A new geological epoch: can humans survive the Anthropocene?
“According to Earth scientists, our planet has entered a new geological epoch, the Anthropocene, in which human activity has become a powerful force of nature,” Professor Hamilton said.
“The influence of humans is so powerful that it now overwhelms the natural causes of change in the Earth system. Some earth scientists regard this astonishing event as a stage in the history of the Earth on a par with the emergence of life and the oxygenation of the atmosphere.
“The question we face in the 21st century is whether planetary boundaries will be breached to such a degree that the functioning of the Earth system is irreversibly disturbed in ways hostile to life. Or will humans attempt to use technology, like geo-engineering, to take control of the planet?
“What would it mean for humans to mould nature as a whole, to make the Earth itself into an artefact designed to suit our needs?”
The public lecture is part of CSU’s 2014 Explorations Series and will be held at the Glasshouse Theatre, from 5 to 7pm.
Inquiries about the public lecture should be directed to Alison Woods at CSU on (02) 6582 9334.
