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The legal block on climate action
Colombia’s conference on phasing out fossil fuels signals climate action isn’t just slowed by politics — it’s blocked by profit-protecting legal systems.
Dr. David Boyd explores the global consequences.
Nina Sokolov
Postdoc
Climate doom and gloom? Try laughing instead. Activists embrace joy in the fight to save Earth
“We’re actually trying to get people to change their behaviors. And joy is the missing ingredient here,” Zhao said. “All we’re saying is give this a shot.”
December 3, 2026: Faculty Seminar with Dr. Eric Kumeh
In this talk, Dr. Kumeh takes a critical look at the cocoa economy, exploring how governance systems constrain farmer agency and what alternatives could create more equitable outcomes.
November 26, 2026: Student Seminar with Fernando Garci-Crespo
Talk title: Does the clean economy only benefit affluent and left-leaning communities?
November 19, 2026: Faculty Seminar with Dr. Alex McInturff co-hosted with IBioS
Join Dr. Alex McInturff to discover how integrating social and ecological perspectives can deepen our understanding of species’ roles in modern ecosystems.
November 5, 2026: Professional Development Seminar with Nivi Thatra
Help improve the reach of your research and your skills!
IRES’s Communications Manager will offer tips for writing lay abstracts, creating a graphical abstract, and refining your online presence
The IRES Seminar Series resumes in September 2026
Have a great summer!
October 29, 2026: Faculty Seminar with Dr. Hamish van der Ven
How do claims about AI’s inevitability and importance become embedded in public policy? Dr. Van der Ven introduces the concept of “information laundering” to explain how techno-utopian narratives gain legitimacy and political influence.
How AI Can Help Boost Wealth and Share It More Fairly
Dr. Jiaying Zhao and co-authors discuss how AI can boost wealth more equitably. They explain that an AI‑funded basic income is recommended as “it reflects the principle that as machines become more capable, people should become freer to flourish.”