University brings together community for conference on water
Author Michael Grunwald gave keynote at “Water World: H2O, Life and the Future"
By: Julianna M. Pietak
barry-news@mail.barry.edu
The Everglades not only define South Florida, but may also define our ability to live hand-in-hand with nature in the 21st century, according to environmental reporter Michael Grunwald.
Grunwald, who authored the acclaimed text “The Swamp,” highlighted a two-day interdisciplinary conference held at Barry and St. Thomas University Oct. 23 and 24. Over 700 people attended “Water World: H2O, Life and the Future,” which was held to deepen awareness of the central role that water plays in life on our planet.
“The story of the Everglades is the story of us and how we’ve destroyed this beautiful place. It’s about hubris, good intentions and unintended consequences,” Grunwald said in his keynote address. “South Florida is where we’re going to figure out whether man can live in harmony with nature.”
Grunwald’s message was familiar to his Barry audience – “The Swamp” was the first text in a new common reader program for Barry first-year students. In addition to Grunwald, acclaimed nature photographer Clyde Butcher also headlined the conference, continuing the theme of water-ecology and the Everglades. Butcher, whose images are featured in “The Swamp,” shared his photos with an audience of over 200, drawing attention to the endangered waters of the Everglades and Biscayne Bay.
The conference also brought together voices from a variety of disciplines at Barry. The day included 11 workshops, with presentations on water as a literary motif, the commoditization of water and theological teachings on water. Faculty from Physical Sciences and the School of Natural and Health Sciences also tested Barry’s tap water quality, finding it to exceed the standards of typical tap water in the region. While varied, each presentation drew attention to the significant implications that water has in our region, culture and to sustain life in general.
“The timeliness of this event, along with the political importance of it to South Florida, is huge,” said conference chair Dr. Jesus Mendez. “With our current and ongoing water restrictions, and the fact that the national Everglades restoration project is in danger of being scuttled, it is crucial that issues surrounding our environment be brought to the table for discussion.”
The conference was co-sponsored by Barry University and the Center for Earth Jurisprudence, and continued Wednesday, Oct. 24 at St. Thomas University. “Water World: H2O, Life and the Future” was funded in part by a grant from the South Florida Water Management District, who also directed a workshop at the event.
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| Michael Grunwald, author of 'The Swamp' signs a copy of his book for Provost Dr. Linda Peterson at "Water World: H2O, Life and the Future" Oct. 23. Grunwald gave the keynote address at the two-day interdisciplinary conference. |
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