A University of Wyoming economics professor was a featured panelist at a major international conference in Sweden that focused on worldwide environmental issues.
Ed Barbier, the John S. Bugas Professor of Economics in the College
of Business Department of Economics and Finance, spoke at the Road to Copenhagen Conference
"Sustaining People and the Planet: A Fair Deal in Copenhagen," in Malmo, Sweden.
The conference preceded the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Key members of the "Road to Copenhagen" established a politically endorsed initiative that brings together key stakeholders to contribute to and help shape climate change negotiations.
Barbier was on a finance panel during one of the working sessions of the conference, which was sponsored by the Club of Madrid.
The Club of Madrid is an independent organization dedicated to strengthening democratic values and leadership around the world by drawing on the unique experience and resources of its members, Barbier says. More than 70 democratic former heads of state and government from 50 countries contribute their time, experience and knowledge to this mission.
Its membership, comprising the world's largest forum of ex-presidents and ex-prime ministers, offers today's leaders an unequaled body of knowledge and political leadership, Barbier says.
"The Road to Copenhagen" conference was led by three prominent world leaders, Mary Robinson, former Ireland president; Gro-Harlem Brundtland, former Norway prime minister; and Margot Wallstrom, vice president of the European Commission.
The conference participants developed recommendations for the Copenhagen climate talks, Barbier says.
Before coming to UW, Barbier was at the Environment Department, University of York, United Kingdom and previously served as director of the London Environmental Economics Centre of the International Institute for Environment and Development and University College.
He has more than 25 years experience as an environmental and resource economist, working on natural resource and development issues and also the interface between economics and ecology.
Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2009