Lecture, "From Denial to Obstruction: Why We Need to Understand Efforts to Stop Action on Climate Change" with Brown University Prof. J. Timmons Roberts

Exhibition Programming, Planet Earth, The Environment and Our Future

Thursday, April 28
Intro + Lecture starting at 6:30pm

At 6:30 pm, there will be a brief introduction (before Prof. Timmons lecture) about plans for the future of public transit in Rhode Island with RIPTA and Grow Smart RI.

About the Lecture: “From Denial to Obstruction: Why We Need to Understand Efforts to Stop Action on Climate Change” with Brown University Prof. J. Timmons Roberts

For decades, the science of climate change has been known, and what was a future problem has become a very present one. We know the science, we have the technology and policy tools to address it. However action has been stalled and grossly inadequate. Timmons Roberts, Professor at the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society and Executive Director of the Climate Social Science Network, will review how obstruction has worked, at the federal, the international, and the state level. Powerful economic interests have developed a complex set of institutions built to slow ambitious action. Understanding these networks and strategically planning for obstruction is fundamental for advancing science-based action.

Timmons Roberts is Ittleson Professor of Environmental Studies and Sociology at Brown University and the Executive Director of the Climate Social Science Network. After fifteen years studying tensions between the global North and South at the United Nations climate negotiations, he has expanded his research into what explains the failure to address climate change in the United States. Current studies examine lobbying in state legislatures and influence over agencies and commissions. His Climate and Development Lab at Brown partners with research institutions, NGOs, and organizations at the local, national and international levels around the world. He is a leader in Rhode Island’s efforts to plan for climate change.

About the Lecture Introduction: “Reinventing Public Transit” with RIPTA and Grow Smart RI

Transportation is the largest contributor to the US carbon footprint (29%) and its mobile nature makes it one of the more difficult areas to address. A transition from fossil fuels to electric vehicles is an important development. In parallel, creating a better national and local public transportation system holds great promise. Greg Nordin from RIPTA and Grow Smart RI will offer a brief overview of how a new public transit approach could reduce our carbon footprint and add to our quality of life.

About Planet Earth, the Environment and Our Future

WaterFire Providence presents Planet Earth, The Environment and Our Future at the WaterFire Arts Center (WFAC) an exhibition of art and science looking at the beauty and fragility of our world. This exhibition will be at the WFAC from Saturday, March 19 through Sunday, May 1, 2022.

Entry is free for all, donations are encouraged. The WaterFire Arts Center’s hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m; open late until 9:00 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. (The addition of Friday nights is unique to this exhibit.)

The exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the NASA Rhode Island Space Grant Consortium; Kathleen and Barry Hittner; the University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography; Brown University; and the Roger Williams Park Zoo.

The Earth in its beauty and majesty has long fascinated artists and scientists of all cultures, inspiring their work. Both use vision to understand the empirical facts of the real world – and use imagery again to convey their ideas and conclusions. This exhibition of art and science presents over thirty spectacular artworks by contemporary artists that expand upon the interconnected nature of the world – the exhibition also includes historical art, photographs, and objects from several cultures stretching across the continents and spanning two centuries; tracing some of the Rhode Island connections to this larger story of discovery and exploration. 

Planet Earth, the Environment and Our Future includes works by William Bradford, David Burdeny, Judy Chicago, Richard Friedberg, Joan Hall, Martin Johnson Heade, Katsushika Hokusai, Dennis Hlynsky, Duane Isaac, Luke Jerram, Young Joon Kwak, Sarah Jane Lapp, Janice Lardey, Haley MacKeil, Qing Liu, Joseph E. Yoakum, David Whyte, and Faith Wilding

With special thanks to the many Rhode Island institutions who have helped us create this exhibition including the Providence Public Library Special Collections, RISD Museum of Art, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Rustigian Rugs, Providence Marriott Downtown, Dassault Systèmes, Providence Fire Fighters IAFF local 799, Providence Fire Department, The Providence Journal, The Providence Parks Department, and the Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History.