The WAR on Science:
Muzzled Scientists and Wilful Blindness
Presented by Chris Turner, Canadian Author
Moderated by Dr. Jon Driver, Vice President Academic, Simon Fraser University
Thursday, November 21, 2013, 7:00 pm
Room 1900, SFU Harbour Centre, 515 West Hastings
Continuing Studies in Science and Environment at Simon Fraser University
invites you to a free public talk, presented by Chris Turner. So what is the nature
of this war on science? Above all else, it is a sustained campaign to diminish
the government’s role in evidence-based policy-making and environmental
stewardship in three simple ways: reducing the capacity of the government to
gather basic data about the status and health of the environment and Canadian
society; shrinking or eliminating government agencies that monitor and
analyze that evidence and respond to emergencies; and seizing control of the
communications channels by which all of the above report their findings to the
Canadian public.
“Put all the facts together,” the National Post wrote, “as Turner does so ably in this
important and necessary book, and you start to appreciate just how far back the
clock has been set on Canada’s environmental protections.” John Vaillant, bestselling author of The Golden Spruce, called The War on Science “an urgent book that
anyone who cares about Canada—the idea, the nation, the democracy—should
read.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn the latest about the War on Science.
CHRIS TURNER is an author, speaker and strategist, providing Canada’s most authoritative voice on sustainability and the global cleantech boom.
A National Business Book Award finalist for The Leap (which the Globe and Mail called “ one of the most arresting arguments for building a green
economy yet in print “) and The Geography of Hope: A Guided Tour of the World We Need, he is also the author of international bestseller Planet
Simpson: How a Cartoon Masterpiece Documented an Era and Defined a Generation. His latest book, The War on Science: Muzzled Scientists and
Willful Blindness, has already been heralded by David Suzuki as “ required reading for all Canadians. ”
A TEDx speaker in 2010 and 2013, Turner has appeared in Fast Company, Time, Utne Reader, the Walrus, Canadian Geographic, and countless
other publications; his expertise earning him nine National Magazine Awards. He was named one of Calgary’s “Top 40 Under 40” by Avenue
Magazine and one of Alberta’s “Next 10” Most Influential People by Alberta Venture.”
He graduated from Queen’s University, in 1996 with an honours Bachelor of Arts in History. He also holds a journalism degree from Ryerson University (1998). Following graduation from Ryerson, Turner reported on culture and technology for Shift Magazine from 1998 to 2003. His writing
has also appeared in, The Walrus, The Globe & Mail, The Independent, The Sunday Times, Time Magazine, The Guardian, Utne Reader, Adbusters
and The South China Morning Post.
When not writing or consulting, Turner enjoys life in Calgary, Alberta with his wife and two children.
Reservations:
Sponsors:
This talk is free and open to the public. As seating is limited,
reservations are recommended:
www.sfu.ca/reserve
Reservations will be held until 6:45pm
Simon Fraser University
• Faculty of Environment
• Faculty of Science
Contact:
For more information, contact lauriew@sfu.ca