Deltas and Humans: A Long Relationship Threatened by Global Change

In this public lecture organised by the School of Geography and Sustainable Development and made possible with support from the Institute for Population, Wellbeing & Environment Research (I-POWER), Professor Thomas S Bianchi, Endowed Chair and Fellow at the University of Florida, will talk about his research and resulting publication on the long relationship humans have had with the ebb and flow of the river deltas around the world and how that relationship is threatened by global change.

The massive expansion of human populations around the world in both the lower and upper drainage basins of large rivers have changed the manner in which sediments and water are delivered to river deltas making their fate now less stable and more unpredictable.

Because of the high density of human populations found in these regions, humans have developed elaborate hydrological engineering schemes in an attempt to "tame" the deltas. The current global sea-level rise coupled with delta subsidence – for both natural and human-linked reasons – has put the fate of modern deltas in even greater jeopardy.

The event will open with a welcome from School of Geography and Sustainable Development Director of Research and Director of I-POWER, Dan Clayton, followed by an introduction and welcome on behalf of the University from the Master and Deputy Principal.

Location: New Arts Lecture Theatre. Please be seated by 12 mid-day.