OGDEN, Utah – Author, geographer and professor Diana Liverman will visit Weber State University to discuss the role of social sciences in explaining the causes and consequences of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, and in developing solutions to environmental problems.

The lecture, “The Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change: Living Well Within Planetary Boundaries,” is this year's installment of the annual College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Distinguished Lecture Series. The public is invited to the free presentation, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Hurst Center Dumke Legacy Hall.

“Dr. Liverman represents the core of geography in terms of her work and the intersection of environment and the society that is so clearly central to it,” said Eric Ewert, WSU geography professor. “She is passionate about the importance and applicability of geography as a discipline and geographic education more broadly."

Liverman will address issues society faces as a result of human interaction with the environment in the Anthropocene (the recent period in which human impact began to transform the earth system). She will also discuss the prospects of eradicating poverty and hunger while protecting climate and biodiversity and providing safe water, energy and food for all.

Before joining the University of Arizona, Liverman taught geography at several institutions including Oxford University in the U.K. and Penn State. She has been instrumental in building interdisciplinary environmental programs at those and other institutions throughout her career. She also has advised national and international organizations such as the U.S. National Research Council and the International Council for Science.  

Liverman is interested in finding solutions to the issues facing society, especially for vulnerable populations such as children, women and those in poverty.

“My research focuses on the human and social dimensions of environmental issues, including vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, environmental change and food security,” Liverman said. “We are facing unprecedented challenges in ensuring that all people can meet their basic needs for water, energy and food without further degrading the environment or causing irreversible changes to the planet.”

The presentation will draw on her research in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico, particularly from work on land use change, climate and the impact of trade.   

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Contact:

Eric Ewert, Geography professor
801-626-6197 • eewert@weber.edu

Author:

Hannah Huerta, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences writer
801-626-6232 • hannahjohndrow@weber.edu