Museum of Science, Boston

Lecture [Return to listing page]
with Eric Chivian, MD, founder, director, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Harvard Medical School; Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; author, Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity; moderated by Noel Michele "Missy" Holbrook, PhD, Charles Bullard Professor of Forestry and professor of biology, Harvard University. This presentation is part of the ongoing Celebrity Science Series.

Additional media is available

Please join us for this Celebrity Science Series event, part of the Reno Family Foundation Symposia.

The Earth's biodiversity — the rich variety of life on our planet — is disappearing at an alarming rate. And while human health depends, to a larger extent than we might imagine, on biodiversity, this essential relationship is rarely addressed. Join this lively discussion about why we can no longer see ourselves as separate from the natural world, nor assume that we will be unharmed by its alteration. Discover why former vice president Al Gore said, "Sustaining Life is the most complete and powerful argument I have seen for the importance of preserving biodiversity." Book signing to follow.

Important Information About This Event

Due to an unforeseen family emergency, Dr. Edward O. Wilson will be unable to participate in this event. However, the program will continue as scheduled featuring Drs. Eric Chivian and Noel Michele Holbrook in conversation.

We are thrilled to host Nobel Peace Prize-winning scientist and author Eric Chivian, MD, who is founder and director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School. In 1992, under Dr. Chivian's direction, the Center began a massive international effort to catalog "what was known about how other species contribute to human health." The result was the significant and timely book Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity, published this year. Named in 2008 by Time magazine one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World, Dr. Chivian will be joined by rising luminary Dr. Noel Michel Holbrook, the Charles Bullard Professor of Forestry and a faculty member in the Organismic and Evolutionary Biology Department at Harvard University. Holbrook's research and teaching is motivated by her belief that enhanced understanding of photosynthesis and plant biology is essential for confronting the environmental challenges associated with the sustainable use of water, land and other natural resources, including the emerging conflict between biological diversity, biofuels, and food production. We hope that you will still join us for this important program.

Since the program has changed from its original format, we are happy to refund all tickets purchased. Call 617-723-2500 (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) or visit the Museum's box office in person (9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.) in order to obtain your refund prior to the event. Please have your transaction ID number as well as your credit card information available.

If you still plan to attend the program, please let us know when requesting your refund so that we can make sure we have a seat(s) available for you. Visit one of our eight self-service kiosks in the lobby or see a cashier at the box office to pick up your free replacement ticket.

If you have not already purchased a ticket and would like to attend the program, a limited number of free seating passes will be available in the Museum lobby beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the evening of the program.

Funded by the Reno Family Foundation.

Additional funding for adult programs provided by the Barbara and Malcolm L. Sherman Fund for Adult Programs and by the David and Marion Ellis Endowment Fund.