Jan. 26, 2016

Jan. 27, 2016
For Immediate Release

WATERLOO – Wilfrid Laurier University Professors Simon Dalby and Randall Wigle will present their research on the outcomes of the 2015 United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference at a panel titled “Reflections on the Paris Climate Conference,” on Wednesday, Jan. 27, as part of an ongoing event series.

Researchers at the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) who examine global governance will be responding to the decisions made at the Paris conference and will discuss the implications for Canada during a panel that will be followed by a Q&A.

“This event will bring together current research and reflections on these developing issues that will continue to affect our lives,” said Robert Gordon, Laurier's vice-president: Research. “This is an amazing opportunity to learn from leading experts all focused on answering the particular question of how Canada’s politicians will address climate change.”

The climate change discussion panel will include:

• Simon Dalby, Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) Chair in the Political Economy of Climate Change and professor in Laurier’s Department of Geography and Environmental Studies.
• Kathryn Hochstetler, CIGI Chair of Governance in the Americas, professor in the University of Waterloo’s Department of Political Science.
• Thomas Homer-Dixon, CIGI Chair of Global Systems and professor at the University of Waterloo Department of Political Science.
• Randall Wigle, director of the PhD Program in Global Governance at the BSIA and professor in Laurier’s Department of Economics.

Laurier researchers are continuing to explore the impact of climate warming to Canada’s northern regions, examining environmental policies by understanding the importance of sustainable food systems and the devastation of ecological extinction, which are all issues linked to climate change policy.

“This event will provide a backdrop for the discussions to be held at the Climate Choices Canada conference in February,” said Randall Wigle, professor of economics at Laurier. “Starting this conversation with a small group will allow for us to begin exploring the evolving political and policy landscape with international speakers.”

The panel will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Balsillie School of International Affairs’ CIGI campus (67 Erb St. West, Waterloo), Room 1-42. The event is free and open to the public. To register for this event, email events@balsillieschool.ca for more information visit balsillieschool.ca.

Upcoming climate change related events include:

• Feb. 18-20: Climate Choices Canada Conference
• Feb. 24: Accountability in Global Environmental Governance: A Meaningful Tool for Action?

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