Dr. Scott Roper, Associate Professor of Geography at Castleton College, examines the role that culture plays on sustainability – from early civilizations to the present.
“Geographers study the Earth as home to people, and in doing so we tend to look at how environmental systems and human systems interact. All cultures, including our own, reflect adaptation to the environment and interactions with each other. Cultures that adapt to their environment in a sustainable way will flourish, while those that do not will die out. In view of global climate change and other environmental challenges, successful adaptation to our environment without any degradation of our standard of living has to include the use of more renewable energy resources,” Roper says.
Roper is also coordinator of the Vermont Geographic Alliance, working with National Geographic and local educators to promote the teaching of geography in Vermont schools. He is a cultural and historical geographer.
Roper received his Ph.D. in Geography from University of Kansas, his M.A. in Geography from University of North Dakota and his B.A. in Geography from Clark University.
The monthly GMP College Connections is a lecture series created as part of an agreement between GMP and all four Rutland County colleges to work together to bolster economic, educational and community development. Talks are presented by faculty from each of the Rutland County colleges. The presentations will explore a variety of energy issues, including the science of energy, renewable power, financial concerns and the psychology of energy use. All talks are held at GMP’s Energy Innovation Center in Rutland.
In addition to Castleton College, the other participating colleges are Community College of Vermont (CCV), Green Mountain College and College of St. Joseph.
For more information on the series contact: [email protected]