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Welcome
The Department of Modern and Classical Literatures and Cultures and The Center for Environmental Studies present “In the Path of Disaster(s): Narratives around Natural Catastrophes in the Americas/Circum-Caribbean†at the Moody for the Arts.
Conference co-organizers Jacqueline Couti, Laurence H. Favrot Associate Professor of French and Francophone studies and Luis Duno-Gottberg, Professor of Caribbean and Media studies propose to offer a rigorous and enlightening encounter between scholars, artists, and activists, November 19 – 20.
This conference will highlight research, artwork, and activism from around the country, the Circum-Caribbean region, and Europe alongside studies from Rice faculty. Participants will discuss how disasters and natural catastrophes in the Circum-Caribbean region—broadly defined to include the Gulf coast areas of Texas and Louisiana—impact human interactions and shape societies. To explore how human activities and production impact natural disasters, discussions will often have a comparative approach that transcends historical and geographical delineations. This interdisciplinary symposium will provide a productive framework that draws from the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences enabling a fruitful dialogue.
Join the Severe Storm Prediction, Education, & Evacuation from Disasters Center for their 10th conference, specifying on Houston’s Post-Harvey Climate & how Flood Impacts the Built Environment.Â
Please join SSPEED for their 10th Conference,
where top academic, consulting, and governmental experts will present on a wide variety of topics.
Topics Include:
 Urban Design & Policy for Flood Protection
 Influence of Climate Change on Recent Storms
 Preparing for Hurricanes of the Future
 Structural & Non-Structural Flood Mitigation
 Flood Warning Systems
 Flooding Impacts on Mobility & Transportation
 Coastal & In-Bay Surge Defenses
 MAAPNext Update from HCFCD
 Impact of the Big Freeze on Energy Systems
 Carbon Exchange Update
The 26th annual Texas Land Conservation Conference will be held March 2-4, 2022 at the Hilton Austin Airport.
The conference is the preeminent statewide meeting for anyone working in the field of land and water conservation, private landowners interested in conserving their land, government, business and NGO agency partners, and any person interested in learning more about these important issues in Texas.
The conference brings together experts from around the state and nation to discuss a variety of conservation-related issues, providing an exceptional opportunity for learning and engagement in order to advance land and water conservation in Texas.
The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites you to celebrate Earth Day/Month by joining our team for the online Earth Month EcoChallenge. This EcoChallenge focuses on the sustainable development goals of the United Nations, with categories of: basic needs & security, health & equity, education & livelihood, economy & communities and climate & ecosystems. You pick your challenges to complete during the month – to build a new sustainable habit, learn about an environmental issue, advocate for eco-justice, volunteer or spend more time in nature (among the many, many choices). Join the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston team & we’ll support each other along the journey. To sign up or to learn more, go to https://earthmonth.ecochallenge.org/. Questions? – Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
Experience forest bathing, led by a certified guide, followed by practice of the Christian spiritual discipline of the Earth Examen. Forest bathing, a practice that originated in Japan, involves taking in, in all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. Forest bathing has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood and focus, enhance creativity, and lead to an increased sense of calm and altruistic behavior, in addition to other benefits such as boosting the immune system and lowering blood pressure. As Christians, we understand that God is present in God’s creation, and after our guided forest bath, we’ll spend some time considering the Earth Examen as we reflect both on our time spent forest bathing and on our relationship with all creation. This activity is for a small group and space is limited. Please register at www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/forest-bathing-earth-examen-tickets-291848535827. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Calling people of all faiths or no faith at all in Houston to care for our shared environment in observance of Earth Day/Month!  We will engage in hands-on environmental stewardship at the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve. This event will offer activities for all ages and skill. Meet at the Swartz Gazebo in the park to sign in. Metro bus line 7 stops nearby, and line 49 is not far. Tools/supplies will be provided. This event is organized by Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston, in partnership with the Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy. The conservancy requires signing of a waiver to participate. Please register for planning purposes on www.eventbrite.com at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-2022-interfaith-environmental-stewardship-event-tickets-273115956177. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com for more information.
THE GULF OF MEXICO CONFERENCE 2022
The Gulf of Mexico Conference (GoMCon) combines the annual Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) All Hands Meeting, the annual Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science (GoMOSES) Conference, and the triannual State of the Gulf Summit. The focus of GoMCon emphasizes the intersection of scientific research and the management of human and natural systems in the coastal region. This conference seeks to promote the integration of science and management into decision-making. GoMCon is a great way to make sure researchers, coastal resource managers, and interested stakeholders have an opportunity to collaborate on managing this precious natural resource we call the Gulf of Mexico.
SSPEED’s 10th Conference
Post-Harvey Climate & Flood Impacts on the Built Environment
April 28 & 29, 2022
Please join SSPEED this January for SSPEED’s 10th conference, where over thirty top academic, consulting and governmental experts will present on a wide variety of topics. This two-day event will be located at the Anderson-Clarke Center (Glasscock School of Continuing Studies) at Rice University.
The air quality in Harris County is influenced by multiple sources of pollution, including extensive road traffic, concrete batch plants, proximity to the largest petrochemical industrial complex in the United States, and port activities in the Houston Ship Channel. It is also important to note that environmental risks are not always uniformly distributed in urban areas like Houston, Harris County, and individuals classified with low socioeconomic status (SES) can become overburdened by environmental exposures. One pollutant of interest is particulate matter, specifically particulate matter of size 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5). PM2.5 is of particular interest because these fine particles pose the greatest risk to human health due to their small size and ability to reach multiple organs. There are long-term and short-term impacts of PM2.5 pollution on the human respiratory and cardiovascular organ systems. These short and long-term impacts may have contributed to poor outcomes following SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). The COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted us all. An important public health objective is to identify key modifiable environmental factors that may contribute to the severity of the health outcomes related to this disease. Join Rachel White, MPH, PhD (c), University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, as she takes a deep dive into this topic and discusses how pollution may impact our understanding of respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19.  Time for interactive discussion with the speaker will be provided. Please register for this talk on www.eventbrite.com at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/is-there-an-association-between-air-pollution-and-covid-19-mortality-tickets-330848455637. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Experience forest bathing, led by a certified guide, followed by practice of the Christian spiritual discipline of the Earth Examen. Forest bathing, a practice that originated in Japan, involves taking in, in all of one’s senses, the forest atmosphere. Not simply a walk in the woods, it is the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest. Forest bathing has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood and focus, enhance creativity, and lead to an increased sense of calm and altruistic behavior, in addition to other benefits such as boosting the immune system and lowering blood pressure. As Christians, we understand that God is present in God’s creation, and after our guided forest bath, we’ll spend some time considering the Earth Examen as we reflect both on our time spent forest bathing and on our relationship with all creation. This activity is for a small group and space is limited. Please register at www.eventbrite.com. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.