KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– Global population will be explored Oct. 22 at a regional meeting of the Tennessee Geographic Alliance.
The program, set for 4:30-8 p.m. at the University of Tennessee, is free and open to the public. UT-Knoxville faculty and area educators will lead the sessions in the University Center.
Dr. Theodore Schmudde, UT-Knoxville professor of geography, will speak at 5 p.m. on the world population problem. Concurrent sessions on the population transition in Italy, water resources in the American west, and population studies for classroom teachers are set for 6:15 p.m.
Free parking and refreshments will be provided.
Population study and research at UT-Knoxville received a boost earlier this year when the National Geographic Society matched a $250,000 gift from a Knoxville couple, Harrison and Robbie Livingston.
The Livingstons said they made the gift because of his life-long interest in geography and concern about global population growth.
“The world’s population will grow by 1 billion in the next 10 years,” Harrison Livingston said. “Too many people just ignore this fact, but it has serious consequences for our children and grandchildren.
“Education is the way to get this word out. We must start in the schools, and the geographic alliance is a good way to do that.”
The state alliance, a partnership of UT and the National Geographic Society, was formed in 1986 to promote geography education in Tennessee schools.
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Contact: Dr. Sid Jumper (423-974-2418)