The Duke Digest - April 12, 2010


In Today's Issue:

  • April 14th Congressional Briefing on Tropical Forests and Global Warming to Include Duke Professor
  • Duke Researcher Says Commercial Fishing Estimated to Kill Millions of Sea Turtles
  • Duke Professor's Op-Ed: Obama's Nuclear Modesty
  • Duke Chapel Celebrates 75th Anniversary on April 17-18

APRIL 14 CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING ON TROPICAL FORESTS AND GLOBAL WARMING TO INCLUDE DUKE PROFESSOR
Rep. Adam Schiff is sponsoring a congressional briefing, "Tropical Forests and Global Warming: Fulfilling the United States' Copenhagen Committment," to take place on April 14th. Dr. Stuart Pimm, Duke professor of conservation ecology, will be one of several experts to speak on issues related to tropical forest deforestation, carbon emissions, and biodiversity.

The briefing will begin at 1:00 p.m. in room 2456 of the Rayburn House Office Building

Read More:
Tropical Forests and Global Warming Briefing Invitation (pdf)

DUKE RESEARCHER SAYS COMMERCIAL FISHING ESTIMATED TO KILL MILLIONS OF SEA TURTLES
The number of sea turtles inadvertently snared by commercial fishing gear over the past 20 years may reach into the millions, according to the first peer-reviewed study to compile sea turtle bycatch data from gillnet, trawl and longline fisheries worldwide. “Although our numbers are estimates, they highlight clearly the importance of guidelines for fishing equipment and practices to help reduce these losses,” said Bryan Wallace lead author of the new paper.

Wallace is the science advisor for the Sea Turtle Flagship Program at Conservation International and an adjunct assistant professor at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. Most of his co-authors are researchers at Duke’s Center for Marine Conservation.

Read More:
New Study Estimates Sea Turtle Bycatch in the Millions (Nicholas School)


DUKE PROFESSOR'S OP-ED: OBAMA'S NUCLEAR MODESTY
Peter Feaver, professor of political science and public policy at Duke, wrote this opinion piece for the New York Times giving his analysis of President Obama's policy on the use of atomic weapons.

"President Obama's new policy on the use of atomic weapons, called the Nuclear Posture Review, has brought to the public eye a longstanding debate over what’s known as “declaratory doctrine”: what the United States government is willing to say publicly and in advance about the conditions under which it will use its nuclear arsenal. A calm reading of the document shows that the changes in terms of doctrine aren’t nearly as epochal as the White House would have us believe or its critics would have us fear."

Read More:
Obama's Nuclear Modesty (New York Times)


DUKE CHAPEL CELEBRATES 75th ANNIVERSARY ON APRIL 17-18
A celebration marking the 75th anniversary of Duke Chapel’s dedication will include music and other special events April 17-18. The celebration will include the screening of a new short film about the chapel, Sunday morning worship with former Duke Chapel Dean William Willimon and a concert by the chapel’s choir and organists.

Read More:
Duke Chapel Celebrates 75th Anniversary on April 17-18 (DukeNews)