Cold Science: The Cold War and the Canadian Arctic
- Date: Tuesday, November 12, 2019 - 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Building: Bagnani Hall
We usually think of the Cold War in strategic terms: as a confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union, remembered through emblematic events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 and the puncturing of the Berlin Wall in 1989. But the Cold War extended across the planet, and shaped not just military affairs, but political, environmental, and scientific ideas. This was especially evident in the Arctic. Now positioned on the front line of the standoff between the superpowers, this region became both a militarized zone and the focus of intensive scientific research. The perspectives that formed during this time continue to shape our understanding of the Arctic today, including awareness of its vulnerability to global climate change.
Stephen Bocking is a professor of environmental history and policy in the Trent School of the Environment. He teaches courses about the relationship between science and politics, international environmental issues, and environmental history. In his research he is especially interested in the roles of knowledge in environmental affairs, both historically and today.
Reception to follow in the Trend 8 - 9 p.m.
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Posted on October 22, 2019