Fire & Smoke in Equatorial Asia

Loretta J. Mickley is an atmospheric chemist and co-leader of the Harvard Atmospheric Modeling Group at Harvard University. Dr. Mickley and her students investigate smog, climate change, and long-term trends in the composition of the atmosphere from the Last Ice Age to 2100 AD. She is especially interested in the air quality and climate issues faced by developing countries. Fire and Smoke in Equatorial Asia How the mix of weather and human activity can lead to environmental catastrophe In June 2013 and again in fall 2015, thick smoke blanketed Equatorial Asia for weeks, forcing schools and airports to close, threatening the health of millions of people, and endangering wildlife. The countries most affected were Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. What caused these fires? Is human activity in this region making fires more severe or widespread? Is there anything governments can do to stop the fires or limit their impacts? Using satellite data and computer models, scientists are currently exploring these questions. Join us for an enlightened evening and a lively discussion! Tickets: $10 General Admission/$8 TMSC Members. Reservations recommended. Call (860) 677-8571 or email daugust@tmsc.org.