NEMAC Hosts Chocolate Friday on Climate

Chocolate Friday is a research and idea-sharing event sponsored by the National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC). Typically, each Chocolate Friday features presentations from NEMAC staff, UNCA faculty, student researchers, and visiting professionals. The event is open to anyone who is interested. This academic year, Chocolate Fridays are scheduled to be held from 3:00 to 5:00 at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce in their Board Room, located on Montford Ave. The spring schedule includes a variety of themes, and will attract individuals from our greater community.

And yes, chocolate is served!

The first Chocolate Friday of 2008 is February 8 and features four presentations on Climate in Asheville:

A Vision for Asheville's National Leadership in Climate for the Public Good

Ron Gordon, Director for Economic Development, North Carolina Arboretum and Program Manager, Centers for Environmental and Climatic Interaction

The Centers for Environmental and Climate Interaction (CECI) is an emerging non-profit partnership between government, academia, and commerce that leverages the extraordinary assets of the Asheville region in translating the results of scientific observation and assessment into useful public tools for mitigating or adapting to predicted climate change. CECI seeks to create the resources and collaborative alliances needed to promote the critical mission of the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), to act as an honest broker of scientific information, and to influence the course of the national response to the emerging grand challenge of Climate Change Management. CECI is a HUB Alliance sponsored initiative that enjoys growing support from many government, academic and commercial partners to include NCDC, ORNL, UNCA (RENCI/NEMAC), TNCA, IGES, the Nicholas School (Duke), and John Hopkins Center for Genetics & Public Policy.

NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center – Climate Services and Drought

Tim Owen, Educative Officer, NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)

From its roots as the nation's official archive for climate information, NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) has emerged as a national leader in supporting climate services to a broad community of users and stakeholders. This presentation will outline the Center's current emphasis on climate monitoring, product delivery through web services, and its role in climate assessments at the national and international levels. NOAA's lead role in the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) will also be discussed.

Climate Change and Society Masters Program: An Asheville Graduate Center Update on the UNC Office of the President Planning Grant

Sandra Byrd, Assistant Provost for Graduate and Continuing Education and Associate Professor of Education, UNC Asheville

Dr. Byrd will lead an informal presentation and Q&A on the who, what, where and when of a future masters program on Climate Change and Society in Asheville.

A Most Convenient Truth: As global attention focuses on climate change, Asheville continues its efforts to attract weather, climate, and environmental technology companies to the area

Pamela McCown, Director of Marketing, Education and Research Services

The timing could not be better – Buncombe County and local leaders are actively marketing Asheville as the prime location for companies that wish to venture into the emerging climate-related business sector. As the home to NOAA's National Climatic Data Center, Asheville is positioned to be a prime location for companies that will develop products and services based on the data archived at NCDC. Education Research Services, the Buncombe County Economic Development Commission and others are working together to build the collaborations necessary to support such an economic base and to make Asheville attractive to relevant companies and government agencies.

Stay tuned for more Chocolate Fridays in 2008!

February 22: Urban Sustainability: The Built Environment

March 28: Water Resources

April 25: Land Use Planning

WHERE: The Chamber of Commerce

36 Montford Ave , Asheville 28801

WHEN: 3:00-5:00 on Fridays
(check the schedule for upcoming days)

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Susan Weatherford (250-3890)
Here's a flyer you can download and hang in your office.