Newswise — Climate ChangeDavid Campbell. Henry R. Luce Professor of Nations and the Global Environment at Grinnell College since 1990; Ph.D., Johns Hopkins; teaches courses in "Nations and the Global Environment" and "An Environmental History of Food." His research is in the ecology and species composition of tropical and subtropical forests. Hundreds of Grinnell students have joined Campbell on research or teaching expeditions to the tropics. He is the author of The Ephemeral Islands, The Crystal Desert, Islands in Space in Time, and A Land of Ghosts.
Lawrence Aspler, assistant professor of physics (earth systems science); Ph.D., Carleton University (Canada); joined Grinnell faculty in 2007; teaches courses in "Arctic Thaw and the Earth Systems," "Environmental Challenges and Responses," and "Natural Hazards and Disasters." His research interests include natural hazards and use of the stratigraphic record to define recurrence intervals for potentially catastrophic events.
Peter Jacobson, associate professor of biology, joined the Grinnell faculty in 1998; Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute; teaches course in Climate Change, Development and the Environment. His research addresses the ecology and restoration of rivers and streams and the examination of how alterations of flow, both of natural and anthropogenic origin, affect the structure and functioning of these ecosystems.
William Ferguson, professor of economics, is a Grinnell graduate who joined the faculty in 1989; Ph.D. University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He teaches a first-year tutorial in climate change public policy.
SustainabilityGrinnell College has several student-led green initiatives underway, including a wind energy project approved by the board of trustees; environmental coordinators in the residence halls; a recyclables program that benefits a local low-income service agency; and ECOHouse, a student residence devoted to sustainable living.
Grinnell College students have worked closely with the administration to implement wind turbines as part of a larger carbon emissions reduction resolution that was passed by the student government association in 2006. In October 2007, the college issued an Emissions Reduction Commitment that included pursuing wind energy to reduce the college's reliance on electricity and convert as much as 30 percent of current energy usage to wind generated power.
Ten Grinnell students developed a housing proposal for ECOHouse, a demonstration project on sustainable living. The students buy local foods or raise their own, cook and eat together, and invite other students in to experience what's do-able. The college is providing monitoring equipment so that energy and water usage can be evaluated and applied to other parts of campus, based on ECOHouse experience.
HealthWith a number of chronic disease awareness months approaching, Grinnell College faculty expert Asani Seawell can provide insight into the research on effects of chronic disease among couples.
Asani Seawell, assistant professor of psychology, Ph.D., SUNY, Albany.
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