The university is encouraging students to pursue research and careers related to climate change and environmental management.

“The importance of environmental issues, as discussed at the United Nations climate change meeting recently, cannot be understated,” said Commerce lecturer David Roche-Kelly.

Roche-Kelly, who lectures in finance and environmental economics, believes that even though people may feel the economic crisis takes precedence , the actual environment one lives in cannot be disregarded.

“Students feel they need to understand how a country like China is managing to grow at such comparatively exceptional rates. This is all well, but they need to realise that seeing how China manages its own environmental problems and the role it plays in the world in general are maybe even more important,” said Roche-Kelly.

In an article published on September 27 by the British Sunday Times, it was reported that China was “ready to police its greenhouse gas emissions for the first time by giving its official blessing to a domestic emissions trading scheme”. President Hu Jintao had declared at the same UN climate conference that his country would achieve a “notable” reduction in emissions over the next decade. 

“I think people should not be so quick to see China as the leader in the climate change battle,” stated Roche-Kelly. “The scientists know what they are doing. Yes, China did not commit to capping energy intensive industries but they already have a two-level emissions tax in place.  They are very worried about their decreasing water supply. Research has shown that the rivers that flow from the Himalayan Glaciers, which serve 1,3 billion people, may not reach the sea soon.”

Wits University already offers courses  in environmental law, economics, engineering and sciences.  This is one of the reasons  why Kelly is organising an inter-disciplinary climate change research programme at Wits next year.

In an effort bring more attention to how students can play a role in environmental studies in Southern Africa, Professor Colleen Vogel, from the School of Geosciences and Environmental Studies, will present a lecture on Wednesday, October 14.

Vogel is a previous co-recipient  of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, shared with Al Gore.

In her lecture: Saving for a Rainy Day – Constraints, Challenges and Opportunities associated with Climate Change and Climate Variability in Southern Africa, she will present some of her research and involvement in climate change and variability in  the Southern African region over the past 25 years.