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October 1, 2000
CONTACT: Bill Giduz

Davidson's Dean Rusk Program in International Studies and Bank of America sponsored a conference on "International Conservation in the New Millennium" on campus September 24-27, 2000. Below is an outline of major events. Clicking on links will take you to reports on each individual session.

The conference began on Sunday, September 24, with a talk on the state of the global environment by journalist and author Bill McKibben. McKibben spoke about "A Special Moment in History." McKibben is the author of The End of Nature, the first book about climate change written for a general audience. A former staff writer for The New Yorker, McKibben is a Fellow at the Center for the Study of Values and Public Life at Harvard University.

Amb. Ken Brown, director of the Dean Rusk Program in International Studies, introduces a speaker.

Davidson College Associate Professor of Political Science Ken Menkhaus moderated a discussion on "The End of Enforcement? Collaborating on an Environmental Agenda." Panelists were Vicky Taylor, a consultant working with the Catawba River Keeper Program, Davidson alumnus Dan McLawhorn, general counsel for the N.C. Department of Environment & Natural Resources, and Linda Rimer, United States Environmental Protection Agency liaison to North and South Carolina.

Chuck McGrady, former president and current treasurer of the Sierra Club, spoke on, "Smart Growth or Urban Sprawl: the Asphalt Jungle and Landscapes Transformed." McGrady led the Sierra Club on campaigns to curb urban sprawl, preserve water and wetlands, and secure bipartisan Congressional support for strong environmental protections.

Claude Martin, Director General for the World Wildlife Fund International, delivered the keynote lecture on "New Approaches to Environmental Issues and Conservation." Martin began his career with WWF in the early 1970's, studying the ecology of the threatened Baraingha deer in Kanha National Park in central India. From 1975 to 1978, he served as Director of Protected Areas in the western region of Ghana. Before joining WWF International, Martin was Director and Chief Executive Officer of WWF-Switzerland from 1980 to 1990. He served as Deputy Director General of WWF International from 1990 to 1993, when he was appointed director general. Martin is the author of The Rainforests of West Africa, a comprehensive study examining the ecology, utilization and conservation of these forest areas.

Secretary William Holman of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources delivered a luncheon talk, entitled "North Carolina's Responsibility in Global Environment."

Panelists discussed "Sustainable Development." Professor of Economics Dave Martin moderated a discussion with Rick Bunch, business education director at the World Resources Institute; John Schilling, senior economic advisor for The World Bank; and Jerry Taylor, director of Natural Resources Studies at the Cato Institute.

Anthony Janetos, senior vice president for World Resources Institute, closed the conference with his address, "The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change." He is a co-chair of the U.S. National Assessment of the Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change. He also served as Senior Scientist for the Land-Cover and Land-Use Change Program in NASA's Office of Earth Science, and was Program Scientist for the Landsat 7 mission.