Hellenic American University is honored to welcome Professor Costas Synolakis, President of Athens College, to its Athens campus on January 31, 2023 to deliver the inaugural lecture in the University’s new Distinguished Lecture Series. Dr. Synolakis will speak on “Planetary Health: The Hidden Threat”. The event is organized by Hellenic American University/College and Hellenic American Union.
The Distinguished Lecture Series brings to the Athens campus leading thinkers, researchers, and public figures from a broad spectrum of disciplines to share their insights and perspectives on their work but also on issues of broader social importance. The series aims to enrich the student learning experience and spark debate within and beyond the university community on timely issues of social and cultural importance. In addition, an important strand in the series will feature young scholars who have made significant contributions to their profession but may not yet have gained the attention of the broader public.
Abstract of the talk:
Climate crisis can feel quite abstract, distant or overwhelming or maybe even like it is someone else’s problem, but in reality it poses a significant threat to human kind and our planet. What is the history of climate change and why should we care? The future of our planet is on the line and the natural systems, people, animals, and so much more that we care about, are at risk. As climate change crisis intensifies, people around the world are experiencing powerful and unprecedented weather phenomena such as tropical cyclones, intense rainstorms, severe droughts and extreme heat waves. Rising sea levels are flooding coastal areas, destroying homes and natural environments and threatening human and animal lives. We are all in danger and unless we act, it will all get worse.
Brief speaker bio:
Costas Emmanuel Synolakis earned a B.Sc. in Engineering and Applied Science, an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, all from the California Institute of Technology. An internationally recognized pioneer in the field of tsunami research and other natural hazards, Professor Synolakis has held professorships in engineering at the University of Southern California and the Technical University of Crete. He is a regular member of the Academy of Athens and serves currently as Secretary of the Division of Natural Sciences. In 2019, he was elected Chairman of the Scientific Committee on Climate Change in Greece, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Space Center. In July 2020, he assumed the Office of President of Athens College. A passionate educator and mentor, he has helped produce documentaries for Discovery Channel, BBC, National Geographic, History Channel and ZDF. He has received numerous distinctions in Greece and the US, including the Presidential Young Investigator Award and the International Coastal Engineering Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Useful Information
Venue: Hellenic American College, Auditorium, 2nd floor, 22 Massalias Street, Athens
Date & Time: January 31, 2023, 19:00 (Athens time)
Language: English
RSVP: Required through the EventBrite platform.
Admission: Free of charge
The event will be also delivered online through Zoom platform. For those who wish to participate online, the Zoom link and meeting ID follows:
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83158151203
Meeting ID: 831 5815 1203
Tel.: 2103680950
Email:
Reservation is required either you participate onsite or online.
