RADFORD -- Global warming, domestic and foreign energy sources and science’s impact on today’s world have taken center stage in this year’s presidential election.  Radford University’s Environmental Lecture Series, which begins October 2 and continues through November 10, promises to enhance awareness of these issues and experts will give listeners opportunities to form their own opinions.

RU professor Theresa Burriss, coordinator of the lecture series, says “With the catastrophic state of the environment on most everyone's mind, especially in this important election year, RU's 'Appalachian Elements' speaker series offers diverse voices addressing issues that affect all of us in Appalachia.  The speakers will educate their audiences, while providing provocative ideas and opportunities for discussion."

 “Appalachian Elements: Preserving Land, Water, Air and Community for a Sustainable Mountain Future” begins Thursday, Oct. 2, with the opening of Gary Braasch’s “Climate Change” photo exhibition at the Bondurant Center for the Arts, 1129 East Main St., Radford. This event sets the stage for the series.

Lectures are as follows:

Monday, Oct. 6, Cook Hall 107, 7 p.m. – “Appalachian Water: More Valuable Than Coal?” Featured speakers: Patty Sebok and Matt Noerpel, grassroots activists and organizers focusing on mountaintop removal in West Virginia.

Friday, Oct. 10, Virginia Tech – “Power Shift.” Power Shift 2008 is an environmental conference for Virginia and will bring young people from all over the state to the Virginia Tech campus for a two-day workshop focusing on a sustainable future through education, grassroots political action and campus leadership training. Visit www.vapowershift.org for information and registration.

Monday, Oct. 13, Cook Hall 107, 7 p.m. – “Environmental Journalism in Appalachia” – Features panel of reporters and editors including Roanoke Times  reporter Tim Thornton, News and Advance writer Sarah Watson, EcoBella editor Tracy Garland and Charleston Gazette writer Ken Ward.

Tuesday, Oct. 14, Hurlburt Hall Auditorium, 7 p.m. – “Kids and Nature: A Vital Tie.” Featured speaker: Radford University English professor Rick Van Noy, author of the newly released book A Natural Sense of Wonder: Connecting Kids with Nature Through the Seasons.

Wednesday, Oct. 15 through Sunday, Oct. 19 – Society of Environmental Journalists’ Conference in Roanoke.

Monday, Oct. 20, Muse Banquet Hall, 7 p.m. – “The Strange Weather of Mountaintop Removal.” A reading and open community discussion with Ann Pancake, author of Strange As This Weather Has Been. Discussions focus on mountaintop removal in Appalachia.

Tuesday, Oct. 28, Cook Hall 107, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – “For Purple Mountain Majesty or Inexpensive Energy For All.” Featured speakers: RU faculty member James L. Werth, director of the Psy.D. program, and RU students affiliated with an internal grant research project on surface mining issues. Program includes student poster session on environmental issues in the region.

Thursday, Oct. 30, Hurlburt Auditorium, 7 p.m. – “How Appalachian Community Organizers Brought Independence, Culture and Enlightenment to America.” Open community discussion.

Friday, Oct. 31 – Class visits by Jeff Biggers, Appalachian scholar and keynote speaker for the Appalachian Teachers’ Network Conference at RU on Saturday, Nov. 1.

Monday, Nov. 10, Cook Hall 107, 7 p.m.  – “New Media and the Environment.” Featured speakers: IT specialist  Jeff Deal and communications director Jamie Goodman from Appalachian Voices, Roanoke Times online editor John Jackson, and former regional content manager for Media General Anne Kelley.

The lecture series is sponsored by the RU Appalachian Regional Studies Center, Club Programming Committee, International Education Center, School of Communications and Women’s Studies Club.

To learn more, contact Theresa Burriss at tburriss@radford.edu or 540-831-6857.