Rethinking Water: A Critical Resource

The MIT Club of Washington is pleased to present its 30th annual Seminar Series on an important national topic related to science and technology. Each year, the series offers engineers, scientists, industry leaders, policy makers, and educators an opportunity to explore a specific topic in depth. Both those within and outside the Washington area MIT community gain the opportunity to develop a better understanding of recent developments and key issues.

Presentations by distinguished speakers are followed by ample time for questions and discussion. The social hour and dinner provide additional opportunities to meet the speakers, renew acquaintances, or join in stimulating discussions with other participants.

2011-2012 Topic: Rethinking Water: A Critical Resource

Energy policy has been our concern for a number of years. But perhaps this focus has made us less attentive to what might be an even more pressing problem, the need for a reliable supply of fresh drinking water. We take this resource for granted, though for about a billion people in the world it is a daily concern. It is more vital than oil but to a greater extent squandered. If you think that is an exaggeration you have only to ask yourself, "How long can I go without water?" Or, notice that you can live a long time after your power goes out, but deprived of water...not long. Compounding the water supply shortages in the world is their inevitable negative impact on the local food supplies- in some areas exacerbated by climate changes and energy costs. We ask what technologies can be brought to bear on this problem, and how are we addressing it individually, organizationally, regionally, and globally? In this Series we survey some of the issues associated with perhaps our most precious resource--water.

PROGRAM

SCHEDULE

Each session begins at 6:15 p.m. with a cash bar, followed by dinner at 7:00, and the seminar from approximately 8:00 to 9:30.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

Each of the sessions will be held at the Kenwood Club, 5601 River Road, Bethesda, MD.

From the Beltway (I-495) use Exit 39, River Road. Go toward Washington, continue 2.8 miles. At the Springfield Drive stoplight turn left into Kenwood CC. There is plenty of free parking in the lots left and rear of the clubhouse.

From DC head northwest on Massachusetts Avenue NW; turn right onto Little Falls Parkway; turn left onto River Road; proceed to 5601 River Road and turn right into Kenwood Club.

Using mass transit take the Metro Red Line to Friendship Heights, then take the nine minute ride on the T2 Metrobus that leaves the station at 5:35, 5:55, and 6:15.

NOTE: The sessions meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, except the January session, which meets on the 3rd Tuesday.

ACCESSIBILITY

There is an elevator, accessible from outside, that brings people up to the patio level outside the registration table.

REGISTRATION AND COST

Registration will be accepted for the complete series only, though spaces are transferable for individual sessions. Reservations will be accepted in the order they are received, up to the capacity limit. The series is open to MIT Alumni/ae, their guests and all others interested in the topic. To avoid disappointment from oversubscription, we recommend early response. Federal employees may submit an approved SF 182 for payment.

The subscription cost of the Washington Seminar Series is $320 per person for members of the MIT Club of Washington and their guests, and $350 for non members, which includes dinner for each session. To register and pay by check, mail in the coupon below. Or register online and pay by credit card using MIT's SmarTrans at https://alum.mit.edu/smarTrans/register-login.vm?eventID=58081&groupID=1161. Club Partners only may register via e-mail to Ray Daniels to raphaeldaniels@alum.mit.edu. 

NOTE: Space is available for the set of remaining sessions. Deduct $45 from the normal price for each of the missed sessions. Contact Ray Daniels at raphaeldaniels@alum.mit.edu for payment instructions.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Ken Gordon at 301-469-9240 or kengordon@alum.mit.edu.

STEERING COMMITTEE

General Chairman
Dr. Kenneth Gordon

Program Committee
Mr. Mark Joseph, Chair
Dr. Michael R. Leavitt
Mr. Ray Daniels
Dr. Robert Hershey
Mr. John Starke

Treasurer
Mr. Mark Joseph

Registration
Mr. Ray Daniels
Dr. Bernard Paiewonsky

Publicity
Dr. Robert Hershey

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