State of Fear:
Hollywood, the Media and Global Warming

Michael Crichton's book "State of Fear" and Hollywood's disaster film, "The Day After Tomorrow," have brought global warming to the public's consciousness as never before. But their portrayals of the scientific arguments and environmental consequences of greenhouse warming have also elicited rebuke from both sides of the political debate over this contentious issue.

What responsibilities do journalists, novelists and filmmakers have in accurately portraying such critical, yet often misunderstood, scientific and environmental issues? What responsibilities do scientists have in addressing the public misconceptions over global warming even though the scientific evidence for global warming is clear?

Join three distinguished panelists on March 1 at 4 p.m. in the first floor auditorium of the Natural Sciences Building as they tackle these questions and more in an open discussion entitled "State of Fear: Hollywood, the Media and Global Warming":

- Gene Rosow, Documentary Filmmaker and Feature Film Producer

- Naomi Oreskes, Associate Professor, Department of History and Director of the Program in Science Studies

- Mark Thiemens, Dean, Division of Physical Sciences

The discussion, a collaboration of the Division of Physical Sciences, Program in Science Studies and Environmental Systems Program, will be taped and broadcast locally on UCSD-TV on March 30 at 8 p.m., April 3 at 7 p.m. and April 4 at 10 p.m. Refreshments will be served after the event.