The Life Explorers Speaker Series will feature programs for adults interested in expanding and sharing their knowledge on a variety of environmental and cultural topics. The Life Explorers series will tap the resources of experts from the Central Florida community to serve as speakers for the programs which are offered free of charge.

Topic: Getting Ready for a Wild Ride! Climate Future

Speaker: Dr. Penelope Canan, UCF Professor Emerita

Date: Thursday, January 19, 2023

Doors open: 9:45 A.M.

Program Time: 10:00 – 11:30 A.M.

Location: Azaela Lodge

Cost: Free

About the Guest Speaker:

Dr. Penelope Canan, an internationally recognized environmental scholar with more than 40 years of academic experience , will be featured as the guest speaker for Mead Botanical Garden’s upcoming Life Explorer’s Series lecture. Her presentation will be an overview of her years of work on international global warming and climate change protocols. She will address the challenging global climate picture facing our world as we enter 2023 and bring her insights closer to home with advice on what all of us can do to help control the impact of our daily lifestyles on our environment. Dr. Canan is a Professor Emerita in the Sociology Department at the University of Central Florida, joining the department in 2006 after teaching at the University of Hawaii. Dr. Canan has earned hundreds of awards and tremendous recognition over the years for her environmental activism research. One accomplishment she is most proud of is her role as the Executive Director of the Global Carbon Project, an international consortium of environmental researchers sponsored by Japan’s National Institute for Environmental Studies.

In 2010, Dr. Canan received the “Women Making History” award to honor women recognized internationally for their research, creative activities, and leadership. In 2010, the United Nations Environment Program listed her on its “Montreal Protocol Who’s Who” to honor the visionaries, innovators and implementers who are making the Montreal Protocol a global environmental success story. The Montreal Protocol is a landmark international agreement that regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 man-made substances referred to as ozone depleting substances. These chemicals damage the ozone layer that protects humans form the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. The guidelines of the agreement to protect the ozone are vitally important today. As recent as October 2022 President Biden signed the Kigali Amendment to the treaty to structure the gradual reduction of the consumption and production of hydroflourocarbons.

Dr. Canan emphasizes how important it is at this crucial time for citizens of the US and the world to get serious about global warming; to heed the facts and take action based on the research. According to Dr. Canan, the answers to the global climate issues are developing daily but without action there can be no change. “Scientists and researchers are the ones with the answers and it is critical that every decision making body in our government, from the local grassroots level to the highest tier, listen carefully to what is being said. “

Dr. Canan was also instrumental in identifying and documenting law suits that businesses, governmental bodies or elected officials file against those who oppose issues of public concern, many relating to land development and environmental issues. The suits, known as SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation), are brought to discourage critics from continuing to pursue legal action or forcing lengthy legal battles on issues. She published a book entitled “SLAPPs: Getting Sued for Speaking Out.”

Begining in January with Dr. Canan’s presentation, the Mead Garden Life Explorer’s Speaker’s Series will present lectures on the third Thursday of each month from 10-11:30 AM in the Azaela Lodge at Mead Botanical Garden. A discussion period follows each presentation to give those attending a chance to ask questions. The lectures are free of charge and are a wonderful opportunity to learn and interact with others from the community.