The evolution of the Universe
The evolution of life
The end of human evolution
Climate and an evolving planet
These are some of the big topics that will be explored Sunday evening at a free public forum discussing evolution and its implications. The speakers are available for interview over the weekend.
The forum will be hosted in Melbourne by Bernie Hobbs (from ABC TV’s New Inventors) and opens a week-long celebration of Darwin’s birthday across Australia.
Taking part are: Brian Schmidt, an astronomer widely known for his work on the accelerating expansion of the Universe; Steve Jones, UK geneticist and one of the best known contemporary popular writers on evolution; and David Karoly, meteorologist and internationally-recognised expert in climate change.
The forum will kick off with Brian Schmidt talking about the evolution of the universe, galaxy, and solar system.
Steve Jones will give his views on the importance of Darwin, how evolution has changed our understanding of the world and the human condition, and whether evolution is still acting on the human race or if we are post-evolution.
David Karoly will talk about what happens when you mix evolution and climate change and how global climate change is driving evolution.
A conversation between the scientists and debate with the audience will close the forum.
All are welcome to this free public forum at 6 pm at the Melbourne Convention Centre, cnr Flinders and Spencer Street. It’s in the John Batman Theatre.
The public forum is just one of a series of events marking Darwin’s work and ideas.
Melbourne’s celebrations commence with a church service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Sunday 8 February and include an ‘eat your way through the evolutionary tree’ dinner party at the Melbourne Museum on Thursday 12 February. There are some 40 events around the country in the next two weeks.
For more public information about events that celebrate evolution and Darwin: www.evolutionaustralia.org.au
For interviews contact:
- Phil Batterham (03) 8344 2363, 0418 598 562
- Niall Byrne (03) 9398 1416, 0417 131 977 or niall@scienceinpublic.com.au