The World at 7 Billion: Sustaining our Future

Keynote: Joel E. Cohen, Abby Rockefeller Mauze Professor of Populations, Rockefeller University; Professor of Populations, Columbia University Moderator: Matthew Bishop, US Business Editor and New York Bureau Chief, The Economist Panelists: Ruth S. DeFries, Denning Professor of Sustainable Development; Chair, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology; Jean-Marie Guehenno, Arnold Saltzman Professor of Professional Practice, School of International and Public Affairs; Upmanu Lall, Alan and Carol Silberstein Professor; Director, Columbia Water Center; Klaus Lackner, Maurice Ewing and J. Lamar Worzel Professor of Geophysics, Director, Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy; Jeffrey D. Sachs, Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, Professor of Health Policy; Director, The Earth Institute, Columbia University

The Earth Institute, Columbia University presents, "The World at 7 Billion: Sustaining our Future" an exploration of the environmental and social consequences caused by rapid population growth. This year we reach another milestone in global population growth, 7 billion inhabitants of Earth. It has only taken us 12 years to add an additional 1 billion people to the planet. This kind of rapid population growth puts strains on environmental, political, and financial resources.

Joel Cohen, keynote for this event, is a leading expert in this field. His book, "How Many People Can the Earth Support?" has presented a cutting-edge response to this important question.

A panel of experts will be moderated by Matthew Bishop, US Business Editor and New York Bureau Chief of The Economist with panelists:

• Ruth S. DeFries, Denning Professor of Sustainable Development; Chair, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology
• Jean-Marie Guehenno, Arnold Saltzman Professor of Professional Practice, School of International and Public Affairs;
  
• Upmanu Lall, Alan and Carol Silberstein Professor; Director, Columbia Water Center
• Klaus Lackner, Maurice Ewing and J. Lamar Worzel Professor of Geophysics, Director, Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy
• Jeffrey D. Sachs, Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, Professor of Health Policy;Director, The Earth Institute

If you require accommodations to attend this event, please contact Tamara Plummer at tplummer@ei.columbia.edu at least 10 days in advance of the event.

This event is free and open to the public, however registration is required.

Webcast available. Watch this event LIVE at www.earth.columbia.edu/7billion

For more information on The Earth Institute visit: earth.columbia.edu

Sponsors: Earth Institute