USF professor to present on global warming at Oxford
University of St. Francis chemistry professor Salim M. Diab is one of only 35 persons worldwide to be invited to an Oxford Round Table on “Global Warming and Sustainable Development: Governing a Crisis – An Interdisciplinary Perspective.”
Diab will present a paper at St. Anne’s College in Oxford, England during a round table event in August. The Oxford Round Table, a not-for-profit educational organization, promotes human advancement and understanding through the improvement of education and provides a forum for the study and consideration of current issues facing state and national systems of education.
Diab’s presentation “Think Globally, Act Locally: A Humble Model for Environmental Sustainability at the University of St. Francis” is a project he’s been actively working on for the past three years. His presentation will tell the story of a small liberal arts college in the Midwest accepting the challenge to green its campus and do its part to effect change on the global stage.
The goal of Diab’s Greening of the Campus is to cultivate among students, faculty and staff “a humble recognition that God made humanity the steward of creation, with personal responsibility for the care and survival of all. Such an understanding of the environment necessitates lifelong respect and care that may be carried on with individuals as they move into other communities,” said Diab.
Greening is characterized as a holistic approach that is accomplished through many actions, big and small, explained Diab. The driving force behind this project is the belief that greening is an organic process – ranging from the reduction and management of waste (recycling) to the use of alternate fuel and green products that promises to penetrate every aspect of the university community from buildings and grounds, food services, and residence life, to academic curricula, ministry and community service, according to Diab.
Diab, who holds a doctorate degree in chemistry, also will share his presentation and findings at a public forum this fall semester at USF.