The NYU School of Global Public Health and NYU Shanghai have established the NYU Distinguished Lecture on US-China Cooperation on Climate and Health, which was created to further global action on climate change and lessen its impact on global health.
The inaugural lecture will be delivered on Earth Day, April 22, by environmentalist, author and journalist Bill McKibben.
“This new lecture series contributes to GPH’s mission to solve the world’s most critical public health challenges, while showcasing NYU’s global network and elevating our reputation as a global public health thought leader,” said Melody Goodman, Interim Dean and Professor of Biostatistics at NYU GPH. “Thank you to the Green Court Foundation for supporting such a timely lecture.”
The annual lecture series will be hosted by NYU GPH in New York and NYU Shanghai, alternating between the two cities over the next five years.
“The health of our species depends vitally upon collective action by the U.S. and China to address the challenges of climate change,” said NYU Shanghai Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman. “We are so very grateful to the Green Court Foundation for establishing a distinguished lecture series directed at this critical topic."
Bill McKibben is the founder of 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, and Third Act, which organizes people over the age of 60 for action on climate and justice. His 1989 book The End of Nature is regarded as the first book for a general audience about climate change, and has appeared in 24 languages.
“Since publishing End of Nature, Bill McKibben has helped to mobilize public opinion and galvanize leaders to pursue electrification for the future of young people everywhere,” said William N. Rom, Global Distinguished Professor of Environmental Health at NYU GPH. “We are so fortunate to have him as our inaugural speaker.”
The lecture is co-sponsored by NYU's Office of Sustainability and is part of NYU’s Earth Month programming.