Climate Change Topic Tops Two Talks Tonight And Tomorrow

TONIGHT at Meany Hall, it's "Climate Change and the Future of Life on Earth," a two-hour multi-media presentation designed to freak your climatological shit out. It stars the world-famous paleoanthropologist, conservationist, and environmental activist: Dr. Richard Leakey. Shazam! (What? We never get to say "Shazam"!) Author of The Sixth Extinction, Dr. Leakey will talk "about our impact on the environment"...um, no, he's gonna open up a can of knowledgifying whup-ass is what.

The Sixth Extinction is what all the cool kids are calling the latest, human-driven species die-off, like Whacking Day but much broader in scope. The world’s scientists and governments are now in agreement that the extinction crisis is as bad as the worst-case scenarios. The evening begins with a visual introduction to the natural wonders of Africa, The Cradle of Mankind by author, photographer, and veteran of 80 safaris, David Anderson, who will break down sobbing and trail off with "Gone...all gone...the FOOLS!"

May 8, 7:30pm // Meany Hall, University of Washington // $40 general/$20 students

TOMORROW there's the friendlier-sounding Climate Policy Symposium at Town Hall. That's more Seattle, isn't it? A nice talk about the upcoming end-times, so everybody gets to share and feel heard.

Global warming is a real concern—politicians, business leaders, and environmental advocates now agree. A distinguished panel—including Ben Packers, Starbucks; Eric Markell, Puget Sound Energy; K.C. Golden, Climate Solutions; Denis Hayes, founder of Earth Day; Steve Nicholas, City of Seattle; and U.S. Representative Jay Inslee debates the policy and practicalities of climate change policy.

Oh, that's just some gentle humor. Big hug, everybody! If you have any shred of activistry left in you, this is the talk to stop in at, featuring as it does the most famous envirosustainicists Seattle can muster. Get there early and play spot-the-wonk in the lobby!

May 9, 7pm // Town Hall // $15 in advance or at the door