CHARLESTON — A Charleston law firm is hosting a climate change seminar with four renowned experts discussing their perspectives.
The event, hosted by Spilman Thomas & Battle, will be held on June 12 at Geary Auditorium at the University of Charleston.
Michael Mann, David Titley, Patrick Moore and Judith Curry will be discussing the use of fossil fuels and how it affects climate change.
Nick Preservati
"The evening event is a discussion on climate change," Nick Preservati of Spilman, Thomas & Battle said in an interview with The West Virginia Record. "We are asking two questions: to what extent do man-made carbon dioxide emissions accelerate climate change and, based upon the answer to that question, what do we need to do to mitigate those effects on the climate?"
Preservati said the panelists are the four top scientists in the world.
"It's a big deal. People have said, 'these people will never be on stage together,'" Preservati said. "So, it's going to be interesting."
Preservati said it is likely that two of the panelists will say we have minimal impact on the climate and don't need to do much, while the other two will likely say we have a significant impact.
"We are presenting it in a manner to let the people on the panel decide," Preservati said. "We aren't coming in this one position or the other."
Another event will be held the morning of June 12 that is closed to the public and will be a continuing legal education event. That event will include former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett and Avi Garbow, former general counsel for the Environmental Protection Agency.
"They will be coming in to discuss crisis management issues, climate change issues and other energy-related issues in a private event," Preservati said.
The evening event is $15 if you purchase tickets in advance, but will be $20 at the door.