December 15, 2006
New York, N.Y. -
Lecture Series Focuses on Global Warming
and its Effects on Hurricanes
St. John’s University’s School of Risk Management,
Insurance and Actuarial Science (SRM) welcomed Massachusetts
Institute of Technology’s Kerry A. Emanuel, Ph.D., Professor of
Atmospheric Science, who served as keynote speaker for the Fall
William J. Parkinson Lecture held on December 13 at the
University’s Manhattan Campus.
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Gallery
Emanuel, chosen as one of Time Magazine’s “100 People
Who Shape Our World” presented a lecture entitled “Is Global
Warming Affecting Hurricanes?” He has written the widely acclaimed
book, Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes.
The book was named one of the Top 20 science books of 2005 by
Discover Magazine.
The lecture took place in the Saval Auditorium at University’s
Manhattan Campus attended by more than 100 faculty members,
administrators, students and a large contingent from the School of
Risk Management’s (SRM) Board of Overseers to St. John’s
University. The School of Risk Management is part of The Peter J. Tobin College of
Business at St. John’s University. Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Tobin
were also in attendance for the thought-provoking keynote
address.
Hemant H. Shah, President & CEO of Risk Management
Solutions, Inc. (RMS), and a member of the Board of Overseers,
introduced Dr. Emanuel. RMS is the world's leading provider of
products and services for the quantification and management of
catastrophe risks. Following the lecture, a question and
answer session was moderated by Robert P. Hartwig, Ph.D., CPCU,
Executive Vice President & Chief Economist of the Insurance
Information Institute.
Emanuel gave a formal presentation of his findings and research
but warned not to be swayed solely by “statistical data alone” when
discussing Global Warming subject matter, stating that there are
“too many other variables to consider” in forming an educated
opinion. A more detailed assessment complete with articles and
support-materials can be found by visiting Emanuel’s web site at:
http://wind.mit.edu/~emanuel/home.html.
He also was quick to praise the insurance community for
embracing this important topic from the very beginning as a partner
to inform and educate the public.
“The insurance industry has been at the forefront of the Global
Warming issue extending support to fund valuable research and
testing,” noted Emanuel.
A private reception for Dr. Emanuel was hosted in the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom
Davis Library immediately following the lecture. The Library
Collection, established more than 106 years ago, is also located at
the Manhattan Campus and comprises the world’s largest collection
of risk and insurance literature, policies, and related documents,
and serves students of risk management and insurance around the
world as a center for study and research.
The event, co-sponsored by SRM and the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom
Davis Library, was supported by the William J. Parkinson
Distinguished Lecture Fund. The fund was established at The College
of Insurance in memory and recognition of William J. Parkinson and
his contributions to the insurance industry and to Johnson &
Higgins, the insurance brokerage, merged with Marsh & McLennan
Companies (MMC) in 1997.
The School of Risk Management was founded in 1901 as the
Insurance Society of New York and over the years evolved into The
College of Insurance (TCI). In June 2001, TCI merged with St.
John’s University, becoming a school of The Peter J. Tobin College
of Business. Located in New York City’s downtown financial
district, SRM awards undergraduate, M.B.A. and M.S. degrees in
insurance, risk management and actuarial science disciplines.
Through its Center for Professional Education, SRM also provides
education, training and consulting services to the industry,
governments and regulators worldwide.
All press representatives are directed to call Dominic Scianna,
Director of Media Relations at St. John’s University by calling
(718) 990-6185 or e-mail inquiries to sciannad@stjohns.edu.