For fourteen years, students in the Rice Environmental Club have organized an annual Environmental Conference. The conference serves as an avenue to bring together citizens, business leaders, public officials, and students of all viewpoints and backgrounds and to encourage debate about protecting the environment both in the community and around the world.

This year's conference, entitled "Whose Earth Is It?: People, Petrochemicals, and Environmental Justice," will focus on identifying the links between the social and environmental problems in Houston, and then on how government, industry, and the non-profit and advocacy sectors can unite to find lasting solutions. The situation in Houston is unique due to the presence of the Houston Ship Channel, large minority communities, and numerous distinct ecosystems that make the greater Galveston-Houston area a hotbed of biodiversity. A number of speakers, from non-profit, government, academic, and corporate backgrounds, will participate on panels, first identifying the major problems in the Greater Houston area, and then working toward integrated, holistic solutions. Please check back for a more detailed description of the topics to be covered.

The conference will be held in Harry Carrothers Wiess Commons on the Rice University Campus from 9:30am - 4:30pm on Saturday, March 24th 2007. Hilton Kelley will deliver the keynote speech, and Houston city-councilwoman, Carol Alvarado, will kick off the conference. The event is free and open to the public with free breakfast and lunch provided. Please check the agenda for more information. Come for a single presentation or the whole day!