The Peter B. Lord Seminars on the Environment
Honoring a Legacy
Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting established the Peter B. Lord Seminars on the Environment to honor the late Peter Lord’s outstanding contributions to environmental journalism.
Lord was the environment reporter at The Providence Journal for thirty years and served as Journalism Co-Director for Metcalf Institute since its founding in 1997 until his death in April 2012. He was widely respected as a teacher, mentor and standard-bearer for excellence in environmental journalism in Rhode Island and beyond.
Helping Regional Journalists Cover Locally Important Stories
Each of the seminars in this six-part series is free and open to southern New England journalists. The daylong seminars are designed to increase news coverage of important environmental concerns facing Rhode Islanders by enhancing journalists’ understanding of the science behind the stories and introducing them to sources representing a wide variety of perspectives on each topic, including scientists and stakeholders from regulatory agencies, environmental advocates, community groups, and business interests. The seminars are intended to give reporters the tools they need to dig deeper, build strong contacts, ask the right questions and quickly turn the day’s discussions into compelling environmental stories for our region.
The Metcalf Institute seminars will take place at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography in the Coastal Institute building at 218 South Ferry Road, Narragansett, RI 02882.
- Climate Change Impacts in Southern New England
October 12, 2012
How is climate change affecting or likely to affect coastal infrastructure, public health, and economically significant natural resources?
[Agenda] [Speaker Bios] [Speaker Presentations] [Resource List] [Seminar Videos]
- Adapting to Climate Change: Planning for an Uncertain and Expensive Future
November 30, 2012
Scientific projections of rapid shifts in temperature, precipitation, and sea levels from climate change will require responses from policy makers at all levels of government. What might these adaptation policies require, and what will they cost?
[Agenda] [Speaker Bios] [Speaker Presentations] [Resource List]
- Innovations in Renewable Energy
March 15, 2013
Southern New England is poised to be a national leader in developing offshore wind energy, but what are the next steps in terms of process, improving security of the region’s overloaded power grids, and balancing environmental concerns with power needs and economic realities? Can waves, tides, and currents from the ocean help us meet our electricity needs?
[Agenda] [Speaker Bios] [Speaker Presentations] [Resource List]
- The Future of Commercial Fisheries in Southern New England
April 12, 2013POSTPONED
The fishing industry has a rich history in Southern New England, but we have witnessed major changes in local fisheries, including the development of an active commercial aquaculture industry. Can Narragansett Bay sustain additional aquaculture activity? Will climate change-driven ocean acidification or the introduction of new or more aggressive disease vectors affect local finfish and shellfish populations?
[Agenda]
- Making Sense of Water Quality
July 19, 2013
With all the resources dedicated to water quality programs, many wonder, why is my beach still closed? What are the current and emerging threats to water quality in Southern New England?
- Predicting and Responding to Extreme Weather Events
September 20, 2013
While escaping the worst of the 2012 drought, Southern New England has seen its share of extreme weather in recent years, primarily in the form of major storms that have caused extensive flooding and property damage. Learn more about how hurricane forecasts, storm preparedness, emergency response, and public health implications of these extreme events.
Registration
Journalists are required to register for each seminar. Space is limited. Registrations will be confirmed once received. Click here to register. The registration form should be downloaded, completed and returned by email to seminars@metcalfinstitute.org or fax to (401) 864-6486 or by regular mail to:
Seminars Coordinator
Metcalf Institute
URI Graduate School of Oceanography
218 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
The Peter B. Lord Seminars on the Environment are supported by The Providence Journal Charitable Foundation, The Rhode Island Foundation, and the Henry and Jan Rines Fund at The Rhode Island Foundation.
This program is funded by:
