March 23 , 2005

Norman – How do citizens, activists, industry leaders and policy-makers come to a mutual agreement on issues that affect our environment? Three panelists will present their ideas on the issues of environmental ethics Tuesday, March 29, at the University of Oklahoma.

The free, public discussion, titled “Environmental Ethics: Problems, Perspectives, Policies,” will begin at 4 p.m. in 132 Ellison Hall, 633 Elm Ave. The presentation is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and is one in a series of Ethics and Public Life Symposia.

A wide range of issues will be addressed by the panelists, who include Deborah Dalton, professor and director of Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Environment; Zev Trachtenberg, associate professor of philosophy; and Linda Wallace, professor of Botany. Ed Sankowski, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of philosophy, is the chair and organizer for the event.

“Environmental studies range over many issues of the greatest importance for ethical and political choices,” says Sankowski. “Informed citizens of our nation and the world need to understand the implications of such choices.”

Following the presentation, audience members will have an opportunity to share their thoughts and ask questions of the panelists.

“Our distinguished and thoughtful panelists are all very involved as scholars, educators and citizens in furthering the investigation of environmentally framed topics in the context of disciplinary and interdisciplinary inquiry and real-world problem-solving,” says Sankowski. “We are fortunate indeed to be able to learn from them and to engage in a dialogue in this area.”