Plenary Lecture
Environmental Entrepreneurs: The Ecology and Economy of Forests
Professor Richard K. Snow
Applied Aviation Sciences
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
USA
E-mail: snow4fc@erau.edu
Abstract: Forests are a critical element in mitigating climatic change due to their ability to slow the rate of greenhouse gas emissions. The types of tree species in the forest, their growth rate, and the age of the forest all affect carbon uptake. Several options for reducing carbon dioxide through the use of vegetation are available which include reducing deforestation, reforestation projects, establishing urban forests, improved forest management, and enhanced harvesting techniques. It is widely accepted that protecting existing forests and planting new forests can help reduce the greenhouse effect, and a number of multi-disciplinary mitigation options are surfacing as researchers collectively consider the threat of global warming. Many of the deforested areas of the world could once again support vegetation under proper management techniques such as the creation of tree plantations or by allowing natural vegetation to regenerate through techniques such as wildfire suppression. However, while reforestation is a popular strategy, it cannot be effective if it legitimizes the continued destruction of old-growth and pristine forests. This research examines various approaches to forest conservation and restoration as a means of mitigating climate change while improving local ecosystems and economies.
Brief Biography of the Speaker: Dr. Richard Snow earned his B.S. in Geography (summa cum laude) and his M.S. in Geoscience from Western Kentucky University prior to taking his Ph.D. in Physical Geography from Indiana State University in 1999. Rich is a Professor of Meteorology and teaches courses in Meteorology, Climatology, and GIS in the Department of Applied Aviation Sciences at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Prior to joining Embry-Riddle in 2002, Rich worked as a GIS Specialist at the County of Volusia, Florida, for two years.