St. Paul Chapter September Meetup

“Too Little, Too Late: Human Overpopulation and Climate Disruption”

Humanity faces a “perfect storm” of ecological challenges that are converging and threatening societal collapse within the coming decade. Foremost among the driving factors are human overpopulation and climate disruption. With a global population of more than 7 billion and atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide exceeding 400 parts per billion, humans have created an unprecedented planetary emergency on Earth. Every one of our current environmental problems is accelerating as population continues to grow toward an estimated 9 billion by 2050. Climate disruption caused by global warming due to greenhouse gas emissions generated by our industrial civilization is rapidly approaching an irreversible planetary tipping point. Despite early warnings over the past 50 years, we continue ecocidal behavior and perpetuate unsustainable economic growth. Now political stalemate and budgetary bankruptcy are becoming major barriers to the policy and structural changes necessary to avert disaster. Future prospects appear to be bleak for our grandchildren.

David L. Trauger is Professor Emeritus with the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He developed and directed a natural resources graduate degree program for working professionals in the National Capital Region. He also served as Northern Virginia Center Director and Associate Dean for the Graduate School before retiring in 2010. Prior to joining the faculty at Virginia Tech in 2001, Trauger worked for 32 years as a research scientist and science administrator for various natural resources agencies at several locations for the U. S. Department of the Interior. A native Iowan, Trauger received undergraduate and graduate degrees in wildlife biology and animal ecology from Iowa State University. After a 42-year career in public service and academia, Trauger now resides near the villages of Scandia and Marine on Saint Croix, Minnesota. He continues research on a variety of issues related to natural resource management and sustainability.

Breakfast Buffet $12.00 Coffee only $3.00. We need to plan for the room setup and meal, so i please RSVP by Friday, September 5.